[Goanet] Book Release- ‘Livro da Cozinha Goesa- Tradicional’
To the Editor , Kindly publish my listing on your daily , Thanks and regards , Zoya Book Release- *‘*Livro da Cozinha Goesa- Tradicional’ An inaugural thanksgiving mass will be held at *11.30a.m*.* on Sunday the 5th October 2014 * at *St.Francis Xavier’s Church Velim , Salcete* , Goa followed by the book launch – ‘*Livro da Cozinha Goesa-* *Tradicional’* , *Primeira edi**çao por IRMA PHILOMENA DA COTTA PINTO DE ALMEIDA E JO**ÃO* at Casa de Francisco Xavier João, near Clube De Baga, Velim, Salcete , at 1 p.m. and celebration lunch as an ode to her memory by Adv. Lida and Dr. Zoya João .Open to all . Contact - 277
[Goanet] Heritage Fest at Casa de Almeida João - Assolna, The Feast of St. Dymphna on 15 th May 2014 at 10.45 a.m.
*Heritage Fest at Casa de Almeida João - Assolna* *The Feast of St. Dymphna on 15 th May 2014 at 10.45 a.m. * The image of saint Dymphna the saint for emotional well being and 20 different ailments will be kept open for the public on the occasion of her feast from 10 .45 am onwards followed by a traditional meal at the house of Lida João“Casa de Almeida”sBainfol,Assolna, soon after Assolna Police Outpost . on the Main assolna - Betul Road ,Salcete Goa .. Viewing is Open to the public of all faiths from 10.45 a.m.till 9.30. p.m.fr details Contact 277 Dear Editor Please list this feast in your events column Thanks and regards zoya *Saint Dymphna – the matron saint a woman should emulate in the modern times in a world full of trials and tribulations. Born in the 7th century in Ireland to the pagan king of Oriel and a devout mother remarkable for her piety and beauty. This forgotten saint on account of her spotless virtue and glorious martyrdom is also known as the ‘Lily of Fire’.Dympna being filled with the fervor and love for Jesus Christ chose him for her Divine spouse and was consecrated to a vow of chastity An unexpected cloud overshadowed Dimpna’s happiness with her mother’s death at the age of 14 and her father too greatly mourned the death as well and continued to prostrate with grief till at length he was persuaded by his counselors to seek solace in a 2nd marriage so he commissioned from his court to seek him a lady in beauty and character like his earlier spouse , after visiting many countries in vain the messengers returned back stating that there was none so charming and amiable as his own lovely daughter giving ear to their suggestion Damon dympna’s father conceived an evil design of marrying her . With persuasive words he manifested his purpose to her and Dympna was horrified by this suggestion and asked for a period of 40 days to consider the proposal . She immediately on the advise of Fr. Gerberan fled to Antwerp and then to the village of Gheel . Her father on hearing this set out in search of her and persuaded her to return back but Fr.Gerberan rebuked him for his wicked intentions, whereby he gave orders to Fr.Gereberan to be put to death ,Dympna’s father inducement to return with him proved futile ans she spurned his enticing promises , infuriated by her resistance Damon drew a dagger and struck the head of his own child ,recommending her soul to the mercy of God ,she fell prostrate at the feet of her insanely raving father and the crown of martyrdom came to her at the age of 15 and on the 15th of May between 620 to 640 .her feast day. This saint is depicted in various forms such as being beheaded by the king, kneeling at mass ehile her father murders the priest Gerebernus ,lamp, praying in a cloud surrounded by a group of lunatics bound with golden chains, princess with a sword holding the devil on a leash, young woman with Saint Gerebernus . Dimpna is a patron saint for sleepwalking, epilepsy, insanity, mental illnesses and disorders,insanity, epilepsy,Incest victims, possessed, mental health givers and professionals, princesses, psychiatrists, rape victims, runaway brides, sleepwalkers, therapists, nervous and neurological disorders, mental hospitals and asylums., The feast day is celebrated on May 15 th and on this day the image is kept open to the people to pay their obeisance or for those who wish to have a glimpse of this forgotten saint at the ancestral house of Lida Joao at ;Casa de Almeida’s at Bainfol Assolna , Salcete .Every year there is a service wherein the relic is kissed by the faithful irrespective of their religious backgrounds and the devotees are anointed with the holy oil.At the end of the ceremony always proceeds the traditional meal to commemorate the feast of this unfamiliar saint .It is attended by hundreds of faithfuls.The nine days novena constitutes 9 different intentions starting from faith,hope,charity, piety,prudence, justice,fortitude, temperance,and lastly chastity. There lies the church in Gheel inhonour of St.Dymphna at the site of the original tombs which were white as snow one of Fr.Gereberanus and when the coffin of the saint was opened there was found lying on her chest a red tile with the inscription ‘Here lies the holy virgin and Martyr Dymhna’.Here miracles and cures continually occur in increasing numbers.In Gheel the insane are treated in a peculiar manner,wherebythey are placed in an institution for observation and thereafter sheltered in the homes of the inhabitants there , and are allowed to lead a normal life ,by taking part in agricultural activities etc. and are being watched without being conscious of it,and are also treated very kindly wherein the treatment proves effective.The old church in Gheel was destroyed by fire in 1489 and the new church was built in 1532 which stands till date. . There also exists a church in America at Masilon Ohio the first in honour of this saint, there ar
[Goanet] FEAST OF OUR LADY OF REGINA MARTYRUM
Boas Festas OUR LADY OF REGINA MARTYRUM CHURCH AND THE CRISTO REI MONUMENT SITUATED AT ASSOLNA As one leaves the picturesque village of Assolna at the crossroads stood the unique peepal tree which got uprooted in the monsoon of 2013 where the betal temple is situated and parallel to it lies the huge cross that can never go unnoticed in the Assolna market place ,each of these unique historical structures are surrounded by the famous fish market that sells the best assorted river fish from the agars in the village and we also have the well known Lohia Chowk where the origin of the June 1946 liberation movement was conceptualized . On entering Assolna one cannot fail to notice the church of Our Lady of Regina Martyrum wherein alongside meanders the river Sal , the church was initially a fortress during the Portuguese era built in 1616 on the Neo-Roman style with a prominent triangular gable and has a large bell tower to the left with balustrades.. The Queen of Martyrs houses on the left wall the attractive stone grotto of Our lady of Lourdes built in marble. History relates that on 25th July 1583 five religious of the Society of Jesus Rev. Frs. Rudolph Acquaviva, Alphonsus Pacheco, Peter Berno, Anthony Francis and Bro.Francis Aranha along with Goncalo Rodrigues a Portuguese and 14 native Christians were massacred in Cuncolim,and as a retribution the Portuguese Army raided and destroyed orchards in the village and unleashed many atrocities on the local population. The Captain Major Incharge of the Portuguese Army garrison at the Assolna fort now a Church, invited the Kshatriya Gaonkars of Cuncolim for talks at the fort and in an act of treachery sixteen of them were similarly executed without trial by the Potuguese authorities, out of which one escaped execution by jumping into the Assolna river through a toilet hole and fled to neighbouring Karwar,Karnataka. Thus this church was given the name in association with these martyrdoms which is the only church in South Goa with this title. The’ Church is also surrounded on both sides by two cemeteries with an elaborate Rocco façade.The uniqueness about this church in the South is that in its compound one does not fail to notice the elegant and grand monument of the CHRIST THE KING the Asian wonder, surrounded on all four corners by the Marble statues of the four Apostles of the New Testament John,Luke,Mark and Mathew. Besides, it has a central motif of the Holy Spirit,and beautifully carved urns flanked by horn blowing angels which was blessed on 26 th April 1942 .My avô Maria Ida Cotta Pinto de Almeida used to relate to us in our childhood that this Cristo Rei statue was a replica of the 54 feet white marble statue built in front of the St.Patrick’s Cathedral in Karachi, Pakistan overlooking the Shahrah e Iraq previously known as Clark Street constituting one of the seven wonders of the world. The CRISTO REI in Karachi and the world renowned CRISTO REDEMTOR atop Mount Corcovado In Rio De Janeiro constituting 220 steps an inspiration for poems and songs famous being the “Corcovaddo” by Tom Jobin and “Blessed to be a witness” penned by Ben Harper so also we have the Cristo del Otero Palencia in Castile and Leon all were built in October 1931 .We have the tallest Christ the King monument 108 feet tall rising above the Polish plains in Swiebodzin, Poland.completed in November 2010.The Cristo de La Noas on a dice cup in Torreon ,Coahuila in Guanajuato, Mexico is 2,700 metres high. Designed by Rev.Jose Rodriguez.The Cristo Resucitado is built inside a cemetery in San Rafael Tlalnepantla completed in the 70’s in Mexico. These statues signify purity and pride in the devotion of Christ the King. The feast of Our Lady of Regina Martyrum is usually celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of November and this year it will be celebrated on Sunday the 17th of November and the masses are at 6am, 7.30am, 11.30am and the High Mass at 9.00 am and the main celebrant will be Rev.Fr.Edson Fernandes, Director of Diocesan Centre for Biblical Apostolate along with the Episcopal Vicar South and Parish Priest Rev. Fr.Lucio Dias,Chaplain of Ambelim Rev.Fr.Savio Dsouza and Assistant Parish Priests Rev.Frs.Xavier Estibeiro and Elvis Dias. The theme for this year constitutes-Mary model of relationships towards family and neighbours At the end of the festivities you have a football match played in one of the Agors at the origin of the strongest bridge built during the Portuguese Era which connects this village to the rest of the South. Immediately, preceding this feast on the 20th follows the feast of Pe. Agnelo De Sousa at the Pilar Monastery and the feast of Our Lady of Rosary Church, Navelim , Salcete, Goa on 20th Wednesday itself ,a feast instituted by Pope St. Pius V in thanksgiving for the great naval victory over the Turks at the battle of Lepanto in the year 1570, where rosary is a tool used to aid prayer and meditation on all improvemen
[Goanet] Fw: months remembrance of our mother Irma Philomena Da Cotta Pinto de Almeida Joao - Intimation by Lida & Zoya Joao
Dear Frederick , Please publish te same on goanet .Thanks and regards zoya On Friday, 8 November 2013 11:22 AM, zoya joao wrote: Lembranca do mês Irma Philomena Da cotta pinto DE almeida joão “Death STAMPS THE CHARACTERS & CONDITIONS OF MEN FOR ETERNITY ” Month’s Remembrance Mass for our esteemed mother & aunt Maria Goodwilla de João will be held on Saturday, 9th November 2013 at 4.00.p.m.- St. Francis Xavier Church , Velim followed by the book release ‘Eternal Journeys’- a Timeless literary Selection of erudite Senhor Francisco João. Adv.Lida e Dra. Zoya do modo especial agradecem ao nosso Patriaça Felipe Neri Ferrão, Bispo Emerito Raul Gonsalves; Bispo Allwyn Baretto (Archdiocese of Sawantwadi) , Bispo Derrick Fernandes (Archdiocese of Kankavili & Karwar)e outros Bispos, Rev.Frs. Arnolf Mazarello (Former RectorRachol), Lucio Dias (Episcopal Vicar),Pazzi Fernandez(Parish Priest),Visitaçao Monteiro(São Pedro), Nelson Colaço(Benaulim), Shanon Perreira(Arupe-Raia),RichardCorreia (Don Bosco), Johnsie Pereira( Santana ), Lourdinho Pereira( Seraulim) , Christino Fernandes (Chandor),Ambrose(Allahabad) & otr. Priests , Rev.Dr.Janalynn(Pastor ,U.S.A.);Rev. Sr. Dolorosa sfx (Clergy Home ); Rev. Srs.of various Congregations ;Members of the Judicial fraternity ; D.G.P.,S.P.,PI. Raju R.Dessai , PSI’ s Sachin Panalkar& T.Chavan & Police personnel of Cuncolim Pol.Stn.; Doctors,nurses,staff of Apollo,Grace Cardiac , GMC ,Hospicio- Morgue ,Manipal Hospital & NUSI-Wockhardt ,Snr.Joshi’s Technoclin lab- Vasco ,MLA Mickky , Ex- MLA Filip N.;Lawyers, CWC; SKHMC –Shiroda & P.E.S.-Ponda College, Don Bosco H.S.; Adv. Schubert & Snr. Miguel Cotta choir for their wonderful renderings ;Confidant & Rebello undertakers;Goa Today , press , media & photographers , relatives , friends & well wishers who participated, offered condolences, tributes , prayers , personal visits, conveyed sympathies in different forms and for the invaluable comfort and help rendered. Nos agradecem a todos que participaram no nosso luto com a morte de nossa querida mãe. Deus vos avençoe abundatemente. Relatives , Friends & well wishers kindly accept this as the only intimation .
[Goanet] Book Release- ‘Eternal Journeys’- a Timeless literary Selection of erudite Senhor Francisco João
To the Editor , Thanks for featuring about the book launch on your dailies . Iam adding a picture of the book . Thanks & regards Zoya Book Release- *‘Eternal Journeys’- a Timeless literary Selection of erudite Senhor Francisco João* There will be a Eucharistic Celebration on 9th November 2013at4 p.m. at St.Francis Xavier Church Velim , Salcete , Goa followed by a book release *‘Eternal Journeys’- a Timeless literary Selection of erudite Senhor Francisco João *( Vol II ) . The same is open to all .
[Goanet] Faleceu
The voice we loved is still . Funeral Service of Irma Philomena Cotta Pinto de Almeida Joao on Sunday 13 th Oct at 4p.m. St Xaviers Church Velim . Cortege will leave the residence at 3.45 p.m. Dr. Zoya
[Goanet] feast of St. Dymphna on 15 th MAY
The feast of Saint Dymphna, the patron saint for victims of nervous diseases and mental ... May15, Tuesday from 9.30 am to 11 pm at `Casa de Almeida's' - the house of Lida Joao, Bainfol, assolna . Open to all .For details contact on phone no 277 Dear Frederick , Please post this event on goanet . Thanks Zoya
[Goanet] feast of divine mercy
the feast of divine mercy will be celebrated on 1st may 2011, so let us remember the essence of the divine mercy message by asking for God's mercy, being merciful to others, doing acts of mercy, completely trusting in God' s mercy. happy feast Dr. Zoya Joao
[Goanet] World homoeopathy day - 10th april 2011
World Homoeopathic Day on April 10 Keywords: Homoeopathy, medicine system Article by : Dr. Zoya João, Incharge , Dept of Pathology, Shri Kamaxidevi Homoepathic Medical College and Hospital , Shiroda , Goa. 0832-2306842, drzoe1...@gmail.com 10 th of April is observed every year as World Homoeopathy Day . On this day people across the globe commemorate the birth day of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann , the German Physician , who is the founder of Homoeopathy . People around the world require medicines at one time or the other. Some people use direct medicines like antibiotics and others opt for alternative therapies like homeopathy, ayurveda, siddha , unani and other therapies. Homeopathy is an alternative method of treatment, based on the nature's Law of Cure, namely 'Like Cures Like'. Homeopathy is the revolutionary, natural medical science. It is gentle and an effective system of medicine. The remedies are prepared from natural substances to precise standards and work by stimulating the body's own healing power. Homeopathy is highly scientific, logical, safe, quick and extremely effective method of healing. It offers long lasting to permanent cure, treating the disease from its roots, for most of the ailments. It is the most rational science with respect to its concepts of health, disease and cure. Homoeopathy does not treat superficially by just driving away the symptoms but heals the patient from within. Homoeopathic medicines are prepared from different sources like vegetable kingdom, minerals, chemicals, compounds, healthy tissues, infected tissues, the source is always in the form of the existing substances available in nature. This system of medicine has stood the test of time since it was commissioned for the cure of patients in 1790, because it has been able to adapt to the demands and the intrinsic worth, credibility of the principles are close to the human metabolism and understands the wisdom of the symptoms expressed by the human body. The human body is a wonderful organism and has an innate capacity of self preservation. Whenever it sees that there is something harmful which seems to gain its way into the system, the immune system rises to the task and expels, neutralises the harmful substance. But in certain circumstances the internal mechanism is under duress of the harmful agent and the disease sets in. This is when the system in its wisdom cries for help in the form of symptoms. These have to be corroborated by the Homoeopathic Physician in seeking the most similar drug and since internal protective force of the body responds to it and wakes up to the call, it subdues the disease and its symptoms. The concept of disease in homeopathy is that disease is a total affection of mind and body, the disturbance of the whole organism. Individual organs are not the cause of illness but disturbance at the inner level (disturbance of the life force, the vital energy of the body ) is the cause of illness. Therefore homeopathy does not believe in giving different medicines for different afflicted parts of body but the homoeopaths prescribe one single constitutional remedy which covers the disturbance of the whole person. It treats the patient as a whole and not just the disease Homoeopathy believes in holistic, totality and individualistic approach. The feeling of well being is the most beautiful gift the physician can give to their patients. It always re-establishes their positive outlook and attitude towards the others around them. This feeling of well being is most gratifying when bestowed upon a child. They are our future and their wellbeing will ensure a healthier tomorrow. A well selected Homeopathic medicine has excellent curative properties; it heals from within and establishes the balance at spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical and pathological levels with a non - invasive non toxic dose. Most of the children's ailments like Cold, Cough, Fever, Vomiting, Diarrhoea, Colic, Tonsillitis, Bronchitis, Asthma, Measles, Chickenpox, Mumps, Dentition problems, etc., could be very effectively and quickly treated with homoeopathy without producing any side effects whatsoever. Homeopathic pills do not hamper digestion, nor lower body's resistance. Neither do they cause any allergies nor cause any damage even if taken over a long period. Homeopathic pills being sweet in taste, is willingly ingested by children. Besides, homeopathy is effective also in temperament and behavioral problems seen commonly in children like irritability, obstinacy, temper-tantrums, fears, phobias, destructiveness; and thumb- sucking, nail biting, bed-wetting; as well as in mentally & physically backward children. It has treated effectively most of the infectious disease such as Sinusitis, Tonsillitis, Gastro-enteritis, Urinary Infections, common cold, influenza, measles, chickenpox, mumps, etc.. In modern life infections have diminished and various al
[Goanet] feast of st. dymphna on 15 th may
Dear Frederick, Sending You information on St. Dymphna as well as the Saint's existence at 'Casa de Almeidas' Assolna. Kindly do the needful. Zoya St. Dymphna was born in the 7th century in Ireland. Her father King Daman was a pagan whereas her mother, a descendant of a noble family, was a devout Christian, who was remarkable both for her piety and her great beauty. Dymphna resembled her mother and a lot of affection and attention was lavished upon her right from birth. She was a very intelligent girl blessed with wisdom and grace. Dymphna lost her mother when she was fourteen years old . Many were the secret tears she shed over this bereavement, but at the same time she found great comfort in the Divine Faith, though she was still of a tender age. Dymphna's father, too, greatly mourned for his deceased wife and for a long time continued prostrate with grief. So he was persuaded by his counselors to seek solace in a second marriage. He commissioned certain ones of his court to seek out for him a lady who would be like his first spouse in beauty and character. After visiting many countries in vain, the messengers returned saying that they could find none so charming and amiable as his own lovely daughter, Dymphna. The king conceived the evil design of marrying Dymphna.She was greatly horrified at the suggestion, and asked for a period of forty days to consider the proposal. She immediately met Father Gerebran, who advised her to flee from her native country without further delay. She set out for the continent, accompanied by Father Gerebran, the court jester and his wife and settled at Gheel. King Damon immediately set out with his followers in search of them. He tried to persuade her to return with him, but Father Gerebran sternly rebuked him for his wicked intentions, whereupon he gave orders that Father Gerebran should be put to death. Without delay, his wicked retainers laid violent hands upon the priest and struck him on the neck with a sword. Further attempts on the part of Dymphna's father to induce her to return with him proved futile. With undaunted courage she spurned his enticing promises and scorned his cruel threats. Infuriated by her resistance, her father drew a dagger from his belt and he himself struck off the head of his child. The corpses were put in sarcophagi and entombed in a cave where they were found later. The body of St. Dymphna was buried in the church of Gheel.. . St. Dymphna is depicted with a sword in her hand and a fettered devil at her feet and her feast is celebrated on 15th May. She is the patron saint for family happiness, loss of parents , nervous disorders/ neurological disorders . The glorious crown of martyrdom was accorded to her in the fifteenth year of her age, on the fifteenth day of May, between 620 and 640. The day of her death has been assigned as her feastday. In the ancestral chapel of the ‘ Casa de Almeidas’ at Bainfol , Assolna in Goa existed amongst other images of saints , the image of ‘St. Dymphna’ . This year Lida João and family will be dedicating the 15 th of May to the devotion of this saint at their ancestral house at ‘ Casa de Almeidas’ Bainfol, Assolna. The image of the saint will be kept open to friends , relatives and persons who wish to have a glimpse of the Saint and offer their prayers on the 15 th of May 2010 from 8am to 11 a.m. , and the prayer service will be at 9.a.m. For details contact on phone no 277
[Goanet] Feast of St. Dymphna on 15 th may
Dear Frederick, Sending You information on St. Dymphna as well as the Saint's existence at 'Casa de Almeidas' Assolna. Kindly do the needful. Zoya St. Dymphna was born in the 7th century in Ireland. Her father King Daman was a pagan whereas her mother, a descendant of a noble family, was a devout Christian, who was remarkable both for her piety and her great beauty. Dymphna resembled her mother and a lot of affection and attention was lavished upon her right from birth. She was a very intelligent girl blessed with wisdom and grace. Dymphna lost her mother when she was fourteen years old . Many were the secret tears she shed over this bereavement, but at the same time she found great comfort in the Divine Faith, though she was still of a tender age. Dymphna's father, too, greatly mourned for his deceased wife and for a long time continued prostrate with grief. So he was persuaded by his counselors to seek solace in a second marriage. He commissioned certain ones of his court to seek out for him a lady who would be like his first spouse in beauty and character. After visiting many countries in vain, the messengers returned saying that they could find none so charming and amiable as his own lovely daughter, Dymphna. The king conceived the evil design of marrying Dymphna.She was greatly horrified at the suggestion, and asked for a period of forty days to consider the proposal. She immediately met Father Gerebran, who advised her to flee from her native country without further delay. She set out for the continent, accompanied by Father Gerebran, the court jester and his wife and settled at Gheel. King Damon immediately set out with his followers in search of them. He tried to persuade her to return with him, but Father Gerebran sternly rebuked him for his wicked intentions, whereupon he gave orders that Father Gerebran should be put to death. Without delay, his wicked retainers laid violent hands upon the priest and struck him on the neck with a sword. Further attempts on the part of Dymphna's father to induce her to return with him proved futile. With undaunted courage she spurned his enticing promises and scorned his cruel threats. Infuriated by her resistance, her father drew a dagger from his belt and he himself struck off the head of his child. The corpses were put in sarcophagi and entombed in a cave where they were found later. The body of St. Dymphna was buried in the church of Gheel.. . St. Dymphna is depicted with a sword in her hand and a fettered devil at her feet and her feast is celebrated on 15th May. She is the patron saint for family happiness, loss of parents , nervous disorders/ neurological disorders . The glorious crown of martyrdom was accorded to her in the fifteenth year of her age, on the fifteenth day of May, between 620 and 640. The day of her death has been assigned as her feastday. In the ancestral chapel of the ‘ Casa de Almeidas’ at Bainfol , Assolna in Goa existed amongst other images of saints , the image of ‘St. Dymphna’ . This year Lida João and family will be dedicating the 15 th of May to the devotion of this saint at their ancestral house at ‘ Casa de Almeidas’ Bainfol, Assolna. The image of the saint will be kept open to friends , relatives and persons who wish to have a glimpse of the Saint and offer their prayers . Cricket on your mind? Visit the ultimate cricket website. Enter http://beta.cricket.yahoo.com
[Goanet] Feast of Matievello or Rakhneacho Khuris' on 27th October 2008
The ' Feast of Matievello or Rakhneacho Khuris' will be celebrated on 27th October 2008 at Goemchembhatt , Velim. The Eucharistic celebration will be held at 9.00 a.m. and the main celebrant will be Fr. Romano Gonsalves , the Velim Parish Priest and the co- celebrant will be Fr. Arnolf Mazarello , a son of Velim. The history goes that the 1st feast mass was celebrated by a saraswat hindu family from Margao. This year the feast will be celebrated by the family of Lida João from Baga, Velim. Devotees of all religions throng in thousands to this miraculous cross known for granting favours. Margao: The renowed feast of 'Matievoilo Rakhneacho Khuris' near Vellim will be celebrated on 27th October. There are 2 other crosses too on the tip of the other 2 hills.The feast of all these 3 crosses are celebrated on the same day. This year happens to be the 28th feast and this year the feast is celebrated for the first time by the João family of Baga , There are a lot of traditions attached to this cross, firstly on 27 th at 12.01 a.m. (midnight) there is a ritual of lighting of candles and pouring of coconut feni, and singing and chanting of prayers heralding the arrival of the festival .Thereafter, the feast mass which will be celebrated for the 1st time at 9.00 a.m. so that the devotees from various villages can make it there , to take part in the Eucharistic celebration. Situated amidst the scenic beauty of Baga and surrounded by a beautiful pond of pink and white lotuses lies the miraculous 'Matievoilo Rakhneacho Khuris' on the tip of the Goenchembhatt hill. the 1st feast mass it is said was celebrated by a Hindu Saraswat .The cross has about 262 steps which one has to climb to reach the cross, and at each of these steps you find people whose favours are granted waiting with sweets, sugar etc. in trays , whereby the people coming down from the cross after the mass take a pinch of sugar or pick up a sweet and sweeten their tongue or taste buds. This year the Main Celebrant for the festive mass will be the Velim Parish Priest , Fr. Romano Gonsalves who has been untiringly working for the Eucharistic Celebration along with the Asst. Parish Priest , Fr. Arvino Fernandes ; besides Fr. Arnolfo Mazarello, son of the Velim Village would also be one of the co- celebrants along with other Priests / Celebrants. After the feast mass concludes, at about 12.00 noon the males from Goenchembhatt come down from the hill in a procession singing with flags accompanied by the beating of the drums and you have at the foot of the cross the traditional sweet i.e. the 'firi' prepared by the women folk of the ward which is carried by these males persons to the " Pandava Ghole" also known as the 'Vagachi Ghole' and placed at the entrance of this cave and is then followed by a few other rituals . The story goes like this that when the shepherds used to tend the flock of their masters from some families from Baga , which used to be attacked by lions , so in order to prevent the same the cross was erected by the owners of the flock of cattle . Slowly people would come there to pray for other favours , for e.g. jobs, for the gift of a child or any other favour they wanted to be answered and even some people attend the litany which is there between 6.00p.m. to 7.00 p.m. in the evening on 27 th where devotees prayer requests are announced and prayed for by the people gathered there followed by distribution of sweets offered by the devotees . This year the feast is celebrated for the first time by the João family of Baga , Velim. Says Lida João - " It was at the litany in the evening which she accidentally happened to be present in 2006 that a voice told her to celebrate the feast and she says that readily the feast of 2008 was available and according to her it is God's plan that the devotion of this miraculous cross be spread far and wide to the nook and corner of Goa which is the focus for promotion of secularism. There is a chapel built now with the funds pouring in from different quarters , for the favours granted .The chapel bell they say was donated by one of the ex. Parish Priest of Velim , Fr. Rosario Menezes . They say there used to be a Priest from Cuncolim who celebrated a mass every year as a symbol of Thanksgiving. Photos: http://www.goanet.org/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=41 "Churchgoers are like coals of fire, Together , they glow; apart, they die out" "CONVITE" IRMA, FRANCIS, LIDA AND ZOYA - THE JOÃO 's Invite you and your family for the feast of the " Matievoilo Rakhneacho Khuris", the miraculous cross with 262 steps at , the Goenchem - Bhatt - Velim . The Eucharistic Celebration will be at 9.am . on 27 th Oct , 2008 followed by refreshments at the venue till 11 a.m. CASA DE FRANCISCO BAGA, VELIM.
