The feast of St. Sebastian Church, Aquem, is celebrated on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, every year. This year too the church celebrates the grand Feast of our Patron Saint Sebastian on Sunday, 2nd March ’25 in all grandeur.
Our Parish Annual Adoration was held on 16th February ’25, the Sunday before the novenas, to pray in unison as one community reflecting on the theme, ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. The novenas of our Patron Saint Sebastian, began in solemn religious fervour, with the blessing of the Banner (MADDI) on 20th February ’25 at 12 pm, solemnised by the Church Cofre, which incidentally always happens to be a Thursday. Every evening, saw a large gathering of the devout parishioners of Aquem, for the rosary at 5:30 pm followed by the novena mass. The nine days novena was patronised by celebrants, from far and wide, who broke the word to day the congregation, with the theme chosen for the day, most efficiently. The church choir added to the solemnity, every day.
Our small catechism children, dressed in white as angels displayed divinity, as they paid homage to the saint daily with flowers, as they moved in procession to the ‘Salve’. The statue of the saint, kept in a beautifully decorated arch, was venerated by the devotees after
mass.
The church certainly wore a festive look, with the beautiful decor within and the food and game stalls arrayed in the church compound. The Feast Day services on, 2nd March’25, will begin early from 5:30 am, followed by two other masses, wherein every devotee can attend and be blessed.
The Feast mass would be celebrated at 10 am, which as always will see a large attendance, in festive splendour. The statue of the Patron Saint would be taken in a solemn procession by the celebrant, to the rhythmic tune of the brass band, in attendance. As always, the devotees will prayerfully follow with many fervent aspirations at heart, to be bestowed through the intercession of St. Sebastian. There’s festivity all around the campus, with good cheer and fun-filled chatter, that resound the day’s celebration.
Sherida D’Souza