Team Goemkarponn
OLD GOA: The annual Chrism Mass of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman was celebrated at the Se Cathedral, Old Goa, on March 26 at 10 am, with Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao presiding over the solemn liturgy along with Auxiliary Bishop Simião Purificação Fernandes, Bishop Alex Dias, Bishop Emeritus of Port Blair, Bishop-elect of Sindhudurg Most Rev Agnelo Pinheiro, and priests from across the archdiocese.
The Chrism Mass, a significant annual celebration, reflects the bond between the Bishop, priests and the faithful. During the Mass, the Oil of the Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick were blessed, while the Holy Chrism was consecrated. These oils will be used for administering sacraments throughout the Archdiocese during the coming year.
During the celebration, priests renewed the promises made at their ordination, reaffirming their commitment to serve under the guidance of the Bishop. The faithful were also urged to pray for priests and for the Archbishop in his pastoral mission.
In his homily, Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao highlighted the need to be instruments of peace in a disturbed world. He said true peace flows from the love of Christ and emphasised three dimensions of Christ’s love — caring love, sacrificial love and compassionate love. He urged priests and faithful to remain humble, open to dialogue, attentive listeners and persons of prayer in order to promote peace.
The celebration concluded with the release of the Pastoral Diary for the coming year by Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao, Auxiliary Bishop Simião Fernandes and Bishop Alex Dias. Prepared by the Pastoral Secretariat, the diary outlines major events and serves as a roadmap for the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. A book of prayer services was also released on the occasion.
