Our Lady of the Rosary church features Stations of the Cross. The Stations of the Cross, also known as the Way of Sorrows or the Via Crucis, are a series of scenes depicting Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion. The Stations of the Cross are tied to the Christian themes of repentance and mortification of the flesh.
Between 1924-25, the church was extended to accommodate the increasing number of people. The church was completely remodelled during the Vicarship of Msgr. Stanislaus Pereira to give it a modern appearance.
The year of consecration of Our Lady of the Rosary Church on Dockyard Road, Mazagaon, is inscribed on the outer wall. In 1794, this new church was built a few metres away from the old Gloria Church, which till 1794 was the only church in Mazagaon.
The wrought iron grilles on the boundary wall were installed in 1860 with the marking NRS, which stands for Nossa Senhora do Rosario, or “Our Lady of the Rosary”.
The letters IHS, encircled by a crown of thorns, are mounted on the pediment of the north projection. IHS represents a Christogram, a combination of letters forming an abbreviation for the name of Jesus Christ. Derived from the first three letters of the Greek name of Jesus (Ἰησοῦς), IHS consists of iota (Ι), eta (Η), and sigma (Σ).
The faithful are invited to approach and venerate the cross, often by kissing it, touching it, or bowing before it. This act of reverence enables worshippers to establish a personal connection with the Passion of Christ.
The Blessed Sacrament, consecrated on Maundy Thursday, is brought forward from its location for the Communion ceremony. The hosts are stored in a tabernacle, which is shrouded in a veil—a locked box where the Eucharist (consecrated communion hosts) is stored as part of the ‘reserved sacrament’ rite.
The unveiled crucifix is reverently taken back to the Altar of Repose, marking the conclusion of the Eucharist ceremony. A cross-bearer leads the procession, followed by two servers carrying lighted candles. Father Vernon Aguiar, acting rector of the basilica since 2023, follows at the end.
During Lent, the crucifix is draped with purple cloth, symbolizing mourning and sorrow for the suffering and death of Jesus. Purple, the liturgical colour for Lent, represents penance, humility, and sorrow for sin.
The Good Friday choir provides background music and performs songs dedicated to Jesus, enriching the spiritual atmosphere and adding to the reverence of the occasion.