PANAJI
Even as the long weekend preceding Christmas Day pulled in the crowds of tourists spilling onto the streets across Goa on Christmas Eve, Goans stuck to the spiritual thronging of parish churches and other venues where solemn midnight mass services commemorated the birth of Jesus Christ.
Pealing of bells and fireworks at a few venues announced the arrival of Christmas Day and the commemoration of Christ's birth at the stroke of midnight where the Goan Catholic community was led in the celebrations by Cardinal Felipe Neri Ferrao, who was the main celebrant at the midnight mass celebrated in the Se Cathedral at Old Goa.
At most venues, the services began well before midnight, with the congregation ceremoniously observing tradition and placing the image of child Jesus in the crib in the backdrop of the choir singing carols before the actual liturgical service commenced.
The tradition of holding midnight mass to commemorate the birth of Jesus in the Roman Catholic Church dates back to the fifth century but got popular and well liked only in the 12th century.
In Goa, for decades it has been a custom among lay Catholics to participate in the religious services and then spilling over into community celebrations and fun events post the midnight mass.
Most parishes hold the midnight services outdoors on open grounds in the foreground of the church and the spectre of the sound laws, which allow the use of amplified sound in the open only up to 10 pm, perennially casts its shadow on it.
Parish priests and parochial administrators follow the procedure of seeking advance and express permission from the authorities for the use of sound systems for the service and the authorities usually let it pass.
Post Christmas day celebrations in Goa, which usually extend to New Year's day and beyond, however, many come under a cloud although the administration had in January notified the entire Christmas-New Year week.
Director of Environment, Dr Geeta S Nagvenkar had issued the notification in January this year which said that the relaxation of the sound ban laws up to midnight instead of just 10 pm, will be applicable to the entire week between Christmas and New Year eve.
