Mumbai: Mumbai's East Indian community observed Thursday, February 6, as 'St Gonsalo Garcia Day' in honour of the Roman Catholic saint who is one of the two patron saints of the Archdiocese of Bombay.
The saint, who was born in Vasai, then Portuguese Bassein, in 1500 AD, was killed in Nagasaki, Japan, where he was part of a religious mission to Japan. He was crucified for his proselytisation and was declared a martyr and saint by the church. On Thursday, devotees visited the statue of the saint at Kaka Baptista East Indian Museum, Manori, for veneration.
The Mobai Gaothan Panchayat, which represents the East Indian community, has dedicated this month to the saint. Among the organisation's plans are a request to the state government to restore the Bassein Fort, especially the baptismal font at St Joseph's Church where St.Gonsalo Garcia was baptised.
They have also planned a chapel dedicated to the saint and making of religious articles and merchandise of the saint. Other plans include the East Indian Awards dedicated to the native saint.
