CHRONICLES OF GOAN CHURCHES
The Church in Sarzora is dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption, and parishioners celebrate the feast on the last Sunday of October, which this year falls on October 27.
THE ORIGIN
The first Chapel in Sarzora was constructed probably by the Paulists after they constructed the Chinchinim church, but the exact year is not known. It was dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption and affiliated to the Chinchinim parish.
On September 11, 1848, the bishop gave permission once again to have religious services in it. The Catholics celebrated the feast on August 15, so too the Konnsanchem Fest; its expenses were borne by the villagers and also by the Saibinnichi Kofr. But being the monsoon season, the Catholics decided to push the feast to the last Sunday of October.
It was elevated to the parish on October 28, 1973, and at this time the cemetery was constructed. The first parish priest appointed was Fr Martinho Gomes, the last chaplain. The present parochial residence was constructed much later.
THE DEVELOPMENTS
Since the church was not big enough to accommodate the Catholic population of the village, the need was felt to construct a bigger structure. The church being a heritage monument, the authorities did not want to pull it down, hence they decided to construct a new building altogether next to it.
Work of the new church began in 2019 and it was inaugurated on January 28, 2024 by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao. The old church building is hardly used now. Since 1999, the parish is being looked after by the Palottine fathers. The church has a tower on either side and in one is the bell.
THE ALTARS
The old church has 5 altars, the main altar is dedicated to Our Lady of Assumption and above it is the statue of St Sebastian, the others are dedicated to St Rock, St Francis Xavier, Our Lady of Piety and Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The new church has only one altar, which is dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption; it has a mosaic on the back wall of the sanctuary with the scene of Our Lady ascending into heaven and welcomed by the court of Heaven. On one side of the altar is a huge image of the crucified Jesus and on the other side is a panel of Divine Mercy.
(The writer is Superior at Casa Professa, Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa.)
