Agassaim: Come March 10 the first Sunday of Lent, the Catholic community across Goa, both from north and south, will take a ‘Walking Pilgrimage’ (Bhavartachi Yatra) to Sancoale.
Shedding light on this one-of-its-kind unique event of the Catholic church of Goa, the convenor of the ‘Walking Pilgrimage’, Fr Alfred Vaz informed that the aim is basically to understand the salvific value of suffering, to spread the joy of being a Christian, to gain God’s grace in our difficulties and also an occasion for personal conversion.
Commenting on the thought of personal conversion, Fr Vaz said the walking pilgrimage will also be an occasion to overcome weaknesses, both in mind and body. “For those who are addicted to alcoholism and other vices, this exercise could help overcome weaknesses and experience personal conversion,” he added.
‘Walking Pilgrimage’, a spiritual exercise of the Catholic Church in Goa, will be an annual event or feature on the first Sunday of Lent,and the venue, old church of Sancoale”.
Now, why Sancoale and not any other religious place in Goa? “It’s precisely because the son of the soil, St Joseph Vaz, during his spiritual journey in Sri Lanka, was a walking pilgrimage, sharing the message of Christ to the less fortunate,” Fr Vaz stated.
The theme of the Eucharistic celebration is ‘Man does not live by bread alone’. Fr Vaz reminded that it is an opportunity given by the Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Rev Dr Filipe Neri Ferrao for the church in Goa to walk with Christ, who first walked to the Calvary for us. “The shepherd (bishop) will also be walking with his flock to the final destination,” he added.
In order to make this spiritual journey fruitful and successful, the convenor of the ‘Walking Pilgrimage’ said that six venues across Goa have been identified, namely Goa Velha and Mandur in north Goa and Vasco, Cansaulim, Verna and Quelossim in south Goa. “Except Old Goa deanery all parishes from Sattari will meet at Mandur, whereas all deaneries from north Goa will assemble at Goa Velha. Faithful from Canacona, Quepem, Sanguem, Raia and Verna deaneries will gather at Verna church and people from Chinchinim, Benaulim and Margao will begin their journey from Cansaulim.” “Besides the main six venues,” he said, “there will also be sub-centres along the way to cater to the needs of the sick.”
“As youth is the vibrant force of the Church,” Fr Vaz said, “the bishop wants people, especially the youth, to be on the forefront to make this event spiritually successful.”
Regards the timings for the pilgrims to embark on their spiritual journey, Fr Vaz said that all the parishioners will be arriving at their respective centres before 3 am and will be briefed by the volunteers of the host parish and then they will begin their spiritual journey. “As the pilgrims walk it down to Sancoale,” he added, “they will maintain silence and pray simultaneously.”
Concerning the transport, Fr Vaz said that all the buses will be dropping the people at their respective centres in the morning and will proceed to the parking zone at Sancoale in order to pick them up later, after the Eucharistic celebration. “Private vehicles will be discouraged at the venue in Sancoale to avoid congestion at the parking zone,” he noted.
The Eucharistic celebration at Sancoale will be held at 7 am, with the Archbishop as the main celebrant. “The faithful will have an opportunity to put down their petitions on a paper and drop in an erected furnace at the venue,” Fr Vaz revealed, “thereafter, the bishop will say a special prayer with incense and raise them up to God.”
“A special Way of the Cross has also been sent to all the parishes in view of the Walking Pilgrimage,” Fr Vaz said, “besides, on Ash Wednesday, the fasting and prayer will be offered for the success of the event. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, priests will be available for confession to the parishioners in their respective parishes.”
