Janet Mascarenhas
Wearing festive attire and accompanied by the salty, cool sea breeze, locals in Calangute walk in procession along the shore following the annual Feast Mass of Our Lady of Vailankanni. The statue of Our Lady of Vailankanni is carried in the procession, followed by prayers at the shore and the traditional blessing of the sea by the priest. The devotion seen along Calangute’s shore is part of a much wider connection between Goa and the coastal pilgrimage town of Velankanni in Tamil Nadu. For generations, Goans have shared a deep bond with the town—a bond rooted in faith, devotion, hope and profound reverence for Our Lady of Vailankanni, transcending borders. Every year, thousands of people from across the globe travel to Velankanni to whisper fervent prayers, seek favours, offer thanksgiving gifts, fulfil promised vows and pay their respects. For Goans, however, the connection extends beyond the pilgrimage itself.
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Goan tiatr artists and choir troupes also make the journey each year, bringing a little piece of home to fellow Goans living in a distant land and keeping the cultural and spiritual connection alive. This historic bond has its roots in a shared Portuguese colonial heritage and stands as a testament to faith that transcends borders. Goa’s longstanding connection with the sea, and with sailors, mariners and fishermen, has further deepened this devotion. For generations, seafarers have turned to Our Lady of Vailankanni for protection in turbulent waters, inspired by accounts of the miraculous protection believed to have been granted to the Portuguese sailors who first built the shrine.
Devotees also seek the intercession of Our Lady for a variety of intentions, including good health, recovery from illness, employment, the gift of a child and other personal needs. Over the years, this bond has only grown stronger. Devotees from Calangute and other parts of Goa carry the spirit of the feast back home, continuing the celebrations with their fellow villagers upon their return from Velankanni. This enduring spiritual bond also brings together people from diverse communities. During the nine-day novena and on the Feast Day at Velankanni, different communities celebrate Mass and recite the rosary in their own languages, adding to the rich tapestry of faith and devotion that surrounds the shrine. The Redemptor Chapel in Gauravaddo, Calangute began celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Vailankanni after a statue was donated by an ardent devotee.
It became the first ward in Calangute to have the annual beach procession on the feast of Our Lady of Vailankanni. “We started the procession to bless the sea, and pray for the fisherman, as here most come from the fishing community,” says Abin Silveira, a chapel committee member from Gauravaddo. “After Guara Vaddo West, Madda Vaddo, Tivai Vaddo and now Saunta Vaddo also started this practice”, she adds. “More than 25 years ago, and till today many of our fishermen stop anchoring their boats on our side of the shore here, during the rough monsoon waves. Some continue fishing in Baga and Sinquerim as it is calmer on that side.” narrated Gabriel Fernandes, who devotedly holds the position of the caretaker of the Chapel after his father. The procession he says began over 25 years ago. “Earlier when I was small, I remember the priest would bless the sea and only then all the local boats would start fishing from this side of the shore as the waves became calmer unlike the monsoon roughness,” he adds.
The faith devotees hold towards Our Lady of Vailankanni speaks volumes of their devotion and gratefulness. Santana Fernandes says she vowed to visit Velankanni twice a year following a successful surgery. She says, “I was diagnosed with cancer. Mother Mary touched me and I recovered. Many people come to Velankanni with great faith. They walk barefoot and on their knees for long distances in exchange for a miracle,” she says Abin Silveira who also goes to Velankanni every year says she feels a sense of contentment when participating in the festivities. “I feel very content here among the faith, prayers, and joy of the people.
It’s a different feeling from the celebration at Goa,” she said. She said she has always been grateful for help in conceiving a Son after prayers from her mother-in-law to Our Lady. “Since that day, every year my mother in Law gives food to the poor at Velankanni,” she said. Initially, celebrated on September 9 every year, the feast is now celebrated at the chapel on September 12, so all those participating in Velankanni can make it in time for the festive celebrations back home. The festive spirit concludes with a cultural performance, showcasing local talent. From the shores of Velankanni to Calangute, the devotion continues to travel across waters throughout generations.
