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CHAPLE OF ST ANNE—XVI THE 150TH YEAR---1992 TO 1993 "HAND IN HAND TOWARDS THE FUTURE". Mr. John. G. Carneiro from Donvaddo who had specially come from London to take part in the Inaugural Ceremony of the 150th Anniversary Celebrations of St. Anne Chapel, Saligao, held on 17th May, 1992, gives his impression on the spiritual preparation that went on to mark this beginning of the year long festivities. This is what he writes in the Souvenir St. Anne Chapel Saligao 1843-1992,on page 49. "The opening ceremony was a resounding success. A joyous commemoration of the consecration of the beautiful Chapel of St. Anne a 150 years ago. Spread over three days, the celebrations were skillfully woven into a highly structured spiritual exercise which owed a lot to the expertise of its mentor Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas, and thanks to the dedication of a hard working Committee a perfect beginning was assured for what should be a memorable jubilee in May 1993. Saligao in mid-May, after a hectic season of the Mae de Deus festivities and, you would have thought that there was already a surfeit of religion. Besides, the sea breezes would be more soothing and the Calangute season was in full swing. But nothing could come between St. Anne and her faithful and loyal devotees, descendants of those who founded the chapel a century and a half ago. They flocked to each service raising their voices in fervent prayer and loudly joining the choir in Hosanna to the….MOTHER of the Mother of God. And if there were any sceptics who had come to scoff, they certainly remained to pray. Each day the component wards took turns in leading the liturgy. A lot of care had gone into the training and the rehearsals to achieve a high degree of orderliness that was truly impressive, without impinging upon piety and sobriety of the services. On the first day, 14th of May, Muddawadi unfurled their impressive banner proclaiming the first of the themes " JEZU DEVACHEA RAJEACHI KHUNNA". This was carried in the entrance procession along with the Paschal Candle, the Cross, the Stole and the Bible. The offertory prayers also gave suitable _expression_ relevant to the theme…Jesus as the Redeemer and the Gateway to the Kingdom of God. Donvaddo took their turn on the 15th. The Theme being " DEVACHEM RAJ ANI AMI" . Again various symbols were used in the procession at the offertory to enhance the theme. Special prayers were said for the dearly departed former members of St. Anne and also remembered were those who were abroad. On the evening of the 15th, there took place an event which was particularly heartening. Our Hindu brethren asked to be associated with the festivities and they were accordingly invited to offer bhajans in honour of Santan Saibin( that night) They were ably assisted by Fr. Edwin D’Souza. As a memento of the occasion they then presented the Chapel with a full size DIVLI( one of the symbols approved by the Church in India) that has been placed by the side of the main altar ever since. To my mind on the 16th of May, Mollebhatt & Tabravaddo took us to a heightened sense of purpose with their banner firmly planting our feet on the ground.. With " SOMAZANT MHOJI SEVA" our attention was called to service in the Community In one of his eloquent sermons, Fr. Nascimento exhorted the congregation to re-invent themselves to make their lives more meaningful in the context of the community in which they found " SONVSAR mhozo GANV, MUNISKULL mhozo BHAV ani BOREM KORUNK mhozo DHORM." …….to be continued. Compiled by Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas. |
