The Catechetical Unit of Mapusa deanery in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, organised Saints.com – Discover the Saints; Know Their Congregation, a day-long programme on the Solemnity of All Saints, November 1st, at St Mary’s Convent High School, Mapusa, bringing together children to explore the lives, virtues and contributions of the saints. This year, each Catechetical Unit of the Mapusa deanery has chosen founders and reformers of the religious Congregation. Saints com is the initiative of Fr Luis Gomes, when he was serving the Parish of Mapusa as a Assistant to the Parish Priest.
Our Lady of Succour Church, Socorro, was declared as winner where as St Francis Xavier Church , Duler and St Jerome’s Church, Mapusa were the 1st Runner-up and 2nd Runner -up respectively in the programme, Saints.Com which was held from 8 am to 5 pm. The programme commenced with the inaugural Eucharistic Celebration and a short inaugural function. Bishop Simião Fernandes, Auxiliary Bishop of Goa and Daman, presided over the Eucharistic Celebration.
In his homily, Bishop Fernandes encouraged the children to embrace holiness through the examples of saints such as St John Bosco, St Maria Goretti, St Martin de Porres, St Rose of Lima, St Thérèse of the Child Jesus and St Carlo Acutis. Reflecting on the Beatitudes, he emphasised purity of heart, mercy, forgiveness and sacrifice, reminding them that holiness grows through small acts of love and service. He also encouraged the children to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and participate in the Eucharistic Celebration daily, especially during their holidays.
The programme aimed to create awareness about the lives of the saints, their virtues, contributions and the religious congregations to which they belonged. A variety of creative activities enabled the participants to express their understanding of holiness through writing, art, music, dance and drama.
The activities included Verses of Holiness (poem writing), The Written Legacy (essay writing), The Saint Speaks (monologue), Moments of Grace (enactment), Saints in Bloom (art using natural materials) and A Living Legacy (exhibition stall).
Following lunch, the programme continued with Dance the Charism and A Hymn for the Saint, providing further opportunities for participants to celebrate the spirituality and charisms of the saints through dance and music.
The day concluded with the distribution of the prizes. Overall winners were presented their prizes at the hands of Fr Peter Gama, Dean of Mapusa Deanery in the presence of priests and nuns. While proposing a vote of thanks Fr Aestrony Da Costa animator of the Catechetical Unit of Mapusa Deanery appealed to the children, Catechists and parents to take Saints as models to witness Christ and said that Saints.com, is an opportunity for all of us to know the life and teachings of the saints and become holy.
Saints.com provided an opportunity for children to discover the richness of the Church’s spiritual heritage and learn about the diverse religious congregations inspired by the saints. By bringing these congregations together on one platform, the programme encouraged participants to appreciate their distinctive charisms while recognising their shared mission within the Church.
The programme conveyed its central message through the theme: “Many Saints… Many Congregations… One Church!”
By Melissa Simoes, Mapusa
Images credit – Emma Fernandes, Mapusa
