Team Herald
MARGAO: Around 28,000 people participated in the penitential walk organised by the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, carrying the aspirations and prayers of people from all over Goa to the facade of the Our Lady of Good Health Church, Old Church of Sancoale, on the first Sunday of Lent.
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The walk, which commenced at around 2 am, culminated in a spiritual gathering marked by adoration at 5 am, followed by Holy Mass.
This year, being the Jubilee year, the pilgrimage was themed “Pilgrims of Hope, Let Us Proclaim the Good News”. The old Church of Sancoale holds a special significance as one of the pious places in Goa.
Pilgrims walked from five designated centres—Neura, Cansaulim, Bambolim, Verna, and Vasco—to the facade of the Our Lady of Good Health Church, creating a sea of people seeking blessings and grace for themselves and their loved ones.
In his address, Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Fernandes urged the faithful, “Let us journey within ourselves to renew our lives with good moral values, journey with others to specially reach out to those who live on the peripheries, and let this journey be a journey of hope.”
He emphasised the importance of self-reflection, community outreach, and spreading hope as central to the Lenten pilgrimage.
During the Mass, Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao invited the congregation to take inspiration from Jesus Christ, who walked as a pilgrim of hope in this world. “Despite all trials and tribulations, He remained faithful to His mission of saving us from the slavery of sin and death and offered us new life and hope,” he said.
The Archbishop called on the participants to renew their lives and become beacons of faith and hope for everyone.
Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Fernandes, echoed the message of Pope Francis for the Jubilee year, encouraging the faithful to journey within themselves to overcome sinful deeds, reach out to those in need on the peripheries, and make this pilgrimage a journey of hope.
He stressed the importance of spreading the Good News by overcoming trials and temptations.
A special feature of this year’s pilgrimage was the depiction of images of the Passion of Christ and scenes showing Christ accompanying people in difficult situations. These were created by the youth and faithful of Agalli, Borda, confraria members of Assolna Parish, Consua and Verna youth, and Paroda parishioners, adding a unique spiritual and artistic dimension to the event.
In his vote of thanks, the Convenor Fr George Ratos expressed gratitude to all well-wishers, government officials, police, priests in charge of various responsibilities, Diocesan Youth Centre, Diocesan Liturgical Centre, Blessed Joseph Vaz Enterprises, Seminary of Rachol, Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media, print and electronic media, service providers, volunteers, and sponsors. He expressed joy at the overwhelming turnout and prayed that God would listen to the prayers of the faithful and bless them abundantly.
On this occasion, a book containing prayer services for families and small Christian communities for the Lenten season was released by the Pastoral Secretariat under the leadership of Fr Leo Fernandes. The book was presented by the Archbishop and Auxiliary Bishop and will be available to the public at Lighthouse, Margao; St Paul, Panjim; and the Pastoral Secretariat, Panjim.
Cardinal Ferrao congratulated the convenor and the organising committee for the well-coordinated Lenten walking pilgrimage. He wished all the faithful of Goa a grace-filled and blessed Lenten season, marking a meaningful start to this sacred period of reflection and renewal.
The pilgrimage also served as a powerful reminder of the call to unity and spiritual renewal, as highlighted in the pre-event announcement by Cardinal Ferrao.
He had urged Catholics to participate in the pilgrimage as a “powerful expression of our unity as the Church” and to embrace the Jubilee Year’s call to be “Pilgrims of Hope”. The event not only strengthened the faith of participants but also showcased the vibrant spirit of Goa’s Catholic community, united in prayer, penance, and hope.
