The Holy Spirit Church in Margao celebrates the feast of the Pentecost on the seventh Sunday after Easter, every year. One of the most awaited feasts, people look forward to this day not only to attend feast but also to prepare for the oncoming monsoon season in Goa.
Interestingly, this feast is also known as the 'Purumentachem fest'. The word purument, when translated from Portuguese means 'provisions'. People purchase various items from the fest, such as dry salted fish, kokum, vinegar, onions and more, which is then stored for the monsoons.
Here is a glimpse of the festivities that took place in Margao on the feast day this year.
This year, the feast was celebrated on May 28, 2023, and recorded a total of six masses that were celebrated at the Holy Spirit Church, Margao, with the first mass commencing at 5 am.
In keeping with tradition, the church celebrated the feast mass, which is known to be longer than the other masses.
The feast mass was celebrated in a grand fashion, and the priest was seen wearing special vestments, reserved only for important occasions of the church.
After the feast mass ended, a procession comprising the members of the church confraternity and parishioners made its way around the compound of the church.
The priest led the procession and was seen holding the blessed sacrament.
Many people were seen religiously taking part in the procession.
What's a Goan feast without music? The procession was led by the traditional brass band playing catchy tunes.
This feast also brings along a fair that almost every Goan looks forward to visiting and grabbing purument items ahead of the fast-approaching monsoons.