Today, on the Monday before Palm Sunday, a procession featuring life-sized statues of saints and martyrs, is held from St Andrews Church in the village of Goa Velha. The ‘Santachem Pursanv’ brings together people across communities celebrating a sense of belonging and shared joy.
But, we also see other processions that demonstrate dominance and create divisions between people.
A procession is a group moving in an orderly and solemn manner, often as part of a ceremony, celebration, or ritual. Processions are found in various cultures and contexts, including religious, cultural, funeral and parades on specials occasions.
Processions must ideally involve orderly movement and community participation. Since they venture into public space, they should be inclusive and create a collective sense of joy and participation.
There are processions that foster love and accept diversity. And there are others that derail humanity and trigger ‘othering’. We must ask ourselves which procession are we a part of: the one that brings people together or the one that seeks to create divisions?
Join processions with positive sway
That bring along joy to all on the way
~ Pravin K Sabnis
