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VASCO
The 6th Annual Procession of Our Lady of Fatima was held on Sunday by the Parishioners of Our Lady of Health Church, Sancoale.
The Procession is organised on the last Sunday of October every year. The basic aim is to increase the devotion of Mother Mary and also to foster unity & brotherhood amongst people of the village irrespective of caste, creed or religion.
The tableau of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima was decorated with flowers, lights & the back drop depicted the clouds in the clear blue sky. The ceremony began at 4 pm with Fr Louis Alvares, Parish Priest reciting the solemn prayers. The inaugural ceremony was held with the release of 7 white pigeons at the hands of representatives of associations, oldest lady of the village, social workers and citizens of other religion. Simultaneously, the parish priest released balloons with the placard depicting “love, peace, unity”. The church choir led the procession, followed by the statue and then the people.
The whole route from the Church-Sanctuary of St Joseph Vaz-Upasnagar-Birla-MES College-Tari Piao-Old Church, Rua Escravo de Maria, Shantadurga Temple-Ginant-Bandvoir-Sindolim and back to church via the cemetery was covered by foot by the faithful as penance for protection of the village from all evils. The procession reached the church at 4 next morning.
Prominent among those who participated in the procession were Alina Saldanha, MLA, Cortalim, panchas, social workers, Fr Manuel Dias, Rector, Sanctuary Bro. Dyriel, Rector Seminary, nuns etc.
