SAO BRAS CHURCH / ST. BRAZ CHURCH
Pilgrimage
Distance (From Kadamba Bus Terminus): 13 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Basilica of Bom Jesus (4 kms)
Trip Duration (From Basilica of Bom Jesus , Including Travel): 1 Hour
Place Location: Gandaulim Village
Transportation Options: Cab / Auto / Rental Bike
Travel Tips: This place is usually visited from Basilica of Bom Jesus (4 kms)
At a distance of 13 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand and 31 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station and 27 km from Mapusa, St. Bras Church is situated in North Goa.
The Historic Church of Sao Bras or St. Braz was perched on a small hillock at Gandaulim village. Originally there was a small chapel built in 1541 by Croatian sailors and traders settled in this village. It was elevated to a parish church in 1563. It was built with funds from the government treasury while the Comunidade had the charge of conservation of the temple. The Church houses the imposing wooden images of Santa Luzia and Our Lady of Health, which were brought here with the extinction of the church of Santa Luzia.
The St. Braz church has three altars. The main alter is dedicated to Sao Bras - patron against throat sickness; on both sides of Sao Bras are the images of Santa Luzia - patron against eye illnesses and Santa Apolonia - patron against teeth ailment. The staff in the hand of Sao Bras is of pure silver and was offered by the Archbishop S Galdino. The side altars are dedicated to Our Lady of Health and Our Lady of Victory along with that of St Joseph.
The baptismal fonts bear sharp resemblance to the one existing in the Se Cathedral. In the baptistery there lies an imposing image of St John the Baptist, besides four big old paintings and a smaller one representing the birth of St Francis d'Assisi. There are also three paintings of Santa Cristina, Santa Suzana and Santa Margarida offered by Manuel Menezes of Cumbarjua. These are probably from some convent or church from Old Goa. There are also two bells with the images of Sao Bras and Santa Luzia respectively. There are six inscriptions in the church. However, the one which lies at the entrance in front of the main door of the church is of an important personality in the Goan history.
The people of Gandaulim and Cumbarjua celebrate the feast of St Braz on 3rd February. Our Lady of Good Health on 2nd February, Our Lady of Victory on 8th December and Santa Luzia on 13th December are the other feasts celebrated at this church every year.
