the goan I network
SANCOALE
Thousands of Catholic faithfuls converged at Sancoale as part of the walking Pilgrimage (Bhavarthachi Yatra) on the first Sunday of the Lent. Around 23000 devotees from 19 deaneries and from all Parishes and chapels of the Archdiocese of Goa participated in the pilgrimage.
Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão, who presided the Eucharist at the Old Church in Sancoale, made an appeal for experiencing Jesus and show concern towards the poor, needy and the marginalised.
The faithfuls also had an opportunity to put down their petitions on a paper which were raised by the Archbishop to God though a special prayer.
Goa Velha, Mandur, Quelossim, Verna, Cansaulim and Vasco were the six centres which were identified from where the faithfuls began the Walking Pilgrimage at 3 am. The destination at Sancoale Old Church was covered before 6.30 am, a distance of around 9 kms.
Fr Alfred Vaz, Convenor of the Committee for Walking Pilgrimage, Fr Louis Alvares, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Sancoale, Fr Manuel Dias, Rector of the St Joseph Vaz Sanctuary, Sancoale, Fr Leonardo P D’Souza, Episcopal Vicar for North Zone, Fr Lucio Dias, Episcopal Vicar for the South Zone, Fr Tony D’Souza, apart from 135 priests concelebrated.
A special way of the Cross was held in all the parishes and chapel of the Archdiocese as a preparation for the Walking Pilgrimage. Prayers were also offered apart from undertaking fasting for the success of the event from Ash Wednesday to Saturday. A Special logo was designed by Abishai Mascarenhas from Ambora with a Cross on the logo to identify the image of the Cross of St Joseph Vaz, the feet represents the pilgrimage. Jesus walked to us with the Cross and from the Cross. We are now his feet to carry His message of love, peace, forgiveness to everyone.
“Jesus was always on the way. He walked the way of
suffering.” Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão said in a homily on the theme of the First Sunday of the Lent ” “Man does not live on the bread alone.” while reminding the faithful that the journey of faith begins on the day of Baptism.
Achbishop said that followers of Jesus have Explaining the triple challenge before the followers of Jesus, Archbishop said that the faithful need to walk their journey with Jesus. “We need to strengthen our faith in Jesus, trust in Him, confirmed to the image of Jesus, give up our sinful habits, detach from worldy things to walk with Jesus.” He clarified. “Jesus was tempted, but he overcame the temptations taking the help of Word of God and fasting.” He said further.
Stating the second challenge, Archbishop said that Jesus built not buildings, but families and communities and requested to build broken people, families and communities by accepting humility and through prayers.
He requested the faithful to show love of Jesus to the other by accepting the others as they are. He also depicted the life of St. Joseph Vaz, Patron of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman , who made Jesus as the centre of his life through accepting the way of Jesus, building families and communities and serving the poor and the needy.
Sancoale Parish Choir led the liturgical singing. Fr. Afonso Mendonca, Director of Diocesan Centre for Liturgy, animated the liturgy. Fr. Alfred Vaz, Convenor of the committee formed for Walking Pilgrimage proposed a vote of thanks. 300 volunteers from Diocesan Youth Centre, Benaulim deanery and Sancoale Parish volunteered their service. St. Luke Medical Guild and Catholic Nurses Guild were of a great help.
The Walking Pilgrimage was organised by the Archdiocese of Goa Daman to understand the salvific value of suffering, to spread the joy of being Christian, to gain God’s grace in our difficulties and also an occasion for personal conversion.
