Goa, June 22 -- JOSEPH FERNANDES

In times of de layed monsoon, the people of Corjuem have traditional ly turned to faith, following an age-old rain prayer ritual that combines devotion, sac rifice and community partic ipation. The ritual involved dev otees carrying stones on their heads while walking in procession to a cross sit uated on a hilltop. Along the route, participants recited the Rosary and sang devo tional hymns. On reaching the destination, they offered prayers, recited the Litany, and placed stones and floral offerings at the feet of the St Anthony statue. Among those who vividly remember the tradition is Tecla D'Souza, a resident of Corjuem, who participated in the ritual as a child more than four decades ago. "This traditi...