The Navelim community celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary in London.
LONDON
The Navelim community in London came together in unity and devotion on November 19 to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, honouring a cherished Goan tradition that continues to thrive far from home.
What began as a simple idea in 2024 has now grown into an annual celebration for Navelkars living across the United Kingdom. The inspiration for organising the first feast came from Liston Rodrigues of Sinquetim, a former Salgaocar goalkeeper, who shared the vision with Sucorina Gomes from Telaulim, Teo Pereira from Dongorim, and London’s leading emcee, Bunty Vas of Cottoc, a prominent figure among Navelkars in the UK.
Together, the four laid the foundation for what has become an important cultural and spiritual gathering for the community.
[From L to R]: Liston Rodrigues, Teo Pereira, Sucorina Gomes and Bunty Vas.
The inaugural celebration in 2024, despite unfavourable weather, saw an overwhelming turnout and set the tone for years to come. The Eucharistic Mass in 2024 was celebrated by Navelim’s own Fr Renato Andrade, whose presence brought immense pride to the community. The evening concluded with a warm and lively dine-and-dance event, held with one central purpose: to unite all Navelkars settled in London.
This year, the feast was observed once again following the age-old tradition of celebrating on the third Wednesday of the month. The day began with the Eucharistic celebration at 4.30 pm at St Anselm’s Church, Southall. The Parish Priest, Fr Felix D’Silva SJ, a Goan priest from Ambelim, graciously approved the Mass and the subsequent festivities, further fostering a strong sense of community among the attendees.
The Eucharist was celebrated by Fr Renato Andrade of the Goan Chaplaincy UK and a proud son of Colmorod, Navelim. In his homily, Fr Renato reflected on the history of the Navelim parish, recounting the perseverance, sacrifices, and faith of the ancestors and missionaries who built the iconic Church. Fr Renato reminded the faithful of the power of the Holy Rosary and the enduring protection of Our Lady of the Rosary, affectionately called ‘Askarin Ruzai Saibin Mai’ by Navelkars.
As the evening unfolded, the celebration continued at the St Anselm Parish Hall, where Navelkars from across London gathered for a vibrant dine-and-dance event.
The atmosphere was filled with authenticity and joy—traditional Goan cuisine, lively music, and the unmistakable spirit of Navelim. The event was not the effort of any single group but a collaborative contribution from numerous Navelkars who volunteered time, effort, and resources.
This year’s turnout surpassed expectations: nearly 230–250 devotees attended the Eucharistic Mass, while the dine-and-dance drew a crowd of almost 280 people, making it a packed and energised celebration.
Emcee Bunty Vas kept the dance floor alive until the very end, with families joyfully participating throughout the night.
The organisers emphasised that their mission is not to form a committee but to strengthen a unified community. Their collective aim is to keep the spirit and heritage of Navelim alive among Goans in London and to continue this feast in the years ahead.
With hearts full of gratitude and faith, the Navelim community extended its gratitude to all who contributed to this year’s success and warmly invites all Navelkar in the UK to join hands for an even grander celebration in the coming year.
