Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Valpoi is the parish church of the town and one of the main Catholic centres in Sattari. It began as a chapel and grew into a parish that now serves the Catholic community of Valpoi and nearby villages.
Basic profile
- Location: Valpoi town, Sattari taluka, North Goa, India 403506.
- Dedication: Our Lady of Lourdes.
- Portuguese name: Nossa Senhora de Lourdes Igreja em Valpoi, Goa.
- Popular name: The Valpoi Church.
- Parish size: Around 445 Catholics.
History
The church began as a chapel in 1887. It was originally attached to the parish of Sanquelim, and in July 1889 it was raised to the status of a separate parish.
In 1947 Valpoi became an independent missionary post, and the parish was later served by the Salesians of Don Bosco. Between 1966 and 1973 a diocesan priest looked after the parish and built the present church structure in 1968 as well as the parish school in 1970.
Since June 1996, the parish has been entrusted to the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales.
Parish life
The parish is small but active. It serves the Catholic families of Valpoi and also supports nearby chapels and communities in the Sattari region.
The parish is closely linked with school life and local ministry, and it has remained an important centre for Catholics in the area.
Feast and devotion
The parish feast of Our Lady of Lourdes is celebrated on 11 February every year. It is the main feast of the parish and is observed with devotion and prayer.
The feast is one of the better-known Catholic celebrations in Sattari, and it brings parishioners together from Valpoi and the surrounding villages.
Church building
The present church structure dates from 1968. It is a modest parish church, built to serve the needs of the growing community while keeping the Lourdes devotion at its centre.
The parish school, built in 1970, adds to the church complex and shows how closely the church is linked with education and community life.
Address
- Address: Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Valpoi, Goa 403506.
Present significance
Today, Our Lady of Lourdes Church at Valpoi remains a living parish with a steady Catholic community. Its 1887 chapel origin, February feast and present parish life make it one of the important churches in north-eastern Goa.