Special Mass celebrated for diaspora at Old Goa

A Mass outside the Basilica at Old Goa which was celebrated for the Goan diaspora working and living outside the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.

PANAJI

Auxiliary Bishop of Goa and Daman Simiao Fernandes on Monday invoked God’s blessings on Goans living across the world and prayed that Jesus Christ continues to be a friend and a companion to them when faced with difficulties, loneliness and moments of disillusionment and anxiety in their lives.

Bishop Fernandes was presiding over the Mass outside the Basilica which was offered for the Goan diaspora working and living outside the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. Exposition Convenor for the Archdiocese Fr Henry Falcao, Rector of Bom Jesus Basilica Fr Patricio Fernandes and six priests were concelebrants at the Mass.

Reflecting on the Theme ‘Doing God’s will by observing the precepts of the Church’, Bishop Fernandes exhorted the large congregation of Goans from different parts of the world to follow the will of God by obeying the precepts of the Church in different ways.

“One of the precepts of the Church is to invite us to attend Mass on Sundays and days of obligation. The Eucharist strengthens our communion with God and Church teachings rightly tell us that the Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life, as we draw a lot of strength in our day-to-day life and God gives us the nourishment for our spiritual growth,” said Bishop Fernandes.

“Secondly, the precepts of the church remind us about the sacrament of reconciliation. This sacrament is a wonderful means to bolster a communion with God and with one another.”

“Thirdly, the precepts of our church invites to observe days of fasting and abstinence. Fasting has a value as it makes us grow spiritually and makes us come closer to God, while also giving us an experience of the poor and suffering.”

“The fourth precept invites us to provide for the needs of the church, through prayer and through acts of charity.”

Praying in a special way for all Goans working or studying outside of the archdiocese, Bishop Fernandes said: “May God continue to give them grace in their difficulties, trials and tribulations, that Christ may continue to be a friend and a companion to them in their loneliness away from home and may the Spirit of the Lord continue to guide them when they are faced with moments of disillusionment and anxiety in their lives.”

“On behalf of our Archbishop of Goa Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, we assure you of our prayers and support to the Goan brothers and sisters who are working or studying outside the archdiocese, on land or at sea.”

“May God continue to be their firm foundation in the midst of life’s struggles, may Jesus continue to accompany them especially in moments of loneliness and may the Holy Spirit guide their every step towards success and fruitfulness.”

Some members of the Goan diaspora after Mass outside the Basilica at Old Goa.

Fr Henry Falcao later expressed his gratitude to the auxiliary bishop for celebrating the Mass and praying in a special way for the Goan diaspora.

Thanking the Bom Jesus Basilica Rector Fr Patricio Fernandes for conceiving the idea of a Mass for the Goan diaspora, Fr Falcao said: “This was a wonderful idea to celebrate Mass for the diaspora for the first time during this Exposition.”

He also thanked members of the St Mary's Goan community in Dubai and the St Michael's Goan community in Sharjah and others who volunteered in organising the celebration, and all those who participated in the Mass.

‘Great feeling to unite as diaspora at Old Goa’ 

Simon Varella, a popular MC at Goan social events who hails from St Estevam and is now based in Milton Keynes, UK, was pleased that a special Mass was celebrated for the Goan diaspora at Old Goa.

Varella, who participated in the Mass along with his family, said it was a great opportunity for the diaspora to come together and venerate the ‘Goencho Saib’.

“I was very pleased that Fr Patricio Fernandes' idea took shape and the Goan Diaspora got an opportunity to come together for this special Mass at Old Goa. All others of the Goan Diaspora felt the same,” said Varella.

“It was lovely to meet our friends of the Goan Diaspora, especially all our friends from the Goan community in Dubai and Sharjah after six years, as I share a special bond since I am an ex-core team member of the St Mary's Goan Community. Coming together as Goan Diaspora was a great feeling.” 

Varella said Goans across the world have a strong connect to St Francis Xavier, which is why many Goans from different parts of the world made a trip to Goa to participate in the Exposition.

“All Goans across the world have got great reverence and fervour to St. Francis Xavier. Many Goans have specially come to Goa to venerate the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier. In fact, many socials and events overseas were held early November or December, as many Goans wanted to visit Old Goa for the Exposition.”

“For me and for many Goans, our ‘Goencho Saib’ will always remain special. I personally and many of our fellow Goans have received many favours through the intercession of St Xavier.”