30 Jul 2022  |   06:33am IST

Touxanchem Fest at Santana

 

 

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t Anne is considered the patroness of childless mothers and people throng to her, praying for her intercession. The Church of St Ann at Talaulim has its own unique celebrations. The feast is famous as Touxanchem Fest (cucumber feast) as childless couples offer cucumber to St Anne, praying in Portuguese, ‘Senhora, tomai pepino, dai me menino’ which translates to ‘Our Lady, take this cucumber and give me a child’. Other prayers offered to St Anne are ‘Senhora, tomai colher, dai me mulher’ which means, ‘Our Lady, take this spoon and give me a wife’ and ‘Senhora, tomai urido, dai me marido’ which says ‘Our Lady, take this Udid dal and give me a husband’.

Saint Anne is patroness of unmarried women, housewives, women in labor or who want to be pregnant, grandmothers, mothers and educators. Saint Anne is also said to be a patron saint of sailors and a protector from storms.

This year, the feast will be celebrated on July 31. The Vespers will be held on July 30 at 5.15pm. On the feast day, July 31, there will be Masses at 6am, 7.15am and 8.30am. The concelebrated High Mass will be at 10am and evening Mass at 4pm. Parish priest Fr Oscar Quadros, encourages couples who would like to share their testimonies about the gift of a child. Thousands of devotees from different religions come to praise the Patroness for the favours granted. Several testimonies are presented during the Novenas from couples who received a child, some even after 18 years.