Illuminating the origin of Luminaries at Chinchinim St Sebastian, a Spaniard was martyred twice by the Emperor of Rome, Diclociano for openly professing his Christian faith.. At the end of 19 th and beginning of 20 th Century, Bubonic plague was a raging pandemic that engulfed Nations without any known cure. People deserted their places of residences and migrated to far away locations to avoid the scourge. The blessings of St Sebastian were invoked and the plague was subdued somehow and since then he is revered as Patron saint of Plague. The next plague was Small pox and devotion to St Sebastian was revived and redoubled with greater fervour to ward of the curse.
Bubonic plague spread to Goa too. Dr Wolfango da Silva records in his first report in 1901 at Ribandar . It was attributed to patients sleeping on humid floors and propagated by rats to Ilhas and beyond, .Old Goa then was completed abandoned and only recently the habitation has begun. A tobacco merchant from Belgaum is believed to have introduced it in Goa, Margao in 1916.Doctors failed to diagnose and the situation as it worsened alarmingly, spreading its tentacles to the villages of Raia,,Varca, Chinchinim, Loutolim,Benaulim,Colva, Navelim Two members of Furtado family succumbed to the fever. The demand for graves outstripped at Chinchinim and hence in 1939 another Cemetery had to be built to accommodate the demand. DR Antonio Barros Dias and Dr Minguel Loyola Furtado served Chinchinim ,Cuncolim and Orlim during the pandemic Dr Minguel and his close associate P.P. Fr. Glenandro Andre Pereira Andrade imported the statue of St Sebastian from abroad in the midst of ravaging plague at Chinchinim and thus started the devotion, Luminaries to St Sebastian at Chinchinim to invoke the blessings of Patron saint of Plague One day was allotted to Furtado family and another day to the Priest , though there is no mention of the latter. The remaining days were allotted to various wards. The traditions continues to date. It is unfortunate that Dr Minguel in his dedicated service succumbed to plague, contracted it from a patient at Cuncolim and laid to rest in 1918, honoured by burial in front of the altar in the cemetery and the only grave still maintained to date in gratitude. The next plague was Small Pox that took away many lives. It was highly contagious and burial was done at nights and those contracting the disease were left to die alone The devotion to St Sebastian once again raised hopes and Luminaries as of the day were the most popular group manifestation of spiritual faith. Luminaries now starts prior to the feast of Patron St Sebastian at Bandfoll on Nh 17. The feast is the center of Luminaries in the place The Chapel an architectural marvel of aesthetic elegance was constructed with financial support Club oF Dandeavadcares, most of the members are also residents of the place .The design as the legend goes was drawn by fingers on sand and then perfected by the builder. The people of wards collect at respective Chapels, and after a short prayer carry in solemn procession the statue of St Sebastian to the church square.’ The path is well lighted, decorated and devotees carry flags, variety of designer lanterns, stars, lights and trudge the path accompanied by bands and reciting prayers and hymns. Most of the residents participate up to the Church. A solemn prayer service is conducted at Church square, recently in the presence of the Priest, followed by kissing of the image, refreshments and fire works. It is often celebrated by a single President and considered as a privilege and honour. The pandals erected by various wards are a unique architectural feast, meticulously planned an painstakingly executed highlighting the saint, People enjoy visiting the site and appreciate the work of art, No Pandal is repeated at any costs Second Palvem show piece is the most exclusive , work of art and cynosure of all eyes, executed by the talented DE Mello Bros, Often the President of the ceremony entertains the neighbours to a grand feast either prior to the religious rites or thereafter . Presently the occasion helps to maintain group feelings and bonds of relationships in the wards. There is no special,invitation extended to participate. The old theme hymn is changed from Small pox to prevent various illnesses It is observed the Luminaries celebrations at Chinchinim have no parallel to Varca ,Orlim and we are legitimately proud of our traditions and still strongly belief its effects of preventions of major catastrophic disasters not excluding the covid pandemic in the place amongst its residents The faith in St Sebatian as the patron saint of all scourges is strengthened by passage of time Nelson Lopes Cjinchinim Thanks to Dr Max for historical perspective
