Tourism
of Goa
Fairs
& Festivals ::
Christian
Festivals
Good
FridayThis
is one of the Christian celebrations, observed in sincere reverence by the
Goan Catholics. It takes place at the end of the period of Lent which lasts
for 40 days in February and March, beginning with Ash Wednesday. Good Friday
is followed by Easter Sunday.
A special mass and procession take
place in almost every church in Goa, but the best celebration takes place in
the capital city of Panaji
The most spectacular celebration which
takes place in Panaji, is in the square of the Church of Mary Immaculate
Conception. Large crowds in formal clothes, gather in the square to
participate in the mass and the Way of the Cross.
The priests
celebrate the mass in Konkani, describing the sufferings of Lord Jesus
Christ. After the mass, the special crucifix, which until this time has been
kept from view, is now uncovered before the crowd for veneration.
The
ceremony of the Way of the Cross takes place as a re-enactment of the path
Jesus took on Mount Calvary before the Crucifixion. An image of Jesus
carrying the large wooden cross is taken in a procession from the Mary
Immaculate Church premises, through the nearby streets by the clergymen
dressed in special clothes.
The people follow the procession in
two parallel lines, in front and behind the statue. The solemn procession is
watched by hundreds of onlookers, Hindu and Christian standing at the
roadside.
A band playing suitably somber music accompanies the
procession which slowly winds its way through the main streets in Panaji
before returning to the church.
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