Delivering his homily at the festive Mass, the parish priest of St Andrew’s Church, Goa Velha, Fr Emidio Pinto highlighted the virtuous lives of various saints, with specific mention of those who had special regards to the nature and the poor.
He recalled that all those declared saints in the Roman Catholic Church left the world with their good deeds and exemplary life and are in union with God. “Their souls are alive with God and they are sharing in the glorious God. They are singing praises to God and enjoying His divinity face-to-face. They are one with God and continue interceding for us,” he added.
Fr Pinto mentioned that Mother Mary is the director, leading the choir of saints in heaven. Turning back to all those treading the journey in this world, he said that Blessed Mother’s only appeal is to sing praises to God and live life according to His will.
While celebrating the traditional feast of the procession of saints, the parish priest reminded the congregation that all the saints were ardent followers of Christ and they took His narrow path of hardships and sacrifices. “Following the example of the saints, we all need to give Jesus the first preference and make Him the centre of our lives.
Reflecting on the readings and the gospel of the day, Fr Pinto said that we are called to come out of death and rise to new life. “Only those who have lived a grace-filled life and loved their fellow brothers, sisters will enjoy eternal life, while the rest will continue to be dead. Like the saints, who sacrificed their lives, most of the disciples of Jesus are still united in Christ,” he added.
Focussing on St Francis of Assisi, Fr Pinto said that the saint turned away from his wealthy family and lived a simple life. “He was an environmentalist and urges us to save our Planet Earth.”
The procession of saints began with the Tau and Crossed Arms, symbol of the Franciscan Order, followed by around 31 statues, including that of the patron of the archdiocese, St Joseph Vaz. The life-size statues of the saints will be kept open for the public veneration from March 15 to 17, in St Andrew’s Church. On March 15, there will be masses at 6 am, 7.15 am, 9.15 am and 4 pm in the Church.
As most male parishioners who earlier used to carry the statues, have left for the UK and other States, now the parishioners from the neighbouring villages have been given the opportunity to carry them.
Last year, a lady assisted in carrying one of the statues but this year, three ladies aided the men. The parish youth too participated in the procession.
