St Francis Xavier the saint walked this very Goan soil over 460 years ago
too, The feast of St Francis Xavier will be celebrated on December 3rd at old
Goa and other places of Goa too. Goa, also the relics of the saint are kept at
Bom Jesus Bascilica.
Emphasis will also be laid on the strict
adherence and following of SOPs. For instance, those without masks will be
denied entry while sanitisation and social distancing is mandatory. There will
also be adequate spacing such as delayed entry and exit.
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Thanks be to the Lord Jesus ABBA Father
Mother Mary with the intercession of St Francis Xavier this year we got the
opportunity to attend mass at old Goa and to see our Goencho Saib with the
intercession of Goencho Saib let this Corona virus be cleared said Roy Dias
from Tamborim Cavelossim Salcette.
One of those who would come regularly is
Domnic Quadros from Mumbai. Speaking to Herald he said they used to visit Old
Goa and offer prayers and flowers to Goencho Saib to seek his blessings. “This
year due to COVID-19 it’s not possible to visit Old Goa. However, I have prayed
to St Francis Xavier to intercede with God to clear the virus from this world,”
he said.
Recalling her childhood days, Rosy Dias from Ambora said she
used to go to Old Goa with her relative Adeline (Modgomaia), a day before the
feast and used to stay outside the Basilica and attend the early morning mass
on the feast day and then return home.
Ema from Pedda Benaulim now working in a foreign country said,
“Although this year I am not in Goa the feast celebrations in Goa, we will be
praying from there and will be watching the celebrations on social media and
other channels.”
Recalling his visit to Old Goa some years ago, Peter Baggi of
the Koli (fishing) community from Vasai, Mumbai said they travelled to Old Goa
for the novenas and the feast to seek St Francis Xavier’s blessings. “With the
blessings of the Saint, my business increased”, Baggi said.
He appreciated the love and affection showered on them by the
Basilica authorities by providing them with accommodation, besides the warm
welcome by the priests and Goans in general.
Besides this, pilgrims from Sindhudurg, Kolhapur and Belgaum and
other places used to walk all the appreciated the love and affection showered
on them by the Basilica authorities by providing them with accommodation,
besides the warm welcome by the priests and Goans in general.
Besides this, pilgrims from Sindhudurg, Kolhapur and Belgaum
used to walk all the way to Old Goa to seek St Francis Xavier’s blessings,
which this year they have not been able to do. The hymn for St Francis Xavier
or Goencho Saib say, Besanv ghal, Saiba xharar Gõychea, Samballun sodankal
gopant tujea. Speaking to Fr Rector, Patricio Fernandes sj of Basilica de Bom
Jesus old Goa on Sunday asked whether the pilgrims from other states this year
will come for the feast .Fr Patricio replied that on 1st of December some of
them will be coming will be providing them the pilgrims pass after formalities.
Speaking to some of the devotees Mr Madheo Jadhav from Sindhudurg said along
with his friends he used to visit St Francis Xavier during feast with his
friends let St Francis Xavier bless us all and save us from all sickness. While
Andrew DSouza from Siolim said today we came for Mass at old Goa and to take
the blessings of St Francis Xavier.
While Jennifer from Raia said this year at least we got the opportunity
to attend mass at old during the Novenas and with the intercession of St
Francis Xavier our Goencho Saib bless us all and let the Corona virus be
cleared from this world.
As per sources pilgrims used to even come walking from
Sindhudurg, Kolhapur and Belgaum with prayers and penance to take darshan of St
Xavier.
With
churches and chapels dedicated to the Saint across the State, the feast of St
Francis Xavier will also be celebrated at Bhatpal- Canacona, at St Francis
Xavier Church, Borim. The feast will also be celebrated at St Francis Xavier
Chapel, Tembi-Raia, St Xavier Cross at Verna, at Fatorda, where all SOPs and
other protocols will be followed.
