Feast of St Francis of Assisi, Colvale

Sunday, 18 September 2011

Feast of St Francis of Assisi, Colvale

Feast of St Francis of Assisi, 18th Sept. 2011
Colvale Goa

..and I thought there was only one church of the Saint in Goa i.e. at Old Goa (next to Se Cathedral). The only other place we saw the Saint (Francis de Assisi) was at the annual 'Santamchem Pursanv' at Goa-Velha.
Lot more I learnt about the Saint today.
Actually, I always got confused with the two Saints names 'St. Francis de Assisi and St. Francis Xavier
- Born in Italy 1182 and died in 1226 (Oct.3).
Where as St. Francis Xavier born in Spain 1506 and died 1552
- While at School we used to sing a popular hymn "Make me a channel of your peace.."
which I now know was actually the paryer of the Saint (see quote below)
- I also got confused every time it was talked about 'Franciscan order' which I always thought of SFX.

Colvale
I have been to this place for the first time.
Very beautiful or scenic Colvale.
The Church is just on the Chapora river bank.
Infact, there are steps behind the church leading to the river.
The rear section of the Church can only be seen from the river in a boat or from across the river

The feast of Patron Saint St. Francis de Assisi celebrated today.
18th Sept.2001.

The Saint was the lover of nature inlcuding birds and animals.
One can see two birds perched on his hands (see video).
It was said that the Saint could see God through this wildlife.

The Prayer of the Saint
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.