Paola Ann De Sequeira
Colvale is a scenic little village in the Bardez Taluka, with the River Chapora meandering through it. Even today, time seems to stand still. Said to have a Buddhist connection in centuries past, the village proudly considers the “Father of Hypnotism,” the late Abbé Faria, as its most famous son. Like most villages in Goa, it has a church, this one built by the Franciscans in 1591 and dedicated to the Wounds of Saint Francis of Assisi (the Stigmata), whose feast on the 800th anniversary of his death is being celebrated this Sunday, September 20. There will be only one service: the High Mass in Konkani at 9.30 am. His Eminence, Cardinal Filipe Neri António Sebastião do Rosário Ferrão, will be the main celebrant at the concelebrated Mass.
The Colvale parishioners are sponsoring the feast this year under the able guidance of Parish Priest Rev Fr Arlino de Mello and his Assistant, Rev Fr Agnelo Fernandes, OFM (Cap), who hold the flock together. A food stall organized by the parish youth will be kept open on the feast day, along with a plant sale organized by the catechists and the youth. A Village Bird Walk is also on the cards for nature lovers and interested birders in the coming month.
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI
St Francis of Assisi founded the Order of the Franciscans in 1209. Three hundred years later, the group of Franciscans accompanying the Portuguese explorers entered Goa. As Velha Goa expanded and Baradesh (Bardez) was brought under the Portuguese, the Franciscans went on to build many of the churches here. These structures are not only architecturally beautiful, but centuries down the line, they remain structurally very sound, still firmly anchored in the soil yet soaring gracefully into the blue skies.
FRANCISCAN CHURCHES
Of the many churches built by the Franciscans in the villages of Bardez, such as Reis Magos, Salvador do Mundo, Siolim, Aldona, Nagoa, Parra, and Anjuna, among others, notably, there are only two dedicated to their founder, who is considered the Patron Saint of Animals and Ecology. One is the Church of St Francis of Assisi at Colvale (1591), and the other is the Church and Convent of St Francis of Assisi (1661) at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Goa. Since 1964, the latter has functioned as a museum.
Going back in time, the primitive Colvale Church was reconstructed in subsequent years (1638, 1683, and 1713) and stands tall on the southern bank of the Chapora River. This location facilitated easier riverborne access for the villagers of Chicalim and Camurlim downstream, and Revora, Pirna, and Nadora upstream, during a time when these villages did not have a church of their own and rivers were the lifelines of Goa.
JUBILEE YEAR
Worldwide, the current pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, has proclaimed 2026 as a Special Jubilee Year on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death, beginning January 10, 2026, and extending to January 10, 2027.
Devotees unable to make the journey to Assisi can obtain a plenary indulgence by visiting any Franciscan church or any place of worship anywhere in the world dedicated to St Francis of Assisi or connected with him for whatever reason. The indulgence is obtained by receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion and praying for the intentions of the Holy Father.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
The Franciscans in recent years have extended their spiritual services to the churches of Pirna, Revora, and Sinquerim. They continue to manage a number of educational institutions established in decades past, like the Monte de Guirim schools, the Capuchin Alverno Friary, and, in recent times, the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) in Porvorim and the Friary at Canacona, Valpoi, and Kalay.
The Franciscan Order also includes the Order of the Franciscan Missionaries of Christ the King and the Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, which are part of the Franciscan family through the Third Order Regular of St Francis. Mae de Deus House for Aged Women, Krist Raj Bhavan Old Age Home, the Lourdes Convent at Saligao, Shanti Niwas at Assolna, and the Peace Haven Home for Mentally Challenged Children at Caranzalem, as well as homes at Curtorim and Parra, are some of the institutions rendering yeoman service to the community in Goa.
St Francis of Assisi is a favorite among everyday people who love and care about the environment and nature. He is often quoted in writings pertaining to the need for its protection. He composed the “Canticle of the Creatures,” the much-recited “Prayer for Peace,” and popularized the “Tau Cross” (named after the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet), which is biblically stated to be a symbol of salvation. The saint is also sometimes depicted with a skull as a representation of the concept of “Memento Mori” (remember your death), or the fragility of life, a belief he fervently espoused.
As Goa faces pressing ecological challenges and the rapid transformation of its landscape, the Saint’s call to protect the environment has never been more urgent. In these troubled times, his legacy challenges us to live in true harmony with our fellow beings, our fragile local ecosystems, and all creatures that share this beautiful slice of the Earth we call home.
