CHRONICLES OF GOAN CHURCHES
The Church at Caranzalem is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. The parishioners celebrate the feast on the second Sunday of October, which falls on October 13 this year.
THE ORIGIN
The first chapel in Caranzalem was constructed by Konego Francisco da Cunha Souto Maior in 1731 and it was dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. Before his death, he made a will (13-3-1736), by which he donated the chapel and his property to the bishop, hence the archdiocese began to administer it.
The wall of the chapel carries royal insignia of the Souto Maiors with an inscription in Portuguese, with a translation in English: “Brethren, Here lie the bones of Rev. Fr. Francisco da Cunha Souto Maior, Chaplain-Nobleman of the House of the Majesty and Canon-Prebendary of the Primatial See of Goa. They were transferred to this Mausoleum on 5th September 1737. He had died on 5th September 1736, aged 59 years, one month and 14 days. The Chapel was erected and he was buried. Out of Charity, pray Our Father and Hail Mary.”
The Patriarch Dom Jose Vieira Alvernaz (1953-1975), invited the Franciscan missionaries from Pakistan to take care of the Christian community at Caranzalem. Later, these were sent to Ponda.
THE CHURCH
Due to the increase of the Catholic population, it was decided to construct a new church. The church building construction was funded by the diocese, parishioners and well-wishers. The foundation stone for the new church complex was laid on December 8, 2007. The Church complex was completed and blessed by most Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Ferrao on October 31, 2010. The old chapel has been renovated and converted into the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament.
THE ALTAR
The Church has only one altar; behind it is a huge image of the crucified Jesus. To the right of the altar is the image of Our Lady of the Rosary and to the right of St Peter.
(The writer is Superior at Casa Professa, Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa.)
