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Christians include mainly the East Indians i.e. the descendants of the converted Hindus and Muslims from Salsette and Vasai, Mumbai, Kurla, Thane and Vasai. Immigrants from Goa have also reinforced their ranks. Thus together they constitute the Roman Catholic Christian Community and owe allegiance to the Pope in the Vatican. The Christians also include a number of Anglo-Indians and Eurasians.

They have a happy blend of Oriental and Occidental culture with perhaps a greater learning towards the west. Let us ideally learn the customs and rituals observed by this Community .

Before the wedding

Two days before the wedding a custom called Choodo is performed. This is the placing of multi-coloured bangles on the brides' hands, eleven bangles on one hand and seven on the other. The cost of the bangles is borne by the bride's mother's eldest brother. This is performed on any of the days except Thursday and Friday, which is not considered auspicious for this ritual. There is amusement in the air; however, it goes without saying, bursting of crackers and a lot of rejoicing. Friends', relatives and friends' of the bride who are married also wear coloured bangles on this day. After this function the bride does not leave the house nor see the groom till the wedding day.

One day before the wedding the Dehhne or the trousseau of the bride is sent to the groom's house. Traditionally, this consists of a cupboard, sewing machine and other things given to the bride by her relatives. Some sweets are also prepared. Sweet balls of jaggery and dohse (ground wheat) are also prepared.

On this day the Roce or the 'coconut milk bath' is given to the bride. Each and every family member of the bride makes a cross of blessed oil on the bride's forehead. At times drops of oil are poured in her ears. Turn by turn the bride's friends and relatives come forth and apply the coconut milk on the bride. Then each family member pours one mug of water on the bride. Finally after all the relatives have had their turn the bride proceeds for her bath. Traditionally, an elderly female relative would bathe the bride, but now a day she bathes alone. Dinner is then served to all those present. A male relative who is a widower or a female relative who is a widow is specially called for the ceremony. This person is also served dinner Before the wedding, traditionally, , the poor are given a separate lunch which includes the best of delicacies. To this lunch they normally invite a couple that are considered symbolically to represent either the dead parents or grandparents of the bride. The custom of feeding the poor is still followed in villages.

On the morning of the wedding the groom sends the bride her wedding gown, nightdress, veil, make up and all the clothes that she will require for the next day.

The Wedding

The bride seeks the blessings from her parents, grandparents, family and relatives before she leaves for the Church. The eldest sister of the groom escorts her to the Church. This is the sign that she is being welcomed into the new family.

Tradition demands that the bridegroom reach the Church first and await his bride there. It's nice to see the decorated car usually a white one, full of roses stop and there! the bride is out . The best man - usually from the bridegroom's party - greets the bride with a kiss and her wedding bouquet.

The procession to the Church is usually in one of these different ways; the Priest may greet the couple at the door of the Church, bless them, and lead them in; or the bride may proceed up to her waiting bridegroom at the altar on her father's arm for symbolically the last time; or the bride may walk in alone to her bridegroom at the altar, preceded by first the page boys and flower maids, the bridesmaid - best man pairs, and followed by a single bridesmaid carrying her train or veil.

The bridal couple is then placed before the altar in special sitting and kneeling arrangement. This is followed by the usual mass where the priest mentions the names of the couple that are to marry.

The readings for the day are specially chosen - usually the Old Testament -- one about Eve being wrought from the rib of Adam, or the Biblical exhortations that both husband and wife treat each other with love and respect as long as they live. The priest's sermon also is on how to keep love alive and how the couple should help each other grow in spirituality. "Till death do us part" is what ultimately the whole thing is about.

The wedding ring ceremony is traditionally performed in most marriages. The best man usually carries both the rings and hands them to the priest during the ceremony. Then the priest blesses the rings and briefly describes the history behind the custom. The couple put them on each other's third fingers with these words - "with this ring I thee wed, in the name of the father and the son and of the Holy Spirit, amen."

At this point, the priest pronounces them man and wife and then we have the traditional wedding kiss. The mass proceeds with prayers of the faithful - petitions for blessing on the couple - and an offertory procession. The organist plays a happy tune as the bride and the groom walk arm-in-arm down the aisle. Incidentally, the nuptial masses are accompanied by a choir, which sings specially chosen joyful hymns, with perhaps a special solo at communion. After their exit from the Church, the bridal couple then proceeds either home or to a studio for a photographic session, or straight to the reception to celebrate their wedding.

Before the reception begins her mother-in-law gives a Red Dress or Sado to the bride. The groom's sister then follows her mother and puts a sado over the bride's shoulder and a chain on her neck. Some prayers and snacks follow this. After the reception the bride's mother also presents her a red dress or sado.

On the wedding night, the nuptial bed is well decorated and money is placed under the pillows of the newly married couple. The money is kept there as a gift for the person tidying the bed the next morning.

After the Wedding

Next day the Portonnem is held. This is a dinner hosted by the bride's family for the couple and the others. Either the bride or her parents then gift the groom with a present. After this dinner at the bride's home both, the bride and the groom proceed to the groom's house. They walk together showering rice over their shoulders taking care to see that they do not look back.

The bride is also given some bananas, and cake so that she is not to go empty handed. Then part of the wedding cake is given to the bride's family. A small slice along with half a banana is given to all relatives and friends of the bride This marks an end to a beautiful ceremony.

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