📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Marcosmsfs
Religion
Colvale in Goa commemorates St Francis of Assisi, urges nature protection
✍️ The Goan
🗓 19 Sep 2026, 03:37 AM
👁 13
Residents of Colvale gathered to honor St Francis of Assisi, emphasizing his message of caring for the environment.
Earlier this week, the coastal village of Colvale in Goa held a modest ceremony to pay tribute to St Francis of Assisi, the 13th‑century saint renowned for his love of nature. The event took place at the local parish hall and was attended by villagers, clergy and representatives of nearby environmental groups.
Organisers highlighted the saint’s legacy of reverence for all living creatures, noting that his teachings align with contemporary calls for sustainable living. Speakers reminded the audience that protecting forests, rivers and wildlife is a moral duty as much as an ecological one.
Local priests and community leaders used the occasion to urge residents to adopt greener practices, such as reducing plastic use, conserving water and participating in tree‑planting drives. The gathering also featured a short prayer service and the lighting of candles, symbolising hope for a cleaner future.
The ceremony reflects a growing trend in Goa where religious observances are being linked to environmental awareness, aiming to mobilise faith‑based communities in the state’s broader fight against climate change and habitat loss.
Organisers highlighted the saint’s legacy of reverence for all living creatures, noting that his teachings align with contemporary calls for sustainable living. Speakers reminded the audience that protecting forests, rivers and wildlife is a moral duty as much as an ecological one.
Local priests and community leaders used the occasion to urge residents to adopt greener practices, such as reducing plastic use, conserving water and participating in tree‑planting drives. The gathering also featured a short prayer service and the lighting of candles, symbolising hope for a cleaner future.
The ceremony reflects a growing trend in Goa where religious observances are being linked to environmental awareness, aiming to mobilise faith‑based communities in the state’s broader fight against climate change and habitat loss.