the goan I network
MARGAO
Thousands of devotees from all walks of life and from every corner of Goa thronged the Our Lady of Merces Church, Colva as the annual "Fama" of Infant Jesus was celebrated with religious fervour, pomp and gaiety on Monday.
Celebrated on the second Monday of October every year, the celebrations commenced with the solemn ceremony when the miraculous statue of Menino Jesus was brought down from the altar at 5.30 am, followed by the procession, blessing and veneration.
While the miraculous statue was brought down from the altar by Fr Avinash Mascarenhas, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Merces Church Fr Joseph Da Silva was the main celebrant of the Eucharistic celebration held at 5.30 am, which was attended by a large number of devotees.
The Fama was celebrated with religious fervour, pomp and gaiety as thousands of devotees descended in the tourist village to seek blessings of the Menino Jesus. Many devotees were seen offering wax shaped body parts at the Fama. Amongst the thousands of devotees, who lined up along the entire route, to kiss the statue of Infant Jesus, were childless couples. There were many others who placed their newly-born babies on the altar during the veneration, indicating that the couples have been blessed with children.
The entire village wore a festive look as the Colva Fama is being celebrated by every household in the village. Local Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao was one of the prominent persons who attended the 5.30 am mass.
The Colva police led by PI Filomena Costa made elaborate traffic and security arrangements in and around the Church. A large number of police personnel from other police stations were requisitioned for security bandobast.
