The St. Anne Church is located at Santana in Goa. This church is a religious monument belonging to the Roman Catholic sect of Christianity which was declared to be a national monument during the Portuguese era in India. The St. Anne Church is a grand example of the wondrous architecture people were capable of in the erstwhile days when there were no proper tools.
St. Anne Church Talaulim Religious Importance
The church belongs to the Jesuit community who are Roman Catholics. The church was consecrated to St. Anne (Santanna) upon completion owing to some miraculous apparitions and healings that took place in its vicinity. It is also said that the Saint herself proclaimed during the construction that it would be her home. The 26th day of July each year Goa celebrates the festival of St. Anne with much gusto and fervour. It is believed that during this time of the year, prayers offered to St. Anne are specially answered. In the village of Talaulim the “feast of Cucumber” (touxeachem fest) is carried out during this day which is unique to the celebrations held all around Goa.
St. Anne Church Talaulim Mythological Importance
Though there are many legends attached to the church, the most renowned one is that of Bartholomew Marchon. Legend has it that this elderly villager had a vision of an old lady wearing a hat who held a staff in her hands. It is said that this lady of Bartholomew Marchon’s vision came down from a neighbouring hill to the site of the construction of the church. When she reached the construction site she proclaimed the church to be her home and when it would be completed she said she would reside there. A similar apparition was also experienced by another person but of different faith. The other apparition was seen by a Brahmin lady who was of high social stature. She was suffering from some kind of grave illness that was incurable; it was then that she saw this apparition. The figure anointed her with a cure that was so miraculous that not only did she escape from the clutches of death she was well and healthy. As gratitude for receiving a new boon of life she converted her religion to Christianity. The news of her cure and the apparition seen by Bartholomew Marchon was tied together and seen as a sign by the village priest who consecrated the church in honour of St. Anne.
St. Anne Church Talaulim Architectural Significance
This church is one of the best monuments that have stood the test of time to prove the ingenuity of Jesuit architecture. Though the original structure was falling apart due to negligence on part of the Indian government, Mons Francisco da Cunha and the villagers gathered funds for its reconstruction. The architecture defined here is a perfect amalgam of two entirely different styles i.e. European and Indian which has resulted in one of the most outstanding and beautiful structures of all time. It holds within it a reflection of the baroque style of architecture which has had Indian influences making it unique.
The transept that faces the sanctuary holds a painting of the patron saint of the church .i.e. St. Anne who holds a staff in one hand and wears a hat. This painting depicts her as seen in the apparitions and legends associated with her and the church.
Festivals at Church of St. Anne Talaulim
The 26th of July every year in Goa comes alive with the festivities dedicated to St. Anne, however in the village of Talaulim it is celebrated in a bit different way. Here the feast of cucumber is held which is unique to the place and the church. Childless couples visit St. Anne and request her for a child in exchange for a cucumber.
