The parish of Chicalim celebrated the grand concluding ceremony of the 400th anniversary of the Christian faith in the region on 16th October 2025. The solemn occasion was graced by Filipe Neri, Cardinal Ferrao, Archishop of Goa and Daman along with the current and former parish priests of Chicalim.
The celebration witnessed an overwhelming participation of around 600 parishioners, ex-parish priests, clergy, religious brothers and nuns from across the Mormugao deanery. Among those present were former parish priests Fr. Eufemiano Miranda, Fr. Leonardo de Souza, and Fr. Leonard Correia, as well as Captain Viriato Fernandes, Member of Parliament. The event was also attended by members of the Chicalim Panchayat.
The Master of Ceremonies, Francisco Nunes, guided the entire event with elegance and precision, ensuring the program flowed smoothly.
The Cardinal arrived at 4:50 PM and was warmly welcomed by Fr Bolmax and the newly elected Fabrica members. Mrs. Shalini D’Souza presented a bouquet to him, along with members Agnelo Braganza, Sertório Rodrigues, and Sabina Fernandes. The parish youth, carrying Jubilee Crosses on either side, accompanied him into the church. At the entrance, the children of the parish performed a joyful welcome dance, expressing the happiness and pride of the Chicalim community.
In his homily and message, Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao reminded the faithful that Jesus has given us the gift of faith, and it is our responsibility to nurture, strengthen, and deepen this faith. He explained that this can be achieved through personal prayer, family prayer, and community prayer, as well as by reading the Scriptures and participating in the Eucharist, where we receive the very source of our faith—Jesus Himself. Recalling the missionary zeal of St. Francis Xavier, the Cardinal said, “He was on fire with the love of Jesus. He started his preaching among the fisher people, like Jesus, spreading the love of Jesus among them.” He shared how St. Francis Xavier, sustained by this same love, lived in a cave for ten months and carried out his mission in Tuticorin, becoming an inspiring example of living faith in action. He highlighted that through baptism, all Christians become brothers and sisters in faith, and like the first Christians, we are called to live in unity, fellowship, and sharing, even amid questions and struggles. The Cardinal urged the faithful to be instruments of fellowship—first in their families, then in their communities and workplaces—to remove the flames of enmity and spread peace and understanding. He emphasized that “Family is the basic community,” and it is within the family that faith is first nurtured, shared, and lived. From there, it flows outward into the somudai (small Christian communities) and the wider parish, reaching out to the needy and keeping the flame of faith alive. He reminded everyone that this 400-year legacy, handed down by our ancestors, is a treasure of unity and faith, urging all to preserve it through love, prayer, and service.
Following the Mass, Mast. Marquez Menezes, a young parishioner, delivered a heartfelt three-minute speech reflecting on the significance of the 400-year celebration and its impact on the community. This was followed by the ceremonial handing over of a relic from the Basilica of Bom Jesus, presented by Rector Rev. Fr. Patricio Fernandes, sj and received by Fr Bolmax. The relic, a piece of wood from the coffin of St. Francis Xavier, is now a spiritual treasure for the Chicalim parish.
The much-awaited coffee table book commemorating the 400 years of Christian faith in Chicalim was then unveiled, featuring the efforts of editors Fr. Bolmax Pereira, Valerie Alfonso, Assis Sequeira, and Gustavo D’Souza. The book brings alive the voices of the priests and elders, the spirit of our musicians and sportsmen, and the timeless beauty of the land, sea, and sacred landmarks of the Chicalim parish. A true celebration of 400 years of faith, resilience, and community.
The Cardinal concluded the Mass with a special blessing for all attendees, reinforcing the parish’s enduring legacy of faith, devotion, and community spirit.
After the final blessing, a report of the full year was presented by the Convenor of the 400 Jubilee Celebration Committee, Mrs. Jesica Vales, highlighting the various spiritual and community activities held throughout the Jubilee year. This was followed by the release of a special song composed by SFX Music Academy for the 400-year celebration, which was unveiled by the Cardinal and beautifully sung by Myron Lucas. The Cardinal also felicitated Alisha Pereira and Agnelo Braganza for the beautiful logo design, which became the emblem of the 400 Years Jubilee Celebration and was used throughout the year for different celebrations, and Presley Dcosta for his artistic painting talents used at the Divine Mercy Chapel.
The memorable evening concluded with dinner and cake for the faithful, fostering a spirit of fellowship and gratitude. The clergy and members of the Panchayat were graciously served a sumptuous meal sponsored by Filomena’s Kitchen Restaurant. This grand celebration marked the culmination of a year-long journey of gratitude, unity, and faith—a testament to 400 years of Christianity in Chicalim and the enduring spiritual heritage of its people.
