At a time when one hears about tensions among communities because of their religious beliefs, one wonders what the purpose of religion should be. Undoubtedly, no religion propagates hatred and disharmony. On the contrary, every religion teaches the language of love and harmony. Unfortunately, we see people today caught in the crossfire of communal elements breathing fire through their inflammatory speeches instigating people of different religious communities against each other.
At such a time, the ‘Fulancho Khuris’ or the Miraculous Cross of Bambolim acts as a unifier of people of all faith who come to pray and offer their reverence at the feet of this cross.
Fulancho Khuris or the Miraculous Cross of Bambolim is perched on top of the hillock at Bambolim, which today has the majestic imposing Shrine of the Holy Cross in the background. Late Fr Freddy J da Costa, the then Parish Priest was instrumental in constructing the shrine which was completed and formally blessed on October 13, 1996. Since then, the Shrine has completed a journey of 25 years of serving the faithful. The Miraculous Cross in the forefront of the shrine is a place of pilgrimage for people of different faiths, different states and different countries to offer their prayers and seek divine intervention to fulfil their heart's desires or to wash away their pains. From early morning till late in the night, one sees a sea of people of different faiths at the Cross offering their thanksgiving or praying for favours with the firm belief that they will not be disappointed and that their prayers will surely be heard. No wonder the cross is also known as ‘Miraculous Cross of Bambolim’.
For Christians and especially for Catholics the Cross has a big significance in their lives. The cross serves as a reminder of what Jesus did for us. It is a powerful symbol to remind us of the price paid by Jesus for our redemption. It is through the death of Lord Jesus on the cross that humankind was redeemed. The Cross is a Trinitarian event which reflects the triune God in the form of God the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. The Cross is also at the centre of the story of the scriptures. The Cross redefines the power in the kingdom of God and speaks of the new covenant of God with His people. The Cross signifies the conquering of sin and death and the triumph of life and light. Through the Cross, we see the vanquishing of the devil and the spread of goodness and prosperity. Above all the Cross brings peace, reconciliation and unity at a time when there is disharmony, hatred and war. The Cross is more than the near-universal symbol of Christianity. This simple design carries the message of love, finality, fulfilled promises, and more to people around the world.
The Miraculous Cross of Bambolim was called miraculous because many devotees who prayed near the Cross were granted the favours they asked. Besides, there were many accounts of people who claimed to have been cured of serious diseases and ailments such as cancer, serious accident injuries etc. There are several instances narrated by the faithful who claimed to have been the beneficiaries of many a miraculous favour on account of their sincere prayer to the Holy Cross. It was because of such accounts from the people who had gained favours through their prayers to the Cross that today the “Fulancho Khuris’ has become a place of pilgrimage for people of all faiths, some even coming from distant places in and outside Goa to offer their prayers and seek for the divine intervention from the Cross to fulfil their desires or to get rid of their pains/problems/difficulties.
The Miraculous Cross is called ‘Fulancho Khuris’, which means a Cross filled with flowers for very obvious reasons. At any point of the day or night, the Cross is always covered with bright coloured local flowers called ‘Abolim’ and ‘Rosam’ (marigold). This springs from the fact that the devotees who visit the Cross drape it with garlands of these local flowers as a mark of respect and reverence. These flowers are sold to the devotees near the cross by the Hindu flower vendors who live around the place. This also symbolises the deep bonds of friendship and harmony that exists between the people of the two religious communities who earn their living selling flowers at their beloved ‘Fulancho Khuris’. The Cross is always draped with flowers and regularly the staff working at the Shrine of the Holy Cross have to empty the cross of the flowers to make way for new ones to be placed on it.
