Fama de Menino Jesus

The Fama of the Infant Jesus — History, Tradition, and Devotion

The Fama of the Infant Jesus (Fama de Menino Jesus) at Our Lady of Merces Church, Colva is one of the most beloved and enduring religious traditions in Goa. It is a celebration rooted in 17th-century devotion, local history, and a profound belief in the miraculous intercession of the Infant Jesus (Menino Jesus).

Origins and Early History

The devotion to the Menino Jesus in Colva is traditionally traced to a 17th-century Jesuit missionary, Fr. Bento Ferreira. According to local accounts, while travelling from Mozambique to Sena, Fr. Ferreira and his companions were shipwrecked. After reaching shore, they found a small statue of the Child Jesus washed up on a rock — an event that was regarded as miraculous.

Fr. Bento later brought this statue to Colva when he was appointed vicar of the newly established parish of Our Lady of Merces — a parish formally raised in 1635 after beginning as a chapel in 1630. The statue was initially kept in the priest’s residence before being placed on the main altar of the church.

The Fama Tradition Develops

Over time, devotion to the Infant Jesus grew, attracting increasing numbers of local faithful seeking blessings, healing, and divine favour. The celebration of the Fama — a public exposition and veneration of the miraculous statue — became the focal point of devotional life in Colva. It was traditionally held on a Monday in October, often the second Monday after the 12th, marking the beginning of the novenas that lead to the feast of the Infant Jesus.

The day of the Fama begins with a solemn High Mass in the early morning, during which the triple-locked niche containing the statue is opened by the parish priest and confraria members. The statue is then brought down and placed on the altar for public veneration. Many devotees form long, orderly queues to approach the statue, offer candles, flowers, and sacred cords (bentin) and seek blessings for health, prosperity, and personal intentions.

Miracle and Meaning

While historical documentation of specific miracles is rooted in testimony and oral tradition, the faith of devotees has been a defining feature of the Fama. Newspapers note that devotees, including childless couples, the sick, and pilgrims from across religions and communities, often attribute answered prayers and divine blessings to the Infant Jesus during the Fama.

Custody and Replica

The original statue was later taken to the Jesuit-run Rachol Seminary during periods of ecclesiastical change in the 18th century, prompting the villagers to commission a replica to continue the tradition in Colva. The replica retained elements of the original, including a gold ring believed to have fallen from the original statue during its removal — a relic now mounted on the current figure.

Fama Today

Today, the Fama remains one of the largest and most spiritually significant events in Goa’s Catholic calendar. Celebrated with solemnity and deep devotion, it draws thousands of pilgrims every October to Colva. The celebration often overshadows even the main feast day itself, becoming not merely a parish event but a regional spiritual phenomenon.