Category: #faith

#faith

From Raia to Sindhudurg: Fr. Agnelo Pinheiro Named Bishop by Pope Leo XIV

Tanisha Cardozo

From the serene village of Raia in South Goa to the episcopal seat of Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, the journey of Fr. Agnelo Pinheiro has now entered a historic new chapter. Pope Leo XIV has appointed the priest of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman as the Bishop of the Diocese of Sindhudurg, with the announcement made on 14 February 2026. The news has been received with joy and gratitude in Raia and across the Goan Catholic community.

Born on 6 July 1972 in Raia, Fr. Agnelo’s path to priesthood was marked early by academic excellence and a deep sense of vocation. After completing his SSC in 1988, he entered the minor seminary and continued his higher secondary education in Mapusa, securing fourth rank in the Goa State XII Board Examination in 1990. He began his priestly formation at the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol in 1991 and completed a degree in Psychology with distinction at St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa.

Ordained on 28 October 2000, he first served as Assistant Parish Priest at St. Alex Church, Calangute. He later underwent pastoral training at the Pastoral Institute St. Pius X in Old Goa. His intellectual pursuit led him to obtain a Master’s Degree in Philosophy from Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune, in 2004, after which he was appointed Professor of Philosophy at Rachol Seminary. His academic journey extended to Rome, where he pursued doctoral studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University between 2013 and 2016.

Upon returning to Goa, he resumed teaching at Rachol Seminary and also served as Parochial Administrator of St. Joseph’s Church, Dramapur, from June 2022 to May 2023. Since 2018, he has been entrusted with the Apostolate of Inter-Religious Dialogue in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, playing a key role in promoting harmony and mutual respect among different faith communities.

He now takes charge of the Diocese of Sindhudurg, established in 2005 and comprising 43 parishes with nearly 36,000 Catholics. The diocese spans Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts and parts of Kolhapur district in Maharashtra, with strong historical and cultural ties to Goa. The episcopal seat had been vacant since October 2024, and this appointment brings renewed leadership and direction to the diocese.

As Raia celebrates one of its sons being called to shepherd a diocese, the faithful of Sindhudurg prepare to welcome a bishop shaped by scholarship, pastoral dedication and a commitment to dialogue. From Raia to Sindhudurg, the journey continues — guided by faith, service and a call to lead.

#faith

Babreshwar Jatra at Calangute: Faith, Festivity and the Spirit of the Banana Festival

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Sakshi Aiwale

Babreshwar Jatra at Calangute is one of those celebrations where faith is not just practiced but lived collectively. Each year, the jatra draws devotees from across the region, transforming the temple surroundings into a space filled with prayer, reverence, and vibrant cultural energy.

From the early hours, devotees gather to participate in live rituals and traditional prayers, creating an atmosphere charged with devotion. The sounds of chants, the sight of offerings, and the steady flow of people reflect the deep-rooted belief associated with Babreshwar, a deity revered for protection, blessings, and guidance. Families, elders, and youth alike come together, reinforcing the strong sense of community that defines the jatra.

A distinctive highlight of the Babreshwar Jatra is the Banana Festival, a ritual that sets this celebration apart. Devotees offer bananas with great respect, expressing gratitude for blessings received and seeking divine grace for the future. The simplicity of the offering carries profound meaning, symbolising humility, abundance, and unwavering faith. Rows of bananas offered at the temple become a powerful visual representation of collective devotion.

Beyond the rituals, the jatra is also a celebration of tradition and cultural continuity. Local customs, shared meals, and the gathering of neighbours and families strengthen social bonds, turning the event into a living expression of Goa’s spiritual heritage. It is a time when faith transcends individual belief and becomes a shared experience.

Babreshwar Jatra at Calangute stands as a beautiful blend of devotion, tradition, and cultural unity—where every prayer, every offering, and every gathering reinforces the enduring connection between faith and community.

#faith

Baina Khapreshwar Saunsthan Offers New Silver Turban Worth ₹5.50 Lakh to Dev Khapreshwar

allycaralgoa

The Baina Khapreshwar Saunsthan committee has offered a newly crafted silver turban (Feto) weighing 2.170 kilograms and valued at approximately ₹5.50 lakh to Dev Khapreshwar, marking a significant moment of devotion and cultural pride for the local community.

The offering reflects the enduring faith of devotees and the Saunsthan’s commitment to preserving age-old traditions associated with the revered deity. The silver turban has been meticulously crafted, symbolising respect, reverence, and gratitude towards Dev Khapreshwar.

Such ceremonial offerings form an integral part of Goa’s rich religious and cultural landscape, where faith is expressed not only through prayer but also through sacred artefacts and rituals handed down through generations. The presentation of the new Feto stands as a testament to the strong bond between the temple, its devotees, and the surrounding community.

Members of the Saunsthan committee expressed that the offering was made with the collective blessings and support of devotees, reinforcing the spiritual and cultural significance of the shrine. The event drew attention from locals who viewed the offering as a moment of pride and devotion for Baina and neighbouring areas.

#faith

Ecumenical Fellowship at Pilar Seminary Celebrates Unity in Christ

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Elvis Fernandes

In a heartwarming expression of faith and togetherness, the All India Mission Seminary of the Society of Pilar hosted an Ecumenical Fellowship on January 25, 2026, marking the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Centred on the theme, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4), the gathering brought together members and leaders from diverse Christian traditions to celebrate their shared faith in Christ.

The evening highlighted the importance of unity across denominations, transcending differences in tradition, language and culture. Mathew Samuel, IAS (retd), from the St. Thomas Marthoma Syrian Church, Santa Cruz, spoke on the relevance of Christian unity in India, stressing that standing together in faith remains essential regardless of denominational identity and reflects the nation’s foundational principle of unity in diversity.

The programme began with a warm welcome from the rector of the All India Mission Seminary, who extended greetings of peace to all present. Representatives from St. Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church, St. Thomas Marthoma Syrian Church, the Methodist Church, Brethren Assembly, Rupantaran Fellowship Church, Tangkhul Baptist Church and North-East Baptist Church participated, reinforcing the spirit of fellowship and mutual respect.

Members of the Rupantaran Fellowship Church set a devotional tone through a prayerful dance performance, followed by a welcome address from Rev. Dr. Norman Almeida, Rector of the seminary, who emphasised the growing need for fellowship and unity within the Christian community. The evening continued with gospel songs by the Tangkhul and North-East Baptist Church choirs, creating an atmosphere of shared worship and joy.

A reflection on the Word of God was offered by Dr. James Samuel of the Brethren Assembly, who spoke about unity rooted in faith rather than uniformity, reminding the gathering that Christians, though diverse in tradition, share one Lord, one faith and one hope. The programme also included hymns and prayers led by choirs from different churches, culminating in the Prayers of the Faithful offered by the St. Thomas Marthoma Syrian Church.

The fellowship concluded with a prayer led by Rev. Pradeep Kumar of the Panjim Methodist Church, seeking God’s blessings for continued unity and mission among all believers. A final hymn by members of St. Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church marked the close of the prayerful gathering, which ended with a fellowship meal, allowing participants to continue building relationships and celebrating their shared faith in Christ.

#faith

Shatakautsav Mahotsav of Vitthal Rakhumai Temple Inaugurated in Vithalwadi as Temple Marks 100 Years

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Mapusa/Vithalwadi: The Shatakautsav Mahotsav commemorating 100 years of the Vitthal Rakhumai Temple at Vithalwadi was inaugurated with religious fervour and community participation, marking the temple’s entry into its centenary year.


The inauguration was attended by Dy. Speaker and MLA of Mapusa Joshua De Souza, along with Tourism Minister and MLA of Porvorim Rohan Khaunte. The centenary celebrations highlight the temple’s enduring spiritual legacy and its deep-rooted connection with the local community.

The Shatakautsav Mahotsav will feature nearly 100 programmes, including 1,000 pujas, the traditional Palki procession, and a series of devotional and cultural activities aimed at celebrating the region’s rich spiritual heritage.

The celebrations will continue until February 1, 2026, reflecting a strong foundation of faith, tradition, and collective participation. The organising committee, comprising members from multiple generations, has played a key role in ensuring that the centenary celebrations represent both continuity and inclusiveness.

The event stands as a tribute to a century of devotion, community bonding, and the preservation of cultural and spiritual traditions associated with the Vitthal Rakhumai Temple.