The Penitential Procession of Saints (Santanchem Pursanv) which takes place in the fifth week of Lent attracts thousands at Goa Velha. Thirty-one life-sized statues are carried in a procession to mark the tradition, which began in the 17th century
It is not often that 31 life-sized statues are carried in a procession to mark a tradition that goes back to the 17th century and hence, the unique event at Goa Velha attracts thousands of pilgrims and people as they witness the famous Procession of the Saints at St Andrew’s Church.
The Penitential Procession of Saints (Santanchem Pursanv) takes place in the fifth week of Lent and this year, the procession will be held on March 18, at 4.30pm from the St Andrew’s Church, Goa Velha.
Fr Aleixo Menezes, Professor of Rachol Seminary will deliver the homily during the Mass, which will then be followed by the Procession of Saints beginning with the Tau and Crossed Arms, a symbol of the Franciscan order followed by around 31 statues, including that of Patron of the Archdiocese Blessed Joseph Vaz.
The life-sized statues of the Saints will be kept open for public veneration on March 19 and 20 in St Andrew’s Church, Goa Velha. On March 19, there will be Masses at 6 am, 7.15 am and 4 pm in the Church.
According to reports, the tradition of the Procession of Saints began in the 17th century by the Franciscan Order in an attempt to boost the moral values and pious behaviour of the community and inspire them to take to their hearts the teachings of Jesus Christ.
By the 18th century, a total of 65 life-sized richly decorated statues of saints, martyrs, kings, and queens were carried in palanquins on the shoulders of the native Christians. In 1835, the event was banned by the Marquis of Pombal and many statues were destroyed. The celebration began again only towards the end of the 19th century.
The unique procession leaves the Church of Goa Velha on the Sunday preceding the Palm Sunday and winds its way through the streets of the village, sandwiched between Siridao and Pilar.
An outdoor sermon follows and by sundown, the statues, mounted on floats, are brought out in succession from the door of St Andrew’s Church around the square and through the streets of the village. As each of the statues emerges, a priest speaking through a microphone narrates the life-story of each saint.
The life-sized statues of the 31 saints are kept for veneration in the church after the procession.
It is believed that Goa is the only other place besides Rome to hold such a procession.
In another unique tradition, people queue along the route and pass under the statues to receive blessings as the procession proceeds.
Though a religious occasion, the evening atmosphere is filled with traditional fervour as the fair comes to life on the main road outside the church. Typical of any Church feast, the roads are lined with stalls selling everything from sweets to wind-up gadgets. It becomes a whole family affair as people come out in formal clothes to hear Mass, watch the procession, and enjoy the gaiety of the outdoor feast.
