Thousands attend ‘Procession of Saints’ unique to Goa Velha

The life-sized statues of saints were taken out from St Andrew’s Church and then taken around the village in a procession, before they were brought back and kept in the Church.

Photo Credits: Narayan Pissurlenkar

OLD GOA

The Penitential Procession of Saints, popularly known as ‘Santanchem Pursanv’, was held at Goa Velha on Monday, with thousands of devotees from the village and other parts of the State participating in the unique traditional service.

Goa Velha is probably the only place in the world where such a procession is still being held as it is being told that the procession is no longer held in Rome.

Fr Edson Fernandes, Parish Priest of Nagoa-Verna, was the main celebrant for the Eucharistic celebration, followed by the procession of the Saints, beginning with the Tau and Crossed Arms, a symbol of the Franciscan Order, followed by around 31 statues, including that of the Patron of the Archdiocese, St Joseph Vaz.

The 31 life-sized statues of saints were taken out from the St Andrew’s Church and then taken around the village in a procession, before they were brought back and kept in the Church.

During the procession, the devotees ducked under the chorals carrying the statues as there is a belief among the devotees that their prayers are answered.

Some people also informed that many people participate in the procession to do penance as it is known as the penitential procession.

After the procession around the village, the statues were kept outside the Church courtyard where the devotees continued ducking under the chorals of all the statues.

Finally, the statues were taken inside the St Andrew’s Church, Goa Velha where they were kept open for the devotees for veneration till March 20.

On Tuesday, March 19, there will be Masses at 7 am, 9 am and 4 pm, and on March 20 at 7 am in the Church.

“The unique Penitential Procession of Saints at Goa Velha draws thousands of devotees from different walks of life, irrespective of religion and including foreign visitors, who take part in this solemn procession,” said Fr Antonio Albuquerque, parish priest of St Andrew’s Church, Goa VeIha.