Herald: A matter of deep faith

03 Dec 2020 | 04:50am IST

A matter of deep faith

The devout walk to the Basilica of Bom Jesus ever year from all over the state as well as from neighboring states. This year due to the virus, that is not happening. Café spoke to four members who have undertaken the pilgrimage for several years.

Faith blossoms

Prakash Carvalho from Ajra has been part of the pilgrimage for the last 40 years. He would leave with others on the 28^th of November and reach Goa on the 2^nd of December. This has been followed for so many decades. The group comprises priests working in the missions of Ajra and Gadhinglaj and has provided them spiritual support through the journey. The number of people have gradually increased through the years and this is largely because of the spiritual good and faith that has blossomed through the years that has drawn people to doing this.

This year due to the pandemic and existing SOPs that have to be followed it was difficult to do the same pilgrimage hence the people decided to walk 22 kms for 6 days everyday from Gadhinglaj to Nesari, which has a Chapel dedicated to St. Francis Xavier.

Experiences Gods grace

S M Santan from Gadhinlaj has been part of the pilgrimage for the last 12 years and cherishes this experience of walking to Goa every year since 2008. He says he has experienced Gods graces and miracles that have taken place in the lives of those who have made this pilgrimage. Those suffering from illness, problems in the family, many youth not getting jobs etc. who have made this pilgrimage with devotion and prayer through the entire journey and have been blessed by God through the intercession of St. Francis Xavier.

Pilgrimage fosters faith

Mr. D’Cruz from Kolhapur said the pilgrimage has fostered his faith in God over the years. He started by making the pilgrimage as part of a group. He said the atmosphere is very devout as they pray throughout the journey by singing, reciting the rosary and through silent prayer. After a couple of years his wife also accompanied them and walked all the way to Goa. They have experienced a miracle in their life after this through the birth of a baby girl and they attribute this miracle to St. Francis Xavier whose intercession they sought.

Pilgrimage helped confirm his vocation

Fr. Joseph Monteiro SJ who has been working in the Ajra and Gadhinglaj missions for over a decade now and has been accompanying the group every year on their pilgrimage for the past 12 years. He said he felt confirmed in his vocation to priesthood and to work as a missionary through his first pilgrimage to Goa from Ajra at the age of 18. This experience changed and helped his own spiritual growth and that he has seen the same in his parishioners. Many of them who have been burdened by illnesses and problems in the family have been freed from these problems through the graces they have received walking this pilgrimage. Many people of other faiths have also joined the group of pilgrims as they have faith that they will receive graces through the intercession of St. Francis Xavier. He himself feels his prayers have been answered and he has been healed and he is convinced it is only through the intercession of St. Francis Xavier. This year however due to the pandemic he has not been able to make the pilgrimage and feels it is a great loss. He will be accompanying the group on the 3^rd of December on their pilgrimage to St. Francis Xavier Chapel, Nesari

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