Team Herald
MARGAO: After a gap of nearly two years the ‘Fama’ of Menino Jesus will be celebrated full fledge on October 17, at Our Lady of Merces Church, Colva. Fama is the day before the Novenas begin.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Parish Priest Fr Simpliciano Fernandes told reporters that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, ‘Fama’ could not be celebrated with a regular funfair for the last few years. However, now it will be held in a full-fledged affair. Necessary standard operating procedures (SOPs) with regard to Covid-19 will also be followed as and when required.
“We will express our gratitude to God. The Church Confraria Committee has prepared detailed plans and arrangements have been made so that everything goes smoothly. We want all devotees to be happy. ‘Fama’ is more popular than feast, which will be celebrated on October 27,” Fr Simpliciano stated.
He said, “Menino Jesus is a great blessing for the people of Colva and those far and wide. His devotees are blessed with good health, prosperity and happiness.”
It is pertinent to note that Colva, which draws an immense number of devotees from all corners of Goa, is the ‘Fama De Menino Jesus’. The inflow of devotees is so much, that appreciably, the feast organisers erect a temporary, high, wooden, footbridge from across the road to the church precinct, to allow free passage to two-wheelers under it, without inconvenience.
The church is dedicated to Nossa Senhora das Merces or the Our Lady of Merces. Built as a chapel by the Jesuits in 1630 AD, it was elevated to the status of a church on May 28, 1635, along with the churches of Seraulim and Betalbatim.
It is said that a long time ago, possibly during the early Portuguese rule, the fishermen who were at sea, and occupied in their fishing, saw a huge flock of seagulls hovering over a small islet jutting out into the sea. As they proceeded towards this islet to investigate, they found something shiny and reflecting the sun’s rays. Thinking that it could be a person needing help, they approached the islet to find a beautiful wooden carved idol of a baby with a ring on its finger. Possibly it was this that was shining!
Though scared, they removed it and handed it over to the Jesuit priests who were in the Colva church. They identified it as the image of infant Jesus or ‘Menino Jesus’ and initiated veneration. The news of this find, coupled with many people claiming miraculous cures and benevolence, led to its fame spreading to all corners of the land. The crowds started to swell and this led to the celebration of the traditional ‘Fama’.
As mentioned in the books by the researchers, a Jesuit Priest Fr Benito Fereirra SJ, found the statue off the coast of Mozambique, and brought it with him to the Church of Our Lady of Merces, at Colva, where he was posted. A place was created on the altar and this idol was placed there.
However, the celebration of this festivity came to a standstill when the Order of the Jesuits was transferred to the Rachol Seminary and took the idol along with them. The villagers, being emotionally attached to this deity, went to Rachol and pleaded with them to return the idol to them. Their request was flatly refused. The villagers returned, sad and empty-handed.
Sanjiv Sardesai in one of its articles stated that when they returned, they discovered that the ring which was on the finger of the ‘Menino Jesus’, had fallen in the altar niche.
Rejoicing over this find, they created another similar idol, put the ring on its finger, and started veneration.
