St. Cajetan Church, also known as the Church of Divine Providence, is a church
of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Goa and Daman located in Old Goa, India.
Three Italian priests of the Theatine order arrived in India to preach
Christianity in 1639. In 1643, they began work on a hospital, but were
banished by the Portuguese viceroy Filipe Mascarenhas.
However, the leader of the Italian priests, Pedro Avitabili, went to Portugal
and convinced king John IV of Portugal that their working with the Portuguese
priests in Goa would be in the interests of Christianity. The king permitted
the construction of the hospital in 1650, and in 1655 they also managed to
obtain permission for setting up the church and a small convent near it.
|
Entrance to St. Cajetan church
|
|
The Gate of the Palace of Adil Shah
«The palace of Adil Shah was a magnificient building which became the
residence of the Portuguese governors till 1695 and was afterwards used
by them on festive occasions. Subsequently, the palace building was
demolished in 1820 by the orders of the government.
The extant gate made of basalt consists of two pillars decorated with
mouldings and fragmentary lozenge shaped perforated screens. The lintel
above the pillars is not original. Towards the inner side some
structural remains of laterite have been exposed which might form part
of this complex.
Archeological Survey of India, Goa Circle.»
|
|
Statue of Saint Cajetan
-
Saint Cajetan founded the Theatine Order in 1524, a religious order
dedicated to reforming the clergy and serving the poor, the sick, and
the marginalized. The order played a crucial role in the Catholic
Reformation, preceding the Council of Trent.
-
Saint Cajetan had a deep devotion to the Passion of Christ and the
Holy Cross. His spirituality was centered on imitating Christ's
suffering and serving those in need.
-
Many miracles are attributed to Saint Cajetan, and he is often invoked
by those seeking employment and financial assistance. His intercession
is sought by people around the world, reflecting his enduring
spiritual legacy.
-
Saint Cajetan's efforts were instrumental in the renewal of the clergy
and the promotion of a more devout and humble approach to religious
life. His work contributed to the broader movement of the Catholic
Reformation.
|
|
The Church of St. Cajetan
«This church modelled on the original design of St. Peter church in Rome
was built of laterite blocks in the second half of the 17th century by
Italian friars. Architecturally the church is Corinthian in style having
a rectangular tower on either side atop the facade to serve as a belfry.
The interior is divided into a nave ending in an apse and aisles divided
by massive Corinthian pillar supporting a large circular dome further
crowned by a lantern shaped dome of lesser circumference. The aisles end
with an octagonal rooms serving as sacristy.
There are six altars, besides the main one which is dedicated to Our
Lady of Divine Providence, these altars profusely carved and gilded in
baroque style with twisted shafts and figures of angels dominating in
each.
The altar has paintings on canvas of the Italian school, some depicting
scenes from the life of St. Cajetan. The niches running along the sides
of the vault have wooden statues of saints.
Archeological Survey of India, Goa Circle.»
|
|
Facade of the church of St. Cajetan
-
The church is considered to have been modeled on St. Peter's Basilica
in Vatican City.
-
The Corinthian style facade of the church has four granite statues of
Saints Peter, Paul, John the Evangelist and Matthew.
|
|
Main altar
The main altar is dedicated to Our Lady of Divine
Providence
-
She is a symbol of divine providence, emphasizing God’s guidance and
care for His people. This aspect highlights trust in God’s plan, even
amidst uncertainty and challenges.
-
Our Lady of Divine Providence is venerated as a powerful intercessor.
Believers often turn to her for help, trusting that she will present
their prayers to God and seek His mercy and blessings on their behalf.
-
Like other Marian titles, she embodies the compassionate and nurturing
aspects of motherhood. Her maternal love is seen as a source of
comfort and strength for the faithful.
-
Devotion to Our Lady of Divine Providence encourages a deeper faith in
God’s unwavering love and care. Her example inspires believers to
cultivate a trusting and devoted relationship with God.
-
Her feast day is celebrated on November 19th, especially in Puerto
Rico, where she is the patroness. Devotees hold processions, masses,
and other religious observances to honor her and seek her
intercession.
|
|
Altar of Crucifixion
-
The Crucifixion represents the ultimate act of sacrifice. Jesus' death
on the cross is seen as an offering to atone for the sins of humanity,
providing the path to redemption and reconciliation with God.
-
It embodies the boundless love and compassion of God. Jesus'
willingness to suffer and die for humanity is seen as a profound
expression of divine love.
-
The Crucifixion highlights the themes of suffering and forgiveness.
Jesus endured immense physical and emotional pain, yet he forgave
those who persecuted him, demonstrating a model of forgiveness for his
followers.
-
Despite the apparent defeat of death, the Crucifixion is ultimately
viewed as a victory. It is believed that through his death and
subsequent resurrection, Jesus conquered death and opened the way to
eternal life for believers.
-
Jesus' submission to the will of God, even unto death, exemplifies
humility and obedience. His actions serve as a call for believers to
trust in God's plan and follow his example of selflessness and
service.
-
The Crucifixion brings hope to Christians, assuring them of salvation
and the promise of eternal life. It encourages believers to trust in
God's mercy and the transformative power of Jesus' sacrifice.
-
The Crucifixion also fosters a sense of communion and unity among
Christians. The shared belief in the significance of Jesus' sacrifice
unites believers across different cultures and traditions.
-
These spiritual characteristics make the Crucifixion a pivotal event
that shapes Christian faith, practice, and devotion.
|
|
Altar of Elevation of the Host
-
During the Elevation, the consecrated host (the Body of Christ) is
held high by the priest. This moment is an invitation for the
congregation to adore and worship Christ, who is believed to be truly
present in the Eucharist.
-
The Elevation highlights the Catholic belief in the Real Presence of
Christ in the Eucharist. It serves as a powerful reminder that Jesus
is truly and substantially present under the appearances of bread and
wine.
-
The Elevation symbolizes the offering of Christ's sacrifice to God the
Father. It connects the congregation to the sacrificial nature of the
Mass, which re-presents (makes present again) the one sacrifice of
Jesus on the cross.
-
This moment fosters a sense of spiritual union with Christ. Believers
are encouraged to open their hearts to Christ's presence and to seek
deeper communion with Him.
-
The Elevation of the Host is an act of faith. The faithful express
their belief in the mystery of the Eucharist and the transformative
power of Christ's sacrifice.
-
This moment calls for deep reverence and devotion. The act of lifting
the host high emphasizes the sanctity of the Eucharist and the need
for respectful and prayerful attention.
-
The Elevation reminds believers of the spiritual nourishment they
receive from the Eucharist. It is a source of grace, strength, and
sustenance for their spiritual journey.
|
|
Altar of Our Lady of Sorrows
-
As Our Lady of Sorrows, Mary is often depicted experiencing deep grief
and suffering, particularly in relation to the Passion and death of
Jesus. This emphasizes her profound connection to the sorrows of
humanity.
-
Mary's own sorrows make her a compassionate figure who understands the
pain and struggles of others. She is often invoked as a source of
comfort and empathy for those who are suffering.
-
Despite her sorrow, her maternal love for Jesus and for all humanity
remains steadfast. Her love is seen as a nurturing and supportive
presence in the lives of the faithful.
-
Our Lady of Sorrows is a powerful intercessor. Believers turn to her
for help and comfort, trusting that she will present their prayers and
sorrows to God.
-
Mary's ability to endure her immense pain with faith and grace serves
as a model of strength and resilience. She exemplifies the strength
found in trusting God's plan, even in the face of suffering.
-
Mary's suffering is seen as her participation in the redemptive
mission of Jesus. Her sorrows are viewed as contributing to the
salvific work of Christ, highlighting her integral role in the story
of redemption.
-
Despite the focus on sorrow, Our Lady of Sorrows also embodies hope
and consolation. Her faith and endurance through suffering assure
believers that there is hope and peace even in the midst of pain.
-
The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is celebrated on September 15th, and
it invites the faithful to reflect on Mary's seven sorrows, which
include events like the prophecy of Simeon and the Crucifixion of
Jesus. These reflections encourage believers to find strength and
comfort in Mary's example.
|
See Also
Source
Location
