THE CONVENT OF S. CAJETAN AND CHURCH OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE

 

CONVENTO DE S. CAETANO E IGREJA DA DIVINE PROVIDENCIA

Modelled on the original design of St. Peter’s in Rome, this Church was built by Italian friars of the Order of Theatines, who were called Clerigos Regulares da Divine Providencia who were sent by Pope Urban VIII to preach Christianity in the kingdom of Golconda (near Hyderabad). The friars were not permitted to work in Golconda, so settled at Old Goa in 1640. The construction of the Church began in 1655. The main altar is dedicated to Our Lady of Divine Providence, but the Church is more popularly named after the Founder of the Theatine Order, St. Cajetan.
The Convent of St. Cajetan, Old Goa
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The Convent was closed in 1835, 16 Theatines were forced to leave. Then the convent was transformed into a temporary residence for the Governor when they visited Old Goa on the occasion of religious solemnities. Later the gallery of the portraits of Viceroys and Governors was transferred here, as well as the Museum da India Portuguesa. The convent was rebuilt and at present it houses the St. Pius X Institute for the pastoral training of priests.

Italian father D. Carlo Ferrarini and lay – brother Francesco Maria Milazzo were the architects. Mestre Inacio was the scultor and Manuel Pereira was the builder.

It has four niches with granite images of Sts. Peter, Paul, John and Mathews. The following word of Christ are painted in bold on the threshold : Domus mea domus orationis (My house is a house of prayer).

Eight pillars divide the Church into three naves with six vaulted lateral chapels. The four central pillars support the cupola with four large, elegantly carved arches. Around the cupola we find the following legend : Quaerite primum regnum Dei et haec omnia adjicientur vobis (Math 6,33) Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he required of you, and he will provide you with all these other things.

Inside view of the Dome, Old Goa

Underneath this cupola there is a 22 meters deep well with a small opening covered with a square slab. The main altar is remarkable for its admirably wrought and tastefully gilded altarpiece. It has a sitting image of Nossa Senhora de Divina Providencia holding a chalice with host, with two angels at her feet, and the following legend : Comedite panem et bibite vinum quod miscui vobis.

An interesting thing about this Church is that it has two sacristies one on either side. Under the main altar there is a vault which was formerly the cemetery of the friars. Since 1842 the embalmed bodies of Portuguese Governors were kept here before they were taken to Portugal.