St Lawrence was born on December 31, 225 AD in Spain. He died on August 10, 258 AD at the age of 32 in Rome, Italy. His parents were very pious people who always embraced the Christian religion. Having died a martyr for Christ, St Lawrence is the patron of deacons, chefs and firefighters. He was in charge of giving help to the poor and needy. He took it upon himself to care for the poor, widows, orphans, and the marginalized embodying the Christian principles of selfless love.
St Lawrence is inspirational not only because of his intelligence but also his holiness. The Capuchin order fondly remembers and are devoutly remembering this great saint who is noted for his love to the poor and needy.
In Goa, the Feast of St Lawrence is celebrated today, August 10, at St Lawrence Church, Sinquerim. The feast of St Lawrence is celebrated towards the end of the monsoon when the sandbar at the mouth of the Mandovi clears. It is a celebration of new beginnings of sorts, heralding the reopening of the navigable channel in and out of the river. In the bygone years, a rope was stretched between St Lawrence Church, Sinquerim and Cabo Raj Niwas in Dona Paula, across the River Mandovi. This was cut at the time of the festal celebrations as a symbol that the navigation channel was open for ships to pass through.
St Lawrence is also known as the patron saint of sailors. This is evident in the only altar inside the church which is dedicated to him. His statue is encased in a glass case beneath the baroque reredos. The panelled vaulting is exquisitely decorated and the risers of the steps of the altar have attractive blue and white tiles.
As per sources the chapel was isolated and construction started in the year 1630, it took 13 years to complete due to some reasons. Viceroy D Minguel de Noronha Count of Linhares discovered it and spent 5000 xerafins from his pocket and also from collections by the benefactors. St Lawrence Church, Sinquerim is called ‘Igreja de São Lourenço’ in Portuguese. The church was built by the Viceroy of Goa and handed over to the Franciscans in 1636.
In 1688, the Sinquerim church was upgraded to a parish after being detached from the parish of Candolim. In 1776,
after the Franciscans left the Sinquerim parish and the hospice they had there,
the Diocesan clergy took over the pastoral care of the parish from June 1991, then Sinquerim parish entrusted to the members of the order of the Friars Minor Capuchins.
The Feast of St Lawrence at Sinquerim will be celebrated today on the theme, ‘Experiencing the mercy of Goa, Like St Lawrence, let us be merciful to others.’ The first Mass for the Feast day will be held at 6 am and will be celebrated by Fr Adriano Furtado, parish priest of Our Lady of Remedios Church, Betalbatim. The second Mass at 7.15 am will be celebrated by Capuchin priest, Fr Franky Fernandes and the third Mass at 8.30 am will be celebrated by Fr Gabriel Fernandes, Vicar Consular of the Capuchin fathers’ Goa province. The High Mass will be celebrated by Fr Rodson Goes at 10 am followed by the blessing of the Sea by Fr Dinesh Mendonca, parish priest of Sinquerim Church.
In the evening, the Mass will be celebrated at 4 pm by Fr Kennedy Menezes, St Francis of Assisi community, Canacona. Later in the evening, an exhibition football match will be held between Capuchin priests and brothers and the Sinquerim parishioners near the church at 5 pm. On the following day, August 11, at 11am, a special Mass will be celebrated for the patron dedicated by the fishing community of the village.
(Fr Franky Fernandes OFM, Capuchin is the chairperson of Justice Peace Integrity of Creation (JPIC), MSW and an advocate)