Saint Francis Xavier Exposition committee has done and are still doing a wonderful work in around the Se Cathedral and Bom Jesus Basilica. On the inaugural day and thereafter different volunteers of various committees have been willingly rendering their services to all the pilgrims. It is heartening to see various committees working in tandem to make the ‘Exposition of Saint Francis Xavier relics’ a memorable and faith-forming event, especially for the Catholics. Just to make this event more pilgrims-friendly, a few suggestions will not be out of place. Various programmes are held near Se Cathedral but hardly a handful of pilgrims attend those programmes. One of the biggest huddles is the security at the gates opposite the entrance of the Basilica. They do not allow the pilgrims to enter the premises. We were some of the victims. If the programmes are specifically held for the pilgrims, why then the security don’t allow them to enter the premises?
If possible someone could rectify this problem so that the pilgrims could benefit from these programmes. Secondly, there is a shuttle bus from the parking lot to the Basilica. Often these buses get delayed due to traffic jam at cross roads. And so, elderly people, children and their parents have to stand in the hot sun. Therefore a temporary shed/shelter could be erected at the parking lot so that pilgrims could take shelter. If some of these glitches are rectified, it will go a long way in helping the pilgrims who visit Old Goa.
Rui Pereira, Navelim
