Rosary procession cleanses streets, souls in Goan villages

By Molly Fernandes

Sancole, Nov 9, 2021: Villages in Goa now look spic and span and its residents spiritually renovated after October, the month of rosary.

A major program during the month was the procession of “Our Lady of Rosary” organized by various parishes in this western Indian Catholic stronghold.

Ahead of the procession, the villagers cleaned the streets, lanes and their surroundings. They also spiritually prepared to welcome the Blessed Virgin through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and daily Mass.

“The dirt and murk disappeared. I felt the outside cleansing was an invitation for the internal soul searching,” said Menino Colaco, a parishioner of Our Lady of Rosary Church in Davorlim Zoriwado Navelim, who joined the procession and the cleaning drive.

“It was also a unique experience of faith and repentance,” the 40-year-old Catholic layman told Matters India.

Navelim was among scores of villages that organized the rosary procession.

Most processions took place on October 7, 13 and 31.

The procession carried a statue of Mother Mary on a vehicle decorated with flowers and light. Some participants walked with small statues of Mary and recited rosaries as the procession passed through lanes and streets of every ward of the parish.

Various parish groups such as youth, parish pastoral council, and zone leaders helped organize the procession and cleaning.

“Everyone participated – children, young and old,” Colaco said.

During the procession, the streets wore a festive look as people decorated and cleaned the surroundings, roads and gutters.

Colaco said the procession offered them an opportunity to implore God’s blessing to end the dark times of pandemic. “All – whether young or old were involved in preparing every ward to welcome Our Lady,” he added.

People welcome Mother Mary with flowers, candles and fireworks at every halt.

Remy D’Souza of Navelim parish said the Rosary month was a time for blessing for Catholics as well as their neighbors. “My faith says there will be continuous flow of mercy and compassion from Our Lady of Rosary to the people of Navelim,” the 59-year-old woman told Matters India.

Lazar Albuquerque, 59, from St. Anthony’s Church, Vagator, Bardez, said he believes “Mother Mary has the power to crush the devil, and evil forces.”

Jolan Albuquerque, 35, a pastoral council member from Vagator parish, said people of other religions came on the road, as the procession halted for prayers at wayside chapels or cross in every ward. They welcomed Mother Mary with lamps, garlands and incense.

“These processions don’t disturb and the intention is not to show off rather to build community. It creates harmony with our Hindu brethren. They have devotion to Mary our Mother,” Albuquerque explained.

At Vagator, an old woman bedridden for 10 years, waited for the procession with folded hands. After the procession passed, the woman died peacefully, “as if Mother Mary came to end her earthly sufferings and take her to heavenly abode,” Albuquerque said.