THE GOAN NETWORK
CANACONA
The annual feast of St. Theresa of Jesus, traditionally celebrated on the second Sunday of January, was held with great pomp and festivity. The event included a solemn feast mass and a procession with widespread participation from devotees and the general public. Canacona Municipal Council Chairperson, Sara Shamba Naik Dessai, attended the function.
Sara participated attentively in the feast mass, which was concelebrated by eight priests, including the Chaudi Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Soccour Dias, and Assistant Parish Priest, Fr. Ryan D’Souza. The main celebrant, Fr. Nelson Sequeira from Rachol Seminary, delivered a homily emphasising the sacrifices of St. Theresa of Jesus, originally from Spain, who devoted her life to the Church and the service of others, earning the title "Doctor of the Church."
Following the mass, a procession was held, with the priest carrying the statue of St. Theresa of Jesus along the church road. The event was well-organised, with confraria members controlling the movement of devotees, supported by police and traffic personnel. Sara’s active participation in both the mass and procession drew the attention of other parishioners.
Though the feast of St. Theresa falls on October 1, the Chaudi church traditionally celebrates it in January. In line with a directive from the Goa Diocese to observe feast of saints on weekdays, Chaudi Parish once moved the celebration to a Saturday. However, following objections from parishioners, the church reverted to its traditional Sunday observance, making it one of the few to maintain this practice.
The feast day also featured a lively fair, with stalls lining the NH66 road from Nagorcem to Chaudi. In the evening, Ulhas Tari’s tiatr, "Kon Nhoi Konnacho", was staged to entertain attendees. The celebrations continue on Monday with a drama by Roseferns at the church premises as part of the ongoing festivities.
