Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goan community in Swindon came together in a vibrant display of faith and unity to celebrate the 11th annual Feast of Our Lady of Merces, continuing a tradition that began in 2014. What started as a modest effort to hold monthly Konkani masses has grown into one of the most cherished cultural events for Goans living in the region.
The celebration traces its roots to the early initiative of Paulo Dias, who first proposed organising the feast in Swindon. At the time, Konkani mass was held once a month, with the priest travelling from St. Peter’s Church in West Swindon to Holy Rood Church in the north. As these services became more regular on the second Sunday of each month, the community saw an opportunity to observe the annual feast locally, bringing Goans together in prayer and fellowship.
In the first years, families originally from Merces and now residing in Swindon joined hands, contributing funds and support to organise the feast mass along with a traditional dine and dance celebration. This collective effort helped recreate the familiar warmth of festivities back in Goa, giving the diaspora a sense of home even while miles away.
The 2025 celebration held special significance, as the community brought in a statue of Our Lady of Merces for the first time, adding deeper meaning to the occasion. The statue is set to remain central to future celebrations, strengthening the spiritual connection and cultural continuity among Goans in the area.
Over more than a decade, the annual feast has grown into a symbol of unity and shared heritage, drawing families together to celebrate faith, culture, and tradition. The organisers expressed pride in how the event has evolved and reaffirmed their commitment to keeping the celebration alive in the years ahead.
Pictures from this year’s festivities capture the strong spirit of togetherness that continues to define the Merces feast in Swindon.
