As the 17th exposition of the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier has concluded, it is time to show our gratitude to the organizers for all the pains taken to make the event a truly God experience. I and my family stayed in a flat at Old Goa throughout the period of the exposition and have been richly blessed by St. Francis Xavier.
The entire exposition went on very smoothly and everyone who came from far did not face any problems. The very fact that people from all walks of life were willing to stay in the queue only goes to show how much our Goencho Saib is being revered by the faithful. Once the people had kissed the relics they could spend time at the exhibition arranged in the pandal in front of the Se Cathedral. Then every hour there were programs at the St. Cecilia auditorium which ranged from plays to musical programs based on the life of St. Francis Xavier of which the play “Mission Japan” was appreciated by one and all. Then there were movies screened based on the various Bible stories. Adoration was also held at the Se Cathedral every Saturday on various topics which ranged from praying for world peace to praying for the students to help them cope with the exams. Then of course there were the daily masses held at the pandal which could accommodate more than 5,000 people. The masses were concelebrated by priests from various parishes from all across the state.
Fr. Patricio who was present at each and every mass would guide the public by informing of the daily programs which the people could take part in after the mass. The masses were well organized as there was no rush witnessed for taking the Holy Communion and the choir sang soulful hymns for that enriching spiritual experience. Several books on the life of St. Francis Xavier were released during the period of the exposition. A word of appreciation for all the volunteers who worked behind the scene and were responsible for the orderly manner in which the proceedings were held. Despite their hectic schedule, these volunteers found time to put up a massive crib in the corridors of the Basilica of Bom Jesus. As so many masses were held in the specially erected pandal during the period of the exposition, one could get the feeling that the place was anointed and blessed as several miracles reportedly took place at the site.
