The great annual religious event, feast of St Francis Xavier, makes Old Goa lively for 10 days beginning from Nov 24 to Dec 3. Huge crowds of devotees converge at the Basilica of Bom Jesus to attend novenas as a pilgrimage to owe reverence to the saint. So deep is their faith in St Francis, some even make it their annual obligation to attend at least one novena in thanksgiving while others do so as a tradition to keep continuity in memory of their ancestors. These are the lowly, simple gentle people irrespective of their class and creed who seek intercession of the Saint in times of their need and distress, but above all their devotion manifest the inner spiritual desire to keep connected with the Devine that their souls may experience peace in the realm of spirituality.
Francis Xavier was born in a rich noble family in Navarre, one of the provinces in Spain. He had everything in life to be contended with. Indeed, he had high ambitions to rise in life, become famous, accumulate wealth and gain the world’s attention, a dream he was pursuing earnestly for his personal interests. But God had it otherwise that Francis should work in his vineyard to win souls for eternal life and be saved. Francis Xavier did respond to the timely call of God on hearing “what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul” from none other than his mentor Ignatius of Loyola. What followed next in his life was pure destiny shaped by God and upon his death, in return, God rewarded him with the honour of keeping his body incorruptible till date, fortunately here in Goa, that he be remembered and given reverence by thousands of his devotees and be emulated to work for the kingdom of God more than the emptiness of this worldly life.
Why S. Francis Xavier became Goycho Saib, so loveable to the Goans. It was told by our ancestors, in one of the earlier expositions, a lady bit one of his fingers while kissing the feet to know if the saint was still alive. To everyone’s surprise blood started oozing out. Much frightened and repent for her act, the lady then asked for forgiveness and the oozing of blood stopped. It is also believed that on several occasions St Francis Xavier has protected Goa from many eventualities. The elders of today as well believe while there have been severe floods elsewhere in our country, of late, we are still safe here under the care and protection of the Saint.
These and many more incidents, personal favours and for other reasons of individual interest, St Francis Xavier becomes favourite and loveable to the Goans to look upon him as a father figure in times of need and helplessness rightly calling him Goycho Saib. Lord of Goa. Incidentally, St Francis Xavier is also the Patron Saint of Goa. May he always protect us and keep Goa safe.
