During the penitential season of Lent, every parish in Goa has its own set of Lenten observances, such as the Stations of the Cross, etc.
Perhaps, the most well-known of all is the Procession of Saints, which takes place annually at St Andrew’s Church, Goa Velha, Tiswadi.
This procession goes back hundreds of years, and apart from Goa, the only other place where it is held is in Rome.
Here’s what you need to know about Goa’s famous Procession of Saints (Santanchem Pursanv in Konkani).
THE UNUSUAL FIRST STATUE
The procession begins with the statue of the Tau and Crossed Arms, a symbol of the Franciscan order.
OTHER STATUES
Currently, there are around 31 statues of saints, popes, kings, martyrs, queens and cardinals, which includes St Anthony of Padua, St Peter, Ecce Homo, St Francis Xavier, St Francis of Assisi, St Michael, Cardinal St Boaventura, St Clare of Assisi, St Rose of Viterbo, St Isabel of Hungary, St Dominic and the patron of the Archdiocese of Goa, St Joseph Vaz.
DURING THE PROCESSION
The statues of the saints, placed on special charols (a kind of palanquin) are taken around in a grand procession along a fixed route, while the life of each saint is read out aloud. Prayers are recited and hymns are sung all throughout.
At regular stops, devotees walk under the charols as they believe that they will be blessed and their sins forgiven.
AFTER THE PROCESSION
The procession ends with the Veronica and the priest delivers the sermon. Later, the life size statues are lined up inside the church and kept for public veneration for the next two days.
WHERE & WHEN IT’S HELD
It takes place on Monday in the fifth week of Lent, and is held every year at St Andrew’s Church in Goa Velha.
THE BEGINNING
This traditional procession has been held since the 17th century by the Franciscan Order in Goa.
THE STATUES
The statues are made of wood. Weeks before the procession, they are carefully assembled by special carpenters. After the event, they are dismantled and kept in boxes in a huge room, specially made for the purpose.
This year, the Procession of Saints will be held on March 27 at 4.30 pm at St Andrew’s Church at Goa Velha, Tiswadi. Fr Emidio Pinto will deliver the homily during the mass. The statues of the saints will be kept for public veneration on March 27, 28 and 29 at the church.