By Sr Molly Fernandes SFN

Palolem, May 11: The salty breeze at Palolem beach carried more than just the scent of the sea this past week; it carried the rhythmic beat of a brass band and a profound sense of shared history. On May 10, the local community gathered with immense pomp and devotion to celebrate the feast of the Holy Cross Chapel, a landmark that stands as a silent sentinel over the shoreline.

The celebrations were the culmination of six days of novenas, where the festal vibes were set early by the brass band. The preparation was a communal labour of love, with locals pinning the traditional festal flowers and the decorations that adorned the chapel, creating an atmosphere that was as fragrant as it was spiritual.

The history of this cross is as deep as the waters it overlooks. According to Natividade de Sa, the story began over 300 years ago when the cross was found by fishermen, brought ashore by the tidal waves. In a beautiful display of the blended spirit of Goa, the entire village — Catholics, Hindus, and others alike — joined hands to bring the cross up with reverence and fear from the sands, as they perceived that it was not a common phenomenon.

For many years, the cross remained on a wall(dodier) facing the sea. de Sa, told, of a time-honoured tradition where the cross was dipped into the sea as a remembrance. Fisherfolks soon began reporting bumper catches when they cast ‘Zallam’ and overtime which gradually begun with ‘Rampon’, an abundance they attributed to the divine protection of the cross. This devotion transcended religious boundaries, with the non-Catholic community paying regular tributes and donating a portion of their earnings for the benefits received.

The small canopy was made possible by the generosity of Mohan Nagarsekar, who donated the land. As Natividade de Sa narrated during the feast, once that land was secured, there was no turning back. He recalled with pride the dedicated efforts of elders like Alcin da Silva, Paulu da Silva, Mauris Fernandes, and Socor de Melo. While, Joao Afonso and Juze Fernandes—who are still with us—strived to transform the site from a simple canopy into a small tiled structure. Yes, the original canopy evolved into a tiled structure, then a wall-side shrine, and finally the chapel that stands today, which I too have witnessed over the last five decades.

While many feasts follow the liturgical calendar, Palolem keeps its own rhythm. Regardless of the day of the week, the locals keep the date of May 10th. Following the feast mass, the signature procession moved through the area, a visual witness to a vow kept by the village year after year.

The feast day mass was celebrated by Fr Socor Colaco, the parish priest of St Theresa of Avila Church, Canacona. In a stirring homily, Fr Socor reflected on the universal nature of the Cross in human life, categorizing them into three types:

1. Crosses arising from our own thinking.
2. Crosses placed upon us by others.
3. Crosses that come by the Will of God, despite no fault of our own.

Drawing on the biblical story of Job, touching upon his family’s destruction and his eventual prosperity, Fr. Socor urged the congregation to find strength in their own burdens. In my pain, I see His trouble, he noted, suggesting that by bearing our own crosses with sight fixed on Jesus, we find the capacity to help others bear theirs.

The enshrinement of the immovable cross inside the chapel remains a point of unity for the village. As the day drew to a close, Mrs. Larina proposed the vote of thanks, acknowledging the tireless contributors who ensured the 2026 feast remained a memorable chapter in Palolem’s 300-year-old story of faith.

In a world that is rapidly changing, the Holy Cross of Palolem reminds us that some things like the gratitude of a fisherman and the unity of a village are as constant as the tide.