CANACONA
The faithful of St Sebastian Church, Loliem celebrated the feast of their patron, St Sebastian, on May 2, with devotion and ecclesial communion. The Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by Fr Gabriel Coutinho, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Rosary Church, Navelim.
Preaching on the theme, “By the example of St Sebastian, let us become pilgrims of hope,” Fr Gabriel invited the faithful to rediscover their baptismal call to authentic discipleship. Rooted in the paschal mystery and inspired by the witness of the saints, he emphasized that Christian life is essentially a journey of hope—one that finds its strength in fidelity to Christ even amidst trials.
Reflecting on the life and martyrdom of St Sebastian, Fr Gabriel highlighted that the saint’s enduring witness was not merely one of suffering, but of steadfast faith and courageous proclamation of the Gospel. St Sebastian, he noted, embodies a faith that does not yield to fear or social pressure but remains firm, offering hope to believers in every age. “We are called to strengthen our faith, even in the face of criticism and opposition,” he affirmed, urging the congregation to live as credible witnesses to the Gospel in today’s world.
The Eucharistic Celebration was concelebrated by Fr Theodozio Fernandes, Chaplain of Our Lady of Fatima Chapel, Xellim; Fr Rui Pereira CSC, Parish Priest of St Sebastian Church, Loliem, Fr Shinto Cherian CSC along with several other priests, reflecting the unity of the presbyterium and the local Church.
At the conclusion of the Mass, Fr Rui Pereira expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the celebration. The liturgical solemnity extended into a devotional expression as the statue of St Sebastian was taken in a procession, manifesting the people’s faith and communal identity. The celebration concluded with the final blessing imparted by Fr Vency Fernandes SFX with the statue of the saint, invoking God’s protection and intercession through St Sebastian upon all the faithful.
