The feast of
the Holy Cross is celebrated on the designated day of the Exultation of the
Cross (when the original cross on which Christ was crucified was found) on
September 14, and the 450-year old Church at Verna keeps the Holy See’s
tradition of celebrating the Feast on this day rather than May 3 or the first
Sunday in May, as was done in the past.
This year,
there is another reason for the parishioners to celebrate this feast with pomp.
“Instead of just a few people/vaddos celebrating the entire feast as is the
customary practice, we have included all the parishioners in all the vaddos, so
that everyone can partake in celebrating the feast,” explains Parish Priest Fr
Romano Gonsalves. “Earlier, celebrations were low key, but now we have devised
a new way to get everyone involved in the festivities,” he adds.
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An old-time
parishioner, Rui Menezes Gama recalls that prior to 1980, the feast was
celebrated by the Fabrica with its own funds. “For the past couple of years,
people are being consciously involved by allotting a day’s novena to each ward.
People in turn have now realised the importance of getting more involved in the
feast of their patron,” he states.
Another
departure from custom this year is the celebration of the Feast Mass at 8.30am instead
of 10.30. “This is something new we have set up this year so that everyone can
participate in the feast mass and return home early,” explains Fr Gonsalves.
The ancient silver cross inside the Church will be venerated on the day of the
feast after which a procession will be held in the compound. The mass will have a 40-member choir, with
instruments, specially trained by Fr Freddy to perform at the mass celebrated
by Dr (Fr) Simon Diniz, Principal, Rosary College of Commerce and Arts,
Navelim.
