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Goa's Lent Procession: A 400-Year-Old Spectacle
23 Mar
Summary
- The procession, over 400 years old, started with 65 statues, reduced to 25 by 1868.
- The unique 'Santachem Pursanv' is a penitential Lenten practice, not a feast.
- Devotees seek blessings by touching the Veil of Veronica, an ancient sacred relic.
The village of Goa Velha, near Panaji, annually hosts a unique Lenten procession known as 'Santachem Pursanv'. This tradition, dating back over 400 years, originated from Pilar with the Franciscan Capuchins.
Initially featuring 65 statues, the number dwindled to 25 by 1868 when the procession moved to Goa Velha. Since then, six more statues have been added, reflecting a continuous evolution. Despite growing demand for more statues, including popular saints, the tradition emphasizes its penitential nature.
Parish priest Fr Antonio Albuquerque stresses that 'Santachem Pursanv' is not a feast but a solemn Lenten observance. The procession's original focus was on Jesus and his cross, with saints serving as models for devotees.
The procession was disrupted in 1835 when religious orders were expelled, leading to neglect and vandalism of religious imagery. It eventually restarted in 1868 from St Andrew's Church in Goa Velha with 25 tableaux.
Today, the procession includes a diverse range of saints, some well-known and others less so, with recent additions like St Andrew in 1981 and St Joseph Vaz in 2009. Life-size statues, some weighing up to 200kg, are carried by devotees.
Central to the event is the Veil of Veronica, believed to be a relic bearing the divine imprint of Jesus's face. Devotees eagerly try to touch this sacred artifact, a practice with deep historical roots and strong faith.
