WEDNESDAY, MAY 08, 2024
Nicole Suares
As dusk falls across Goa, the sunset sky offers a picturesque background across the landscape. As darkness settles, the streets along Arrum waddo, Dandora, on the border of Cuncolim and Assolna villages, light up for the annual devotion of the portrait image of Our Lady of Good Health, considered miraculous by those who seek her favour. The frame of Our Lady is brought out for public kissing once a year on January 23, a day that coincides with the Maddi at the parish church. Locals refer to the devotion as fama or Maddi, and the popularity gained traction in recent years despite no publicity. Even Google yields no results on the famed observance.
This year, more than a thousand stood in long-winding queues to touch the revered portrait in hopes of divine intercession. The lines of crowds that ran for almost 500 meters wound up at 11.30 pm.
For residents of Dandora, like heritage restorer Kevin Rebello, the evening is an important part of the village celebrations. He witnessed the event as a child and recalls, “My grandmother and mother used to take all of us, and we used to be happy to stand there in the queue so that we could get sweets. My uncle and other family members still ensure they don’t miss the Maddi. They come from Bombay to offer prayers, celebrate at the venue, and then visit us for dinner.”
The Miraculous Image
The devotion to the image of Our Lady goes back 84 years. Jerry Miranda, president of the Dandora Madi Celebration Committee, shares, “It is purely a traditional devotion passed down by our ancestors and not connected to the novenas at the Church. Though no one knows the intention behind it, it must have started before 1941.”
Talking about the popular story revolving around the tradition, he shares, “Some of our people were on their way home after a hard day’s work in the field, when they heard the fozne at the Church for the Maddi. Since they were tired and had no proper clothes to wear to church, they stopped at the current spot of the festivities. One said, ‘Aiz Saud Saibhinnichi Maddi, ami hanga magnnem koriya (Today is the Maddi to Our Lady of Good Health, let us pray here).’ John D’Souza, whose house is the closest to the Church, must have offered a portrait of Our Lady from his house. In those days, they placed the portrait of Our Lady on a wooden plank, kept on a chair, with candles around it.”
John D’Souza’s family and their neighbours carried on the prayer service annually. However, tragedy struck the D’Souzas when they lost their only son in Mumbai. The devastation led them to lose faith and in a fit, throw all religious articles, including the painting outside.
Their neighbour Antanasio D’Souza salvaged it by piecing the shattered parts together. The portrait is now kept at his son Brigalds D’Souza’s home after the celebrations.
The Festivities
On the morning of January 23, the organisers placed five bamboo arcs along the route, and the final sixth one was installed at 6.30 pm along with the brass band. The portrait was kept at 5.30 pm, followed by the rosary at 7 pm and then the litany to Our Lady of Health at 8 pm.
Hundreds, including unmarried individuals, childless couples, and those facing financial issues or health ailments attended the event. They placed their requests in a box in front of the image. The organisers burnt the box after praying for the intentions.
Earlier, the waiting list for devotees who wanted to celebrate the evening touched as far as 2047. “We decided to allow more than three at a time, and this gives everybody a chance to celebrate,” says Miranda. In gratitude for their granted wishes, people offer cash and carry snacks to distribute to those gathered. “We are not particular about what they bring, but we do not allow alcohol at the venue,” adds Jerry.
Writer Ibonio D’Souza, a son of Dandora says, “We don’t do anything elaborate. It has gained popularity over the years. Every year, we see people from the peripheries like Assolna and Chinchinim attending the Maddi.”
The devotion cuts across faiths as Rahul Gaonkar, from Sirlim, Cuncolim, recalls visiting the Maddi as a youngster. In his school days, the family stayed in a rented Christian Goan heritage home next to where the image is placed. “Miracles do happen. It starts late evening and carries on till the veneration is over. After the prayers, you light candles and make your wish,” he concludes.
