Goa Archdiocese Urges Faithful to Rediscover True Meaning of Lenten and Easter Traditions

Panaji: As Christians begin Holy Week, the archdiocese of Goa and Daman has appealed to the faithful to observe and celebrate the real meaning behind Lenten and Easter customs and traditions instead of following them “superstitiously”.
“Traditions are good, but outdated and meaningless traditions can become more of a display and exhibition of the past than a real expression of faith and devotion,” states the editorial on Lenten customs and traditions in Goa in the latest edition of the archdiocese’s pastoral bulletin, Renovacao.
Portuguese missionaries, to make the Catholic faith — which they introduced — more appealing and understandable to the people of the land, introduced certain practices which, over time, became customs and traditions. Some are followed without meaning or reason, the archdiocese states.
It gives the example of Santos Passos (holy steps) observed in most parishes on one Sunday of Lent, which it says has unfortunately become a sort of traditional devotion for Confraria members, often assuming more importance than even the celebration of the liturgy on Good Friday.
On Palm Sunday, people are more concerned about getting a blessed leaf of the palm tree than reflecting on the jubilant entry of Jesus and the subsequent Passion, the editorial states, adding that the coconut tree is harmed when tender leaves are removed from it.
The editorial advises conscientising people to protect the environment and to bring a branch of any tree instead to church, as the leaf is not important but the meaning behind it is.
The Easter vigil is the mother of all vigils because the centrality of Christian faith is the resurrection of Christ, but for many, this is less important than the Santos Passos of Good Friday, the editorial states.
Easter eggs, bunnies, and festivities have also taken precedence over the Easter vigil, with even tourists visiting Goa because of the festivities. The abuse of alcohol, drugs, sex, etc, in the name of Easter is an insult to the Catholic faith in Goa, many times promoted by Catholics in the hospitality industry, the editorial states.