Penha de Franca Parish: A Page From History

by Eleuterio Soares
Posted on 2008-12-27
Penha de Franca is a relatively small village, both in terms of its territorial expanse and the size of its population. What distinguishes the parish is its rich and colourful history and magnificence of the church dedicated to our Lady of Penha de Franca. It has been singled out by Viriato Albuquerque in “O Oriente Portuguez” as one of the churches in Goa worthy of special note by virture of its architectural excellence and historical background.
The edifice stands on a high podium at the confluence of the river Mandovi and its tributaries with only a narrow strip of land stretching between it and the river bank. It is an imposing structure with an impressive front piece and massive walls interspersed with exceptionally high and broad doors. The walls are broad enough to afford sufficient passages to the left and the masonry ceiling having a series of intricately designed arches. The feast of Our Lady of Penha de Franca will be celebrated today, December 27.
The church which was originally built as an annexe to the Franciscan Friary owes its existence to the munificence of Dona Ana Azavedo, widow of a Portuguese Nobleman, Christovam D’Souza. A professed member of the Third order, she bequeathed all her wealth to the Franciscan Missonaries for building and maintaining the church. Her will dated Decenber 14, 1629 was registered with the notary on December 17, 1629. Incidentally, December 17 is the date on which he “Fama” of the annual feast of the parish in solemnised. The Confraria of Penha de Franca accordingly inherited substantial funds and properties forming part of the village.
A mention has to be made of a medium-sized rock standing on the river in front of the church which remains visible at the highest tide and when the river is in spate during the monsoon. It has been traditionally looked upon as the prototype of the rock on the coast of Franca on which our Lady appeared to a shipwrecked sailor and guided him to safety after he vowed that he would build a church in honour of the blessed Virgin on the spot where he would manage to reach the shore. The incident provided title as our Lady of Penha de Franca or the rock of France.