By Elvis Fernandes
Pilar, Dec 26, 2023: Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Pandurang Sawant joined government officials and civil service officers to celebrate Christmas at Pilar Pilgrim Centre in the western Indian state.
“Jesus came into the world to spread the message of peace, love and unity,” Sawant told the participants of the Festive Christmas High Tea on December 25 at the center, some 10 km southeast of Panaji, the state capital.
Sawant, an ayurveda medical practitioner serving as Goa’s eleventh chief minister since 2019 noted that “truth and service are two important messages in the Bible which tells us that service is the greatest form of love.”
He applauded the Society of Pilar for being at the forefront in the field of education and in preserving the culture and unity of Goa.
The 50-year-old politician noted that harmony and unity has been Go’s identity. “In India, often there have been attempts to bring division among people on the basis of caste and religion, however, such attempts have been thwarted by the people of Goa. Since 1961, the rest of India sees Goa as the beacon of unity,” he added.
The host, Father Nazareth Fernandes, the superior general of the Society of Pilar, said that “Christmas is the celebration of peace, and Jesus the prince of peace, brings love, joy and peace from the Father.” He further said that “the Church becomes the visible face of Jesus Christ in her service to humankind.”
He also claimed that the members of the Pilar Society “are the visible face of Goans throughout India and abroad to carry the message of peace, harmony, joy and love that exists among Goans, although we may belong to different creeds.”
The superior general also said that although few in number the members of his congregation are spread throughout India engaged in educational and social apostolate trying to make a difference in the lives of our people.
He thanks the chief minister and the officials for their support to the Pilar Society in carrying forward the mission to serve the poor and the needy. He concluded by saying “Goa is the best brand and blend of unity, culture and harmony that we find in India.”
Father Lawrence Fernandes, the director of the Pilar Pilgrim Centre, welcomed the dignitaries and said that “Christmas is a nice day to celebrate our togetherness and share the joy of Christmas.”
The Saviourites of Loutolim, a group of over 45 singers and musicians, presented carols in Konkani, Hindi and English. The chief minister applauded Seby Fernandes, the choir master and the group for their versatility.
At the Christmas season, the BJP leaders nationwide, including PM Modi find greatness in the Christians, also try to exalt JESUS as the Prince of Peace. When the Christmas season is over with, then the BJP and their sister radical parties are trying to do everything possible to hurt the Christians where they are defenseless. BJP will not try that in the stronghold States of India like Goa-Kerala-Nagaland-Mizoram etc. What did they do in Manipur recently towards the Kuki Christians?