The book ‘Saint Francis Xavier his life journey through stamps, prayer cards and lithographs’, is authored by João Paulo Cota, who was born in Angola to parents of Goan descent and relocated to Goa at the age of 14. After graduating from the Goa Engineering College with first-class honors in Civil Engineering, he subsequently moved to London. A lifetime member of the Goa Philatelic and Numismatic Society, João Paulo holds membership in the Royal Philatelic Society London, in addition to contributing to various other similar organizations.
“I collect everything and anything related to Portuguese India, pre 1961 period, be it stamps, coins, banknotes, postcards, photos, prayer cards, lithographs, militaria, books, etc. Over time, I have realized that holding these collectables on my hands were equivalent to me touching history that span many centuries ago. I did write a philatelic article in 2012 relating to Portuguese India postal history and that won me the George Pearson literature award in Portugal for best article in Portuguese related philatelic research,” says João, who has a particular interest in religious artifacts associated with St Francis Xavier. He has received multiple medals at both national (UK) and international philatelic exhibitions, consistently showcasing materials from Portuguese India.
During the previous St Francis Xavier exposition in 2014, João began to gather philatelic items, accumulating a significant collection of First Day Covers from the 1952 exposition to serve as part of a commemorative souvenir. However, the concept soon evolved into the creation of a historical work detailing the life of the saint, wherein certain books would include an original philatelic item for readers to touch and appreciate the history of philately. João consulted the master of all works related to the saint - the monumental work of Otto Schurhammer, the Jesuit priest, who had spent 60 years researching the life of St Francis Xavier and had real proof of what he wrote.
João had help from people overseas located in countries where the St Francis Xavier had been. They were helpful in getting him good information and photographs when needed, also picking up prayer cards from their countries. The stamps, prayer cards and lithographs, were all carefully chosen. The central theme of the book is to immerse the reader in the 1500s, a time when St Francis Xavier roamed the Earth. The lithographs illustrating the cities he traversed across the seas provide a visual representation of the landscapes he would have witnessed firsthand, as these prints originate from that era, with some dating back over 400 years.
The narrative chronicles the life of St Francis Xavier, from his early years to his passing, and includes a dedicated section at the conclusion that explores a diverse array of first-class relics located worldwide. The book is further enhanced by richly illustrated plates featuring stamps issued by Portuguese India, along with items of postal history, souvenirs from Expositions, and First Day Covers. This A4-sized publication is available in a limited edition. The initial 100 copies will include a unique philatelic item, one per book, with various options primarily sourced from Portuguese India. The pricing for these special editions varies to account for the associated costs of the items.
Besides the several individuals who helped João during the process of writing the book, he thanked Pantaleão Fernandes for his invaluable guidance and Santosh Hirve. João acknowledges the support extended by the Bishop's Palace, further thanking the Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão and his secretary Fr Loiola Pereira for attending the book launching event at the Museum of Christian Art.
The book serves as a remarkable and captivating source of information regarding St Francis Xavier. From the detailed artistry of European stamps to the vivid hues of Asian releases, each piece narrates a distinct story about the lasting influence of St Francis Xavier, whose relentless missionary efforts have made a significant impact on the world.