Raia, a serene village in the Salçéte taluka of South Goa, is preparing to celebrate the annual Feast of Our Lady of Bom Parto (Our Lady of Good Birth), a devotion deeply rooted in the parish’s spiritual and cultural heritage. Located about 4 km east of Margão and 35 km from the state capital Panjim, Raia is renowned for the majestic Igreja de Nossa Senhora das Neves, built in 1699 and consecrated by Archbishop Agustinho de Anunciação.
Among the many devotions observed in the parish, the veneration of Nossa Senhora de Bom Parto holds a special place. The feast of Our Lady of Bom Parto, celebrated annually on the third Sunday of January, is marked as a community celebration involving the entire parish.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
The Confraria de Santíssimo Sacramento of Igreja em Raia has announced the schedule for the novena and feast celebrations. Novena Masses will be held from January 9 to January 17, beginning with the Rosary at 5:30 pm, followed by the Novena Mass at 6:00 pm. A special Sunday Novena was celebrated on January 11 at 7:00 am.
On the Feast Day, Holy Masses will be celebrated at 5:45 am, 7:00 am, 8:15 am (Solemn High Mass), 9:30 am, and 10:30 am in English.
Our Lady of Bom Parto is especially invoked by women facing difficulties in conceiving, expectant mothers seeking safe delivery, and families praying for the healing of sick infants and children. The devotion remains strong in Raia, with local tradition recalling the village’s deliverance from an epidemic through her intercession. She is also widely prayed to during times of illness, for divine healing and protection.
Devotees and parishioners are invited to take part in the novena and feast celebrations and seek the blessings of Our Lady of Bom Parto during this sacred time.
