Goa is home to a number of churches and chapels dedicated to St Anthony of Padua.
These include the churches at Siolim, Galgibag in Canacona, Veroda, Cabo da
Rama and Tiracol in Pernem, and many chapels scattered in various villages.
While most of the churches observe the
13-day novena (trezen) from June 1 before celebrating the feast on June 13, at
St Anthony’s chapel in Deusua, Chinchinim preparations for the feast begin on
the first Tuesday of June and the feast is celebrated on the following Sunday
of June 13, instead of the proper day dedicated to the saint.
Over the years, the devotion in honour of
St Anthony has become so popular in Chinchinim that people from different walks
of life simply flock to this ward in the wee hours of morning, till dusk,
seeking blessings from the saint. Besides imploring for graces, thanksgiving is
also offered by the devotees for various favours received from the miracle
worker.
The chaplain of St Anthony’s chapel in
Deusua, Fr Hermogenes Fernandes, informs that the strength of the Catholic
community is between 600-700, with around 230 Catholic houses. “But it is more
than a parish,” he says, “and the appointed priest works more than a parish
priest.”
“Irrespective of religions, devotees from across Goa, namely the
villages of Chorao, Aldona, Siolim, Collem, Curdi and other remote villages
flock the place during the novenas,” Fr Fernandes reveals.
The faithful seek favours such as employment, children, cures
from serious illnesses and finding of lost objects. “When favours are granted,
news spreads through word of mouth and the number of devotees visiting
increases annually,” informs Fr Fernandes.
The chaplain also discloses about the feast of the tongue of St
Anthony, which is celebrated annually on February 15. “The devotion was there,
but it was lukewarm among the parishioners. But after propaganda on the
newspapers in 2017, it gained recognition,” he notes.
“As the crowd keeps flocking the chapel for the feast of the
tongue,” Fr Fernandes says, “there are two masses in the morning and one in the
evening. Due to the increase in number of vehicles during the novenas and
feast, parking area has also been allotted for two and four wheelers to avoid
congestion.”
Fr Fernandes also mentions about the Mission Group, which was
formed 14 years ago during the tenure of Fr Johnsie Colaco. “It is a
celebration of missions on 4 Sundays in the month of October and the stalls
erected are taken care of by the catechists.”
The profit earned from the sale of items in the stalls is
distributed to the poor in the mission areas across India. “The first trip was
in Mangalore and a visit to the destitute by eight catechists, followed by
visit to orphanages, AIDS patients in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Calcutta,
Bhopal, Karnataka and Jharkhand.”
“All the eatables are prepared by the parishioners and
catechists,” he informs, “and the profit earned through sale of items is
willingly distributed to the less fortunate in the missions. It is an annual
trip to different mission areas and our parishioners get firsthand information
and experience by living with those in need.”
The
feast of St Anthony will be celebrated at Deusua, Chinchinim on June 16, with
masses beginning from 5 am, followed by high mass at 10 am
