Devotees gather around the Miraculous Holy Cross, Val-Agonda, after the feast mass.
Canacona
The traditional Feast of the Miraculous Holy Cross at Val-Agonda, organised by the parishioners of Agonda and devotees from all over, was celebrated with great faith and devotion.
During his homily at the feast mass, Fr Aidan Fernandes, a native of Agonda, urged the devotees to be missionaries of God’s word. He said, “You do not need to be priests or nuns to spread God’s message. As laypeople, we can share the Good News through our daily lives.”
Agonda Parish Priest Fr Patrick Luis, Assistant Parish Priest Fr Baltazar Fernandes, Fr Octavino Cunha, Fr Darrell Fernandes, and Fr Sean Cardozo were co-celebrants at the feast mass, which was preceded by a litany at the Holy Cross.
The triduum masses began on Sunday. Hundreds of devotees attended these three days of prayers, as well as the feast mass on Wednesday. Many came to thank for blessings received through prayers at the Holy Cross, while others came to offer their petitions. Devotees, including non-Catholics from the village and other parts of the state, also joined the feast mass.
The feast is traditionally celebrated every year by the parishioners of Agonda. This year, St Anne’s Boys of Agonda, who are working in Houston, Texas, USA, contributed towards the expenses of the feast.
Later that night, the award-winning Konkani drama Daddy’s Home by Fr Milton Rodrigues was performed in the church compound.
