The church of Panjim , the capital city of my home state, celebrates the grand Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. The church was built in 1541 by the Portuguese sailors initially as a chapel, and upgraded to a church of the parish in 1609. The zigzag stairway was added in the 18th century which is a hallmark along with housing the second largest bell in the state of Goa.
Every December the church is illuminated and the church has a fireworks display during the week leading to the feast on 8th. As a child I went to watch that, and the entire scene fascinated me, the people singing hymns and Christmas carols, the joy in the air, the sense of festivity making it a famous tourist spot for everyone who steps in my state.
This feast celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, 9 months before the feast of Nativity of Mary. Looking at it as an obstetrician, a pregnant woman seeks routine antenatal care from an obstetrician, plan the delivery, birth of the child, pick out names and even plan the future of the unborn child. However there are some unfortunate mothers who suffer complications during the pregnancy … like inevitable abortions, abruptio placentae, eclampsia, etc. There are some women who still brave through each of these pregnancies with so much faith that it boosts us as doctors to work with them.
It’s not just through pregnancy or childbirth but even in our catholic faith, that we attend Sunday mass, read the bible, fast on obligatory days, pay alms to the poor, say our rosary and grace before meals, just like taking pills and exercise and following up with the doctor. However, we often forget tiny vital things that makes a lot of difference … having meals on time, spending time with loved ones, listening to music, getting enough rest and less stress.
Just as we have no time to look at our parents who grow older and need our love more than financials support. We find it hard to look beyond our needs at our workplace and tend to be competitive to such an extent that we forget to enjoy and spread love through the profession. Even Mother Mary went to help her cousin Elizabeth while she could have sat at her own house relaxing and planning her childbirth.
Why can’t we fine tune our lives better? Why can’t we make an effort to sort issues with our family members by talking and spending time with them? Maybe sing hymns of praise and carols to the lonely or spread festive cheer at work or home or within our prayer lives. Let us begin each day with a cheer to Jesus and Mary for the amazing season ahead and the year that has almost gone by!!!
Prayer: O Mother Mary, look upon us your sinful children and bless us with wisdom to improve our lives and spread the word of our Lord to those around us! Amen
