MARGAO: The Fama De Menino Jesus at Our Lady of Merces Church in Colva was celebrated on Monday, October 14. The day commenced with a mass at 5:30 a.m., followed by a solemn procession led by Rev. Fr. Simpliciano Fernandes, the Parish Priest of Colva Church. Thousands of devotees thronged the Church to celebrate and be part of this auspicious fama.
Historically, the statue of Menino Jesus was discovered by a Jesuit priest named Fr Benito Ferreira SJ off the coast of Mozambique. He brought the statue to the Church of Our Lady of Merces in Colva, where he was stationed. The idol was placed on the church's altar, quickly becoming a focal point of devotion and veneration.
However, the celebration of Menino Jesus was interrupted when the Jesuit Order was transferred to the Rachol Seminary, taking the idol with them. The villagers, deeply attached to this deity, fervently requested the return of the idol, but their pleas were unfortunately rejected. Disheartened, the villagers returned home only to discover that the ring on Menino Jesus's finger had miraculously reappeared in the altar niche of the church. In a joyful response, they crafted a new statue, placed the ring on its finger, and resumed their veneration.