Feast of St. Teresa of Calcutta Celebrated in Ponda, Goa

PONDA, Goa, September 5, 2025 — The parish of St. Anne’s Church in Ponda, Goa, celebrated the Feast of St. Teresa of Calcutta on Friday, September 5, with a solemn Mass, a meditative rosary, and community activities. The celebration drew a large number of parishioners along with members of the World Apostolate of Fatima (WAF), uniting together in a day of prayer and thanksgiving. The event aimed to honour the life and legacy of the saint while fostering unity among the faithful.

The day commenced with a solemn Eucharistic celebration, with the liturgy of the Mass animated by members of the St. Mother Teresa Somudai (a parish group). After the Mass, the World Apostolate of Fatima led the faithful in the recitation of a meditative rosary. This gesture was deeply significant, as it reflected St. Mother Teresa’s profound devotion to Our Lady of Fatima and her steadfast faith in the spiritual power of the rosary. Known for her strong advocacy of its daily recitation within the Missionaries of Charity, Mother Teresa regarded the rosary as a spiritual lifeline and an enduring source of strength.

Participants later gathered around a beautifully adorned statue of St. Teresa of Calcutta, decorated with vibrant colours inspired by the Jubilee 2025 logo—red, green, yellow, and blue—symbolising the global Church’s unity and mission.

The event concluded with a small ceremony marking Teachers’ Day, which is observed across India on September 5. During the function, roses were presented to the teachers in attendance, and a cake was cut to commemorate the occasion. Parish Priest Fr. Francis Rosario, OFM, and Assistant Priest Fr. Hemant led a heartfelt prayer for educators, expressing gratitude for their invaluable role in shaping lives.

A central theme of the celebration was Mother Teresa’s enduring connection to the World Apostolate of Fatima. As a founding member of the WAF Unit in the Archdiocese of Calcutta, she publicly signed the WAF pledge on June 13, 1988, before a gathering of 25,000 at the WAF USA headquarters. The pledge calls for sanctifying daily duties, reciting the rosary daily, wearing the Brown Scapular, and observing the Five First Saturdays devotion—a testament to her unwavering Marian devotion and commitment to prayer.

By Lester DeMello,

Chairman – World Apostolate of Fatima,

Goa Archdiocesan Division + National Centre

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