St Anne is considered the patroness of
childless mothers and people throng to her, praying for her intercession. The
Church of St Ann at Talaulim has its own unique celebrations. The feast is
famous as Touxanchem Fest (cucumber feast) as childless couples offer
cucumber to St Anne, praying in Portuguese, ‘Senhora, tomai pepino, dai me
menino’ which translates to ‘Our Lady, take this cucumber and give me a
child’. Other prayers offered to St Anne are ‘Senhora, tomai colher, dai me
mulher’ which means, ‘Our Lady, take this spoon and give me a wife’ and ‘Senhora,
tomai urido, dai me marido’ which says ‘Our Lady, take this Udid dal and
give me a husband’.
Saint Anne is
patroness of unmarried women, housewives, women in labor or who want to be
pregnant, grandmothers, mothers and educators. Saint Anne is also said to be a
patron saint of sailors and a protector from storms.
This
year, the feast will be celebrated on July 31. The Vespers will be held on July
30 at 5.15pm. On the feast day, July 31, there will be Masses at 6am, 7.15am
and 8.30am. The concelebrated High Mass will be at 10am and evening Mass at
4pm. Parish priest Fr Oscar Quadros, encourages couples who would like to share
their testimonies about the gift of a child. Thousands of devotees from
different religions come to praise the Patroness for the favours granted.
Several testimonies are presented during the Novenas from couples who received
a child, some even after 18 years.
