Among the many traditions that mark the season of Lent in Goa, southwest India, Santos Passos—meaning “Holy Steps”—holds a special place, symbolizing Christ’s journey to Calvary through processions, dramatic representations, and hymns that invite believers to relive His suffering and sacrifice.
A Tradition Rooted in Goan Catholic Heritage
The devotion of Santos Passos in Goa traces its origins to the Portuguese period, when missionaries introduced forms of popular piety to deepen the faith of newly converted communities. Religious processions soon became central to Christian life in Goa.
History show that Old Goa, once the missionary hub of the East, witnessed numerous processions throughout the year, including the Corpus Christi procession and the Rosary procession led by the Dominican Fathers, along with others organized by confraternities. Travelers were enamored by this fervor, with one noting that few places in the world had as many processions.
Within this rich devotional culture, Lenten Passion pageants gradually developed. The earliest passion enactment took place in the sixteenth century at the College of St. Paul in Old Goa, initiated by the Jesuit Fr. Gaspar Berzeu, and was later adopted by the Augustinians, Franciscans, and parish confraternities. Over time, Santos Passos emerged as a distinctive Lenten tradition across Goan parishes.
Celebrating Santos Passos Across Goa
In earlier times, the representations of the Passion were held on every Sunday of Lent in many Goan churches. Today, the practice continues in a modified form, with most parishes celebrating it on a particular day during Lent.
In some churches, the traditional practice of presenting Passion scenes throughout the Sundays of Lent still survives. These visual representations continue to help the faithful—especially children—understand the events of Christ’s Passion in a powerful and memorable way.
The Seven Representations of the Passion
The devotion of Santos Passos revolves around seven scenes from the Passion of Christ:
The Agony in the Garden
The Scourging at the Pillar
The Crowning with Thorns
Ecce Homo — “Behold the Man”
Jesus before Pontius Pilate
Jesus Carrying the Cross
The Crucifixion
These scenes are depicted through carefully prepared tableaux and life-sized statues, enabling the faithful to contemplate the depth of Christ’s suffering and the love with which He embraced the cross for humanity.
Lenten Devotions in Goan Communities
While Santos Passos remains a central Lenten devotion, it exists within a wider spiritual landscape. Every Friday of Lent, the faithful gather in churches and chapels to pray the Way of the Cross. In many areas, Small Christian Communities organize these prayers within neighborhoods, fostering deeper participation and reflection.
Sacred music also plays a significant role. Lenten concerts and traditional motet singing continue to enrich the spiritual atmosphere in many parishes.
In recent years, Lenten tiatrs (a special type of Goan stage performance presented during the season of Lent) and operettas have also become popular, creatively conveying themes of repentance, sacrifice, and Christian living.
The Solemn Procession
One of the most moving elements of Santos Passos is the solemn Lenten procession, where a large image of Christ, clad in purple and bearing the cross, is carried through the streets by confraternity members known as Irmãos (religious brotherhood) dressed in Opa e Murça (traditional robes). Accompanied by the Rosary and sorrowful hymns, the procession pauses at three Descansos (special stations) symbolizing Christ’s falls, where motets were traditionally sung. A poignant moment unfolds when the statue of Our Lady joins the procession, depicting her meeting with Jesus. On returning to the church, the Veronica hymn is sung and a cloth bearing Christ’s face is unveiled, recalling her act of compassion on the way to Golgotha.
A Devotion That Leads to Deeper Faith
Fr. Walter De Sa, Chaplain of Our Lady of Candelaria Chapel, Porvorim, in the northern part of Goa, said that the Passion scenes make Christ’s suffering come alive, drawing believers into a profound encounter with the Lord. He explained that these representations move hearts, reveal God’s mercy, and invite conversion.
Sharing her experience, Irene Rocha, a parishioner of the Panaji Church, said, “participating in Santos Passos, it feels as though we are walking with Jesus along His painful path. Each Sunday deepens our reflection, making the season of Lent more meaningful and personal.”
Fr. Aleixo Menezes, editor of Renovação, fortnightly of the archdiocese of Goa and Daman, said that Santos Passos is not merely an external observance, but a grace-filled opportunity for inner renewal, reminding the faithful of Christ’s saving death and resurrection that brings new life to all.
Popular devotions have always been an important part of the life of the Church, and when properly guided, they deepen faith and lead the faithful toward the liturgical life. Santos Passos stands as a powerful expression of this, inviting believers through art, music, procession, and prayer not only to remember the Passion of Christ but to enter into it, and to realize that the path to Calvary is also the path to hope, resurrection, and new life
