Well past midnight, parishioners leave with their homes dressed
with jackets, shawls and comfortable footwear as they head to their church to
board a bus that is waiting to make an annual journey. In the company of other
parishioners, there are no peals of laughter or celebratory mood as everyone is
well aware of the solemnity of this annual Walking Pilgrimage that they are a
part of. With the Holy Rosary in hand and prayers on their lips, they alight
from the bus at a designated centre and start on foot to walk ten kilometres to
reach the Old Church of Sancoale, where they will be joined by thousands of
fellow participants attending the annual Walking Pilgrimage organised by the
Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.
This is the fifth Diocesan ‘Walking
Pilgrimage’ which will be held today, on the very first Sunday of Lent to
initiate spiritual preparation. This year, the theme will be, ‘Living our
mission through participation by being in union with the Holy Trinity’. From
every corner of Goa, people attend this pilgrimage which gathers at five
centres first, Goa Velha, Mandur junction, Verna, Cansaulim and Vasco for the
representatives of parishes all over Goa, who then walk ten kilometres and
reach right on time for the adoration at 5 am followed by Holy Eucharistic
celebration at 6am celebrated by His Eminence Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao.
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Fr Barry Cardozo, director of Goa Diocesan Centre for Social
Communication Media (DCSCM) explains, “From all over Goa, we are expecting
nearly 15,000 devotees. We will be also receiving devotees from Daman for the
very first time. This pilgrim is a Lenten preparation that is a kind of
sacrifice and a penitential walk. It is an opportunity to put their faith in
the Lord and offer their intentions which are then lifted during the Mass. The
walk is of a minimum ten kilometres and we recommend parishioners to carry
something to eat and drink and especially their medicines. There are doctors at
medical tents and even ambulances at various points. The walk takes nearly two
hours so the churches plan accordingly to reach the centre and then the
Sancoale Church on time.”
Concy Dias, resident of Raico Ambo, Raia, who will be the part of
the walking Piligrime says, “I have been part of the Walking Pilgrimage for
some years and walking with others as a community with love peace and joy.
Together we recite the Rosary and attend the Holy Eucharistic Mass too. During
the Somudhai and PPC meetings, we share our experiences.”
Fedora Dias from Murida, Fatorda says, “I been there for last
two years and it’s an good community building Walking Pilgrimage filled with
unity, peace and a journey bound with prayers, Holy Rosary and sharing the
experiences to others to inspire them in faith building.
Sharmila Sequeira from Bicholim says, “Both, my husband and I,
have been participating in the Walking Pilgrimage for the last four years. In
the beginning, I remember, as we were not accustomed to walking such a long
distance, we used to practice walking a month in advance to prepare ourselves
for this big day. And one gets some inner peace while participating in this
Walking Pilgrimage, that you are walking for the sake of Christ and it is
nothing but a small sacrifice on our part to walk to Sancoale, which cannot be
compared to the abundant blessings we receive each day from Him. I eagerly look
forward to participate every year in this Walking Pilgrimage by the Archdiocese
of Goa and Daman.
“Being a part of any religious event is always a matter of
receiving God’s endless grace. Walking pilgrimage held in the year 2022 amidst
Covid pandemic was an opportunity to pray, pray and pray. It was a moment where
people collectively and sincerely were seeking God’s attention to their
personal and universal intentions. It was a divine experience. In this walking
journey of three hours, I had an unusual experience of being healed, forgiven,
strengthened, sorted as if Jesus Himself accompanied me and shared a moment with
me listening to my needs. Walking Pilgrimage is an experience to be witnessed
as it cannot be expressed in words,” says Manusha Jacques from Curchorem.
Ancy Mascarenhas from Sanvordem shares her experience, “When I
decided to go on the Walking Pilgrimage, my mind was muddled with thoughts like
‘Will I be able to do the walk? How will I do it? Isaiah 41:10 reads; ‘So do
not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.’ It was a
journey of faith. Living it through a physical activity. Surrendering and
asking the Lord to lead you through it. The Walking Pilgrimage was a start to
my spiritual journey which only strengthened more deeply as the walk was led by
continuous reciting of the Rosary, singing of hymns and a more silent
understanding of the presence of the divine.”
Nety Gomes from Curchorem says, “This walk had a different
purpose and every person who was part of this walk knew the purpose of it and
therefore together we were heading towards the sanctuary of Saint Joseph Vaz.
The environment was calm and cool. The fragrance of God’s love was round the
corner. While we were walking, utmost importance was given to prayers and that
reminded me about the word of God that was apt for our walk, Mark.1:35, “Very
early in the morning, while it was still dark Jesus got up, left the house and
went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.” Early in the morning everyone
had a smile on their faces, I was touched by the way we were praying,
interacting with one another, helping, showing our concern towards each other
and of course leading ourselves to have an encounter with God. Through prayers,
Jesus spoke to God and was able to fulfil His mission and today He was waiting
for all of us to give the same experience of being present in the Blessed Sacrament.
The minute we reached the church arena, I felt the presence of God. Inspite of
walking a long distance, I was able to praise my God for giving me a rich
experience of spiritual journey. Together, we attended the Holy mass celebrated
by Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao.”
She further adds, “Today as I look back and recollect the
journey, I thank God for giving me an opportunity to be part of this walk that
does not require any special sports outfit or warm up exercise. A heart that is
willing to walk with God is just enough to go on a Walking Pilgrimage.”
For those who cannot participate physically, the event will be
made available by Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media, Goa on the
Diocesan Youtube Channel and also on other local TV Channels.
(With
inputs from Paul Carvalho and Inacio Noronha.)
