Inauguration and Blessing of the Renovated Chapel at Xellim
The renovated Our Lady of Fatima Chapel, Xellim, affiliated to St Sebastian Church, Loliem, was blessed by Bishop Simião Fernandes, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, during a solemn Eucharistic celebration held on Friday, 5th December 2025.

The Rite of Blessing of the oratory took place during the celebration of the Eucharist. The extended portion of the Chapel was constituted into a sacred place by the Decree CP- Decr/ 223/2025, dated 4 December,2025, of His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman and Patriarch of the East Indies.

The Bishop Simião presided over the Mass, concelebrated by Fr Patrick Luis SFX, Dean of the Canacona Deanery; Fr Silvestre D’Souza OCD, Provincial Superior of the Karnataka-Goa Province of the Carmelites; Fr Rui Pereira CSC, Parish Priest of St Sebastian Church, Loliem; Fr Teodozio Fernandes OCD, Chaplain of the Chapel; Fr Rovel D’Souza OCD, Superior of Divine Springs Retreat Centre, Xellim, along with several priests.

Delivering the homily, Bishop Simião invited the faithful to live in communion by strengthening their relationship with God. He said that the renovated chapel stands as a sign of communion and offers an opportunity for the faithful to deepen their faith.

The Prelate recalled how Jesus held the Temple in high regard, desiring that its sanctity be preserved. Stressing the sacredness of the place of worship, he affirmed that the chapel is a space where believers grow in holiness as the Word of God is proclaimed and the Eucharist is celebrated.

Highlighting the importance of Scripture, Bishop Simião noted that the Word of God renews life, and he urged the faithful to read and reflect on it regularly. He further encouraged the congregation to make the Holy Eucharist the centre of their lives.

Bishop appreciated the tireless work of Chaplain, Carmelite Community and the parishioners to renovate this chapel and congratulated them.

At the end of the celebration, Fr Teodozio Fernandes OCD extended words of appreciation, thanking all benefactors and collaborators for their support toward the renovation and blessing.

Fr Silvestre D’Souza OCD speaking behalf of the Carmelites expressed his gratitude to Bishop Simião Fernandes and appreciated the contribution of all the parishioners of the Chapel for Renovation work.

The decree of the blessing of the renovated Chapel and the minutes were read by Fr Silvestre D’Souza OCD. Fr Freddy Lobo, Parish Priest of St Francis Xavier Church, Bhatpal, served as the liturgical commentator. Chapel Choir under the leadership of Fr Ryan Fernandes, Assistant to the Parish Priest of St Teresa of Jesus Church Canacona, led the liturgical singing.

On behalf of the Confraria, Clara Carneiro expressed gratitude to all involved in the project. Those who contributed significantly to the renovation works were felicitated by Bishop Fernandes. The parishioners of the Chapel also felicitated Bishop Simião Fernandes on the occasion of his first visit to them after his Episcopal Ordination.

As one enters the renovated Chapel, the wooden doors themselves proclaim faith — the central door bears the image of Our Lady of Fatima, Patroness of the Chapel; the side doors depict St Joseph Vaz, Patron of the Archdiocese, and St Thérèse of the Child Jesus, a Carmelite saint whose canonization centenary is being marked this year — all beautifully engraved on wood.