Srilanka’s Pilgrims alongside India’s Catholic Faithful Experience Faith, Fellowship and Franciscan Fraternity in Goa

Fifteen pilgrims from Sri Lanka visited Goa from October 2 to 6, 2026, to participate in celebrations for the 800th anniversary of the Transitus of Saint Francis of Assisi at St. Anne’s Church in Ponda. Although a flight from Bengaluru was delayed five hours due to poor visibility, the group arrived safely and stayed with families from the St. Anne’s parish community.

During the visit, the pilgrims attended Holy Masses, the Transitus Prayer of Saint Francis, and activities at the Franciscan Spiritual and Ecology Village. On October 3, the group traveled to Old Goa to visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus and churches linked to Saint Francis Xavier, then visited the Sanctuary of Saint Joseph Vaz in Sancoale. The Archdiocese of Goa e Damão noted the visit was significant because Saint Joseph Vaz, a Goan native, is the Apostle of Sri Lanka.

The pilgrimage included a Global English Holy Mass on October 4 celebrated by Father Neville Coonghe, the founder of the Ladani Movement from Sri Lanka. The pilgrims also performed in a Global Cultural Programme alongside participants from Maharashtra, Kerala, and Madhya Pradesh.