PANJIM: The much-anticipated ‘Walking Pilgrimage’ to the old Church at Sancoale will take place today (February 21), albeit on a more subdued note due to the pandemic.
It may be recalled that son of the soil, St Joseph Vaz, during his spiritual journey in Sri Lanka, went on a walking pilgrimage, sharing the message of Christ to the less fortunate.
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“This year too there will be the Walking Pilgrimage on the first Sunday of Lent at Sancoale. All the SOPs (COVID-related) will be followed and therefore, we won’t be having such big crowd as the previous years,” Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Filipe Neri Ferrao had said earlier.
He will be the main celebrant at the Eucharistic celebration that will be held at 6.30 am. The prayers and intentions of the congregation will be raised to God with a special prayer.
Unlike the earlier years, where over 23,000 Catholics from all over Goa participated, this year; there will be pan-Goa participation too but in limited numbers.
Fr Alfred Vaz, parish priest of Se Cathedral Church, Old Goa and convenor of the pilgrimage, explained how the gathering will start the walk in the wee hours and converge at Sancoale.
He added that around 1,000 people are estimated to attend.
Faithful across deaneries in the State have been given transport and drop options. They have been divided in three groups, South Goa, North Goa and from Mormugao taluka and will then walk from points at Cortalim, Agassaim market and St Jacinto Island Bridge respectively to Sancoale. Several priests too will attend the Mass.
Those unable to go to Sancoale have been asked to walk to their respective churches for Sunday Mass instead of taking a vehicle. Representatives from their deanery will be present at Sancoale. These faithful have been asked to dedicate the Mass by replicating the walk pilgrimage.
Those at home who are unable to attend the due to personal reasons have been asked to pray and walk around the house.
