On the eve of the Feast of St Anthony, Panaji's shrines, chapels and heritage homes resonate with prayers, trezenas and community gatherings, celebrating Goa's enduring devotion to the beloved saint
Shrine on the walls of Casa San Antonio in Cortin.
The Festa de San Anton, honouring the miracle-working, much-loved Saint, is celebrated across many towns and villages in Goa. Services are held in the beautiful, whitewashed churches built by the Franciscans, such as the Igreja de Santo António at Siolim, the churches in Veroda and Vagator, and the forts of Cabo de Rama and Tiracol. The feast is also celebrated in chapels at Monte de Guirim, the Chapel of St Antonio at the Candolim-Calangute Xim, and another in Deussa. Then there are other village vaddo copels (small chapels) that dot the Goan landscape, where people pay their respects and express their devotion to the Saint.
Among the many places in and around Goa, the wards of São Tomé, Cortiço de Oiteiro (Cortin), and Fontainhas in Panaji truly come alive with celebrations in honour of this popular Saint.
At the little shrines and home altars of Goa's very own Latin Quarter, where in centuries past the cult of St Antonio flourished, the month of June holds special importance. From the commencement of the Trezenas (thirteen days of prayer) to the Feast Day on June 13, a festive fervour pervades these places dedicated to this miracle-working Saint.
Altars on the walls are decked with garlands, floral bouquets, twinkling lights, and candles that burn through the night. Trezenas, traditional Konkani ladainhas (litanies), and prayers of intercession for the protection and blessing of families and loved ones offer a glimpse into the community spirit and the unique religious and cultural traditions that have endured down the ages.
Affixed to the balcony wall of the Fontainhas residence of the Goa historian, late Percival Noronha, is a unique azulejo tile. It stands as a testimony to his late mother's unwavering faith and the many miracles wrought through the intercession of St Antonio.
At Solar Andrade, by the Chapel of St Sebastian, St Antonio occupies pride of place at the family altar of the gracious Dona Julietta Andrade. For the Trezenas and the Feast, the doors of her beautiful heritage home are kept open to the faithful from all walks of life, seeking favours or giving thanks for prayers answered through his intercession.
The family of Panaji's ex-Councillor Dominic Fernandes also celebrates the Feast of the Saint with the Trezenas and a Rosary-cum-Litany at another beautifully tiled wall altar at their Sao Tome residence. This year, the festivities were held earlier in the week as the family prepared to host the Feast Mass in honour of the Saint, specially brought down from his cul-de-sac, at the Capela de São Tomé at 6 pm.
A shrine to St Anton in the first bylane just off Rua de Ourem, leading to Praça Prazeres, once watched over the taverna and its patrons next door. Devotees and well-wishers gather around 6 pm for the litany and thanksgiving prayers, followed by refreshments sponsored by a gentleman from Santa Cruz.
Heading towards Corte de Oiteiro, St Anton has traditionally been serenaded at the shrine opposite Marquito's Guest House for decades. This Cortin St Antonio is housed on the wall of an old mansion, now beautifully renovated as Casa San Antonio. Candles burn bright and garlands add colour twenty-four/seven. The annual Trezenas culminate with prayers and the traditional litany, recited to the notes of a violin maestro in the evening.
St Anthony shrine opposite Geeta Bakery in Panaji.
St Anthony is also venerated at other locations across the capital city. Celebrations are held annually in the evening at the Cross opposite Geeta Bakery. Sponsored by Paul Peter, the owner of the popular Peter Tyre Service, it is attended by residents, tradespeople, and local shop owners.
Another tiny, flower-bedecked memorial to the Saint is often missed by those rushing to the fish market ahead. On the crumbling walls of a once-stately mansion near Royal Foods, St Anthony holds his place, and perhaps the walls too. Tradespeople, shopkeepers, and many a nustekar stop by to pray for good business. On the Feast Day, the traditional litany is recited alongside prayers of thanksgiving and requests for blessings. The community celebrates thanks to the generosity of Vicky and Dilip, who has been running a business in the Panaji market for 50 years.
St Anthony shrine inside the Panaji market.
There are no celebrations this year at the little blue-tiled altar in the marketplace. It is understood that the area is headed for a revamp, so St Anthony of the Fish Market has been temporarily housed elsewhere, even as the nustekars look forward to the Saint's return.
Probably the most popular shrine in amchi Ponje is the miraculous St Anton de Miramar at the Gaspar Dias Circle. Transformed from a simple beachside edifice into a beautiful little shrine, not a day goes by without a candle or a garland offered to the Saint. Come rain or shine, the feast is celebrated by a large number of devotees in the evening on the feast day.
Everyone is welcome to join in. Whisper a prayer for a miracle, offer thanksgiving for favours bestowed, or simply experience the culture, customs, and traditions of Goa.
A Blessed and Happy Feast to all his devotees!
