the goan I network
MAPUSA
The feast of Our Lady of Miracles was celebrated on Monday with pomp and gaiety at St Jerome’s Church in Mapusa, amidst heightened security around the church premises.
Thousands of people from all walks of life participated in the Eucharistic services with masses beginning from 5 in the morning.
A policeman with a sniper rifle perched on top of the communidade building, opposite the church, metal detectors and additional police staff made up the security paraphernalia on the feast day.
The State government decided to enhance security measures on account of the recent blasts in churches in Sri Lanka.
The feast mass was concelebrated by Fr Aleixo Menezes, Rector at Rachol Seminary, along with four other priests, including Mapusa Parish Priest Fr Dennis Fernandes.
Besides security cover provided by police, an elaborate traffic plan was put in place by Mapusa traffic police.
Several traffic cops manned key junctions regulating the vehicular movement throughout the day.
The Mapusa Municipal Council also pitched in by bringing some discipline at the feast fair by allowing stalls on one side of the road. The duration of the fair has been reduced to ten days.
The feast of Our Lady of Miracles draws people from all religions and communities.
The church has a wax-oil stall run by the Sisters of the Handmaids of Christ from Calangute which will remain open for at least next 10 days.
On the occasion of the feast, the parishioners is organizing a three-day entertainment programme in the church compound.
In the evening, a drama “Fattim Pavlem” was staged in the church campus. Various entertainment programmes have been scheduled for the next two days.
This year, the feast has a special significance as Mapusa church is celebrating its 425th anniversary since it was founded.
The Milagres feast is always held on a Monday following the second Sunday after Easter.
