Fr Oscar Quadros
The Church of Our Lady of Socorro in the village of Serula, was the third one to be built at Bardez by the order of Franciscans. It was built in 1667 with the funds raised by the local population. The Church was fully restored in 1763. It has four altars. The altar of St. Francis di Asissi is privileged one by decree of December 30, 1899. In the Churchyard, a monument to the Christ the King was erected in 1939.
The Church has under its jurisdiction seven Chapels as under:
1) Chapel of Our Lady of Candelaria at Porvorim. The date of its erection is not known. It lies at a distance of 2500 metres from the Church.
2) Chapel of Our Lady of Rosary at Carrem was founded under the invocation of Our Lady of Rosary and St. Anne by Fr. Agostinho do Rosario Pinto and his brother Silvestre Pinto of Carrem. The blessing of the Chapel took place on August 14, 1782. It lies at a distance of 2800 metres from the Church. It was reconstructed in 1824.
3) Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies at Vaddem was founded by Fr. Jose Gomes of Congregation of Oratorians in Goa in 1773 in their property ‘Voll’ in Vaddem. This Priest also made a will on October 20, 1748 wherein he kept some properties for the maintenance of the Chapel and for its reconstruction in future. It lies at a distance of 3000 metres from the Church.
4) Chapel of St. Sebastian at Vaddem constructed by Potters (earthenware makers) of Vaddem lies at a distance of 2500 metres from the Church.
5) Chapel of Holy Family at Alto Porvorim. It is of recent date. It lies at a distance of 3000 metres. Now it is elevated to Church.
6) Chapel of Holy Cross Ambirna. It was blessed on 7 December 1935 by Fr. Vitorino Gomes Catao. It lies at a distance of 1000 metres from the Church.
7) Chapel of Holy Cross at Maina was blessed on April 15, 1917 by the Former Dean Joao Francisco Lobo. It lies at a distance of 1000 metres from the Church.
The other three Churches in Bardez taluka that preceded the construction of this Church are: The Church of Reis Magos in 1550; the Churches of Nagoa and Candolim in 1560 and the Church of Salvador do Mundo in 1565.
At present, the Parish is fully active with different festivals to revive the rich traditions of the people of the village which are acclaimed internationally. Incidentally, the Church in this year celebrates 350 years of its construction.
