A rich man coming from a noble family from one of the provinces in Spain, gives up all he has and takes to simple living. He joins the religious order of the Jesuits, becomes a priest and goes on a mission to spread the gospel of Jesus to enlighten those who have not heard it that they may know the importance of spiritual life. He goes places, almost all over the world, in an era when modern transport and technology wasn’t in existence, but with only one aim: to reach out to as many as possible that they may know God and accept him. In fact he did succeed, more than partially, in his mission and on his death God rewarded him to remain incorruptible, whose holy relics is today placed in the Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa. He is St. Francis Xavier, who even after his death, 400 plus years, attracts thousand of devotees to come seeking him every year to Goa. They come from all over the world virtually turning Old Goa into a sea of humanity in oneness irrespective of class or creed.
It is rather baffling, if not surprising, to know that the Saint continues his mission even after his death to touch people bringing them together in love. The swelling crowds of devotees every year at the venue on his feast day, December 3, is enough evidence of the fact. One can simply say: It’s Divine. They are the lowly and the humble who come to honour him to pay their gratitude for having received favours, both spiritual and material. They stand patiently in long queues for their turn to come to enter the Basilica at Old Goa to pay respect to his holy remains in return.
St. Francis Xavier is loveable to every Goan. He is affectionately referred to as Goencho Saib. Goans have made it an annual pilgrimage to attend at least one novena service to pray for their family interests and other intentions. One elderly devotee put it rightly in the midst of a conversation: Amcho Goencho Saib amkam rakta. How true! May St. Francis Xavier continue to protect everyone, specially in this troubled time we are passing through. May Goa always remain a hub for spiritual enlightenment to experience the love of God and brotherhood.
