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A Lenten ritual whose origins are steeped in time is the “Procession of Tails” led by Goa´s archbishop as part of Good Friday services lasting four hours in the Se Cathedral.The archbishop and Canons of the Chapter of the Cathedral wear black cowled robes with tails that trail two meters behind them in what is officially called the “Procissaum das Capas Magnas” (Procession of the Great Capes).
As the robes sweep the floor, a 16-century coffin with a life-size statue of Jesus laying in it is carried out of the cathedral watched by hundreds of Goans and foreign tourists as Lenten hymns are sung. The custom is practiced only in the cathedral, built by the Dominicans in the early 17th century in Tuscan architecture.
In Konkani, the procession is called, “Xepdeche Pursanv” (Procession of tails) as the trailing end of the cloak resembles a tail (xepdi). This unique procession has been held in the City of Goa, from the sixteenth century.
The procession of Capas Magnas is held only in two places in the entire world, which includes Se Cathedral at Old Goa and at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the mother church of Christianity.
The Goa Chapter of the Se Cathedral, originally comprised of 24 Canons and they would all come to the Se Cathedral for the ceremony which was led by the Patriarch or Archbishop, since the Se Cathedral of Goa is also the mother church for the territory of Goa. Apparently in the present day, there are only seven Canons. Along with the Canons, the Monsenhors (a title to honour the priests are given by the church for some commendable work done by them. In the church hierarchy, the Monsenhors are below the Canons and above the Vicars) were also allowed to use the Capas Magnas.
The liturgical service starts at 3.30 pm, which is officiated and presided by the Archbishop. The devotees go to the Church to pay obeisance to Christ, where an image on the cross is kept for public veneration.
At the end, those present pay obeisance to the dead body of Jesus and that of Virgin Mary. Along the procession the musicians sing motets. These are one of the old forms of vocal composition which the church introduced in the liturgy. Good Friday is the saddest and pious day of the lent, and on this day the greatest tragedy of all time is enacted – the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. As a mark of respect to the sacred body of Jesus Christ, no bells are tolled from the previous evening of Maundy Thursday. To substitute the bells during the Good Friday service, a wooden clatter with iron rings rattling is used to announce the rituals. The bells will be heard again at Easter Sunday’s midnight service to announce the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Read Full History Here: http://www.navhindtimes.in/procession-of-capas-magnas/