St. Francis Xavier Feast celebrated by Catholic Konkani Community in Kuwait

St. Francis Xavier Feast celebrated by Catholic Konkani Community in Kuwait



It was Sunday, 5th December 2010 and this day will go in the annals of the Holy Family Cathedral and the Catholic faithful in Kuwait. Reason: Just because something has always been done the same way does not mean that it can’t be improved upon. The meticulous arrangements for celebrating a feast dedicated to St. Francis Xavier who is the Patron Saint for Goans, Indians, Chinese, the Filipinos and the Sri Lankans alike. This happened for the very first time in Kuwait, when the Catholic Konkani Community put in a word across with the Goan and Mangalorean community Konkani speaking faithful. Atonishingly from a few individuals, almost all the Goan social, cultural and sports organizations joined in with some going as individual patrons to support the feast. The more-than-usual crowd of faithful thronged the HFC cathedral for the Konkani masses held at 3:15 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. celebrated by Fr. Gaspar Fernandes and Fr.John Harry D'Souza, and Deacon Sylvester D'Souza equally participating in the proceedings. The mass readings, arrangements, and the offeratory was done with the consent of all the participating clubs and individuals among themselves.

The Konkani choir has to be congratulated for the excellent hymns conducted to the accompaniment of music giving it a serene touch. After the two Eucharistic celebrations, holy pictures of St. Francis Xavier were distributed wherein a brief biography of the saint, the prayer printed in Konkani (romi as well as kanada script (konkani)) and English was a delight to carry home. An individually wrapped snack box was also distributed to sweeten the tastebuds for the evening. It has been decided that this feast will be celebrated annually and collectively by the Konkani speaking community and all are invited to join in to garner the blessings of the Almighty. The celebrations has received a warm outpouring of ‘tearful surprises and comments’ from the attendees as this was an unique opportunity for them to be part of the festive moods and joint prayers.

Among the Goans who contributed towards the success of this feast including AVC Overseas Sports & Cultural Association, Catholic Konkani Commuinity, Club 9, Colva United Centre, CRC Chinchinim Sports Club, Curtorcares United Club, Don Bosco Oratory, Goan Overseas Association, Goan Cultural Centre (GCC-Kuwait ), Goan Welfare Society, Kuwait Goan Association, Kuwait-Goa Tiatristanchi Sonstha (KGTS), Navelim Youth Centre, United Goans Centre, and the families of Dominic Pereira, Francis Rodrigues, Gaspar Almeida, Tome Levino Gracias, Ulysess Menezes, Victor Almeida, Vincent/Ida Fernandes and John/Naty.  For pictures, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGJYoPXLrqs 


Photos by: Prem D'Costa