Siridao chapel feast: 'Be free from sin', says priest

SIRIDAO: The feast of Our Lady of Annunciation was celebrated at the chapel of Jesus of Nazareth, Siridao, on Sunday, with thousands of faithful from different walks of life flocking to the tiny hillock. The stream of devotees began at dawn, and lasted till late evening.
Presiding over the high festive mass, the main celebrant, Fr Allan Tavares of the Society of Pilar, reminded the congregation that the risen Lord desires fullness of life to all his followers, and that "we, as Christians, are privileged Easter people as Jesus cares for all mankind."
Reflecting on the readings and the gospel, Fr Tavares said that "gold, silver and money are not true wealth, but everlasting life that Christ has given us is our true treasure." He recalled the pious life which the ancestors of Siridao lived, and the devotion they had towards Mother Mary.
"Mother Mary was considered the head of every Siridao Catholic family. The fisherman would recite the Rosary in their boats while venturing into the deep seas. On returning home, the evening prayers honouring the Blessed Mother would follow in the family. Today, due to modernism, there might be some lethargic attitude which might have crept in our families," he said.
"If we are to accept the kingship of Christ," Fr Tavares said, "we need to be free from sin. Bad deeds like anxiety, worry, fear, greed, evil, sickness and sin do not suit the Catholic community. If we wish to enjoy good health and happiness, then we need to uproot every evil from our lives."
The feast of Our Lady of Annunciation follows after Easter Sunday. It is also termed as 'Pejechem Fest' as the traditional 'canji' is cooked in seven earthern vessels ('moddkeo') and served free of cost to all people. Unfortunately, due to the larger crowd that participating in the feast this year, many people had to return home disheartened as they could not savour this dish due to its shortage much before the festive mass concluded.
Among those who sought alms along the road towards the chapel was Lucy Rebello, a woman from Mapusa, who stood with a begging bowl in her hand. Besides her stood her 13-year-old son Royson Rebello, who was born with a defective heart. "I was worried about the future of my son. If he recovers, I promised that I will visit this place and seek alms with a begging bowl," she said.
To avoid congestion along the narrow road leading to the hillock, which was crowded with several sweet marts and other wares, the Panaji and Agasaim police assisted with elaborate traffic arrangements.