St. Alex Church, Calangute
The present massive church of Calangute is the third one built in the village. The first chapel was built of palm leaves (olas) along the seashore, in actual Poriett, in 1576. It was filial to the church of Nagoa. The church was erected with a cemetery in 1595 by the Franciscans at the expense of the Ganvkars (village people) in the same place where there was previously the chapel, which is in Poriett, where there is still a cross, a vestige of the church-cemetery. It is interesting to note that a procession was taken on Holy Friday from the actual church to the cross of Poriett until around 1940, remembering the old church site. Today, the feast of the Holy Cross is celebrated in the same place. It was only a simple structure covered with palm leaves. It was set on fire. Soon it was demolished for being too small.
The existing church was built in 1741 by the Communidades (village communities) with the help of donations. The towers were erected in 1765. There is a “cupola falsa” of Indian style. Its main sanctuary, capelamor, was rebuilt on July 16, 1916 and blessed on July 16, 1916. The church was entrusted to the diocesan clergy in 1767.
In the church yard there is a grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes; it was the first grotto dedicated to Our Lady in Goa. Its pulpit in Rococo style was brought from the Church of Holy Rosary, today misnamed the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. It was described by Prof. Jose Pereira in Marq (Golden Goa) as follows: “Thus happens in the pulpit as Kongotti, a palpitation of volutes, cantouches, encincture, canopy, pendants, flounces, and tassels, all crested by the figure of the lamb of Apocalypse in the book of Seven Seals—a vision of white-and-gold climaxed by the symbol of an innocent victim god, or of the elegance of the Rococo going up in a flame of mystical flamboyance.
The church has two towers and a magnificent dome (like that of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome), with its seven altars, the three main being at the centre and two sides, dedicated to Our Lady of the Mount, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, the sacred hearts of Jesus and Mary, and Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. The church is indeed unique.
Patron of Calangute Church: St. Alexius
(Extract from the book Saint Companions for each day)
St. Alexius was the only son of a rich senator of Rome, Euphemian, and his wife Aglae, born and educated in that capital in the fifth century. From the charitable example of his parents, he learned that the riches that are given away to the poor remain with us forever and that almsdeeds are a treasure transferred to heaven with the interest of an immense reward. While yet a child, he was intent on the relief of all whom he saw in distress, and though he was himself obliged to those who received his charity, he regarded them as his benefactors. Fearing lest the distraction of earthly honours might at length divide or draw his heart too much from more noble objects, he decided to renounce the world.
On his wedding night, by God’s special inspiration, he secretly quit Rome and, journeying to Edessa, in the far east, gave away all that he had brought with him, content thenceforth to live on alms at the gate of Our Lady’s church in that city. Here he lived for seventeen years until the image of Our Lady spoke and revealed his holiness to the people, calling him “the man of God.” Thereupon he fled back to his home; his father did not recognise him but received him as a beggar and gave him employment, allotting him a corner in his house.
For seventeen years he lived here unknown, bearing patiently the mockery and ill-usage of his own slaves and witnessing the daily inconsolable grief of his spouse and parents. At last, when death had ended this cruel martyrdom, they learned too late, from a writing in his own hand, who it was that they had unknowingly sheltered. God bore testimony to this servant’s sanctity through many miracles; he died early in the fifth century and is buried in Edessa.
22nd July
Feast of St. Alex – Patron
11th February
Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes
15th August
Feast of Our lady of Assumption
8th September
Feast of Our Lady of Mount
8th December
Feast of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception
Chapels of Calangute:
1
Chapel of St. Anthony of Lisbon (Meridional) Gaurawaddo
2
Chapel of St. Anthony (Setentrional) Gaurawaddo
3
Holy Family Chapel Gaurawaddo
4
Chapel of St. John the Baptist, Umtawaddo
5
Chapel of Our Lady of Piety, Khobrawaddo
6
Chapel of Our lady of Purification (Candelaria chapel) Sauntawaddo
7
Chapel of the Holy Cross, Porbawaddo (main market)
8
Our lady of Boa Viagem (Good Voyage), Dongorpur
9
Chapel of St. Anne, Baga
10
Small chapel of the Grotto of Our lady of Lourdes, church
11
Chapel of Radeemer (Redentor), Gaurawaddo
12
Holy cross chapel, Agarwaddo
13
St. Joseph Chapel, Tivaiwaddo
14
Bom Part Chapel, Maddowaddo
15
Chapel of Perpetual Help, Khobrawaddo
16
Chapel of Holy cross, Porbawaddo (small chapel)
