Thousands throng to Colva to venerate Infant Jesus at the annual 'Fama'

COLVA: Thousands of devotees flocked to venerate Menino Jesus ( Infant Jesus ) at the Our Lady of Merces Church in Colva on Monday as part of the centuries-old ‘Fama’ ritual.


The high mass was celebrated at 5.30am by parish priest Fr Simplicio Fernandes along with other priests during which the statuette of Infant Jesus was brought down from the altar where it is enthroned and was taken in a solemn procession around the church before being kept for public veneration till late night.

People of all faiths strongly believe that the statue or, more specifically, the ring on its finger has miraculous powers and flock here to seek blessings for conception, cure from various ailments, including fractured limbs.

Devotees, including young mothers with their infants, brave the scorching sun to stand in a serpentine queue to venerate the statue of Infant Jesus with a ‘umo’ (kiss).

Infants are especially brought for ‘Fama’ to seeks the blessings of Menino Jesus. They are touched to the statue of Infant Jesus, which is draped in a white robe.

Colva police in coordination with Margao traffic police diverted traffic along internal roads so as to leave the Colva route free for devotees.

A bomb disposal squad was present at the venue and, as part of enhanced security measure, CCTV cameras were also installed.