PANAJI
The annual Lenten walking pilgrimage was held at Sancoale on Sunday, in the early hours of the day, to initiate the spiritual preparation for Lent.
The theme for the pilgrimage “Followers of Christ, Pilgrims of Hope.” The pilgrimage is a help for the faithful to begin the Holy season of Lent with penance and sacrifice reflecting on the Love of God and our response to His Love. The Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Fernandes, Bishop Elect of Sindhudurg Fr Agnelo Pinheiro, priests , religious and lay faithful from all over Goa participated in the annual walking pilgrimage.
The 10-km walk that began around 2am at various centres saw participation of around 28,000 people of all age groups. The Archbishop, Auxiliary Bishop and Bishop elect of Sindhudurg participated in the walk from Goa Velha Centre. The walking pilgrimage is an opportunity for the faithful to set aside time for prayer, personal conversion and spiritual renewal.
The walk culminated at the façade of the Old Church of Sancoale at the foot of Our Lady of Health. At the beginning of the Mass as the Archbishop welcomed the faithful, he reminded them that Christ himself sacrificed, fasted and prayed before and during his ministry. He urged the faithful to use these aids to be true followers of Christ.
In his homily Fr Lucio Dias, Episcopal Vicar of Fabricas and Confraternities in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, highlighted the same. He urged the faithful to use the same means that Jesus used, Fasting, Prayer and the Bible to overcome temptations, to renew one’s life and to be true followers of Christ. He also reminded the faithful that by their holiness and service they can be truly pilgrims of Hope to all.
Special scenes depicting the Love and Mercy of God were being displayed at the venue, which were specially prepared under the guidance of Fr. Myron Fernandes and his parishioners of Vasco Parish.
At the end of the Mass Fr George Ratos, the Convenor of the event thanked God for His Blessings in making the walking pilgrimage a successful one. He thanked His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrrao and Auxilliary Bishop Simiao Fernandes for their support and encouragement for the people to participate in this pilgrimage. He offered his special thanks to government officials, Police, especially the traffic police, for all their support too. He thanked the Diocesan Youth Centre, Diocesan lay Apostolate and Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media and other centres, priests and lay faithful for their role in the organisation of the event. He thanked the choir conducted by Fr Olavo Caiado, altar servers, volunteers and parish priest and parishioners of Sancoale and neighbouring areas.
