The village of Chinchinim is renowned for its significant number of priests who serve in various ministries across the region.
A unique and cherished tradition unfolds annually during the Feast of Our Lady of Hope, Patroness of the Chinchinim Parish, with priests hailing from Chinchinim gathering in the church a day after the feast to celebrate a special Mass known as the ‘Feast of Priests of Chinchinim’.
This tradition began when priests would visit their families in Chinchinim on the evening of the Feast, as they were busy in their respective parishes on a Sunday morning.
Since transportation was limited at the time, priests would arrive in their respective homes on Sunday evening and would spend the night with their families.
The next morning, they would go to the Chinchinim Church to concelebrate the Mass, commonly known as the ‘Feast of Priests of Chinchinim’, at 8 am, to express their solidarity, pray for vocations, and remember their brother priests—both those still with them and those who have gone to their eternal reward.
This year, a newly ordained priest from Chinchinim, Fr Slater Alemao will preside over the Eucharistic celebration and break the Word of God at Mass at 8 am on September 15.
This Mass attracts a large congregation of villagers who come to honour and pray alongside their priests, as the parish remembers the living and departed priests of the village.
Following the Mass, the community greets the priests warmly, and the parish priest hosts a festive breakfast, fostering a sense of unity and celebration.
As part of tradition, the priests would then proceed for a meeting at the ‘House of Priests’, a significant and unique landmark established by the Associação dos Padres de Chinchinim (Association of Priests from Chinchinim).
This house was built in the mid-1970s on land near the church and donated generously by the people of Chinchinim. It was primarily aimed at providing a home for priests from Chinchinim on their retirement.
In the 1970s, the priests collectively decided to gift a large portion of this land to the religious sisters to establish a school for the girls of Chinchinim, reflecting their commitment to education and community welfare.
The ‘House of Priests’, owned by the association, served as a hub for these meetings and gatherings of priests, symbolising the enduring bond between the priests and their village.
The priests also permitted the St Vincent de Paul Conference, Chinchinim, to operate a miniclinic from the ‘House of Priests’ for a number of years, to provide basic medical facilities to needy people from the village.
The ‘House of Priests’ is currently in a dilapidated state, and efforts are afoot to consider the renovation of the structure.
These living traditions of the ‘Feast of Priests of Chinchinim’ and the ‘House of Priests’ continue to strengthen the spiritual and communal ties of Chinchinim, blending faith, fellowship, and philanthropy.
