Feast of Cabo Chapel - Pics, video and comments 15.8.12 The feast is unique. Never seen like this before. More people visited not for the feast but for St. Paula whose grotto lies below the Cabo Chapel. Long Qs are seen with devotees carrying flowers and candles. Majority of them were non-Christians including the youth. Looks like they come here year after year i.e. on 15th August.
Never heard of this little known Saint Paula nor I know how the devotion first started here. I was amazed to see such a huge crowd and they did not even mind staying in the Q under the hot sun for more than one hour. So strong must be the devotion, probably come down from their ancestors. Luckily, it did not rain. Cabo was open for Public from 8 am and were suppose to leave by 1pm due to security reasons. But even at 12.45, we saw more and more devotees joining in the Q which would take them at least 1 hour to reach to the grotto which means 1.45pm but all devotees were to leave by 1pm, don’t know if this was extended by few hours. The feast of Our Lady of Assumption is also celebrated at the Chapel but there seems to be more than one statues of Our Lady including Lourdes, Fatima etc. Infact, the organisers (Cabo Raj Bhavan staff) even distributed the customary Feast Holy pictures (Regist, see pics) of Our Lady of Fatima but at the back it says ‘Ugddas Assumpta Saibinniche Porbecho Ji Bhettoita Raj Bhavanache Kamgar, Raj Bhavan Kopelant’ For customary after feast veneration (Umao), the statue appeared to be of Lourdes, see pic The feast mass lasted more than 90 minutes, saw Governor joining in during Communion i.e. last 10 minutes or so, The chapel being so small, many devotees seen outside chapel both sides. A provision of customary feast pendal would have been nice so that the devotees get protection from sun (many seen with inflated umbrellas) . Luckily, it did not rain Our Cabo Rajniwas is known for entertaining VIPs with cultural programes and free meals. Even during minister’s swearing in ceremony which last say just 15 minutes, pendal or Mattov are erected within shortest notice. Drinking water facility could have been also provided on the feast day. However, there is an huge annual reception at 5pm today hoisted by Governor. From the main gate to the Chapel or to the Governor’s official residence, it’s about 1 KM walk, no vehicles were allowed as the same were to be parked at Helipad (see pic/video). Shuttle Bus services could have been provided to the devotees to and fro chapel on the feast day. Those who came by public transport, had to walk another KM from the Dona Paula Circle to the Main Gate. The whole Cabo area reminded me of another restricted area or another Militarily occupation. Security personnel were all over. I always wished the Governor’s official residence is relocated to Porvorim assembly complex or neaby. It would be lot cheaper in terms of money spent on security at Cabo. Moreover, public could gain unrestricted access to the former Cabo heritage area and its chapel, garden and touristic view. OK here are some pics of the day The Chapel http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7802458212/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7802532828/sizes/l/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7802534748/sizes/l/in/photostream/ or visit this blog http://joegoauk.blogspot.in/2012/08/feast-ot-cabo-raj-niwas-chapel-grotto.html Video 1 – Feast Mass, Chapel etc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=096dCtkv2PU video 2 – Long Qs for St Paula’s grotto http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQDCHiXgziU Other pics inside the Chapel Main altar etc http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7802468530/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7802480656/sizes/l/in/photostream/ the Patron Saibinn http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7802483526/in/photostream/ silver candle stands etc http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7802475422/sizes/l/in/photostream/ Golden pulpit http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7802472108/in/photostream/ Our Lady of http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7802477912/in/photostream/ Huge cross http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7802485932/in/photostream/ Governor’s residence http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7802460660/in/photostream/ Beautiful view of the Arabian sea Even kids are enjoying the view http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7802463026/in/photostream/ Long Q not for the feast Chapel but the Grotto of St. Paula http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7802465338/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7802527764/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7802487956/in/photostream/ St. Paula or Paulin http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7802524380/in/photostream Feri Khajem http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7802456130/in/photostream Another view, protection wall etc http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7802530666/in/photostream/ Cabo garden / Fountain http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7802538452/sizes/l/in/photostream/ Directions – sign board Tennis Court, Parking, Secretariat, Grotto, Chapel, Raj Niwas, Library etc http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7802542026/sizes/l/in/photostream/ Way to cafeteria / Gymnasium http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7802545588/sizes/l/in/photostream/ Cabo Helipad Place of Helicopter Landing http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7802548292/sizes/l/in/photostream/ the Main Gate http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7802551410/sizes/l/in/photostream/ blog http://joegoauk.blogspot.in/2012/08/feast-ot-cabo-raj-niwas-chapel-grotto.html Regist or Holy Picture http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk57/7803182756/in/photostream from 2008 The Chapel http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk5/2395070028/sizes/l/ Inside http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk5/2394236571/sizes/l/ if you come out of it .. from the main entrance This is to your left http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk5/2395070824/sizes/l/ To your right http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk5/2395071162/sizes/l/ and this is in front the chapel - View http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk5/2394237497/sizes/l/ Video 2008 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHw2aI3aD-k thanks for your time joego...@yahoo.co.uk for Goa & NRI related info... http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/ For Goan Video Clips http://youtube.com/joeukgoa In Goa, Dial 1 0 8 For Hospital, Police, Fire etc
