Asia's exclusive space for Confession

Panaji
Asia's first chapel preaching sacrament of confession and reconciliation has become reality at Pillar, 10 kms away from the capital city of Panaji.
The exclusive space, named ``Reconciliation Chapel,'' has designed on unique theme of ``celebrating God's forgiveness'' at the four century old seminary building. Tucked on the hillock in Pillar village, the chapel will have special services on Thursdays while priests would be available everyday for `confessions,' the officials confirmed.
``This is the first of its kind.. unique.. We have never heard of such a thing except an exclusive space offered in Rome for confessions and reconciliations,'' Fr Tony Fernandes, Vice-Postulator, Pillar complex, stated.
The chapel is conceptualised on the theme of ``reconciliation'' which is an essential element of the mystery of salvation and an integral part of Christian living, he said.
Various painting narratting scenes in Bible and Lord Jesus' relationship with the sinner are embeded in the chapel walls. ``When Jesus went up to the Father, he promised the Holy Spirit, the spirit of forgiveness, to be our guide and comforter,'' Fr Fernandes, who has supervised every step while the concept took shape, explained.
Fr Fernandes said that the chapel, which was formally inaugurated on July five, has people from outside Goa too flocking for the confession and reconciliations.
The paintings was various reconciliation scenes from the bible -- Adam and Eve, Day of Atonement, David's repentance, the woman caught in adultery, the Paralytic healed by Jesus -- and others. The wall in the chapel also depicts key events in the salvific presence of Jesus in the world -- Baptism, Death and Resurrection.
The seminary, which is hosting the chapel, is run by Diocesan Missionary society of St Francis Xavier.
The structure houses tomb of Fr Agnelo D'Souza, a priest who died in 1927 and the process of canonisation of this priest has begun by the society, which will give him sainthood.
``The seminary always used to have reconciliation and confessions put lack of space hampered it. It was decided at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in the year 2003 to arrange suitable place for the sacrament of reconciliation,'' Fr Fernandes said.