By John Malvino Alfonso, OCD –
Goa: Catholics across Goa undertook a Walking Pilgrimage (Bhavarthachi Yatra) to Sancoale Old Church on the first Sunday (March 10) of Lent. It was in this church that St. Joseph Vaz wrote a letter of bondage and later on, during his spiritual journey in Sri Lanka, he walked sharing the message of Christ to the less fortunate.
Pictures by Glenn Almeida and Veli Fernandes
The Walking Pilgrimage, covering 9 kms, began at 3.00 am — from 19 deaneries and from all parishes and chapels of the Archdiocese of Goa — reached Sancoale Old Church just before 6.30 am. Nearly 23,000 faithful participated in the walk.
The Walking Pilgrimage was organised by the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman to understand the salvific value of suffering, to spread the joy of being a Christian, to gain God’s grace during difficulties and also an occasion for personal conversion. It was an opportunity provided by Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, Most Rev. Dr. Filipe Neri Ferrão, for the church in Goa to walk with Christ, who first walked to Calvary. Six venues across Goa were identified — Goa Velha, Mandur, Quelossim, Verna, Cansaulim and Vasco for the walk.
Archbishop Neri Ferrão, who presided the Eucharist at the Old Church, Sancoale, appealed to the faithful gathered to experience Jesus and show concern towards the poor, needy and the marginalised.
“Jesus was always on the way. He walked the way of suffering,” Archbishop Neri Ferrão said in his homily on the theme of the First Sunday of the Lent – Man does not live on the bread alone – while reminding the faithful that the journey of faith begins on the day of Baptism.
Explaining the triple challenge before the followers of Jesus, the Archbishop said that the faithful need to walk their journey with Jesus. “We need to strengthen our faith in Jesus, trust in Him, confirmed to the image of Jesus, give up our sinful habits, detach from worldly things to walk with Jesus.”
He gave insights into how Jesus was tempted, and how He overcame them by taking the help of Word of God and fasting. He elaborated on the second challenge that Jesus built not buildings, but families and communities and urged people to build on humanity especially with broken people, families and communities through prayers and humility.
He requested the faithful to show love of Jesus to others by accepting them as they are. He also dwelt on the life of St. Joseph Vaz, Patron of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, who made Jesus as the centre of his life by way of accepting Jesus.
Altogether 135 priests con-celebrated the mass including Fr. Alfred Vaz, Convenor of the Committee formed for Walking Pilgrimage, Fr. Louis Alvares, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Sancoale, Fr. Manuel Dias, Rector of the St. Joseph Vaz Sanctuary, Sancoale, Fr. Leonardo P. D’souza, Episcopal Vicar for Central Zone, Fr. Lucio Dias, Episcopal Vicar for the South Zone, Fr. Tony D’souza, Episcopal for Religious, Fr. Mathew Fernandes, Provincial of Goa Province of Pilar Fathers, Fr. Simiao Fernandes, Director, Pastoral Institute, Old Goa, Fr. Donato Rodrigues of Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol, Fr. Sertorio Rodrigues, Parish Priest of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs, Assolna, Fr. Camilo Dias, Assistant to the Parish Priest of St. Andrew’s Church, Vasco, and Fr. Mark Furtado, OCD, of Carmelite Monastery, Margao (Religious).
A Special logo was designed by Abishai Mascarenhas from Ambora with a Cross on the logo to identify the image of the Cross of St. Joseph Vaz, “The feet represent the pilgrimage. Jesus walked to us with the Cross and from the Cross. We are now his feet to carry His message of love, peace, forgiveness to everyone.”
Sancoale Parish Choir led the liturgical singing. Fr. Afonso Mendonca, Director of Diocesan Centre for Liturgy, animated the liturgy. Fr. Alfred Vaz, Convenor of the committee formed for Walking Pilgrimage proposed the vote of thanks. Nearly 300 volunteers from Diocesan Youth Centre, Benaulim deanery and Sancoale Parish volunteered their services. St. Luke Medical Guild and Catholic Nurses Guild provide support.
The faithful also had an opportunity to put down their petitions on a paper. Archbishop raised those petitions up though a special prayer. A special Way of the Cross was held in all the parishes and chapels of the archdiocese as a preparation for the Walking Pilgrimage. Fasting and prayers were also offered for the success of the event from Ash Wednesday to Saturday. The faithful also participated in the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a preparation of the Pilgrimage.