The Holy Cross Oratory is a Religious Landmark in the heart of Matharpacady Heritage Village in Mazagaon, Mumbai. A kind lady, late Mrs. Buthello, donated the land. Our ancestors donated generously to construct the Oratory, Their families gathered at the Oratory to pray and worship together. When Mumbai was ravaged by the scourge of the Great Plague in the 1896, our forefathers and their families assembled at the Holy Cross Oratory and prayed. They beseeched Jesus and Mother Mary to save them from this deadly pestilence that had led to the deaths of scores of people all over the city. Our forefathers most gratefully recorded that not a single life was lost to plague in Matharpacady Village as their fervent prayers to the Lord, His Blessed Mother and St. Roque – patron saint for pestilence, had protected and saved the lives of all resident families.
Generations of families in Matharpacady Village, down the decades of time, have sustained and continued the traditions of praying and worshipping at the Cross Oratory. Traditionally, every year, the Managing Committee of the Holy Cross Oratory organizes the nine days Novena Services which are held in the late evening from 22nd April to 30th April. The Cross Feast Mass is celebrated at 7.00 P.M. on 1st May, followed by Veneration and Kissing of the Relic of the True Cross at the Oratory. The helpful volunteers then serve boiled gram and light refreshments to the large gathering of around 300 people. An entertainment program follows with skits, song and dance.
We shall celebrate the 140th Novena Services and Feast Day this year. The Novena Services will start at 7.30 P.M. on Wednesday, 22nd April 2015 to Thursday, 30th April 2015. On Friday, 1st May 2015 at 7.00 P.M., His Lordship Bishop John Rodrigues, Rector of St. Pius College, Goregaon, will celebrate the Eucharistic Sacrifice. Our Parish Priest – Rev. Father Frank Fernandes and his Assistants are invited to concelebrate. The Provincial of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers, Rev. Fr. Jegaraj [based at Eymard Cottage, 22 Matharpacady Village] and his Assistants are also invited to concelebrate. Catholic resident families, their relatives settled in other parts of Mumbai, India and abroad, and well wishers are invited to attend the Feast Mass and festive celebrations. The Managing Committee will organize kissing of the Relic of the True Cross after Holy Mass, refreshments and an entertainment program.
We are posting our humble and earnest appeal to you on our website www.Matharpacadyvillage.com to assist our Managing Committee by donating generously towards the major repairs and renovation of the Holy Cross Oratory prior to the 140th Anniversary Celebrations on 1st May 2015. Your monetary donation may be sent in cash or cheque in the name of our Treasurer, Mr. Stanislaus Baptista or our President – Mrs. Carole Viegas, stating behind the cheque the purpose of the donation towards the 140th Anniversary Celebrations. We cordially invite all of you to visit Matharpacady Village and participate in our 140th Anniversary Feast Day Celebrations. Your generosity and participative prayers in sustaining the Catholic faith and devotion at the Holy Cross Oratory will surely be rewarded by showers of divine blessings from God.
{ Tyronne Concescio ] [ Stanislaus Baptista ]
SECRETARY TREASURER
Note : Some photographs of last years Cross Feast celebrations have also been uploaded
