Goa Children Explore Lives of Saints at Mapusa Deanery Event

Mapusa, Goa, November 1, 2026: Children from across Mapusa Deanery explored the lives, virtues and spiritual charisms of saints during Saints.com – Discover the Saints; Know Their Congregation, organised by the deanery’s Catechetical Unit on All Saints’ Day.

The day-long event, held at St. Mary’s Convent High School, Mapusa, from 8 am to 5 pm, focused this year on the founders and reformers of various religious congregations. The initiative, started by Fr. Luis Gomes during his tenure as assistant parish priest in Mapusa, aimed to familiarise children with the saints and the religious traditions they shaped.

Our Lady of Socorro Church, Socorro, won the overall competition. St. Francis Xavier Church, Duler, and St. Jerome’s Church, Mapusa, secured the first and second runner-up positions, respectively.

The programme opened with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Bishop Simião Fernandes, Auxiliary Bishop of Goa and Daman. In his homily, he encouraged children to draw inspiration from saints such as St. John Bosco, St. Maria Goretti, St. Martin de Porres, St. Rose of Lima, St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and St. Carlo Acutis.

Reflecting on the Beatitudes, the bishop highlighted purity of heart, mercy, forgiveness and sacrifice as essential qualities of Christian holiness. He reminded the children that sainthood is cultivated through everyday acts of love and service and encouraged them to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and participate in daily Eucharistic celebrations.

Children showcased their understanding of the saints through poetry, essay writing, monologues, enactments, artwork using natural materials and exhibition stalls. Dance and hymn competitions also offered participants an opportunity to present the spirituality and charisms of different saints and religious congregations.

Fr. Peter Gama, Dean of Mapusa, distributed prizes to the winners in the presence of priests and religious sisters.

Concluding the programme, Fr. Aestrony Da Costa, animator of the deanery’s Catechetical Unit, called on children, catechists and parents to look to the saints as role models in their Christian lives. He said the initiative provided an opportunity to learn from their lives and teachings and deepen the commitment to holiness.

The event was organised around the theme, “Many Saints… Many Congregations… One Church!”

By Melissa Simoes

Images credit - Emma Fernandes