Feast of Three Kings
Reis Magos Church
6th January 2006
Photos exclusive for Goa-World.Com
By John Chandler
click on the thumbnail images for larger ones
THREE KINGS FEAST - CANSAULIM
Cansaulim celebrates feast
PANJIM, JAN 6 — 2004
HERALD NEWS DESK
— The Annual Feast of Our Lady of Remedies, Cansaulim was celebrated on Tuesday
with a great pomp and gratitude. The Three Kings Edwin Gracious from Cansaulim,
Bevan Antao from Arrosim and Giban Valadres from Quelim came on horse dressed as
Kings. For the last 10 years the horse ridders from Belgaum Lal Bahadur Shanaz
and R Gurudas are getting the horses to this place. Fr Nelson Colaso Parish
Priest of Cansaulim narrated on his views that this feast was being celebrated
for last 300 years.Nearly 12,000 devotees from all walks of life attended this
feast.
http://www.oherald.com/
FESTA DOS REIS
INTRODUCTION
Goa, the Rome of the East, is a deeply religious place abundantly blessed with
churches, temples, chapels and wayside crosses. Perched high on a hill in
Quelim, Salcete, stands the tiny centuries-old stone chapel of Nossa Senhora
dos Remedios (Our Lady of Cures). The incomparably beautiful statue of the
Madonna is seen holding the Child Jesus in open arm and a small vase in the
other, which has in it the panacea for all ills. The Lady of the Mount is
famous for her wondrous protection and miracles and is also reputed to be the
giver of children to sterile mothers. She is covered with jewelry as tokens of
gratitude by Catholics and Hindus alike for favors and blessings received. The
chapel as well as the image are very ancient and are steeped in historical
associations, traditions, and legends.
Every year thousands of devotees congregate at the stone chapel of Nossa
Senhora dos Reis to offer prayers of thanksgiving to Our Lady of Immaculate
Conception-a lighthouse of faith and courage to its people. High mass is
offered on the day of Epiphany and it is a time to rejoice and revel.
HISTORY
Some say the Jesuits built this place of worship during the religious
persecution that raged Goa during the time of the Marques de Pombal. This fact
seems to be borne out by the subterranean passage found in the chapel that
terminates about a mile away in a huge boulder with six secret openings
through which, it is believed, that the faithful entered. These caves were
later used by tigers and panthers as lairs. Another boulder on a nearby hill
is clearly stamped with two baby footprints and those of an adult, together
with a trough carved out of the rock which, legend says, marks the spot where
the Virgin rested with the Infant while the horse that brought them quenched
its thirst, before proceeding to Hill of Remedies where she chose to remain.
Accounts differ however, and some historians state that the site now occupied
by the Chapel of Remedios was once the site of a Hindu temple. Perhaps this is
why a large number of Hindu devotees make the yearly pilgrimage to the Mount
to worship the Madonna, bringing with them offerings of flowers, incense, and
candles.
The Hill of Remedios is situated at such a dizzy height that you can
practically see the whole of Goa nestling around in a panoramic picture at its
feet. The chapel itself is the Goan mariner. s lighthouse of faith, hope and
courage-a sort of friendly beacon that he eagerly looks towards for guidance
and security in life. s tempests. Surrounded as it is by the curious curves
and shapes of maiden mountains, by waving and whispering palms, the softness
of golden sands, the endless changing moods of sea and sky, and the bewitching
magic of the chaste sun and moon, this sanctuary is truly the realm of mystic
beauty, the Abode of the Gods, and one of perfect peace. One seems nearer to
Heaven in this hallowed spot, and the sublime and child-like faith in the Lady
of Cures by her ardent devotees makes you leave the hill richer in mind and
spirit.
CELEBRATIONS
It is on the Festa dos Reis or the Epiphany on January 6 that this isolated
hill and chapel suddenly spring to life and activity. Through the year, the
whole place lies closed and forgotten like some medieval castle under a
magician. s spell. Nine days before the Feast of the Novena starts, the hill
revives and resounds to human voices and feet. Come early dawn, kettledrums
and the blare of trumpets, loud enough to raise the dead, announce to the
sleepy little neighboring villages that the day of rejoicing and festivity is
high. The tolling bells call the faithful to prayer and devotees visit the
shrine in a non-stop stream. There. s now an excellent road winding its way up
the steep hill right to the door of the chapel, making the ascent possible by
car. Most devotees however, prefer to climb up and though tired and
breathless, arrive at the shrine offering the fatigues of the journey as
penance and atonement for their sins. You will find even the very old and
infirm making their way up for nine consecutive days to hear Mass and recite
the rosary before the Lady of the Blue Mantle. Many come to offer their thanks
for wishes fulfilled. They are invariably preceded by the drummer-boy with his
kettledrum who, by the loud beat of his drum, announces of another favor
having being granted by the Lady of Remedios.
The dramatic climax is reached on January 6, the day of the Feast of the Magi,
when three little boys ranging in years from 8 to 10 are selected as kings
from the three neighboring villages of Quelim, Cansaulim and Arrosim to bring
their gifts of gold, myrrh, and frankincense to the Child-God. Throughout the
year expectations and excitement run high as to who will be the fortunate ones
chosen as it must be either a son or grandson from these three villages; no
outsider can claim this privilege or honor. To be a king, if only for a day is
no joke, so the young monarchs take meticulous care to groom themselves for
the exacting role. Meanwhile, on the Mount, the crowds gather from all parts
of Goa to attend the Mass and get a glimpse of the three kings. If you go up
by car and are early enough to secure some parking place for it, you will
probably find yourself the last to leave as you discover to your despair that
you are fenced in on all sides by hundreds of other vehicles! An extensive
fair also springs up covering the entire hilltop. You can buy anything from a
meal to copper and brassware, furniture, clothes, toys, trinkets, sweetmeats,
glass bangles and spices of all sorts.
As the crowd grows, so does the fever of excitement, until it is time for the
High Mass and the arrival of the kings. The surging and trampling devotees
congregate on the hill. s edge to watch the three kings from three different
routes make their appearance. Mounted on white horses, they make their way up,
outfitted in their royal garments elaborately embroidered in gold and silver,
a crown studded with glittering stones on their heads, and a whole procession
of relatives, friends, retinues bringing up the rear. Each procession is
preceded by a brass band played as loud as it can to drown the sound of the
two rivals! To add to the confusion, crackers are burst all the way up. The
crowd in a frenzy of enthusiasm hails the Magi with a deafening ovation. The
kings dismount from their white steeds, and are solemnly led to the special
seats of honor reserved for them to assist at the High Mass. After the
service, they are led down with the same traditional ceremony with which they
were brought up the hill. The whole picturesque scene is a color-drenched
dream of ancient pomp, pageantry and glory. Uneasy lies that head that wears
the crown, and the sovereigns, after a tiring and tough day of homage and
attention, gladly turn over their regal robes and responsibilities for their
carefree garments and lifestyles.
SPOOKY STORIES
A curious feature of the festival on the Mount is that after midday, you will
not find a single soul anywhere near by. The staggering and swelling crowds
disappear as mysteriously as the huge giant fair, within a few hours, while
the flags, buntings and other fanciful decorations are all removed. Since no
priest consents to reside in the parochial house, the chapel is closed till
the next annual feast. During the year should any devotee wants a mass of
thanksgiving to be said at the shrine, he goes up with the priest. The reason
for this fear of the Mount is the belief that the place is haunted by Shivaji
and his army who after dusk make their appearance with flares that light up
the whole countryside around, which echoes to their marching feet. A gruesome
murder that took place on the site a few years back involving two lovers also
adds a sinister background to Shivaji's ghost!
Photos of
the Three (young) Kings processions at Cansaulim
Photos by Menino Menezes. Copyrights reserved.
FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS
Centre of Celebration : The Church of Our Lady of the Mount
Date: 6th of January
Perched high on a hill in Quelim, Salcete, stands the tiny centuries-old stone chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Remedios or Our Lady of Cures. The incomparably beautiful statue of the Madonna is seen holding the Child Jesus in open arm and a small vase in the other, which has in it the panacea for all ills.
A Festivity For Both Christians And
Hindus
The Lady of the Mount is famous for her
wondrous protection and miracles and is also reputed to be the giver of children
to sterile mothers. On the day of the festivity She is covered with jewellery as
tokens of gratitude by Catholics and Hindus alike for favors and blessings
received. The chapel as well as the image are very ancient and are steeped in
historical associations, traditions, and legends.
Every year thousands of devotees congregate at the stone chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Reis to offer prayers of thanksgiving to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception - a lighthouse of faith and courage to its people. High mass is offered on the day of Epiphany and it is a time to rejoice and partying.
History
Some say the Jesuits built this place of
worship during the religious persecution that raged Goa during the time of the
Marques de Pombal. This fact seems to be borne out by the subterranean passage
found in the chapel that terminates about a mile away in a huge boulder with six
secret openings through which, it is believed, that the faithful entered. These
caves were later used by tigers and panthers as lairs.
Legend
According to a legend another boulder on a
nearby hill is clearly stamped with two baby footprints and those of an adult,
together with a trough carved out of the rock which, marks the spot where the
Virgin rested with the Infant while the horse that brought them quenched its
thirst, before proceeding to Hill of Remedies where she chose to remain.
However, some historians state that the site now occupied by the Chapel of Remedios was once the site of a Hindu temple. Perhaps that's the reason why a large number of Hindu devotees make the yearly pilgrimage to the Mount to worship the Madonna, bringing with them offerings of flowers, incense, and candles.
The Hill of Remedios is situated at such a dizzy height that one can practically see the whole of Goa nestling around in a panoramic picture at its feet. The chapel itself is the Goan mariner's lighthouse of faith, hope and courage.
Surrounded by the curious curves and shapes of maiden mountains, by waving and whispering palms, the softness of golden sands, the endless changing moods of sea and sky, and the bewitching magic of the chaste sun and moon, this sanctuary is truly the realm of mystic beauty, the Abode of the Gods, and one of perfect peace. One seems nearer to Heaven in this hallowed spot, and the sublime and child-like faith in the Lady of Cures by her ardent devotees makes you leave the hill richer in mind and spirit.
The Festivities
It is on the Festa dos Reis or the Epiphany
on January 6 that the isolated Hill of Remedios and chapel suddenly spring to
life and activity. After staying almost whole year in isolation, just nine days
before the Feast of the Novena starts, the hill revives and resounds to human
voices and feet. Come early dawn, kettledrums and the blare of trumpets,
announce to the sleepy little neighboring villages that the day of rejoicing and
festivity has arrived.
The tolling bells call the faithful to prayer and devotees visit the shrine in a non-stop stream. There's now an excellent road winding its way up the steep hill right to the door of the chapel, making the ascent possible by car. Still, most of the devotees prefer to climb up hill. Even the very old and infirm make their way up for nine consecutive days to hear Mass and recite the Rosary before the Lady of the Blue Mantle. Many come to offer their thanks for fulfilling their wishes. The devotees are always lead by a drummer-boy with his kettledrum who, by the loud beat of his drum, announces of another favor having being granted by the Lady of Remedios.
The Three Kings
The dramatic climax is reached on January 6,
the day of the Feast of the Magi, when three little boys ranging in years from 8
to 10 are selected as kings from the three neighboring villages of Quelim,
Cansaulim and Arrosim to bring their gifts of gold, myrrh, and frankincense to
the Child-God. Throughout the year expectations and excitement run high as to
who will be the fortunate ones chosen as it must be either a son or grandson
from these three villages; no outsider can claim this privilege or honor.
To be a king, if only for a day is no joke, so the young monarchs take meticulous care to groom themselves for the exacting role. Meanwhile, on the Mount, the crowds gather from all parts of Goa to attend the Mass and get a glimpse of the three kings. An extensive fair also springs up covering the entire hilltop. One can buy anything from a meal to copper and brassware, furniture, clothes, toys, trinkets, sweetmeats, glass bangles and spices of all sorts.
The Ceremony
The surging and trampling devotees congregate on the hill's edge to watch the
three kings from three different routes make their appearance. Mounted on white
horses, they make their way up, outfitted in their royal garments elaborately
embroidered in gold and silver, a crown studded with glittering stones on their
heads, and a whole procession of relatives, friends, retinues bringing up the
rear.
Each procession is preceded by a brass band played as loud music and bursting of crackers all the way up. The crowd in a frenzy of enthusiasm hails the Magi with a deafening ovation. The kings dismount from their white steeds, and are solemnly led to the special seats of honor reserved for them to assist at the High Mass.
After the service, they are led down with the same traditional ceremony with which they were brought up the hill. The whole picturesque scene is a color-drenched dream of ancient pomp, pageantry and glory.
A Belief
A curious feature of the festival on the Mount is that after midday, one will
not find a single soul anywhere near by. The staggering and swelling crowds
disappear as mysteriously as the huge giant fair, within a few hours, while the
flags, buntings and other fanciful decorations are all removed.
Since no priest consents to reside in the parochial house, the chapel is closed till the next annual feast. During the year should any devotee wants a mass of thanksgiving to be said at the shrine, he goes up with the priest. The reason for this fear of the Mount is the belief that the place is haunted by Shivaji and his army who after dusk make their appearance with flares that light up the whole countryside around, which echoes to their marching feet.
Watch the noisy arrival of the
Magi each January in various Christian Goan haunts. This particular Indian
version involves white horses, overly lush costumes and a huge amount of noise
(the local love of fireworks comes into play)... Traditionally, this event is
celebrated in Goa with the three wise men arriving at the local church with
their fragrant gifts on white horses. They are suitably adorned in technicolour
costumes and encouraged by the shouts and pyrotechnics of the hundreds and
hundreds of faithful who always turn up. Celebrations are large at the Church of
Our Lady of the Mount in Old Goa, as well as the church of Reis Magos (where
there is is a big fair), Cansaulim, and the three villages of Chandor (Cavorim,
Guirdolim and Chandor).
Location: Old Goa,
Panjim, Goa
Centre Of Celebration: The Church Of Our Lady Of The Mount
Also Known As: Festa Dos Reis Or The Epiphany Day
Celebrated On: 6th January
Perched high on a hill in Quelim,
Salcete, stands the tiny centuries-old stone chapel of Nossa Senhora dos
Remedios or Our Lady of Cures. The incomparably beautiful statue of the Madonna
is seen holding the Child Jesus in open arm and a small vase in the other, which
has in it the panacea for all ills.
The Lady of the Mount is famous
for her wondrous protection and miracles and is also reputed to be the giver of
children to sterile mothers. On the day of the festivity She is covered with
jewellery as tokens of gratitude by Catholics and Hindus alike for favors and
blessings received. The chapel as well as the image are very ancient and are
steeped in historical associations, traditions, and legends.
Every year thousands of devotees congregate at the stone chapel of Nossa Senhora
dos Reis to offer prayers of thanksgiving to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception -
a lighthouse of faith and courage to its people. High mass is offered on the day
of Epiphany and it is a time to rejoice and partying.
It is on the Festa dos Reis or
the Epiphany on January 6 that the isolated Hill of Remedios and chapel suddenly
spring to life and activity. After staying almost whole year in isolation, just
nine days before the Feast of the Novena starts, the hill revives and resounds
to human voices and feet. Come early dawn, kettledrums and the blare of
trumpets, announce to the sleepy little neighboring villages that the day of
rejoicing and festivity has arrived.
The tolling bells call the faithful to prayer and devotees visit the shrine in a
non-stop stream. There's now an excellent road winding its way up the steep hill
right to the door of the chapel, making the ascent possible by car. Still, most
of the devotees prefer to climb up hill. Even the very old and infirm make their
way up for nine consecutive days to hear Mass and recite the Rosary before the
Lady of the Blue Mantle. Many come to offer their thanks for fulfilling their
wishes. The devotees are always lead by a drummer-boy with his kettledrum who,
by the loud beat of his drum, announces of another favor having being granted by
the Lady of Remedios.
The dramatic climax is reached on
January 6, the day of the Feast of the Magi, when three little boys ranging in
years from 8 to 10 are selected as kings from the three neighboring villages of
Quelim, Cansaulim and Arrosim to bring their gifts of gold, myrrh, and
frankincense to the Child-God. Throughout the year expectations and excitement
run high as to who will be the fortunate ones chosen as it must be either a son
or grandson from these three villages; no outsider can claim this privilege or
honor.
To be a king, if only for a day is no joke, so the young monarchs take
meticulous care to groom themselves for the exacting role. Meanwhile, on the
Mount, the crowds gather from all parts of Goa to attend the Mass and get a
glimpse of the three kings. An extensive fair also springs up covering the
entire hilltop. One can buy anything from a meal to copper and brassware,
furniture, clothes, toys, trinkets, sweetmeats, glass bangles and spices of all
sorts.
The surging and trampling
devotees congregate on the hill's edge to watch the three kings from three
different routes make their appearance. Mounted on white horses, they make their
way up, outfitted in their royal garments elaborately embroidered in gold and
silver, a crown studded with glittering stones on their heads, and a whole
procession of relatives, friends, retinues bringing up the rear.
Each procession is preceded by a brass band played as loud music and bursting of
crackers all the way up. The crowd in a frenzy of enthusiasm hails the Magi with
a deafening ovation. The kings dismount from their white steeds, and are
solemnly led to the special seats of honor reserved for them to assist at the
High Mass.
After the service, they are led down with the same traditional ceremony with
which they were brought up the hill. The whole picturesque scene is a color-drenched
dream of ancient pomp, pageantry and glory.
Lovers of carols and Christmas parties know that this season has 12 days, packed with golden rings, calling birds and various kinds of gentry, musicians and domestic workers. December 25 is Christmas - and 25 minus 12 does equal 13. Do the math and you will see why shopping malls, newspapers, television networks, and other cultural fortresses annually deliver some kind of "Twelve Days of Christmas" blitz, beginning on December 13.
Problem is that for centuries church calendars in the East and the West have agreed that there are twelve days of Christmas and they begin on Christmas Day and end on January 6.
The twelve days of Christmas end with the Feast of Epiphany also called "The Adoration of the Magi" or "The Manifestation of God." Celebrated on January 6, it is known as the day of the Three Kings (or wise men/magi): Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. According to an old legend based on a Bible story, these three kings saw, on the night when Christ was born, a bright star, followed it to Bethlehem and found there the Christchild and presented it with gold, frankincense and myrrh.
January 6, the last day of Christmas, comes with its own traditions, rituals and symbols. Carolers are going from house to house; in many homes the Christmas tree is taken down and in some areas is burnt in a big bonfire. For the children this is an especially joyous occasion because, associated with taking down the tree goes the "plündern" (raiding) of the tree. The sweets, chocolate ornaments wrapped in foil or cookies, which have replaced the sugar plums, are the raiders' rewards.
The history of Christmas, (the festival of the nativity of Jesus Christ,) is intertwined with that of the Epiphany. The commemoration of the Baptism (also called the Day of Lights, i.e. the Illumination of Jesus) was also known as the birthday of Jesus, because he was believed to have been born then of the Virgin or reborn in baptism. In some records Christmas and Epiphany were referred to as the first and second nativity; the second being Christ's manifestation to the world.
In the fourth century, December 25 was finally adopted by the Western Christian Church as the date of the Feast of Christ's birth. It is believed that this change in date gave rise to the tradition of the "12 Days of Christmas." While the Western Christian Church celebrates December 25th, the Eastern Christian Church to this day recognizes January 6 as the celebration of the nativity. January 6 was also kept as the physical birthday in Bethlehem. In the Teutonic west, Epiphany became the Festival of the Three Kings (i.e. the Magi), or simply Twelfth day.
On the evening before Three Kings, traditionally there were prayers, blessed dried herbs would be burnt and their aromatic smell would fill the house. Doorways would be sprinkled with holy water and the master of the house would write with chalk C + M + B and the year above the house and barn door and say: "Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar, behütet uns auch für dieses Jahr, vor Feuer und vor Wassergefahr." ("CMB, protect us again this year from the dangers of fire and water.") C + M + B has traditionally been translated with Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, however, according to the Church it stands for "Christus Mansionem Benedictat" (Christ bless this home).
The custom of the
Star
Singers, reminiscent of the travel of the Three Kings is still very much
alive in Bavaria and Austria. Beginning with New Years and through January 6,
children dressed as the kings, and holding up a large star, go from door to
door, caroling and singing a Three Kings' song. For this they receive money or
sweets. Formerly the collected donations went to unemployed craftsmen and
veterans, today they go to
charities of the church or the Third World.
Oldtimers of Jasper in Indiana still remember the times when January 6 was celebrated. Lillian Doane and her family lived app. 4 miles out of town. Since it was a holy day they would go to church over the corduroy road. Claude and Martina Eckert also remember it as a special day. "People would put their trees out for the city to pick up and then all would be told that six o'clock this evening they would burn the Christmas trees. That was sometime ago; now the city will pick them up and chop them up as mulch. If you chipped in a tree you can get a bag of mulch." For the Reichmanns in Brown County, "Dreikönigsabend" is always a special event. If there are any treats left on the tree (Ruth buys them at the Heidelberg Haus in Indianapolis), the grandchildren come to get them. In the evening there is a big gathering with Christmas foods, Glühwein and Stollen and Christmas carols with Eberhard at the piano.
Ruth M. Reichmann
Max Kade German-American Center, IUPUI
FURTHER RESOURCES by Robert J. Shea
The Feast of the Three Kings is celebrated on the First Sunday of January. The feast is also called "The Epiphany" which commemorates the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi.
They were called Melchor, meaning "king of light", Gaspar, "the white one", and Balthazar, "the lord of treasure". In the Middle Ages, Gaspar was depicted young, Mechor as middle-aged, and Balhtazar as ancient. They came bearing gifts or gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Researched by Gaspar Almeida,
www.goa-world.com
Photos transmitted by: Cecil Pinto
Photographer: Menino Menezes Date: 6th January 2004
Feast of "Three Kings" at Verem
VEREM in Bardez is picturesque village on the northern bank of the Mandovi river. The village was the launching pad for the Fransciskan friars to spread Christiniaty in Bardez. That the village where Frei Joao Noe arrived in 1550 and celebrated the mass on an altar raised there. Today, we know the village because of the traditional feast of "Three Kings" or Reis Magos, celebrated on January 6.
Once upon a time, it was one of the major feasts in Bardez, and there would be a fair which last for three days or more. The pomp and pageantry during the feast as watered down in recent years, and even the church was in need of repairs badly. Fundacao Oriente, Goa, came to the rescue of the parishioners and helped carry out some conservation work at the age-old church.
The feast is also celebrated in South Goa by the parishes of Cansaulim and Chandor. We, however, give below a few pictures clicked on the day of the feast at Verem.