Our Lady of Mercy

Mariam Shaikh

C183256.       Fybcom B

"Where there is a will there is a way". When people think nothing goes good in there life, they literally think suicide is the best option any one can have ending up doing it without realizing the hard work and affords put forth by their parents goes in vain. In this very sitvation,  if the person could realize just a thing bit of love for god then trust me tht person could leave its life like an optimistic. All you have to do is trust in God alone, he is the only healer.

Being leaving in colva the our lady of mercy church gave me that immense of love in me, made me whole, made me who I am, made me worthy for all goodness and even thought me how to handle worst part of my life.  All praise and honours to to my sacred place. Colva church is also known as Nossa Senhora dad Merces lgreja em colva.  It was the name given by thr Portuguese ministries during their rullr. I would like to tell my small : yet powerful relationship between the church and me. Its not only a church but its my lifeline venue. Those were too hectic days, bad days were on my way I was intentionally thinking to end it.  I couldn't take it in something was bothering my mind my insight. Then I took advice from my teacher : thought I didn't wanted but somehow I ended up meeting her. She told me only one sentence which actually gave life in my soul.  She said " just go on praise the lord" from that time onwards and I started going to the church every now and then. And whenever I used to enter, I was feeling the concern like as if I should be here today.  Praying all the day.  I forgot all my worries with in few days.

This was my experience of visiting colva church.

The Basilica of Bom Jesus : Prestige of Goans

Siyaab  Sarmadi

C183254

FYBcom B

 The Basilica of Bom Jesus

24/3/19, It was early morning, the sun , the breeze everything was perfect  and I was all set to visit the famous church of Goa 'The Basilica of Bom Jesus' which is located in old Goa a place well known for its history and heritage sites.

       Distance from South Goa (curchorem)

It took us around 1 and half hour to reach old Goa and another half an hour to reach the church (the roads were really busy though)
Old Goa is a place where the history of Goa started to unfold its pages and the church being its heart is the best place to know about the beginning of Goa . Beside the busy roads of Goa the interior of old Goa is much calm with many Portuguese houses with terreiros ,small streets, trees and much more to explore....

When I reached there I was fascinated by the look and the architecture of the church and so I wanted to know more about it.When I researched more about the church's architecture I came to know that it was called Baroque style of architecture. The inside of the church is decorated with precious stones and carpeted with marble flooring. The church is at an amazing hight of about two coconut trees of Goa. But this massive,beautiful, holy and ancient church has lot more to say....

Altar

The construction of 'The Basilica of Bom Jesus' began in 1594 and holds a glorious past of the early Portuguese empire . But the main highlight of the church is the sacred tomb of St. Francis Xavier, which is located in its own chapel. This tomb has its own story to tell 

Tomb of St. Francis Xavier

The story of St. Francis Xavier is known to every Goan .St. Francis Xavier died on a board ship and his body was taken to malacca, also a portuguese colony at that era. It was later decided that that he should be brought to Goa .On the arrival of his body , more than two years later after his death, people noticed that St Francis Xavier's body hadn't decomposed . 

It was not less then a miracle to the people not only in goa but also to the outside world. The church than decided to put the Saints body on display to the public in every 10 years. A silver casket designed in the 17th century holds the remains of the saint. the church is considered as a world heritage site by UNESCO. The place gets its name from the Bom Jesus which means infant Jesus It was  really a wonderful experience to visit such a holy place which holds so many stories .

 To be honest i wanted to wait there a little longer to know more about the place but since there was no time I have to postpone my plans for next time and also take note that the visiting time is from 8 AM to 9 PM .Although there are many more churches in goa' The Basilica of Bom Jesus' should be in your top list to visit
      

Saint Rita Church

Nisha fybcom b  C183208

 The st. Rita of cascia church, maina, curtorim, goa is popularly called 'the maina curtorim church' locally in goa. The maina, curtorim church was originally a chapel built at maina as part of the curtorim parish. The maina chapel was built in 1782 and erected by the provision of 8/6/1783 the name of the church is on the name st. Rita. St. Rita of cascia was born margherita lotti in 1381 in the city of roccaporena near spolete, umbria, italy where various sites connected with her are the focus of pilgrimages. Her parents, antonio and amantra Ferri lotti,  Were known to be noble, charitable persons, who gained the epithet conciliatore di cristo english:peacemakers of christ

 History

St. Rita of cascia church, maina, curtorim, Goa is called 'santa rita de cassia curtorim, Goa in portuguese. It is popularly known as 'the maina curtorim church' locally in Goa.  It was originally a chapel built at maina chapel was build in 1732
St. Rita of cascia church, maina, curtorim, Goa was created as a parish in 1960. A new and more spacious building of st. Rita of cascia church, maina, curtorim, Goa was built in 1999.
The religious order based in the parish of st. Rita of cascia church is the religious women order of the ursulines of mary (UMI) are based in maina curtorim at st. Rita's convent, maina curtorim,  Goa.

 The educational institution in the parish of st. Rita of cascia church, maina, curtorim, Goa is the st.  rita's high school, maina, curtorim
The socialwelfare activities in the parish of st. Rita of cascia church, maina, curtorim. The hostel for boys, the st. Rita's boys boarding home, maina, curtorim, Goa and the hostel for girls, st. Rita's boarding house, maina curtorim, goa run by the ursulines of mary immaculate.
The number of catholics in the parish of st. Rita of cascia church maina curtorim are 3750. The feast of st. Rita of cascia church maina at curtorim, is celebrated on 16th january every year it is also know as a the address of the maina curtorim church is st. Rita of cascia at maina curtorim

Feast

When i was collecting the information about the st. Rita church from the villagers they told me that every 20th august every village of maina celebrates a khandi khuris feast. I asked them brief information about khandi khuris feast they said that it has a panoramic view of the green fields in the midle of the field a small church with a big queues was seen every 20th august.
They also said that everyone came with faith and hope in their heart. The main highlight of this feast is the holy rosary which is carried out even the next day. Holy masses were held at st. Rita maina church. They said that it was a memorable sight and it's a great blessings to farmers of that place to help them grow a bountiful crop.

 Getting here

I leaved my house at 5:30pm to reach the church. My brother also came with me. It took us 10 minutes to reach there. The road is too narrow so there is danger of having accidents. On reaching we firstly met some people near the church we asked them about the church.  But they don't knew enough as they were young. So we waited for an old man  who may be knowing briefly about the church. Finally at last we met an old man. I asked him about the church. He gave us information about the church. He also told us about khandi khuris. After getting some information about the road which lead to khani khuris. I started walking along with my brother. It took 11minutes to reach as we were walking asking about the road information when we reached there, we found that it was very peaceful, calm, silent place and the best part is that it is surrounded by green field n a small lake giving a panoramic view. 

THREE KINGS CHURCH

                                                                                                                                       Vollen Pereira
                                                                                                                                               C-183248
                                                                                                                                           FY B.com  B

One of the best church to visit in Goa is the Three King's Church .The church was established in 1599 by Fr Gonsalo Carvalo S.J and is affiliated with St. Thomas church Cansaulim.

This lonely church is situated in Cansaulim on a hill top called Cuelim .This small hill in the interiors of South Goa is a nature lovers paradise with a mind blowing view of the shoreline and the lush greenenry .The hill is connected by a road and its better to hire a private cab or vehicle to visit this church.

It is also a perfect place for history buffs to know about the Goa's former land owners lifestyle along with dereliction of some beautiful colonial era mansions .So also it is beleived that this place is haunted and has unsolved mysteries. So also the Three Kings feast is conducted once in an every year where there is mass being held in the morning so also there are lots of fairs put while this feast is held.

    GETTING THERE

Probably I first came here with my cousins.We usually took a bike wherein we had to take the road that goes on top of the hill. At first it was scary going there but we enjoyed a lot. As soon as we reached on the top we usually had to park our bike and walk a little distance as the gates were closed and they were only opened once a year that is when the feast is being held.

HISTORY BEHIND THE PLACE BEING HAUNTED

As the story goes it is said that the state of Goa was once inhabited by three Portuguese kings who often had disputes among them as to who should finally be the sole ruler of the region. however they couldn’t take the disputes out in public because of the limitation levied on them by Portuguese diplomacy between rulers policy . 

Getting tired and exhausted of these disputes one of the kings amongst the three king Holger Alvnunger decided to invite the other two kings to his house for dinner secretly conspiring to poison the food and to kill them and doing so the king Holger was successful and killed the two kings but later the people soon found out about his act and out of furious anger the people of the state descided to punish the king. However mindful of his dark fate king Holger committed suicide.The present day the church is the house of king Holger where all the three kings fell to their respective deaths. Since then it is believed that the premises of the church is possessed by the unresting souls of the kings and there have been sightings and strange activities reported.

However wheather it is haunted or not it is best to visit the church during the day or evening when it is operating as usual.But I dont know if it is true that it is haunted or wheather they are fake rumeors being spread about it being haunted.

But i am very well happy visiting this place as you can feel the peace , birds churpping ,so also feel the sudden breeze and would definitely recommend this place for people who will be visiting it and is a great place to take pictures and spend the time there.

Nossa Senhora De Belem

Sherryl Cardozo   
C183205.      Fybcom B

History 

As with a lot of churches in Goa,  this one too was built upon a demolished Hindu temple called seven mothers Temple when built originally in 17th century, it was called our lady of Remedies. However, after it was reconstructed following a collapse in the mid 20th century, it was renamed to its current title. The church of Nossa Senhora de Belem is located at the main intersection of the town and just across the Branza house building. It relatively simple exterior faced with two towers, that make it look like a fort, hides the detailed ornate work on the inside. 
The annual feast of the church of our lady of Bethlehem is celebrated along with the feast of Three kings day, also known as Epiphany, signifies the revelation of God,  on 6th January. On this day three chosen people, crowned and dressed as king come riding on horses  to Chandore's parish church to distribute gift. 

About my journey 

 At Guirdolim we waited at the railway crossing for the train to roar past before continuing on our way to the village square dominated by the Nossa Senhora de belem church as it rises over the country side in Chandore. Once know as Chandrapura, the ancient capital of Goa during the reign of the Kadambas in 11 th century A. D.
Most known the church as Chandore church and most know chandor for the Menezes Braganza mansion that takes up a sizeable length of the church square opposite Luis Antao's house beside a government primary school.
In an open patch of land across the road from the Menezes Braganza mansion a whitewash church cross stands alone on the roadside aligned with the church entrance, opposite in the shade of plants a gate opens into the Menezes Braganza mansion.
Dating back to the 17 th century A D the Nossa Senhora de belem church, together with the Menezes Braganza mansion stands as a prominent signpost of the Portuguese era in Goa. The Portuguese were second to none in demolishing Hindu temple and building churches over them.
Chandor lies on the banks of the river Kushavati and is made up of the three hamlets of cotta Cavorim and Guirdolim. The  city of margao lies 15 kilometers away.
As we made our way past the railway crossing at Guirdolim. The sun started across the road lighting up brightly. Colored tavernas and shops, general stores was yet to open. It was still early in the morning for the folks in the village and to start with mass at Chandore church.

The Sunday mass was underway when we reached the church square. Cars, two wheelers and bicycles lay parked outside the church  stood across the road from the church we stepped inside an inn and ordered for pav bhaji. The inn was empty. I excepted it to fill up to capacity once the church dispersed for the day. Until then we had a lady for company. Shortly afterwards the Sunday mass concluded and parishioners came out of the church, and the quiet road now becamed crowded. Some stepped into shops for provisions to carry home. 

We also stepped out from the inn along the way we greeted the residents and finally reached our destination. 

OUR LADY OF ROSARY CHURCH

Sheryl  Ferrao   Fybcom  B

C1832-32

History

The Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Navelim, Goa is called ‘Nossa Senhora do Rosaria em Navelim, Goa’ in Portuguese. The Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Navelim, is popularly known locally as ‘The Navelim Church’ locally in Goa.

 The Navelim Church was founded by a French Jesuit.Today the Our Lady of the Rosary Church,  is the most populous parish in the Archdiocese of Goa.

As time passed,the church became small for the growing population.Later on,it was reconstructed with laterite stones on a large scale by a rich goan mercant.

This merchant according to legend ,while passing throught the main road running in front of the above church,received this message that he would lose a certain amount of money in his business.
As soon as he received this message,he entered the churchand started praying to Our Lady of Rosary,requesting her to relieve and free him from this catastrophe.

If his prayers were answered he promised to reconstruct the church on a larger scale. In the event he not only recovered what he lost , but he also received double the amount .He then reconstructed the entire church and also renovated the statue of Our Lady of Rosary.

NAVELIM FEAST

The celebration of the feast of Rosary begins every third wednesday in November.The Rosary church comprises of celebration like traditional procession and novenas.Each year the church paints on the outside fifteen days before the feast.The inside of the church is also beautifully decorated and the outside is covered with fairy lights.Most of the houses and streets in the village are lit up with colourful lights during the celebration.

Every four year,the statue of Our Lady is brought down from the alter and a procession takes her to the Holy Rosary School where the mass is held on the playground.
During this one day celebration of Our Lady,children from the school act out scenes from the bible and the playground is filled with the crowds of villagers.

Every November a candle light procession carries a statue of Our Lady of Rosarytowards the church,the celebration of the feast continues for several days.

Main Alter of Our Lady of Rosary Church

The inside of the church is also very beautiful and pretigious. The material used for construction of this church are lime,plaster,and laterite.Majority of paintings of this church are carried out on wooden borders.

 It consist of a main alter and two side alters , in total three alters.The church is located across the main road and infront there is a rosary school too.

Enterance of the church 

The church has a main door with two small door and two side door. There are five huge television set since there's a lot of crowed and not all people can fit in it even though it is huge.

Almost every year ther are around thousands of people coming everyday and during the major celebration (feast,christmas and new year ) there are over millions and millions of people.Eucharistic masses are celebrated almost everyday 

Statue of Our Lady of Rosary

There are people  that offer flower,candle to the statue .There are tons of tourist that visit this church and they click photos and pray for their loved one's.There is also a huge place where people can park their vehichles on either side.

Statue of Saint Joseph Vaz 

This is the statue of  Saint Joseph Vaz .The feast of St. Joseph Vaz is celebrated on 16 January every year and tons of people come . The main Eucharistic celebration is celebrated at 7:00 pm which is done near this statue followed by, rest masses are done inside the church.  

as most of you'll know that he has done alot of miracle this is the one that i know 

Miraculous Shower of Rain

There was a time in Mandy where there used to be no rain and had a lot of drought.Thereupon the King sent some of his Catholic people to Caz inviting him to pray for rain. Realise g that this was more or less a challenge to test his powers of intercession with God , he sent back a word that if the King had faith and if it was to the glory of God ,rain would certainly come down,and he set up an alter in the public opposite the palace,placed a cross upon and prayed to God to glorify his name by sending down rain.

 Before he rose from his Knees,rain fell in abundance but not a drop fell on him. This was the turning point in the career of Caz for the King thereafter gave him personal order to preach anywhere in his kingdom and also to go far and beyond it and to visit the other towns as he pleased.

Getting There

Well since this church is nearby it hardly take 15-20 mins for us to reach. I went with my sister .We went with our own vehicle .It is easy to come to this church since it is on the main road. It is also connected to major parts. There are various option that you can select.One can come with their vehicle while others can come by the public buses.

So, if you ever want to visit another church I would recommend you to do visit this church.