NUVEM: The feast of Mae dos Pobres was celebrated with pomp and gaiety at Jesus, Mary and Joseph Church, Nuvem on Sunday.
Fr Afonso Mendonca, director of Diocesan Centre for Liturgy at St Pius X Pastoral Institute, Old Goa, was the main celebrant for the High Mass.
In his homily, Fr Mendonca said that Mother Mary is the lighthouse to many poor and other devotees too. He requested the faithful to serve others with love and care. Giving the history of the origin of the feast of Mae dos Pobres, he said that the people of Nuvem were traditionally engaged in mining and road building activities. They travelled far and wide throughout Goa where their services were needed. However, they always came home to celebrate ‘All Souls Day’ when they would pray for their departed family members in a special way. And a legend has it that weary of the hard toil, the people stayed at home for at least a week and on the following Sunday they would feast. They would invite relatives and guests, friends from neighbouring villages and prepare elaborate meals.
“This way the feast of Mae dos Pobres began to be celebrated,” he said.
