Every year, we see large number of devotees from far off places of Goa and neighbouring states embarking on a walking pilgrimage to Old Goa to attend the novena of Goencho Saib, St Francis Xavier. Every Goan Catholic has got an opportunity to be a Walking Pilgrim through this ‘Walking’.
Walking has been considered healthy since ancient times. Times are challenging now-a-days and with all the modern transport facilities and in a rush to complete jobs on time, people now-a-days avoid walking. Gone are the good old days when people walked from one corner to another to complete their day to day jobs.
Ever since the announcement has been made in Parishes, the Catholic Community has been anxiously waiting for the Big Day i.e. on March 10. The Parishioners have been making every effort to make this Pilgrimage a success through their prayers and personal sacrifices.
A parishioner from Bicholim, Francisca Dias, said ever since the announcement has been made in the parishes regarding this pilgrimage, she along with her family have been practising walking everyday in the evenings to avoid feeling exhausted on the big day. She further said that she was unable to attend novenas of St Joseph Vaz this year and felt that God has called her to this Holy place by participating in this Walking Pilgrimage.
A youth, Kingsley D’Souza said, “the Pilgrimage is our participation in the suffering of Jesus. It is also our penance for the sins committed throughout the year”.
Alyshia Almeida said “pilgrimages are frequently described as life changing experiences and that prompted her to experience the change. She wants this pilgrimage to be a spiritual change for her entire family.”
A lady working in Panjim said, “working people who need to travel to far-off places for work at times find it difficult to attend the Way of the Cross during Lent. Walking Pilgrimage is a good opportunity provided by the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman to help the professionals to participate, as it has been organised on a Sunday”. She further said that people should not attend this pilgrimage as though they are going for a picnic, but need to maintain a healthy, prayerful atmosphere and make every effort to recite their Rosary throughout their pilgrimage.
Another parishioner from Assonora said this being a grand event organised by the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, thousands of people would be attending the same. An elderly gentleman said, “God has still blessed me with good health and I can walk confidently. So I want to make it for this pilgrimage this time. Who knows whether I will have the same fitness level next year?” Such is the zeal and enthusiasm of those who are participating in this Pilgrimage.
May this pilgrimage help all those participating to renew their lives in preparation for Easter.
