Our Lady of the Rosary church features Stations of the Cross, also known as the Way of Sorrows or the Via Crucis. These are a series of scenes depicting Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion. The Stations of the Cross are associated with the Christian themes of repentance and mortification of the flesh.
In Chinese temples, the worship of Confucius involves a blend of ritual offerings, reverential acts, and educational activities. These practices are designed to honour Confucius as a sage and cultural icon, emphasizing his enduring influence on Chinese society and culture.
The panel above the altar at Our Lady of the Rosary church features a copy of Leonardo da Vinci's ‘The Last Supper’ mural, which was created between 1495 and 1498 and is housed in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. The painting depicts the scene of the Last Supper of Jesus with the Twelve Apostles, as recounted in the Gospel of John.
The old Our Lady of the Rosary church was relatively smaller and could not accommodate the growing number of parishioners. Consequently, a new church was constructed over the course of two years, from 1924 to 1925, with numerous modifications made to the structure. The dimensions and height of the church were expanded to accommodate larger congregations. On February 14, 1926, the Bishop of Mysore consecrated the new church.
Drawing inspiration from the classic Gothic architectural era, Saint Anne’s Church in Mazagaon features pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and lofty spires, which are all hallmarks of the neo-Gothic style. The foundation stone was laid on April 10, 1880, and the Church was consecrated on November 6, 1881, by Bishop Leo Meurin.
On July 31, 1887, coinciding with the Feast of Saint Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, Saint Anne’s was formally recognized as a parish. Saint Anne is traditionally believed to be the mother of the Virgin Mary, and the grandmother of Jesus.
Saint Anne’s Church features stained glass windows depicting prominent themes from Christianity. The central window depicts the Ascension of Jesus, the window on the right shows the Descent of the Holy Spirit, and the one on the left depicts the Coronation of Our Blessed Lady and the Glory of All the Saints.
Statues of Buddha, Bodhisattvas, Taoist deities, and folk gods are placed in the central shrine. Within the room, smaller shrines dedicated to specific deities or ancestors are present, each accompanied by its own set of offerings and decor. Candles are lit in front of the deities or on altars. Offerings, such as fruits, flowers, tea, and food, are arranged on altars as gifts to deities and ancestors. Worshippers light incense sticks as an offering to deities, to honour ancestors, and to purify the space.
The baptismal well at Our Lady of the Rosary is dedicated to Joseph Baptista, who was born in Matharpacady on January 4, 1864. Baptista was a fervent nationalist who studied law to become a barrister. As a member of the Indian National Congress (INC), he significantly contributed to the mobilization of public opinion in support of Indian Home Rule through his writings, speeches, and political engagement.
During the vicarship of Stanislaus Pereira, Our Lady of the Rosary church underwent extensive interior and exterior refurbishment to achieve a more contemporary appearance. Msgr Stanislaus, who served at Our Lady of the Rosary for nearly 20 years (1953-1974), implemented many changes for the benefit of the parishioners.