the goan I network
CORTALIM
The feast of the Epiphany to commemorate the visit of the three Magi to pay homage to Infant Jesus was celebrated with great solemnity, reverence and pomp at the Chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Remedios atop the Cuelim Mount, Cansaulim, on Wednesday.
Annually, three lads, who are descendants of the ‘Gaonkar’ vangodds (native Goan clans) of the villages of Cansaulim, Arossim and Cuelim, are selected to represent the three wise men of the East “ Gaspar, Baltazar and Melchior who carried the gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense for the child Jesus.
This year, the privilege of enacting the three kings was accorded to Miguel Gracias of Cansaulim, Clive Gomes of Arossim and Nathan Colaco from Cuelim.
Keeping up with tradition, the Kings dressed in red royal garments and carrying a crucifix walked through paddy fields, coconut orchards and water bodies, before converging at a short distance from the foot of the Cuelim mount. From this point, they mounted on horseback and trotted together to reach the Chapel to partake in the solemn
feast mass.
The crowns were then placed at the feet of Our Lady of Remedios in the chapel.
This year, the feast Eucharistic celebration was solemnised by the main celebrant, Fr Simao Fernandes, professor of sacred scriptures at Rachol seminary, while the concelebrants included Cansaulim Parish Priest Fr Jean de Cruz Fernandes, Chaplain at St Lawrence Fr Mariano Silveira and Fr Maurice Colaco.
In his homily, Fr Simao Fernandes expressed that the three Magi were humble and paid their homage to infant Jesus and accepted him as the king of kings and the lord
of lords.
“After adoring the infant Jesus, the three Kings were totally converted and followed Jesus. If you want to wear a crown, you should also be ready to adorn a crown of thorns as well. Each of us is called to imitate Christ and be merciful in this Jubilee year of Mercy,” said Fr Fernandes.
Fr Fernandes extolled the faithful to accept Mother Mary Our Lady of Remedios as an example and icon, and urged them to entrust and consecrate their families under
her protection.
After the feast mass, the crowns of the three kings were placed on the heads of all faithful who kissed the Crucifix, as the Three Kings wind their way home in procession accompanied by a retinue of ‘Irmaos’, attendants holding parasols, flag bearers and music from the brass band.
