-Brian Mendonça
On the first of January 2019 we were determined to go
to the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa for Mass. Rovina helpfully shared the
timings with us. The services were as on Sundays, viz. 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 9.30
a.m. and 10. 15 a.m. (English) There was also a Mass in the evening at 6.15
p.m.
We opted for the 10.15 a.m. English Mass. We took the
scenic riverside route via Ribandar. The cool morning air on the first day of
the New Year made us feel good about life.
As we negotiated the Ribandar causeway from Panjim we
saw the hulks of barges lurking in the river downstream. In the not-too-distant
past, we recalled how majestically they used to shuttle the Mandovi river
ferrying iron ore to and fro. While others were celebrating like there was no
tomorrow, the barges made us realize what difficulties people who don’t have
jobs might be facing. For them and their families the New Year could only bring
hope for a better tomorrow.
The fluidity of the water made time and space fluid.
After all, water was one of the four elements – the others being air, fire and
earth. All seemed to be in consonance with the cosmos.
We reached the Basilica as people were emerging from
the earlier Mass. I sent Queenie and Dwayne on to take their place in church. I
was eyeing a place to park near the entrance to the Basilica. It seemed a bit
of a squeeze as I had to manoeuvre between two parked cars. The car on my left
seemed about to pull out as the passengers got in.
Just as the driver was about to reverse and leave,
someone from another car came across, wished him and started a
conversation. By doing so he was
directly in the path of my car. In the distance, I heard the strains of the
opening hymn. Mass had entered. Exasperated by their behaviour I snuck my car
in the gap – the offending gent moving hastily out of the way. I avoided the
glare of the driver.
The beautiful service was said by a young Jesuit priest. At
the end of the Mass he shared how Jesuits were encouraged to cultivate a
devotion to a saint. Because of his various trips to India and his familiarity
with the life of St. Francis Xavier, the priest had chosen St. Francis to be his
saint. And today on the first of January he said, ‘This is my first Mass in
this church. This is a very special moment for me to say this Mass, with the
body of St. Francis here.’ The priest preached on the life of Mary, since the
day celebrated the solemnity of the Mother of God. Since 1 January was also
observed as the world day for peace, he spoke on the need for peace in our
times.
But as we made our way home at Ribandar we saw a bald
scooterist who had been stopped by a burly middle-aged man who was slapping him
repeatedly.
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Published in Gomantak Times Weekender, Panaji, Goa on Sunday, 6 January 2019.
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