SANCOALE: To initiate the spiritual preparation for Lent, around 18,000 people took part in the annual Lenten Walking Pilgrimage at Sancoale in the wee hours of Sunday.
Based on the theme “Let Us Journey Together on the Path of Penance and Be Proclaimers of Hope,” the Pilgrimage aims at helping the faithful to begin the Lenten season with penance and sacrifice, reflecting on the love of God and response to His love.
Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, priests, the faithful and people from other faith participated.
Highlighting the sacrificial aspect of the walk, the Archbishop said, “All of us are pilgrims in this world. We do not bring anything with us while we are born and we neither take anything back after our death. What is more important is giving first place to God, who is the giver of life and living selflessly for the good of others.”
He cautioned the people against being selfish by giving more importance to worldly things.
Exhorting the faithful to remain united and not be agents of division, he said, “We need to be instruments of peace, truth and justice and we should shun away corruption, deceit, and injustice.”
“We need to shun selfishness by emulating the life and values of Jesus to repent, seek God’s forgiveness and selflessly love God and neighbour. The huge crowd testifies that this holy place of St Joseph Vaz holds great importance for all the Catholic faithful of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman,” he concluded.
Earlier, the faithful commenced their journey to the venue at midnight as they moved in from three Centres. The Archbishop walked with the people from Bambolim to Sancoale.
People from other faiths too prayed to Mother Mary for good health and sought blessings as the pilgrimage brought to fore the age-old communal harmony among Goans.
“Our parishioners were well-prepared in advance regarding the beneficial effects and the biblical significance of pilgrimage,” said Fr Walter De Sa, Parish Priest of Immaculate Conception Church, Panjim.
Alfredo Fernandes, a parishioner of St Sebastian’s Church, Calvim marvelled at the diverse participants, spanning generations and abilities, all united in the pilgrimage. He said that despite the challenges, the experience was enriching, marking another significant step in his spiritual journey.
Nelia Pereira, a catechist at Mother of God Church, Majorda, described her pilgrimage to Sancoale church as a deeply meaningful and spiritually enriching journey. She likened it to a form of meditation, bringing inner peace and a deeper self-understanding. Nelia emphasised that travelling on foot to a sacred destination was a profound experience intertwined with prayer, introspection, and a connection with nature.
After the Eucharistic celebration, Fr Ligorinho D’Costa, the Convenor of the event thanked the Almighty and Our Lady of Health, patroness of the Old Sancoale Church for the blessings and for the success of the walking pilgrimage.
