HERALD FEATURES
The Navelim’s church was first built by the Jesuits in the 1590s; the present, Portuguese-style whitewashed structure was constructed later when the old building became too small for the growing congregation. The reconstruction was apparently financed by a local merchant, Barreto, who was saved from bankruptcy through the intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary.
According to legend, this church was built in mud, similar to the other churches in Salcete taluka, within a span of four years from 1594 to 1598. The builders were Jesuits and the building was financed by the villagers. The first parish priest of Navelim Church was a French Jesuit by the name of Fr John Sena. As time passed, the church became too small for the growing population. Later on, it was once again reconstructed with laterite stones by a rich Goan merchant.
FEAST
The celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Rosary begins every third Wednesday in November. This devotion to Our Lady comprises an extensive celebration which begins with traditional processions and novenas.
Each year, the family selected to celebrate the feast paints the church on the outside, fifteen days ahead of the feast. The inside of the church is also beautifully decorated and the outside is covered with fairy lights. Also most of the houses and streets in the village are lit up with colourful lights during the celebrations.
Every four years, the statue of Our Lady of Rosary is brought down from the altar and taken in a procession to Holy Rosary School where Mass is held on the open playground. During this one day consecration to Our Lady, children from the school enact scenes from the Bible.
On the third Wednesday in November at 3 am, a candlelight procession carries a beautifully decorated statue of Our Lady towards the church. Everyday for the following nine days, the Novena prayers begin between 5 pm and 8 pm. On the tenth day, masses begin at 5 am and the celebration of the feast continues for the next three days.
In the evenings, a fireworks display is sponsored by the family chosen to celebrate the feast that year. Throughout the day and night there are Konkani concerts.
In addition, dances are held in the evenings. The villagers of Navelim invite families and friends to celebrate at their homes and they usually visit each others homes carrying trays of traditional Goan sweets.
FAIR
According to legend, earlier this fair consisted mainly of three or four sheds and lasted only for a day, as there was superstition that on the same night of the feast day there was a gathering of devils in the area in front of the church.
Dr Francisco Salvador Gomes, father of Dr Francisco Luis Gomes, who was the administrator of Salcete, later encouraged some of the owners of the sheds to extend the fair for three days. They agreed and the fair gained much prominence so much so that today it is the most popular fair in Goa. Today, the fair comprises stalls selling toys, food and clothes. There are booths for games as well as a fun fair with merry-go-rounds and ferris wheels. In addition, there are a variety of other stalls including those selling furniture.
