17,000 faithful take part in the annual Lenten Walking Pilgrimage to Sancoale

Team Herald 

SANCOALE: Highlighting the sacrificial aspect of the annual Lenten Walking Pilgrimage to Sancoale, Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao reminded the faithful about the sacrifice Jesus Christ offered for the salvation of the world by humbling himself and urged the faithful to remain in union with God and neighbours while fulfilling Christ’s mission. 

Around 17,000 faithful participated in the annual pilgrimage held at Sancoale. 

A press release issued by Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media states that the pilgrimage is an opportunity for Catholics to do penance and pray for their renewal and the renewal of the world. It is a spiritual and penitential walk, which benefits the spiritual growth of those who participate in faith. People also testified that their prayers have been heard as a result of the penitential walk.

Priests, religious and Catholics and some people from other religions participated in the pilgrimage. 

People, who commenced their journey as early as 12 am, moved in from three Centres -one in the South and two in North. The Archbishop walked with the people from GoaVelha to Sancoale.

In his homily, Fr Henry Falcao said, “When we humble ourselves before God and accept our failures He clothes us by His grace and helps us to renew ourselves.” 

“We cannot hide our sins however hard we may try to, but if we accept and ask God’s forgiveness, He forgives and renews us,” he added. 

He reminded the faithful that it was at this old Sancoale Church, where only its facade remains today, that St Joseph Vas surrendered himself to Our Lady so that he may be a faithful servant of the Lord.

After the Mass, Fr Ligorinho D’Costa, the Convenor of the event thanked Holy Trinity One God for His Blessings and Our Lady of Health, patroness of the old Sancoale Church in making the walking pilgrimage a successful one. 

He also thanked the Archbishop for inspiring the people to participate in this pilgrimage. He also thanked the government officials and departments, the Police, Traffic Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Health department, Doctors, ambulance drivers, Nurses and other volunteers who helped in the safe organisation of the event.