Cardinal Ferrão Urges Faithful to Make Their Lives a Gift of Love

Sanquelim, Goa, 15 November 2026: Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão has called on Christians to make their lives a self-gift of love, placing Christ at the centre of their existence, as St. John of the Cross Church in Sanquelim celebrated its bicentenary.

Presiding over the anniversary Eucharist, Cardinal Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, reflected on the spirituality of St. John of the Cross, the parish's patron saint, and urged the faithful to embrace life's challenges with faith, love and selfless service.

The celebration marked three milestones: 200 years of the parish, 300 years since the canonisation of St. John of the Cross and 100 years since his proclamation as a Doctor of the Church.

In his homily, Cardinal Ferrão drew parallels between the conversion of St. Paul and the spiritual journey of St. John of the Cross. Referring to Paul's declaration, “For to me, to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21), he said the encounter with the Risen Christ had transformed Paul's life, making Jesus the centre of his existence.

St. John of the Cross, he said, offered a similar example of unwavering commitment to Christ. Despite suffering and adversity, the Carmelite mystic remained faithful and embraced life's crosses with love.

Cardinal Ferrão, who also heads the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) and the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), urged the faithful to deepen their relationship with Christ through prayer, Scripture and the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. Referring to St. Paul's exhortation to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14), he stressed that Christian life must be rooted in a personal commitment to Jesus.

He further challenged the faithful to translate this commitment into everyday relationships through compassion, forgiveness, mercy and selfless service, reflecting Jesus' love for the Father and his willingness to serve others.

Fr. Henry Fernandes CSsR, Vice-Provincial Superior of the Vice-Province of Majella, and Fr. Velson Fernandes CSsR, parish priest, concelebrated the Eucharist along with other priests.

The celebrations continued with a procession carrying the relic of St. John of the Cross. Fr. Velson Fernandes thanked Cardinal Ferrão, the concelebrating priests and all those who contributed to organising the triple jubilee.

A cake-cutting ceremony, felicitation programme, prayer dance by catechism children and cultural performances formed part of the celebrations.

By Br. Malvino Alfonso OCD

Photo: Jonathan D’Melo, Sanquelim