The Church at Salvador do Mundo in Bardez, constructed in 1565, is dedicated to ‘The Saviour of the World,’ and its feast is celebrated annually on August 6. It has under its jurisdiction chapels without resident priests, namely Mother of God Chapel (Paitona), St Anne Chapel (Salem), St Rita Chapel (Don Vaddo) and St Sebastian Chapel (Badem).
The feast of St Sebastian Chapel is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. It is a big event for the Catholic community of Badem as all families get involved in the celebration. The Maddi is held prior to the nine-day Novena, while the Feast Mass will be celebrated at 9.30 am on May 8.
The original chapel, as per the inscription on the façade of the chapel, was constructed in 1743 by Salvador Messias do Rosario. It was dedicated to Nossa Senhora do Rosario (Our Lady of the Rosary) and meant to be used by two old priests of his family.
The order also permitted the celebration of the Eucharist on the application of then chapel administrator Rosa Messias do Rosario. In course of time, the chapel was reconstructed by Felicio Simao Dias of Badem and it was dedicated to St Sebastian (Capela de S Sebastiao).
The Confraria de S Sebastiao, in gratitude to Dias, annually offers a Mass for the repose of his soul in November and also for the soul of Joao Lobo, who had given a large donation during the time of the construction of the chapel.
Canon Elvide Praxedes Messias, on the occasion of his Ordination Jubilee, donated some money, a Credencia and a carved chair. All these donations were made so that the devotion to N Senhora do Rosario could be continued as the feast of N S do Rosario had to be celebrated every year by his family preceded by a Novena.
The main altar inside the chapel is dedicated to St Sebastian. Behind the statue is a niche containing the statue of N Senhora da Rosario. As per a decree, an indulgence of 100 days was given to those who pray to the Holy Queen (Salvo Rainha) in the morning and evening before it.
The chapel possesses an original relic of St Sebastian, which was approved by Cardinal Pompea, Arcipreste of the Lateran Basilica (Rome) on September 7, 1928. This relic is revered by villagers during the Novena days and also on the Feast day.
It has a wooden altar that was originally in one of the chapels in the main church of St Francis of Assisi in Old Goa. Down the years it was brought here.
The chapel can accommodate around 70 people and, in the corridor, an equal number. In front, it has an open longish portico that can accommodate a large crowd. Here, the Ganvkars erect a pandal prior to the feast of the saint.
Since it does not have a resident priest, there is no daily Mass here, but only on Sundays, which is celebrated by those to whom it is entrusted. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Jesuits at Xavier Residence in Porvorim would celebrate Mass on Sundays.
(The writer is Superior at Casa Professa, Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa)
