St Francis Xavier Church in Velim is one of the few churchesthat celebrates its feast on December 3 itself. Village elders believe that StFrancis Xavier visited Velim in the 1500’s and touched many lives then besidesconverting many into Christanity. Though not verified by history, the storiesare many to St Francis Xaviers coming to Velim.
“It is believed that St Francis Xavier landed at the Port ofCabo de Rama in the 1500’s and obviously moved around by foot and reached Velimwhich is 14 kilometres away. While he tried to work his way and converted a fewinto Catholics, the blacksmith community of Velim did not encourage him to stayand drove him away. That’s why he is the patron saint of Velim,” assertsFrancis Braz. Francis justifies these claims by translating Velim to ‘Vela’ inKonkani similar to the pronunciation of Goa Velha, Old Goa.
Contrary to his claims are those of Savio Caeiro whobelieves that the Church got its name from the Barros and Colaco community thatsettled in Velim from Old Goa and nearby Carambolim in North Goa when a plaguehit the region and that they named St Francis Xavier as Patron saint.
The St Francis Xavier Church which was in the midst ofcontroversy in April 2012 when the parish priest Father Romano Gonsalves wasraided twice by CID officials during the Code of Conduct for Assembly Polls. Onthe second occasion when the villagers CID officials and beat them up.
“The St Francis Church at Velim, seven years ago celebrated200 years and has recently been renovated with the altar restored with theStatue of St Francis Xavier in the middle,” stated Parish priest Father GeorgeFernandes.
Father George also points out that church has a low turnoutof 8,000 parishioners, with most homes shut and people returning only duringvacation and weekends or for weddings and funerals. Father George also pointsthat on a nearby hillock, Velim is famous for its Baradi Cross whose feast iscelebrated on May 3.
“The Holy Cross Chapel at Baradi Cross is very famous forits miracles. It is very well known for miracles of childless couples,unhealing wounds and sick infants. People from Quepem, Canacona and Salcete visitit during the Novena’s to pray,” stated Deputy Sarpanch Sharmila Fernandes.
