the goan I network
MAPUSA
The feast of Our Lady of Miracles will be celebrated today (May 6) at the St Jerome Church, Mapusa, under heavy security arrangement.
Three metal detectors have been placed at the main entry points of the church, besides additional police staff will be deployed around the religious edifice.
“Apart from placing three metal detectors at the entry points, a policeman on top of the Comunidade building, opposite the church, will keep a constant watch on any unusual movement. We have also deployed additional staff all around the church,” Mapusa PI Kapil Nayak informed.
The security precautions have been taken since the popular Mapusa feast is being held in the backdrop of the recent blasts in churches in Sri Lanka.
The feast attracts thousands of devotees from different religious denominations from all over Goa.
The nine-day novenas preceding the feast began from April 27 and culminated with the vespers on May 5.
The feast mass will be concelebrated at 10 am while other masses on the feast day will be at 5, 6.15, 7.30, 8.45 (English) in the morning and 4 and 5 in the evening.
On the occasion of the feast, a three day ‘Milagres Entertainment Programme’ will be held from May 6 in the church compound.
The four-hour entertainment programme will begin from 7 pm and is expected to end at 11 pm.
As part of the programme a drama ‘Fattim Pavlem’ written and directed by Mario Menezes will be held on the first day (May 6).
This year the feast has a special significance as Mapusa church is celebrating its 425th anniversary since it was founded.
Meanwhile the traditional Milagres dance has been cancelled this year due to the election code of conduct.
For the first time ever Mapusa Municipal Council has introduced some discipline at the feast fair by allowing the stalls on only one side of the road. The duration of the fair has also been curtailed to
ten days.
