A multitude of devotees and pilgrims from across the state, besides other parts of the country and abroad are expected to participate in as many as 12 masses to be celebrated on the feast day in the special pandal outside the Basilica of Bom Jesus. The theme for the feast Mass is ‘Our family is the school of faith, witness to society zealous missionaries’.
The numbers of faithful are expected to swell even more, given that the relics of St Francis Xavier are on exposition.
Such has been the importance accorded to St Francis Xavier that his feast will be celebrated not only in churches, chapels and Catholic institutions all over Goa, but across the world as well.
Since his name is among the select number of saints inscribed in the Roman Martyrology (or Catologue of Saints) by the Catholic church, Pope Francis (himself a fellow Jesuit) will lead the Universal Catholic Church in venerating St Francis Xavier on Wednesday.
Incidentally, various parishes in the state also have St Francis Xavier as the patron saint of their churches. These parishes, which include Borim (Ponda), Bhatpal (Canacona), Chicalim (Mormugao), Macasana (Salcete), Maina-Corgao (Pernem), Mormugao Harbour, Pirna (Bardez), Keri (Pernem), Tuem (Pernem), Velim (Salcete) and Duler-Mapusa (Bardez), will also celebrate the feast at their churches with traditional fervour on Wednesday.
