Feast of St. Anthony at the Sant Anton Chapel, Deusua
The second week in June brings forth two phenomena. The first of recent origin, the second, a tradition: monsoon showers and St Anthony’s feast respectively. And while the former is influenced by changing climatic conditions (there was time when the rains would set in mid-May itself) the latter is universal.
On June 14th the sleepy village of Deusua, in South Goa, wakes up to a feast-filled atmosphere. It is afterall the feast of the patron saint of the 3 century-old (it was constructed before 1610) chapel: St Anthony and therefore a definite cause to celebrate.
“St Anthony is the patron of Portugal, of travellers, of pregnant and barren women and of the poor. He is also invoked for the receiving of lost articles and by people in danger of shipwreck,” informs Fr Pascal Alfonso, the chaplain of the chapel. In honour of the Saint, novenas are held regularly, every Tuesday in the entire year. “St Anthony died on 13th June-a Tuesday,” justifies Fr Alfonso. In a view of the feast the novenas are held for 12 days commencing on June 2.
On the day of the celebration the mood is charged with fervour and fun. “ the last purumethanchi fest for the season, is held after the High Mass. This means this is the last venue for salt fish (of course you can get it at the markets too),” states Fr Alfonso.
Describing the chapel’s celebration Fr Alfonso adds “ The high mass is followed by a procession. This is where the weather comes into play. If it rains, the procession is held within the chapel itself, but if the weather is fine then it is held in the courtyard of the chapel.” However, on most feast days the clouds have burst forth in all their glory. For the farmers who invoke the saint for the rain, this of course is a wonderful sign.
St Anthony is most noted for 13 great miracles. At various sites in Goa he is considered to have performed miracles too, and from the numerous miracles already registered, his most celebrated statutes are located at Goa Velha, Siolim, Bastora, Deusua, Daman and Old Goa. St Anthony is also an communidades in Goa and his name has been inscribed in the ‘Roll of Gaunkars’. He receives jono regularly.
Coming back to the village of Deusua, it is noteworthy that the feast of St Anthony is celebrated every year by a certain Vangodd of the parish i.e. a group of people belonging to the certain area (originally) of the village, who share the same surname (stemming from a common original occupation).
The chapel has eight vangodds- Pinto, Barreto, Ribeiro, Ferrao, Correia-Viegas, Leitao, Furtardo Laceida Silva and Ferreira. This year it is the turn of the Leitao’s to organise the feast.
So, as Deusua spruces up for Sunday, and prayers and favours are invoked from the saint- famous for the cord, book and snake- all that comes to one’s mind is-Happy Feast!!
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