MAPUSA
As reservoirs continued to shrink, many Goans turned not to weather forecasts but to faith, reviving age-old rituals that had largely faded from public memory.
The delayed and erratic monsoon has raised concern across the State, with farmers unable to begin cultivation, water levels in dams falling steadily, and the government closely monitoring the situation.
Amid the uncertainty, villagers in different parts of Goa have brought back traditional practices once followed during long dry spells, seeking divine intervention for much-needed rain.
SINQUERIM PROCESSION
In Sinquerim, residents gathered at St Lawrence Church and held a penitential procession carrying stones – a symbolic act of penance and humility. The procession moved uphill towards the helipad area, where devotees assembled near the ‘Gorvam Rakneacho Khuris’ and offered special prayers for rain.
The prayers were dedicated to St Anthony of Padua and the local patron St Lawrence. Participants carried statues of the saints while reciting prayers, hoping their intercession would bring relief from the prolonged dry spell.
For many, the ritual was not just a religious observance but a return to a tradition they had only heard about from elders.
“This was not done for a very long time, probably because the rains always arrived on time. The last time I remember such a procession was when I was around eight years old. Today I am 51,” said Adolfina Thamm, a resident of Sinquerim.
“The rains have been delayed and the heat has been unbearable. Perhaps that prompted parishioners to revive this old tradition,” she added.
CORJUEM MARCH
A similar scene was witnessed in Corjuem village in Aldona, where residents carried stones on their heads in a penitential march from Mae de Deus Chapel to the historic Corjuem Fort.
The procession ended at a holy cross within the fort premises, where special prayers were offered for the return of the monsoon.
Villagers said the custom has been followed for generations whenever rainfall failed, and continues to be observed with deep faith and devotion.
The procession also saw the participation of local MLA Carlos Ferreira, who joined devotees in carrying the statue of St Anthony.
Residents recalled that in earlier decades, such processions were organised whenever dry spells threatened agriculture and water supplies. The rituals, they said, reflected a collective appeal to St Anthony, regarded by many Catholics as the saint who helps recover what is lost.
FAITH AND HOPE
Historian Prof Sanjeev Sardesai said the Corjuem procession is deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of the island village.
“The procession from Mae de Deus Chapel to Corjuem Fort is part of the village’s historical and cultural memory. Recently, when reports suggested that rain-bearing clouds had disappeared, people turned to St Anthony, the saint of lost and found, praying for the lost clouds to return,” Sardesai said.
He noted that the tradition goes beyond religious boundaries and is often supported by people of different faiths.
For many villagers, carrying stones uphill was less about seeking a miracle and more about reaffirming a centuries-old belief that collective prayer can bring hope in uncertain times.
