The Church is dedicated to St. Jerome. It is also dedicated to Our Lady of Miracles or Milagres Saibinn (in the native language, Konkani) and therefore, locally, more popularly known as the Milagres Church. According to religious folklore, there were seven virginal sisters - Lairai, Mhamai, Kelbai, Morjai, Mahalsa, Adiadipa and Mirabai. It is believed that the deity Mirabai, the youngest of the seven original goddesses of Goa, converted to Christianity from Hinduism and assumed the name Milagres. Owing to the sisterly bond they shared, Goddess Lairai of Shirgao and Milagres Saibinn of Mapusa, on their respective feasts, exchange ‘Ojem’ (a basket). On Milagres' Feast, a pot of Coconut oil is sent from the Lairai Temple on behalf of Goddess Lairai, as a gift to her younger sister Milagres, in Mapusa. In return, Milagres sends Lairai on her feast, which is celebrated some time later, in Shirgao, an ‘ojem’ of ‘mogrim’ (scented white Jasmine flowers), believed to be Goddess Lairai’s favourite. Both feasts are deeply cherished and attended by Christian and Hindu Goans in large numbers. This is Indian syncretism at its purest and most meaningful. Viva Goa!