The moment that thousands were waiting for arrived at around 12.20 pm on Saturday. Feet first, the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier emerged from the Basilica of Bom Jesus and the Goencho Saib was among his beloved. The thousands of people who had participated in the mass had their first close look at the relics as they were slowly and reverentially carried from the Basilica to the Cathedral of Bl Joseph Vaz across the street. By the time the Cathedral doors were opened for the public veneration of the Sacred Relics, many in the queue had already spent four hours or more in Old Goa. Yet, none were complaining.
There is something extraordinary that defines the faith that the Goan people have in St Francis Xavier and the Saint’s very accidental connection with Goa. Xavier was a Basque missionary and co-founder of the Society of Jesus with St Ignatius of Loyola. His journey to India was by chance, he being selected to replace the original choice who fell ill. He spent more time travelling in Asia, than he spent in Goa, perhaps less than a year of the 11 years he was in this continent. His body, originally meant to be taken to Europe made a halt at Goa, and again by accident, remained here.
And that is perhaps what made the difference – his body staying back in Goa. Would it have been the same had Xavier’s body completed its journey to Europe? No other Saint of the Catholic faith has such a following in Goa as has St Francis Xavier. They throng to his side all year round standing or kneeling below the mausoleum whispering to him their troubles, and once a decade they are able to get real close to him when the relics are brought down.
Saturday was that day, when the relics were brought down and they moved among the people. Thousands were able to touch the crystal urn that holds the relics, put their lips to it and pray to him in an expression of faith. They were able to get as close as physically possible to a man who lived centuries ago, in a Goa far different from today. As Bishop Aloysius D’Souza said in his sermon, “It is the same body which lived in our land five centuries ago. The same feet which walked our streets and paths, the same hands which served us and administered sacraments, the same tongue and mouth which preached the Gospel and praised God, the same heart in his body, the heart that felt compassion and mercy, the same eyes which looked with kindness.”
It is perhaps the compassion and mercy which St Francis Xavier showed in his lifetime that brings the people to him today. When the relics have been carried in procession at past expositions, the people, moved by the relics are known to have shed a tear and some have even sobbed. It was no different on Saturday. There were various emotions on display but the most visible was an open display of faith, something the Church leaders will be glad about.
The Exposition of the Sacred Relics is an event with various connotations. The Church looks at it as a means for the faithful to renew their faith. Of that there was plenty on display. The State joins in hoping that it will give tourism and the economy a boost. That too appears to be happening as sprinkled among the devotees were tourists from various places. The lay faithful go to Old Goa either as pilgrims or just to perform another rite. They too were there at Old Goa on Saturday, when the Exposition got off to a start.
For centuries Goans, of all faiths, have been going to Old Goa to pray to St Francis Xavier. At times of trouble – physical, emotional, financial – they take recourse to him. He comes to their aid and they return to his side, every year, just as they have for the past 450 years, forging a relationship between a saint and a people that has transcended time and that defies an explanation. Catholicism in Goa may not have been the same if not for St Francis Xavier.
