Goa Information Blog

Church of Convent of St. Monica, Old Goa

The Church and the Convent of St. Monica is situated contiguous to the Chapel of St. Anthony and facing north on Monte Santo. The Convent was sanctioned in 1598 and its foundation was laid by the Archbishop Dom Frei Alexio de Menezes who was also the then Governor of Portuguese India on July 2nd 1606. Its work was completed in 1627. The rules of the monastery compiled by the Archbishop, were modeled on those of St. Augustine, and was approved by Pope Paul V, vide his Papal brief dated 27th November, 1613 and received the sanction of the king of Portugal who, by royal decree dated the 26th March 1636, accepted its patronage. The convent was subsequently called the Royal Monastery of Santa Monica. It was the first nunnery of the East.

The convent was large enough to accommodate some hundred nuns, known as daughters of St. Monica, as well as the widows willing to devote themselves to the service of Goa. The nunnery was also used to give shelter to ladies during the absence of their husbands, when on service in other parts of the Empire. This convent was open to all nuns, European, Eurasian and also to those of local extraction.

The vast three-storied building, which was circled at the back and sides by a huge enclosure, was provided with everything necessary for the comforts and convenience of the inmates. The gardens of the convent covered a vast area and were full of aromatic plants and beautiful flowers, with which the nuns used to adorn the altars. In the adjoining orchards grew some of the best fruits of India, and the kitchen garden produced all kinds of vegetables which were used for their daily requirements. Twelve walls provided the best water for the irrigation of their cultivated plot and a water tank embellished that haven of peace.

The church was attached to the convent to the south. Its external architecture is a combination of the Tuscan, Corinthian and composite style, Its interior belongs to the Doric and composite style. Its greatest length is 175 feet and breadth 36 feet. The fa ade of the church presents on the top a statue of Santa Monica and the symbol of the Holy Ghost. Three solid buttresses support the fa ade and through their arches runs the road that lead to the priority of the Rosary. The nave is divided into two parts. The first makes up the principal part of the church with two side altars, the one on the right dedicated to Divine Jesus and the one on the left to Virgins Africanas. The main altar contains the image of Santa Monica, mother of St. Augustine, to whom the convent and the church is dedicated.

In the tribune, which surmounts to the altar, rises the famous Miraculous Cross , 108 high. On February 8th 1636, this image opened its eyes and was seen moving, while from its wounds, blood appeared to flow. This miracle occurred again on the 12th of that month in the presence of the viceroy and other officials. On August 24, 1636, a statement was written at the Archbishop s palace mentioning these events and after investigations was concluded as miraculous. The image has since been held in great veneration.

It closed as a nunnery after its last sister died in 1885. It was reinstated to church status in 1968. It currently houses the Theological Center of the Matar Dei institute. This is a center of higher education for nuns and draws a varied international group. It was inaugurated on June 5th 1964.