Four hundred year old Assolna church in Goa, apple of the eye

Mangalore Today News Network

Goa, Jan 18, 2017: Thousands of parishioners of the 400-year-old Our Lady of Regina Martyrum Church, at Assolna, enthusiasti-cally participated in the closing ceremony of their parish’s quadri-centennial celebrations.

While a mobile choir went around the village singing hymns of worship, the stretch from the Sucaldem-Chinchinim bridge to the church was decked up with banners that read ‘400 years of faith’, welcoming those partaking in the festivities.

Over a dozen motorcyclists accompanied by the brass band gave the archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Ferrao a royal welcome to Assolna parish, reported The Times of India.

Archbishop Ferrao, along with South Goa episcopal vicar Rev Lucio Dias, Chinchinim dean Rev George Pazzie, Assolna parish priest Rev Sertorio Rodrigues, Assolna assistant-parish priest Fr Michael Fernandes, Rev  Roque da Costa, Rev Caetano Dourado, Rev Milagres Fernandes and Rev  Francis D’Mello, concelebrated the solemn Eucharistic celebration with Rev Joseph Rodrigues, assistant-parish priest of Our Lady of Grace church, Margao, leading the melodious choir.

Congratulating the congregation on the momentous occasion, Patriarch of Goa, Ferrao complimented the parishioners and felicitated those who joined the clergy and other religious orders. While  the papal blessing sent by Pope Francis was read, release of a souvenir and cutting  the anniversary cake were part of the celebrations.