Herald in it’s special supplement dt.11th of September, carried a feature on the Chinchinim Church narrated by Fr.Nacimento Mascarenhas. The feature mentions that the ‘Jesuits along with the parishioners, changed the name of the then St. Anne Church built in 1590 to Our Lady of Hope Church in 1610, on completion of the edifice when first mass to Our Lady of Hope was offered. However historical documents available in the archives of the Xavier Institute of Historical Research, Porvorim state otherwise. The great Italian Jesuit Priest who first sowed the seeds of Christianity in Salcete, and who is credited with the translation of the Gospels into Konkani, Rev. Fr. Ignatius Arcamone in his letter written on 1st Oct.1664, to the then Superior General of the Jesuits, Rt.Rev.Fr. John Paulo Oivia, whilst reporting of his mission in Salcete states that the Chinchinim Church built by the Jesuits in 1590 was dedicated to Our Lady of the Divine Mount, popularly called ‘Mount Mary’ and not Our lady of Hope as she is presently called. The name change is of recent origin. Chinchonkars of yester years and some of the present generation adore the patroness of Chinchinim as Monte Saibin. The salves wherein hibiscus flowers are offered to her in veneration are typical to Monte Saibin only. Rev. Fr. Felix Lobo a blue blooded Chinchonkar and presently serving in Usgao in his homily last year, on the second day of the feast mass, whereby traditionally all the priests of Chinchinim origin gather to celebrate mass, implored Chinchonkars to revert to the feast celebration on the 8th of Sept. the feast of the Nativity of Mother Mary. The whole world celebrates the feast of Mount Mary on that day except Chinchinim where the Church was built in her honour. I am confident that the vast majority of Chinchonkars would agree with him. As for the name Chinchinim, in Konkani it is referred to as Chinch- onem, an orchard of Tamarind trees, for which Chinchinim, for centuries was quite famous. Chinchonkars traded in tamarinds ‘Amtan ’and natural salt for their living. By: Cypriano Lopes Chinchinim. Ph:919420164192
