WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024
INACIO NORONHA
OLD GOA: For the first time in centuries, Old Goa on December 3 will not have pilgrims from across Goa venerating the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier, popularly known as “Goencho Saib”. The pandemic has ensured that the feast on Thursday will be a virtual celebration, with people at home participating in the masses on TV and on the internet.
This is in complete contrast to even last year, when lakhs of people turned up at Old Goa for the novenas and the feast, coming from across the country and around the world.
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.
Rosy said, “Although this year the feast celebrations in Goa are not like previous years due to COVID-19, we will be praying from home 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 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.
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 where Fr Conceicao D’Silva will be the main celebrant for the feast mass. 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.
