About 350 pilgrims coming from Belgaum, Gokak, Khanapur, Sangargalli and other places and belonging to Christian and other faiths commenced their walking pilgrimage an initiative by octagenarian Jesuit Priest Swamy Prabhudhar since last 35 years.
Every year, a large number of pilgrims from the region visit Old Goa on foot to pay tributes to St Francis Xavier whom they affectionately address as “Goencho Saib”.
The pilgrimage in Belgaum commenced on Saturday at around 6 am, with pilgrims singing hymns, reciting the Rosary and chanting prayers. By noon, all the pilgrims came together at Jamboti, where they are to halt at the premises of St Francis Xavier’s Church there.
The walking pilgrimage includes five-year-old kids, who are accompanying their parents, senior citizens and differently-abled persons.
Later, they will proceed via Chorla, Sanquelim to reach Old Goa on December 2, where a special mass is being offered by the Bishop of Belgaum. The pilgrims would later take part in the feast that is celebrated on December 3.
Fr Augustine Fernandes, Fr Paul Fernandes, Cyril Carvalho and Kumar Tiwari along with others are heading the group of pilgrims.
“This year, more than 1000 walking pilgrims from Belgaum, Khanapur, Chandgad, Ajara, Gadhinglaj and Kolhapur area expected to visit Old Goa as this is the year of Exposition of the relics of St Francis Xavier,” Bishop Peter Machado said.
Speaking to Herald, a middle aged pilgrim, Tereja Sebestian Mascarenhas, said: “This is my fifth year, during the first year I had prayed to Goencho Saib for a job for my son. To my surprise en route Old Goa that year, I received a phone call from my son that he got a job. I thank St Francis for this and will continue my pilgrimage every year till I am fit.”
Holyappa Talwar, a physically challenged youth from Gokak taluka, and his brother Yellappa, who is deaf and dumb, have been visiting Old Goa since the last 10 years. Like others, they feel that darshan of St Francis Xavier every year invigorates them.
For Agnel D’Souza, a baker from Merces, originally hailing from Khanapur taluka walking pilgrimage has become part of his life. “We were childless for a couple of years. However, our plea was heard by Gonecho Saib and we are blessed with a baby boy,” a delighted Agnel told Herald.
Kumar Tiwari, a technocrat too has been visiting Old Goa every year to gain what he terms as eternal bliss.
Similar pilgrimages have also commenced from as far as Ichalkarnaji and other places since the last couple of days.
While the number of pilgrims is rising every year, people en route have come forward to offer the pilgrims meals and refreshments.
A Hindu leader offers the pilgrims meals at Kankumbi, while Neil Monteiro from Sanquelim and Thomas Fernandes from Vagator take care of their meals once the pilgrims reach Goa.
“We have ordered a huge pot as we expect the walking pilgrims to increase this year,” Santu Fernandes, who along with her husband Thomas takes pleasure in cooking meals for pilgrims told Herald.
Adv Bernard D’Souza from Margao along with his team like every year will be taking care of the accommodation at Old Goa.
