MAPUSA
The feast of Our Lady of Miracles, popularly known as Milagres Fest or Milagr Saibinichem Fest, was celebrated with traditional fervour in Mapusa, with thousands of people from different faiths visiting the St Jerome Church in Mapusa on Monday.
The Catholic faithful participated in the Masses at 5.30 am, 7 am, 8.30 am, 10 am and 11.45 am, 4 pm and 5.15 pm.
Throughout the day, devotees were seen offering oil, candles, money and anatomy in wax with the hope and belief that their supplications would be granted.
The feast attracts a large number of Hindus as they believe that Our Lady of Miracles was one of seven sisters who converted to the Catholic faith and refer to 'Milagres Saibinn' as the sister of the Hindu deity 'Lairai' in Shirgao.
Devotees have been following an age-old tradition of offering oil from the Lairai temple to the Milagres Saibin, while flowers offered by the Milagres Church are offered to Shree Lairai Devi, thereby fostering close harmony among the Christian and Hindu communities.
In conjunction with the religious festivities, the church authorities have arranged a five-day entertainment extravaganza, Milagres Fiesta 2025, within the church compound, commencing on the feast day.
This entertainment package includes three Konkani dramas on different days, alongside various other programmes.
One of the main attractions of the Mapusa feast is the week-long fair along the thoroughfare leading to the church, with stalls lined up along both roads in the church vicinity selling furniture clothes, toys, sweets, grams and home décor.
