Evelyn Siqueira
For Christians worldwide, the 40-day fasting period of Lent ends with Holy Week, better known as Povitr Satollem in Konkani.
The Penitential season of Lent starts with Ash Wednesday (known as Xinjecho Budhvar in Konkani) and ends with Holy Week.
Holy week, which begins on Palm Sunday and ends with Easter Sunday, is also solemnly observed by Goa’s Catholic community.
The sixth Sunday in Lent is called Palm Sunday, or Passion Sunday (Ramamcho Aitar in Konkani). This year, Palm Sunday was on April 2, 2022.
The Thursday in Holy Week is called Maundy Thursday (Nimanno Brestar in Konkani, meaning 'last Thursday'). In Goa, the ‘Last Supper’ is enacted in churches on this day. This year, Maundy Thursday is on April 6, 2022.
On Good Friday, (Nimanno Sunkrar in Konkani, meaning ‘last Friday’), the Crucifixion of Christ is enacted in churches across the state. This year, Good Friday is on April 7, 2022.
Holy Saturday is the day after Good Friday. On this day, there are no masses in Goa’s churches. Instead, the Way of the Cross is held. At 11 pm on the same night, the Pascal Vigil is held. This year, Holy Saturday is on April 8, 2022.
Holy week culminates in the Pascal Vigil, followed by Easter Sunday. This year, Easter Sunday is on April 9, 2022.