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The Feast St Anne, Ponda Goa

29 July 2018, Ponda: St Anne’s Church in Ponda has been standing tall since the mid 19th century, providing devotees a place to venerate the grandmother of Jesus Christ. This church, along with three other churches in Goa, is now solely dedicated to St Anne, the mother of Mary and grandmother of Jesus. Originally, this church in Ponda, that was established in 1700, was dedicated to St Anne and St. Anthony. The Jesuit missionaries administered to the spiritual and pastoral needs of the people in early seventeenth century. The existing church was built much later. The church baptism records show that the baptism registration officially started in 1860, under then Parish Priest Fr Minguel Jose Leandro Ferrira. The documents, all in Portuguese, are still preserved in the church archives. In the course of the years, this church was entrusted to the pastoral care of the Franciscans: Order of Friars Minor (OFM) in 1957. (Courtesy: https://www.heraldgoa.in/Cafe/UNDER-THE-SHADOW-OF-GRACE/118240.html)

Religious celebration is a beautiful aspect of Goan life because here, the feasts and festivals of one community are celebrated by other communities as well, bringing together people in the purest of ways. The Feast this year was celebrated on 29th July. The festive celebration was presided over by Rev. Fr. Patricio Fernandes, SJ, Rector of the “Basilica of Bom Jesus” who preached a wonderful sermon referring often to the inspiring words of Pope Francis on family. The Eucharist was concelebrated by Br Carlos Dias, Regional Superior Custos of Northeren Region and his team of councillors, Br Praveen Henry D Souza, the Minister Provincial and his team of Definitors, Br. Tony D Souza, the Parish Priest and his team and a number of friars from various places.

The Church was packed to its full capacity and the liturgy was enlivened with sonorous singing. There was a prayerful procession soon after the Eucharist attended by many faithful. People then flocked to venerate the statue of Mother St. Ann. In the evening, there was a football match in honour of the feast.

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