500 Years since Vasco Da Gama 's arrival!

A heartfelt memorial and reflection on Vasco da Gama's legacy and the enduring Catholic community of our land.

Commemorating 500 Years of Vasco da Gama's Legacy

Christmas Eve, 2024

Five centuries ago, on Christmas Eve of 1524, one of history’s greatest navigators, Vasco da Gama, took his final breath in this very town. Known as the pioneer of the sea route to India, Vasco da Gama’s voyages changed the course of history, bridging two distant worlds and laying the foundation for centuries of cultural, economic, and spiritual exchange.

The incredible Portuguese Caravel by the name Sao Gabriel in which Vasco Da Gama sailed to India as drawn by the artist Ernesto Casanova (1845 - )

In life, Vasco da Gama was driven by the call to explore, to connect, and to expand horizons. His arrival in India in 1498 marked the beginning of a profound chapter in the history of this land. But his death here in 1524, far from his homeland, marked the completion of his extraordinary journey—a journey that not only linked continents but also left an enduring legacy in this community.

After his death, his remains were laid to rest in this town, sanctifying the soil with the presence of a man whose voyages reshaped the world. Though his son later repatriated his remains to Portugal in 1538, the significance of his final days here remains etched into the history of this place.

A Legacy of Faith and Resilience

Vasco da Gama's arrival heralded the beginning of Catholicism in this region. Missionaries and priests followed in his wake, spreading the Gospel and establishing a thriving Catholic community. Over the centuries, this faith has flourished, weathering the storms of time with resilience and grace. Today, the Catholic population in this town stands as a living testament to the spiritual seeds planted during Vasco da Gama’s time.

Churches, some centuries old, dot the landscape, their bells ringing out with a timeless call to prayer and devotion. The vibrant celebrations of Christmas, Easter, and feast days continue to bind the community together, preserving traditions while embracing modernity. The influence of Catholicism is deeply woven into the cultural fabric of this town, visible in its festivals, architecture, and the enduring spirit of its people.

500 Years On: Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present

As we gather on this Christmas Eve of 2024, we pause to remember Vasco da Gama, whose life and death connect this town to a larger global story. We honor his legacy, not only as a navigator of uncharted waters but as a bridge between civilizations.

We also celebrate the strength and vitality of the Catholic community that continues to thrive here—a community rooted in faith, guided by hope, and united in love. The enduring presence of this faith reminds us of the shared values that bind humanity across time and geography: compassion, service, and the search for meaning.

Looking to the Future

On this quincentenary of Vasco da Gama's passing, let us reflect on the enduring legacy of his journeys. May his story inspire us to build bridges rather than barriers, to seek understanding across differences, and to celebrate the richness of our shared humanity.

And as we light candles in our homes and churches this Christmas Eve, let us remember the light that Vasco da Gama’s voyage brought to this town—a light that continues to shine brightly through the faith and fellowship of its people.

May the memory of Vasco da Gama, and the thriving Catholic community he left behind, guide us into the future with hope and unity.

November 30

A lone candle burning at a cemetery of a church in Kochi.

Some of the churches had some events planned on the end of November 30th. The month is marked for remembering the dead in many of the churches. All Saints & All Souls Day at the beginning of the month, then the Remembrance Day and in some countries the Thanks Giving Day. In a historical Coastal town like Fort Cohin/Kochi, where thousands of people from different countries had visited over the centuries for various reasons, many of them lay buried here. As the month of November passes, we remember gratefully all those who had brought a positive change to our people thoughts and lives. May you all Rest in Peace.

Remembrance Day

November 11th

The Kerala School Sports & Games 2024

The meet is on at different venues in the district and the athletic events will be held at the Maharajas College Ground.

For those tourists who like to meet the participating students, their teachers, parents who are from the different districts of Kerala, the event is a good opportunity. 

Take a customised tour with us, ideally from 4pm in the afternoon to 8pm or till the end of the events and dinner afterwards from your favourite city restaurant. 

The pick up can be arranged from the water metro Jetty and drop back to Fort Kochi in a car. 

Durham Miners' Banners

Durham Miners’ Gala

Solidarity forever! Banners of the Durham mining community.

Commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Miners’ strike of 1984-85 and celebrating the continuity, solidarity of the Durham Mining Communities a colorful selection of the banners from the region’s many Union Lodges were displayed at the Durham Cathedral recently.

Banners are described as the regimental colors of the National Union of Mineworkers. Banners were proudly carried at the Miners celebrations, protests and other events. Banners are made of silk and hand painted on both sides to display the name of their colliery lodge, along with other religious or political images. Many banners are still in use with their communities and are paraded through the streets of Durham on Gala day in July. They are joined by the banners of other trade Unions and groups linked to the mining communities such as the Women’s Support Groups.

The North East of England has a long history of coal mining. Centuries ago coal was used by the Romans while they occupied England. Mining activity is recorded in the Boldon book of 1183. Durham and the cathedral were at the heart of coal mining activity in the region, the industry endured for more than 9 centuries.

John Doyle’s ‘A cross in Coal’ emotionally expresses the sentiments in literary works of the time:

 ‘For here beneath dear Durham Skies live men, I understood, bound fast in friendship by the ties of pitman brotherhood…”

The Miners’ Gala started as a demonstration of Miners Solidarity to make their employers aware that they were united and would stand up for their rights. It was held every year and over the decades ‘the big meeting’ became the largest unofficial miners and trade union gathering in the UK.

Eventually the deep mines in the North East of England were closed but the Gala has survived as the Region’s mining heritage and attracting tens of thousands of visitors to Durham in July the month in which the Gala is held every year. It symbolizes celebration of a community, international solidarity and working class life.

On the afternoon of the Gala day a Miners’ Festival Service has been held at the Durham Cathedral. New Union and Lodge Banners are dedicated and blessed by the Bishop of Durham.

The pictures and information was sent to us by Ms.Catherine Henderson a Durham resident who has never missed a Gala of the last few decades. She took the Fort Cochin Heritage Walk in 2017 and has stayed a friend since. 

Farewell 2020

Long ago, Thomas Carlyle, told, " A man must get his happiness out of his work. His first of the many  problems is to find the work he is meant to do in the world. Without work he enjoys he can never know what happiness is." He then went on to coin his famous phrase, " Know thy work and do it." 

2020 took that joy out from us yet we believe we are blessed to be alive at the end of it. As the year take its leave, we rise our parting glass as a friend and brother, 

"Thank you for the lessons, 2020!"

Christmas Eve

On the Christmas eve of 1524, Vasco Da Gama, the greatest of all the sailors, on his third visit to India, died at Fort Cochin and was buried at the historical church of St. Francis. 496 years, since.

Vasco Da Gama

Worlds Most prestigious documents by UNESCO, "Memory of World Register" established in 1992, contains 299 documents from five continents. One of them is Vasco Da Gama's hand written journal of his first voyage to India during which he arrived at Calicut on May 20th of 1498. It is written by a mysterious man aboard the ship and contains the misfortunes and triumphs of the voyage sharing in words every step taken by the adventurous sea man and his crew. Undoubtedly an exciting read about the incidents that changed the history of the world. The journal contains first hand witnessing of treason, diseases, meeting with our ancestors, war equipments, animals, plants, trees, musical and nautical instruments, food, villages, difficult navigational situations etc and also Portuguese words for the Calicut words.

Vasco's sea route

Vasco Da Gama was lucky to find a Mohmedian navigator from the eastern coast of Africa, Ahmad Ibin Majid, who guided Vasco to India. Arab sailors were experts sailors in the Indian Ocean and they knew the routes they were sailing for centuries very well. 

Vasco's second visit in 1502 was more guided by the economies of trade, religion and politics to establish a foothold and monopoly trading rights for his King and country and is marred with events of brutality as he confronted Mohmedians whom he saw again on the Malabar Coast, the very traders and their religion Vasco's country was in war with in Europe. 

After Vasco's return to Portugal in 1503, Francisco De Almeida, established a fruitful contact with the Kochi Kings attaining more than a foothold and trading rights and they increased their influence all around the Indian coast. Almeida was made the first Governor and Viceroy of Portuguese India in 1505.

Vasco Da Gama came again in 1524, on his third visit as Viceroy, but fell sick and died on the Christmas Eve.

The illustrious Mariner was bestowed with Hereditary Royal Pension, Dom status (Lord), the title of Admiral of the Seas of Arabia, Persia, India and all the Orient. After 16 years from his death, Vasco's remains were taken back to Portugal by his son and is enshrined in a fitting mausoleum in Jeronimo Monastery, his country's everlasting tribute to the greatest among the ones who have sailed the seas. 

Reference:
Economic Times, June 20, 2013
http://www.mosteirojeronimos.gov.pt/en/