It was 2.15 am under the inky cover of the dark sky, there was a ray of shining hope as street lights and the moonlight illuminated the faces of enthusiastic pilgrims, which in turn radiated hope. They had come from parishes across Goa, prepared to embark on a sacred journey organised by the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman – a 10-kilometre pilgrimage walk – a Lenten sacrifice.
On Sunday, February 18, before dawn, pilgrims from three centres in the south and two in the north, walked to the Old Church of Our Lady of Health, Rua Escravo de Maria, in Sancoale, and reached there by 5 am in time to participate in the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and then in the Eucharistic celebration.
The theme for the pilgrimage this year was ‘Let us journey together on the path of Penance and be Proclaimers of Hope’, and that is what the 18,000 pilgrims who participated in the annual Lenten pilgrimage did.
Among them was Josephine Fernandes from Arambol, who, along with her friends, had planned to participate in the annual walk months in advance. “I have been attending the walking pilgrimage for at least four years now and every year I feel that starting the lent season with a penitential walk gives you a chance to contemplate on yourself,” said Josephine.
There were first timers for the walk and one of them was Belinda Viegas from Curtorim who enjoyed the experience. “I practiced walking, but by the time I reached Cortalim, I was almost exhausted. If you plan to go on a pilgrimage like this, you must start walking at least a few weeks prior. There were paramedics, water stations along the routes for those who wanted to avail of any services,” said Belinda who clocked around 10,000 steps.
Along with Belinda were many other devout locals, some who walked barefoot to the Old Church of Our Lady of Health in Sancoale.
If you plan to go on a pilgrimage like this, you must prepare to walk at least a few weeks prior. There were paramedics, water stations along the routes for those who wanted to avail of any services
Belinda Viegas from Curtorim
They didn’t walk alone, for their shepherd was with them. Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, too walked along with the devotees from Bambolim to Sancoale. In his sermon during the mass, His Eminence said, “All of us are pilgrims in this world and we neither bring anything with us when we are born nor take anything back after our death.”
He cautioned people about being selfish and giving more importance to the worldly things. He also exhorted people to be united and not be agents of division. He further envisaged that we need to be instruments of peace, truth and justice and to shun corruption, deceit and injustice.
Explaining the aim of the pilgrimage, Fr Barry Cardozo, Director of Goa Diocesan Centre of Social Communications Media said, “The pilgrimage is a help for the faithful to begin the holy season of Lent with penance and sacrifice reflecting on the love of God and our response to the love of God.”
As the pilgrims experienced blessings and miracles during the previous penitential walk, people from different faiths too participated this year. Bhavartachi Yatra was more than just a walk; it was a testament to their devotion, a sacred experience etched under the watchful gaze of the moonlit sky.
