Childless? Go to Goa with cucumbers

Velha (Goa): In a unique tradition, the origins of which remain unknown, thousands of childless couples offer cucumbers at a fourth century church in Goa, in the hope of being blessed with a child.

Welcome to St Anne's Church in Velha, located around 15 kilometres southeast of Panjim.

Legend has it that childless couples come here praying and seeking children, by offering a cucumber.

"People come here because they have achieved many graces and blessings from heaven. And especially the newly-weds who are gifted with children as they are unable to conceive owing to biological and medical problems. God has given them the gift of children through the intersession of St Anne, the patron of this place. The harmony between the Catholics, Hindus, Muslims and all others who come here, see to it that they come back here with their children to thank and honour God. Cucumber as I know is the first fruit from the earth during this season. The newly-weds make an offering and ask for blessings of a child as a gift from God, as a new gift for them is their life," Priest of St Anne's Church, Goa Velha, Loutino Perriera said.

Nobody knows clearly as to how this tradition of offering cucumbers began at this four-century old church, but today, outside the magnificent-yet-unkempt building, cucumbers sell like hot cakes. The belief of offering cucumbers by childless devotees has cut across faiths, making the feast a symbol of communal harmony.

"Definitely, Mother has helped us in conceiving this son after three years of our marriage and after that we got a baby. Since then we come here every year for this Feast Mass," said a devotee, Leotone Vaaz.

The feast begins with a general mass attended by devotees from all faiths. The church is named after Saint Anne, the grandmother of Jesus Christ, whose statue is placed inside the church.

"The belief is that childless couples come here and pray for a child, and they are blessed with one. We've been coming here for many years," another devotee, Gurudas Parvatkar said.

Those in need of help offer flowers and cucumbers at the Mother's feet. This faith doesn't require the backing of the scientific world, as is evident from the smiles on the faces of the children and their parents who visit the church regularly.