“Joy lasts longer. Happiness is an emotion that flows when something happens. Lent is a time of the year that allows me to introspect my link with God that leads to an Easter celebration,” says Ana Paes from Chicalim, as villagers gather on the last Wednesday before the Holy Week for a stage play.
Like in other villages of Goa, Lent in Chicalim is a tryst with God that does not tire but lets individuals test their link with the Almighty – a link that goes through numerous phases of an individual’s life.
After weeks of reflections, prayers, adoration, lent in Chicalim touches senses through a play that tells a story of Goa, the Church and humans all rolled through drama and comedy bringing all on par with reality.
“Times are bad. There are no jobs for our youngsters. The future looks so bleak and yet my belief in God gives me the luxury to enjoy this concert that shows different facets of religion,” says Lambert, as his feet beat to the tune of a song being sung on stage.
The 40 days of Lent are for Catholics 40 days of recalling the other days of the year where God was either forgotten or forfeited.
“Advent is about giving; Lent is about learning oneself,” says Manuel after finishing adoration one evening. “I go in with guilt but come out with a feeling of relief and the promise to keep God as a constant,” he adds, as he climbs down the church stairs to his way home.
Fr Bolmax Pereira explains this better. “Lent is the time when we accept our weakness. This is the time when we realise and accept the need to come back to God. As we are weak, we are bound to fall again but it is through the goodness of God that we rise again,” explains Fr Bolmax, the parish priest of Chicalim, for whom the essence of God is reaching out to others.
“Lent,” according to Fr Bolmax, “is the time the mercy of God is best felt because it is during this period that we think about ourselves and our link with God. How do we look in the mirror?”
“It has been a different experience for me since the personal experiences I went through this year. Lent was time for me to reflect and feel God with me at a time when some tried to throw propaganda at me,” reflects Fr Bolmax, who never winked because he knew unsubstantiated allegations do not stick.
“Through Lent, I have experienced the mercy of God in a better way; a way that shows that silence does not necessarily work,” admits Fr Bolmax.
Through Lent, I have experienced the mercy of God in a better way; a way that shows that silence does not necessarily work
Fr Bolmax
Salman Rushdie wrote in Shame: Silence is the ancient language of defeat’ and it is that defeat that Fr Bolmax is not ready to accept. “Prayer is powerful but when it is not taken to its spiritual conclusions, it is in vain,” believes Fr Bolmax.
“Spiritual conclusions,” reflects Fr Bolmax, “is taking the truth to the follower and allowing him to decide his next steps forward with God by his side.”
As the parishioners of Chicalim sit back to enjoy the concert break, Ana who is studying Occupational Therapy at Goa Medical College (GMC) stands out as she says, “Lent is the time of the year that gives me the time to understand my weaknesses and work around them.” That will be music to the ears of her pastor.
