Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão participates in the walking pilgrimage along with a group of priests and nuns early Sunday morning.
SANCOALE:
The Catholic community across the State undertook a Walking Pilgrimage (Bhavarthachi Yatra) in three different tiers on Sunday.
This year on account of the Covid pandemic, the Walking Pilgrimage was split into three tiers and while an estimated 1,600 Catholics were part of the Representatives Pilgrimage to the old Sancoale church early Sunday morning, other Catholic faithful participated in the Parishioners Pilgrimage and Family Pilgrimage.
Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão, who participated in the Representatives Pilgrimage, presided over the Eucharistic celebration at the ruins of the Old Sancoale church. Fr Manuel Dias (Rector of Saint Joseph Vaz Sanctuary), Fr Louis Alvares (Parish Priest of Sancoale), Fr Alfred Vaz (Convenor, Committee for Walking Pilgrimage), Fr Ronald D’souza OCD (Carmelite Monastery, Margao) and 35 priests concelebrated the Eucharistic celebration.
In his homily at the Eucharistic celebration, Archbishop Ferrão appealed to the faithful to have renewal in life to witness Jesus and his Kingdom.
The Walking Pilgrimage began at 5 am from three centres, Agassaim Church, Cortalim Cross Junction and São Jacinto bridge, for representatives of parishes all over Goa. The walking pilgrimage reached the old Sancoale church just before 6 am.
Nearly 1,600 faithful participated in the walk to the old Sancoale Church, whereas other parishioners walked to their respective parishes. Those who were restricted to their homes were also asked to walk and pray for 30 minutes and to serve their family members.
The walking pilgrimage was organised by the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman to understand the salvific value of suffering, to spread the joy of being a Christian, to gain God’s grace during difficulties and also an occasion for personal conversion.
The walking pilgrimage to the old Sancoale Church usually attracts a crowd of around 25,000 people and last year, five venues -- Goa Velha, Mandur, Verna, Cansaulim and Vasco -- were identified for the walk.
But this year due to the Covid pandamic, only three centres were marked and 30 participants from each of the 19 deaneries in the archdiocese were allowed for the walking pilgrimage.
In addition, other parishioners also participated from Sancoale, Chicalim,Vasco and Agassaim.
An Adoration to the Blessed Sacrament was conducted before the Eucharistic celebration by Fr Bolmax Pereira (Parish Priest of St Francis Xavier’s Church, Chicalim) along with his parishioners.
The Cortalim Parish Choir led the liturgical singing, the Vasco Parish representatives participated in the liturgy while Fr Afonso Mendonca (Director of Diocesan Centre for Liturgy) animated the liturgy and Fr Alfred Vaz (Convenor of the committee formed for Walking Pilgrimage) proposed the vote of thanks.
Volunteers from Sancoale, Agassaim and Cortalim parishes volunteered their services. Doctors and nurses provided support during the walking pilgrimage.
The faithful also had an opportunity to put down their petitions on a paper at the Cross Square specially erected for the Walking Pilgrimage. Archbishop Ferrão raised those petitions up though a special prayer.
Earlier, a special Way of the Cross was held in all parishes and chapels of the archdiocese as a preparation for the Walking Pilgrimage on Friday. Fasting and prayers were also offered for the success of the event from Ash Wednesday to Saturday. The faithful also participated in the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a preparation of the pilgrimage.
