History surrounding the statue of Infant Jesus at Colva It is a unique tradition at Colva, where the FAMA, the first day of the Novena is celebrated with the pomp and grandeur of the feast The statue is retrieved from the niche in the altar following a peculiar tradition and custom The feast day, thereafter is a tame affair. Unprecedented crowds, a virtual sea of humanity gather for kissing of the statue, which starts early morning and continues late at night .They will not extend the kissing of the statue beyond Fama day. Elaborate arrangements are in place to facilitate kissing of the image of Infant Jesus, which is attributed of miraculous blessings by the surging crowds of the faithful
Queen Catherine of Austria, wife of King Joao III of Portugal donated statue of Madona with the statuette of child Jesus in her bosom to the Colegio de S Paulo-O-Novo(old Goa0| The church was demolished and Fr Antonio Vales, a Jesuit was permitted to carry the statuette of Child Jesus to Mozambique on his transfer It was lost due to ship wreck but mysteriously surfaced on the shores on the island of Sena. In the year 1643 Fr Bento Fereira brought it to Goa, when he was appointed the Vicar of Our Lady of Snows, Raia and then kept it in safe custody of a colleague on his movement out of Goa.Fr Bento was posted as the Vicar of Church at Colvain 1648 and carried it to Colva. Fr Dionisio De Passos who ,was the successor started the devotion and kissing of the statue after the mass on Thursdays. Fama of Colva, as of to-day was conceived as the popular response In 1772 due to conflict between Archbishop, the Jesuits left the churches and carried this statue of Infant Jesus to Rachol .After prolonged discussions, negotiations, the statue was finally brought to Colva Church on December 11, 1725. The Jesuits filed and won the suit for custody and thus carried it once more to Rachol, where the original image is safely ensconced for veneration The Archbishop, Ignacio de Sana Teresa between 1729 -1740 authorised replica of the original Statuette The original diamond ring is still adorns the statue at Colva People wonder why in the spirit of reconciliation the original statue at Rachol cannot be returned to Colva, where the devotion is flourishing and faithful throng the place in unbelievable numbers Nelson Lopes Chinchinim