FREDDY FERNANDES
freddy@herald-goa.com
OLD GOA: Though the arrival of St Francis Xavier to Goa, when he took the first step on the sacred shores of Goa on May 6, 1542 may not have been a grand occasion, in 2024 the grand anticipation and devout prayerful preparations of the devotees will culminate in the Feast of St Francis Xavier today, 3rd December. This year the feast which occurs during the XVIII Exposition, is going to be a spectacular spiritual event.
In retrospect, that one step of St Francis Xavier and his bringing the faith to Goans, forever changed the course of history and of our lives. That life changing history of 482 years will be remembered and celebrated when the delegate from the Vatican, Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization in Rome, will celebrate the solemn Concelebrated Feast Mass at the Feast of St. Francis Xavier at 10.30am. Archbishop Filip Neri Ferrao and other Bishops and priests will join him at the Holy Eucharist and break the Bread, as Jesus Christ did over 2000 years ago.
The Exposition opened for devotees on November 21. The great build up to the Feast of the Royal of Navarre Spain who landed in Goa, began with a nine day Novena where lakhs of pilgrims and devotees participated. Pilgrims including Goans, have come from all over the world, from many parts of India and there have been many who have come on a walking pilgrimage from neighbouring States, given their great faith in the intercession of St Francis Xavier, one of the most revered saints of the Catholic Church.
The mass timings for the Feast of St. Francis Xavier in Old Goa, are: Morning: 3:45 am, 5 am, 6 am, 7:15 am, 8:30 am, 10:30 am (High mass in English). Afternoon/evening masses will be at: 12:15 pm, 3:30 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm, and 6:15 pm (English). The Veneration of the Holy relics of St Francis Xavier will continue at the Se Cathedral as usual from 7 am to 6 pm.