Walking through the narrow lanes leading to St Jerome Church, Mapusa for the feast of
Our Lady of Miracles, these otherwise quiet roads are buzzing with activity.
Every inch of the land is occupied by stalls, stone carvers, carpenters and
sweet marts. Considered one of the biggest markets in Goa, Mapusa has been the
hub for Bardez for centuries and this fair has been a part of one of the most
popular feasts, Milagri Saibinn.
People flock to Mapusa for the feast of
Our Lady of Miracles, some for the novenas, for the high mass of the feast and
even after the feast for the next few days when the statue is placed for
veneration. After the vespers, the statue of Our Lady of Miracles is placed
outside especially for devotees who want to pray for petitions or have returned
with hearts filled with gratitude towards standing gracefully carrying Infant
Jesus in her left while blessing her devotees in the right hand.
The church feast falls on the Monday following the third week of
Easter and is very important festival for both Hindus and Christians alike who
attend in large numbers. The theme also known as ‘Vixoi’ for the feast is
‘Kristacho Mog: Milagris Saibinni Porim, Amkam Thar dinam’. The feast day will
be celebrated on April 16, 2018 at St Jerome Church with masses being held at
5am, 6.15am, 7.30am, 8.45am (English) and 4pm and 5pm with the High Mass at
10am which will be concelebrated by Fr Henry Falcao, Director of St Joseph Vaz
Spiritual Renewal Centre, Fr Dennis Fernandes, Parish Priest of St Jerome
Church, Mapusa, Fr Xavier Estibeiro and Fr Dylon Clive D’Costa, Assistant
Parish Priests and Fr Thomas Vattukulathil.
The church of St Jerome was constructed in 1594 and was
dedicated to St Jerome but with the feast of Our Lady of Miracle gaining more
popularity, it has since been re-dedicated to Our lady of Miracles. The sisters
of Handmaids of Christ have been providing oil for the feast. They handle the
stall and sale of oil which is poured on the statue. Devotees offer oil in
spoons, container and even small gallons according to their promises. The oil is
even taken home in small containers by the devotees. The statue for pouring of
oil is placed out on the vespers and will remain there till April 29, 2018. The
stall will be open from during the novena days till April 15, 2018 from 6.30am
to 9.30am and from 5pm to 7.30pm. On the feast day (April 16), it will be made
available from 9am to 12 noon and 3pm to 9pm.
Agnes Fernandes, proprietor of Café Aurora in Mapusa, has been
celebrating the feast with family and friends. “I am very excited about the
feast. I attend the first mass in the morning and whenever I go for the
novenas, I join the queue to pour oil on the statue. It is a big day for us and
we prepare delicious food for our relatives and friends to celebrate our
happiness and give thanks to Our Lady of Miracles. Every year, we donate snacks
for the fete in the evening. Many Catholic shopkeepers donate something for the
feast,” says Agnes, who will be preparing three types of snacks for the evening
program.
Both Catholic and Hindu devotees stand in long queues patiently
as they silently say their prayers to Our Lady of Miracles. This practice has
been followed for generations and still followed fervently. Rupa Morajkar along
with her siblings always accompanies her mother, Reshma to pour oil on the statue.
Living right next door to the church, the family considers this as an annual
ritual. “I have been going to Milagres Saibinn since my childhood and we have
not missed a single year. Whenever we are free, we stand in line and wait for
our turn. We go soon after the feast because the idol is out only for a few
days,” says Rupa.
In
the evening of the feast day, John D’Silva will be staging his tiatr, ‘Porzoll’
at 7pm. On April 17, 2018 from 7pm onwards, there will be a performance by
students of Crescendo Music School, exhibition of local talent by Mapusa
Parishioners, a performance by Kerryann Valerie Albuquerque, winner of
Nightingale of Goa and Finalist of Goencho Avaz 2017, followed by the live
performance by the band Noronha Brothers. On April 18, 2018, there will be a
performance by Lawry Travasso, an exhibition of local talent by Mapusa
Parishioners featuring Goa Gymnastics Association, Mimikry Artist, American
Auction by Fr Dylon and performance of live band, 15AG. All programs will be
held at the St Jerome’s Church Compound, Mapusa.