Tag: Faith and Culture

#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

Cardinal Pietro Parolin to Visit Kuwait for Historic Proclamation of Our Lady of Arabia as Minor Basilica

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV and the Holy See’s highest-ranking diplomatic representative, will undertake an official visit to Kuwait from January 14 to 16, 2026, as announced by the Vatican’s embassy. The visit forms part of the celebrations marking a historic moment for the Catholic Church in the Gulf—the proclamation of the Parish Church of Our Lady of Arabia in Ahmadi as a Minor Basilica.

Cardinal Parolin will preside over the proclamation ceremony on Friday, January 16, 2026. The title of Minor Basilica is conferred by the Pope in recognition of a church’s historical, spiritual, and pastoral significance, and the elevation of Our Lady of Arabia holds exceptional importance as it becomes the first Minor Basilica in the Arabian Peninsula.

The Church of Our Lady of Arabia is widely regarded as the mother church of Kuwait. Its roots date back to 1948, when the first chapel was established to serve the growing Catholic community. The present church was constructed in 1957 as a gift from the Kuwait Oil Company and has since stood as a spiritual home for Catholics of diverse nationalities living and working in the region.

Over the decades, the church has played a central role in nurturing faith, fostering unity, and providing pastoral care in the Gulf. Its proclamation as a Minor Basilica marks not only a recognition of its legacy but also a powerful symbol of continuity, coexistence, and religious heritage in the Arabian Peninsula.

#faith

St. Francis Xavier Parish, Duler Celebrates a Vibrant Day 1 of Christmas Fiesta

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Parish of St. Francis Xavier, Duler witnessed a vibrant and faith-filled beginning to its two-day Christmas Fiesta with the successful completion of Day 1 celebrations on January 3 at the St. Anthony School Grounds. Organised to encourage local talent while celebrating faith, relationships and culture, the event drew an enthusiastic response from parishioners and visitors alike.

The festive grounds came alive with food stalls, face painting counters, activity zones and various stalls, creating a warm and welcoming environment for families and children. The atmosphere reflected the true spirit of Christmas, marked by togetherness, joy and community participation.

Adding to the celebrations, parishioners took to the side stage to showcase their talents through soulful singing, expressive poetry recitations and energetic group dance performances. These presentations highlighted the creativity, confidence and cultural richness within the parish and were warmly appreciated by the audience.

From 6.30 pm onwards, the screening of the Konkani movie Mog Asum, by the makers of Nachoiam Kumpasar, added cultural depth to the evening and was well received by the gathering.

Addressing the audience, Chief Guest Joshua D’Souza, Deputy Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly and MLA of the Mapusa Constituency, described the event as a lively experience that enables people to connect with one another. He noted that such celebrations play an important role in fostering community bonding.

Day 1 of the Christmas Fiesta was graced by the presence of Chief Guest Joshua D’Souza, Guest of Honour Marwin Gomes, Chief Architect of the Public Works Department, Goa, Rev. Fr. Joaquim Fernandes, SVD, Episcopal Vicar (Religious) of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, and Wilson D’Souza, DySP and SDPO, Mapusa. The parish also expressed its appreciation for the presence of Bro. Edmund Peter Lemos, Chairperson of St. Anthony’s Institute, and Cyril Fernandes, President of the Catholic Association of Goa.

The Parish of St. Francis Xavier, Duler has invited everyone to be part of Day 2 of the Christmas Fiesta on January 4, featuring the tiatr ‘Don Dis Sonvsarantle’ by Ulhas Tari, with festivities continuing from 5 pm onwards. The parish extended heartfelt gratitude to all voluntee

International

PHLPost Releases Commemorative Stamp Honoring Pope Leo XIV

Tanisha Cardozo

📬✨ In a heartfelt tribute to the Catholic faith and its enduring influence, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) has unveiled a special commemorative stamp honoring Pope Leo XIV.

Priced at ₱17, the stamp features a dignified portrait of the pontiff set against the backdrop of symbols representing his papacy — offering both visual elegance and spiritual resonance. Only 10,000 copies have been printed, making this release a limited-edition treasure for philatelists, history buffs, and the devout.

🕊️ According to PHLPost, the move underscores its commitment to “preserve history, culture, and faith through philately,” the cherished tradition of stamp collecting. With papal-themed stamps consistently ranking among the most sought-after in the world, this release is expected to attract strong interest from collectors and faithful globally.

More than a collector’s item, the Pope Leo XIV stamp is a symbol of reverence, a nod to the role of the Catholic Church in shaping both Philippine and global history. PHLPost’s initiative not only celebrates a religious figure but also reinforces the relevance of stamps as cultural artifacts in the digital age.

🖼️ With fine detail and rich symbolism, the stamp becomes both a work of art and a piece of spiritual heritage — blending Filipino creativity with timeless devotion.

Whether you’re a devoted collector or a casual enthusiast, this latest release from PHLPost is a meaningful reminder of how faith and tradition can be beautifully preserved — one stamp at a time.