SANCOALE
Thousands of Catholics from across Goa led by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão participated in a Walking Pilgrimage to the Old Sancoale Church in the wee hours on Sunday.
Five venues across Goa “ Goa Velha, Mandur, Verna, Cansaulim and Vasco “ were identified from where the faithful began the Walking Pilgrimage at 2 am. The walking pilgrims reached the destination at the old Sancoale Church before 4.30 am, covering 10 kms, to participate in the Adoration to the Blessed Sacrament and the Eucharistic Celebration.
The Adoration to the Blessed Sacrament was conducted by Divine Mercy Movement led by Fr Freddy Lobo. Fr Mansueto Fernandes, Assistant to the Parish Priest of Assolna, led the liturgical singing. Fr Afonso Mendonca, Director of Diocesan Centre for Liturgy, animated the liturgy.
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.
It is organised in Sancoale because of the son of the soil (Sancoale) St. Joseph Vaz, during his Spiritual journey in Sri Lanka, he walked sharing the message of Christ to the less fortunate. It was an opportunity given by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, for the Church in Goa to walk with Christ, who first walked to the Calvary for us.
Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão later presided over the Eucharistic celebrations held at the Old Church Sancoale, where he appealed to around 18,000 faithful to have renewal in life, strengthen communion with each other and wholeheartedly participate in the mission of Jesus.
Delivering a homily, Fr Henry Falcao said, “all followers of Christ need to have the mind and heart of Jesus. One cannot be a Christian, disciple of Christ with his own mind and heart”.
Referring to the theme of the Pastoral year, ‘Follow Me’, Fr Falcao appealed the faithful to become fishers of men.
“Every Christian through Baptism becomes a fisher of men. We need to cooperate with Jesus, to fulfill his dream through our communion with the Trinity and participation in the mission entrusted to us.” Fr Falcao said.
Referring to the holy place of the ruins of the Old Sancoale Church, where the walking pilgrimage is held, Fr Falcao reminded the faithful of the letter of Bondage to Our Lady written by Our own St. Joseph Vaz, who walked to the places like Sri Lanka to fulfill his dream to proclaim Jesus.
Fr Ligorinho D’Costa, Convenor of the committee formed for Walking Pilgrimage delivered the vote of thanks. Volunteers from Diocesan Youth Centre, Parishes of Loutolim, Mapusa, Paroda, Ambaulim and Sancoale Parish volunteered their services. St. Luke Medical Guild and the Catholic Nurses Guild were of great help.
Fr Ligorinho D’Costa (Convenor of the Committee formed for Walking Pilgrimage), Fr Alfred Vaz (former Convenor of the Committee formed for Walking Pilgrimage), Fr Henry Falcao (Director of St Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renwal Centre, Old Goa), Fr Kennet Teles (Parish Priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Sancoale), Fr Manuel Dias (Rector of the St. Joseph Vaz Sanctuary, Sancoale), Fr Lucio Dias (Episcopal Vicar for the South Zone), Fr Simon Diniz (Parish Priest, St. Philip and James Church, Cortalim), Fr Savio D’souza (Director, Diocesan Youth Centre), Fr Felix Lobo, Fr Silvestre D’Souza OCD, (Superior of Carmelite Monastery, Margao), Deacon Ashliff Correia, Deacon Prinson Oliveira and 70 priests concelebrated.
