In the dark of the night, the roads leading to the Old Sancoale Church were buzzing with energy as thousands of devotees prayed and sang hymns in unison. Walking nearly ten kilometres, devotees participated in the 7th annual Walking Pilgrimage (Bhavarthachi Yatra) organised by the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman on the First Sunday of Lent. Over 28,000 youth and parishioners from all parishes in Goa commenced their walk from five different places closest to their churches, Bambolim, Neura, Cansaulim, Verna, and Vasco.
Once at the church, the day began with adoration to the Blessed Sacrament was led by Fr Xavier Braganza followed by the Eucharistic celebration, which was presided over by Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman.
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For this Jubilee Year, special emphasis was placed on the Cross and scenes from the Passion of Christ, presented by the youth from various parishes added depth to the solemn occasion.
Returning with a grateful heart
This is my second time that I participated in the Walking Pilgrimage. I had participated in the walk in 2023. I had a few intentions for which I had promised myself of going again. I prayed for it and I got it. Some are yet to be received. I had gone with that intention that whatever the way it is, these things are achieved. It is for thanksgiving for God for what he has done for me. This time, the walk began right from the Bambolim church. We finished it faster. Since I am I was the president of the Tropa Church youth committee, I was with Fr Peter Simon Mascarenhas, parish priest of the parish of the Tropa Church and the Dean of Siolim deanery, right from the start. We said the Rosaries and sang hymns. Although our Tropa parish is small, we were a total of 50 people including 19 youth members as the focus this year was on the youth. I don’t like to walk because even the distance of 100 meters, I usually cover by the bike. But this was a good experience, I had a bit of pain but now I am fine. It was an enriching experience.
– Austin D’Souza, Tropa, Siolim
Walking on the
religious path
The walking pilgrimage held in the first Sunday of Lent is a spiritually renewing experience. It is an event which we eagerly look forward to every year and prepare for it well in advance. Both, me and my husband have been participating in the walking pilgrimage right from the beginning. Initially, it was out of eagerness to see what this pilgrimage is all about. But as we participated in it each year, not only were we spiritually inclined and motivated to go for it whatever situation we might be in, as it increased our faith in God and empowered us to face any untoward calamities which came in our lives. Agreed we do face the challenges of walking, but then when we compare it to the sufferings which our Saviour Jesus Christ had to endure for the salvation of humanity, we feel our pain and suffering is nothing compared to this. This belief empowers us to participate each year.
– Shamin Sequeira,
Bicholim
Volunteering for a bigger cause
This is the second year I have been part of the Walking Pilgrimage. Last year, I was a parish youth member of Goa Velha participating in the walk but this year I was a volunteer and I was stationed at the Goa Velha junction. It was a great experience as I felt like I am walking with Jesus. I was stationed at the junction right from 1.45 am till the last bus of devotees arrived and then we started walking towards the church.
I wanted to volunteer this year and be more
helpful to the devotees and guiding them.
– Flocy Da Silva, Agassaim
The first walking pilgrimage
This was my first walking pilgrimage from Bambolim to Sancoale. I felt excited and a little nervous as it was challenging. We left from Bicholim by 12:10 am and reached Bambolim by 1:20 am. We started walking at 1:45 am and reached our destination by 4:20 am. The experience was amazing and spiritual. At first, we all walked in groups to not feel left out and we prayed the Rosary and sang hymns together. As we reached near the flyover at Agassaim, the journey was more challenging. When I got tired, I remembered tough times in my past and told myself, “If I can get through those, I can finish this pilgrimage.” As we walked, more people joined us, and we felt a sense of community. During the prayers, adoration and mass, I felt a deep spiritual connection with God I felt positive and hopeful as I burned my written prayers and petitions. I pray that my wishes and those of my friends and family are answered. I’m already looking forward to next year’s pilgrimage.
– Savia Fernandes, Bicholim
