[Gulf Goans] 450th anniversary of Church of Reis Magos celebrated

Mon, 17 Jan 2005 22:55:44 -0800

450th anniversary of Church of Reis Magos celebrated

NT Staff Reporter / www.navhindtimes.com

Panaji Jan 17, 2005: The 450th anniversary celebration of the Church of Reis Magos was inaugurated by the Episcopal Vicar of Central Zone, Fr Joseph Salema, the parish priest of Reis Magos, Fr Jose Ubaldo D�Cunha and the representatives of all the small Christian communities of the parish by lighting the ceremonial lamp on January 6, 2005.It was also the day of the Feast of Epiphany, commonly known as the feast of Three Kings or Reichem Fest, which is the main feast of the parish. The church, which was constructed in the year 1555 by the Franciscan friars and dedicated to the Holy Magi, is the first church to be constructed in Bardez taluka.

It was Fr Joao Noe who offered the first mass at Verem after crossing the Mandovi in 1550 at the place where the church was constructed five years later. The church, besides being a centre of evangelization, also had a college and seminary attached to it where philosophy, theology and Konkani were taught during those times.

It came to be known as Royal Church since a number of Portuguese viceroys and governors took oath of office and stayed there prior to taking their charge, on their arrival from Portugal by sea, or after relinquishing their duties before they could sail back to Portugal. While the Portuguese government declared it a national monument in 1932, the Goa government has notified it as a monument of state importance.

The feast, which was celebrated with great pomp and religious fervor was preceded by a nine-day Family Mission preached by the director of the Diocesan Family Service Centre, Fr Socorro Mendes and his team. The main celebrant of the solemn feast Mass Fr Joseph Salema appealed to the congregation to build communion of faith, hearts, mind and proclamation. Three lads dressed as the Magi offered gifts during the mass and participated in the procession. The colourful two-day fair set up at the foot of the church and the Konkani drama Goemcho Saib of Prince Jacob staged on the occasion, added gaiety to the celebration.

 

- Forwarded by www.goa-world.com



4th Konkani One Act Play competition on 28th Jan. 2005 organized by
United Club of Utorda & G.W.S. to feature Mangalore's Thelma Veena D'Souza for the first time in Kuwait. 5 Konkani Plays are lined up
for the event.

Gulf Goans e-Newsletter yahoogroups.com/group/gulf-goans/ Moderator Gaspar Almeida /Presented by Uly Menezes www.goa-world.com/goa/ since 1994

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