More than a decade ago, in Margao I bought a picket sized picture of St Pio. It was really worn down because I carried it every where especially when travelling. Yesterday, Sunday 24 this Sunday September 24th; the now tiny Goan Community in this 3 rd largest city in Africa could only send a 6 strong contingent to Celebrate the feast of St. Pio. The celebrations at Mzimbazi Catholic Centre. was something special as his feast was two days earlier.
Mary Carneiro, yes from Saligao was a tower of strength. Fr. Mario Dias, along wit at least 6 other Tanzanian and Capuchins from Philippines etc were there. I was pleasantly surprised at the island of greenery and the Cemetery where Capuchin have been buried for over a 100 years. Each grave had iron wrought cross painted silver. Then Mary drove past the cemetery and then there was a new world ....yes I could not believe it A Shrine, had been started 3 years ago ...it was almost complete ....Apart from the main altar there were 6 side alters ....Glass stained windows all over capturing and reflecting the sun the cloud ///it was peaceful The Choir Members from Msimbazi sung, ululated, clapped accompanied by drums and the Choir led by a young master...Oh yes the few nuns swayed and clapped ...Oh the nuns had a rhythm, just like the tiny children ...they were happy. Then came the feast organized by Mary ....there was enough to eat and to drink ....more than 200 people .....and food to spare...I suspect there was also a miracle. At the last moment the same picture of St Pio which I had purchased in Margao was distributed ...I took about 8 ..The prayers behind were not in English and Konkoni but English and Kiswahili. It was fairly late. Fr. Mario tried to call an Uber but they had funny excuses, as usual. A Bolt arrived he was Catholic, took me right to Makongo Juu I gave him his fare and the Holy Picture.He told me he was apprehensive coming to this lonely place. This morning the Holy Picture came in handy, most surprising was a call from a graduate from UK...she called me at late noon to tell me she was sick and depressed, actually terribly depressed about her bosses in the Legal and Human, about her younger sister who suddenly appeared at her bed sitter..Since I was in the vicinity of several eateries could I get something for her. I saw her week and depressed gave her the packet and on impulse gave her the Hold Picture of St Pio. She is a Lutheran ......but who says St Pio only helps Catholic Goans ! I gave her a Holy Picture and Let St. Pio do his work St Pio must have Goan genes Grandolfo In Nor so Lonley Makongo Juu
