PANJIM: For the first time the novenas in preparation of the feast of St Francis Xavier, beginning from Tuesday, will be held via the online mode. In view of COVID-19 pandemic, the masses at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, where are preserved the Sacred Relics of the Saint popularly known as Goencho Saib, will not be open for the people.
Basilica of Bom Jesus Rector Fr Patricio Fernandes said that the veneration of the Relic of the Saint will, however, be allowed from 9am to 6pm. The feast of St Francis Xavier will be celebrated on December 3.
“All masses will be live on our official website www.bomjesus.org and YouTube channel, as well as on some local channels,” he said.
From November 24 to December 2, masses at the Bom Jesus Basilica will be celebrated at 6am, 7am, 8am (English mass) and 5pm. On the feast day, the mass will be held at 6am, 7am, 8am (English) and the High Mass will be at 10.30am.
There will be language masses every day from November 24 to December 3 at 6pm. The daily language masses include Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, French, Italian, Telugu, Portuguese, Marathi, Kannada and Spanish.
Deanery masses will be held at 6am and 7am and have been allocated to the various deaneries in the Archdiocese.
Every year thousands of devotees attend the Novena masses at the Basilica, while on the Feast day, faithful from across world throng the Church.
