MONTH OF JANUARY 2023
ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE OF THE CRUSADERS TO SANCOALE IN HONOUR OF ST. JOSEPH VAZ
St. Joseph Vaz is a saint of Goan origin. His feast is celebrated on 16th January. Right from the time he became a priest, he felt the burning call to reach out to the Catholic church that was dying in Sri Lanka. In spite of the many risks involved, he traveled all the way to the island and reached out to all the Catholics there, by bringing to them the Eucharist and the sacraments. By the end of his life, he managed to revive the Catholic faith. That is why he is known as the Apostle of Ceylon and Sri Lanka. Drawing inspiration from the life of the Saint, the ACJM has adopted St. Joseph Vaz to be its patron saint.
Every year the Crusaders go on a pilgrimage (Romar) to Sancoale and attend a Novena Mass there in order to seek the intercession of the saint for guiding the ACJM and its leadership and also for blessings upon all the Crusader families. This year the pilgrimage was held on 15th January 2023 at the site of the old Church of Our Lady of Health, Rua Escravo de Maria, Sancoale. Buses were arranged for Crusaders coming from all three zones, Vasco, Panjim and Margao.
In particular, the Crusaders expressed their gratitude to St. Joseph Vaz for his intercession for the 25 glorious years of the ACJM and its official Recognition by the Church last year. They also asked him to pray that the next 25 years of ACJM may bring even greater glory to Jesus Our Lord and that the ACJM leadership may be guided by the revelation of the Holy Spirit to take the right decisions.
ONE-DAY VISIT OF CRUSADERS INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATORS
Crusaders International Collaborators Mother Rita Mary, the Superior of the Little Sisters of the Poor (LSP) Home in New Zealand, and Ms. Maria from the USA visited the Crusaders in Goa on Thursday 19th January 2023.
The Little Sisters of the Poor, an international Congregation was founded by Saint Jeanne Jugan in 1839 in Brittany, France. The Sisters welcome into their Homes for the Aged the elderly poor, irrespective of caste, creed and community and care for them until their death, free of cost, with the same spirit of religion that they would have in serving Jesus Christ himself.
With little time on hand, Mother Rita was shown the offices of the Crusaders, where she spent time in interacting with the staff of the ACJM. She was also taken to the tomb of St. Francis Xavier and then to the LSP Home in South Goa.
Before her departure on the evening flight, Mother Rita had the opportunity to interact with the leadership of the ACJM at a conference held at Pallotti Home in Chicalim Vasco.
CRUSADERS BOYS OUTING
The leading members of the ACJM boys cell gathered together for an outing at a beach in South Goa on 22nd January 2023. It was an evening of joyful Christian fellowship, sharing of experiences, short election of the Word of God, and of course a lot of fun.
CONCLAVE FOR THE ZONAL LEADERSHIP OF THE ACJM
The core members of the Vasco, Panjim and Margao zones of the ACJM gathered together for a conclave in South Goa from 26th to 29th January 2023. Such conclaves are part of the formation process for those in leadership and are held at least twice a year. This time, much of the conclave was focused on evaluating one's spiritual journey and discerning how one can further contribute to advancing the Kingdom of God. All this was done in the light of the Word of God. Besides meditating on the Word of God, the members also participated in the celebration of the Holy Mass each day of the conclave. Time was also spent in fellowship, group discussions, private meditation, and sharing meals together. The conclave was indeed a spirit-filled one.
