OLD GOA
The Archdiocese will organise its ‘Walking Pilgrimage’ on February 21 with a restricted number of participants on account of the pandemic this year. However, parishioners and families will also get to partake in the pilgrimage as the Church has also chalked out a separate programme for them.
Speaking to The Goan, convenor of the pilgrimage Fr Alfred Vaz informed that this year the ‘Walking Pilgrimage’ has been divided into three categories: participants pilgrimage, parishioners pilgrimage and family pilgrimage.
PARTICIPANTS PILGRIMAGE: “In the participants’ pilgrimage, a few representatives will walk to the venue at Sancoale. From each parish, only 3 people will be allowed. In some deaneries, there are 7 parishes while in some 10 parishes. So, from each deanery, around 30 people will be allowed to participate,” said Fr Vaz.
“Besides, there will be people participating from parishes like Chicalim, Cortalim, Sancoale, Agassaim and Vasco.”
Fr Vaz further informed that wearing of masks and social distancing would be mandatory to those participating in the walking pilgrimage.
“In previous years, the distance was 10 kms, however this year it will be only 3 kms. There will be three centres from where the pilgrimage will start. The walk will begin from Cortalim (South centre), Agassaim (North centre) and St Jacinto Island bridge (Mormugao centre).”
“Also, the walk will start at 5 am instead of 3 am. The mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao at the old Church of Sancoale at 6.30 am,” Fr Vaz added.
“This year, the crowd will be around 1,000 due to the pandemic because social distance has to be maintained. We are going to adhere to all the SOPs recommended by the Church and the government, including use of mask and social distancing.”
“Also, deans of each deanery will check the temperature of participants before they board the buses,” Fr Vaz stated and said hand sanitisers will be used at the mass venue in Sancoale.
PARISHIONERS PILGRIMAGE: In the parishioners pilgrimage, parishioners have been asked to walk to their respective parishes when they come to attend the Mass, instead of using their vehicles.
“During the walk, they have been asked to pray. We have also asked them to maintain the day as a day of penance so that the penitential spirit is maintained,” said Fr Vaz.
FAMILY PILGRIMAGE: In the families pilgrimage, those unable to move out of their houses for various reasons have been issued guidelines to become part of the pilgrimage.
“Some people who have still not started going to the church, some who are unable to move out due to sickness or otherwise and some who are in quarantine, these people can pray while walking in their homes,” said Fr Vaz.
“They can walk in their homes or within the compound for thirty minutes. We have also suggested that they should read some chapters from the Bible. We have also proposed to them to make sacrifices and save something, which could then be deposited in the ‘Good Samaritan Fund’ so that they could reach out to the needy.”
