Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão is greeted by people on his arrival at Dabolim airport.
VASCO
It may have been the wee hours of Monday but that did not stop the outpouring of jubilation and excitement among several hundreds of people, as they welcomed Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, the first cardinal in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, on his arrival at Dabolim Airport.
Such was the enthusiasm among people, which included legislators, priests and people, that they gathered at the Dabolim Airport even before Cardinal Ferrão arrived by the 2.30 am flight to Goa, following his visit in Rome to attend the Consistory on August 27, where he was made cardinal by Pope Francis.
Among those present to receive the Cardinal Ferrão at the airport included the cardinal’s secretary Fr Joaquim Loiola Pereira, Vicar General Fr Jose Remedios Fernandes, Chancellor of the Archdiocese Fr Romeo Monteiro, Fr Lenoy Dias, Fr Bolmax Pereira and Fr Peter Fernandes from the Chicalim Parish, as well as Aldona Parish Priest Fr Thomas Lobo and Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira.
The people burst into cheer as Cardinal Ferrão arrived out from the terminal and he was welcomed by Rector of Sancoale Sanctuary Fr Manual Dias, Fr Noel D’Costa, Fr Diogo Fernandes, Fr Seby Vaz and Fr Bernard.
Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão is greeted by a group of Chicalim youth on his arrival at Dabolim airport.
Francis Nunes (Chicalim PPC moderator) and Capt. Viriato Fernandes welcomed the cardinal on behalf of Chicalim Parish, while the Chicalim Youth welcomed him with the Konkani hymn ‘Mogall Guru Borea Gonvllea’.
Among those who welcomed the cardinal were Cortalim MLA Antonio Vas and Nuvem MLA Aleixo Sequeira present.
Cardinal Ferrão then imparted his blessing on the people gathered and proceeded in his, car where a motorcade proceeded to the Chicalim Circle.
The motorcade made a halt at the Chicalim Church bus stop and a second halt at the St Cruz Chapel in Dabolim, where a large number of people gathered at both places to greet Cardinal Ferrão and to seek his blessings.
The mood at both these stops was one of jubilation, as hundreds of people held candles and lanterns, sang hymns and sought pastoral blessings from Cardinal Ferrão.
He thanked the people for arriving in such large numbers to greet him.
"We have so many people who have arrived at such odd hours by letting go of their sleep and they have even got children and infants along with them. I bless each and every one of you and your families. God also bless your work and the works of your church," said a grateful Cardinal Ferrão.
As the crowd grew larger, Chicalim Parish Priest Fr Bolmax Pereira appealed the people to seek blessing from afar and assured that all people would get a chance to kiss the palm of Ferrao the next time he visited the Chicalim Church.
"I thank all people of Chicalim and Dabolim for having come in such large numbers to greet and welcome the Cardinal,” acknowledged Fr Pereira, as the cardinal proceeded to Bishop's House via Cortalim.
