CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF MIRACLES - MAPUSA
Pilgrimage
Distance (From Kadamba Bus Terminus): 13 Kms
Commonly Visited From: St. Cajetan Church, Assagao (4.6 kms)
Trip Duration (From St. Cajetan Church, Assagao , Including Travel): 1 Hour
Place Location: Mapusa
Transportation Options: Cab / Auto / Rental Bike
Travel Tips: This place is usually visited from St. Cajetan Church, Assagao (4.6 kms)
At a distance of 13 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand and 40 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station, The Church of Our Lady of Miracles also known as St. Jerome's Church is situated at Mapusa in North Goa.
The Church of Our Lady of Miracles was originally built by the Portuguese in 1594. Believed to have been built on the site of a Hindu temple. This church was dedicated to Saint Jerome and is still often called St Jerome's Church. The statue of St. Jerome was brought from Choras Seminary. The building caught fire in 1961 and a large part of it was destroyed. After its renovation the church was dedicated to Our Lady of Miracles and is locally known as Milarges Church.
This graceful church is located at the end of the market road in Mapusa. The exterior of the church is in beautiful Portuguese architecture with blonde bricks and tan colored trim. It has an altar which is devoted to Our Lady of Miracles. St. John the Baptist Statue is present on the right hand side of the altar and St. Jerome statue is present on the left side of the altar. In 1920 grotto to Our Lady of Lourdes is built with large forecourt.
The church is known for the 3 days long feast of Our Lady of Miracles that is organized on the 3rd Monday after Easter. Christians as well as Hindus worship Our Lady of Miracles. It is believed that the Hindu festival Jatra is linked with the Feast of Our Lady of Miracles. According to some legends, Nossa Senhora de Milarges was the sister of Hindu Goddess Lairayee at nearby Shirgao whose Jatra is celebrated in May. During the Jatra fire walkers come to the village of Shirgao and walk on the fire to prove their piety to the Goddess Lairayee. This Hindu festival is also attended by thousands of Christian devotees.
Timings: 7 AM - 10 AM and 4 PM - 11 PM on all days.
