Rains nearly play spoilsport at annual 'Santanchem Pursanv'
The statue of St Joseph Vaz taken around the village in a procession.
Photo Credits: Manuel Vaz
OLD GOA
Devotees from different walks of life took part in the unique and solemn penitential procession of 31 life-sized statues of saints outside St Andrew’s Church at Goa-Velha.
Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Fernandes was the main celebrant for the Eucharistic celebration at St Andrew’s Church.
This was followed by the Penitential Procession of Saints (Santanchem Pursanv), beginning with the Tau and Crossed Arms, a symbol of the Franciscan Order, the 31 Statues, including that of the Patron of the Archdiocese, St Joseph Vaz, and finally, the statue of St Francis of Assisi kneeling before the crucified Jesus.
The devotees and the faithful were seen ducking under the chorals carrying the statues of the saints as they were taken out from the Church.
The other statues were those of St Pope Inocencio III, St Michael the Archangel, St Bonaventura, St Clara, St Francis of Assisi with saints Ignatius and Donovan, St Pascoal, St Rosa, St Roque, St Isabel queen of Portugal, St Isabel queen of Hungary, St Anthony, St Pedro Damiao, St Bernanrd, St Luis King of France, St Phillipe, St Inez Assis, St Rosa de Lima, St Francis of Assisi with St Domingos, Mother Mary stamping on serpent, Ecce Homo, St Francis of Assisi in embrace with crucified Jesus, St John the Evangelist, St Mary Magdalen, Our Lady of Seven Sorrows, St Angela Mericia, St Andrew, St Francis Xavier, St Peter and St Joseph.
Finally, at the end, Fr Albuquerque carried the photo of the veil of Veronica with the picture of Jesus.
As the statues were taken out, they were placed in the centre and a commentary was given on the importance of each statue.
Later, the statues went around the village with hundreds of villagers, including from other faiths, partook in the procession by either ducking under the chorals, venerating the saints or giving offerings.
The unseasonal rains nearly played spoilsport at the unique Procession of the Saints. Luckily, the drizzle began only after the procession had come to an end and all the statues were kept inside the St Andrew's Church compound.
But to play safe, the Church authorities decided to take all the statues inside the Church even before the final sermon was delivered, with Parish Priest Fr Antonio Albuquerque informing that the statues were taken inside due to the threat of rains.
The life-sized statues of the Saints have been kept open for public veneration from Monday to Wednesday at St Andrew’s Church, Goa-Velha.
On Tuesday, April 8, Masses will be celebrated at 7 am, 9 am and 4 pm, while a Mass will be celebrated at 7 am on April 9 in the Church, stated Fr Antonio Albuquerque, Parish Priest at St Andrew’s Church, Goa-Velha.
