In retrospect FEAST OF ST Judas Thadeus
Chinchinim ,today, 28 October 2016 celebrates the feat of St Judas Thadeus another one of the apostles. The land mark, architectural wonder at Chinchinim is cynosure of all eyes and cannot be missed . The Novena mass and prayers are held inside the Church .Monthly mass in his honour is held in the church 0n the first Thursday of the month. The Eucharistic celebration on feast day at 4 .30pm is from top of the altar Seating arrangement for the faithful around the monument and in front. Feast mass attracts a large flock of faithful. The faithful to day are mostly parishioners , unlike in the yester years when most of the Catholics present were from outside the Village, Even some non Catholics participated in the past with some hope of wishes being granted. The devotion to the saint Judas Thadeus and celebrations is specific to Chinchinim. While others attended in thanks giving of favours received .At times the President celebrating the feast offered some refreshments and a holy picture as a memento. The monthly attendance normally is satisfactory. The only other time the monument comes to life is on Good Friday morning, when way of the cross is conducted solemnly from atop of the altar of the monument with the ground busting to the seams with devout Catholics The credit of erecting this magnificent structure goes to late Fr Rocha and his memory associated with it and devotion cannot be erased in spite of the bitter controversy that was generated., It was his determination and steadfastness that led to the building of this eye catching structure, perhaps one of the very unique aesthetic civil structure anywhere in Goa., The roof /ceiling design proved to be a daunting challenge. It was finally set on the ground and then lifted up on the top with great anticipation of anxiety and safety. The architect was a very experienced military person and never gave up his task. The outstanding monument gives Chinchinim a very distinct identity and people are proud naturally of its heritage. In the past, Novenas were held on every Thursday evening and 3 to 4 thousand Congregation of faithful s is to throng the venue. The people were from far and wide, but not many from the Village took part.. Huge water Jars were filled with Holy water and people used to Q up to take the dispensed Holy water., There were traffic arrangements made by traffic police. The Chinchinim market remained closed on Thursday evening, The P.P was Fr Elias and elderly man with FR Artemio D Costa and Fr Rocha as the assistants., The former was pioneer of the Mount Mary`s High School and worked tirelessly to make his dream take a concrete shape with tremendous opposition from management of then St Bosco`s School, , but with determination and backing of the people and church authorities it took shape. Fr Rocha was totally immersed with his devotion and construction of the monument, as the result the traditional ceremonies of the Church were under severe strain and P.P. found difficult to cope up with the pressure. The attitude of Fr. Rocha vastly differed in his celebrations of Eucharist at Novena and in the Church and which Parishioners resented. Donations poured in in thousands and the whole monument was financed in its entirety by such donations, The Fabrica made available the property. The monument is now enclosed, barricaded and protected because during football matches the spectators used to make it as a viewing gallery and that led to disrespecting of a sacred religious place of worship. To day it adorns automatic, self switching on and off lightening system and painted giving the monument a beautiful attractive appearance. Recently the deteriorating roof of the monument in particular was given a fresh lease of life by painstaking repairs The trouble started when the Church asked for accounts of income and expenditure, because it was a part of Church activity and not a private affair.Fr Rocha used to maintain his own accounts and not subject to any external verification even by the Fabrica. He could not be faulted of misappropriation .financial impropriety but the same could not be said of those closely associated and trusted by him, Both Fr. Rocha and Fr. Artemio were individuals in their approach under the church, each concerned with specific activity, that they concentrated their energies upon .A transfer of both assistant simultaneously spread the fire of discontent rebellion Fr Artemio demanded the expenditure on account of the school, which the Bishop settled. Fr Rocha offered resistance, defied being emotionally attached and started staying below the room under the monument for sometime, as independent of ecclesiastical authorities. Some disgruntled politically motivated elements stoked the fire of defiance and there were ugly scenes at the place. False rumours were spread that the church was eager to get control of financial resources. When Bhisop visited the place, some motivated elements quietly planned a Morcha instigating the faithful, The Bishop was confined to the Parochial house for a long time., The precincts of the blessed sacrament were vandalized and desecrated and mobs created confusion in the church ,Finally the bishop had to be escorted out by Police protection, but even then his car was pelted with stones, After this shameful, disgraceful incident the Novenas were suspended, Fr Rocha had finally to be shifted to Sancoale, where he was under strict instructions and monitored not to interfere with the affairs at Chinchinim, nor start any novenas to St Judas at his new place of postings., The Novenas at Chinchinim were ordered closed for a long time. It is believed that the final ordination of Fr Rocha was delayed, kept in abeyance because he used to see Visions of B,V,Mary and was hallucinated. Fr Priosonio Dias then took over the Parish under turbulent conditions .He had the backing of his well placed legal cousin serving the Govt and his Cuncolim people who visibly stood by him regularly patrolling the premises in a show of determination and firmness Fr Dias was himself a daring individual and none of the so called promoters of lost cause dared to challenge his guts and slowly melted into oblivion. The popularity of the religious event was rooted into so called miracles , a long list of which was announced every week. Finding life partners, conceiving children, securing gainfully employed, success in examinations,relief from sickness and physical and mental cures among others enhanced faith in devotion., The wonders of Holy water spread the message of miraculous cures. The devotion of St Judas like of which has not been witnessed never anywhere in Goa at that period and even now, if am right. Devotion to St Judas has not gain its popularity among the believers nor it has returned to its glorious past and is unlikely to happen judging from the response at present times. The faithful are almost locals from the Village ,no outsiders as in the past, The faith continues normally in a sedentary spirit of believe and the magnificent monument and structure is what reminds us and serve as continuity of devotion to the past. Fr Rocha after all has left a legacy, however disputed it may be, to the continuations of devotion and has to be remembered for his toil and sweat together with is foibles Nelson Lopes Chinchinim