MARGAO: This year, the feast of St Francis Xavier, popularly called as Goencho Saib will be celebrated on December 4 this year at Old Goa, as the Advent season begins on December 3, which falls on a Sunday.
“The liturgical year, which begins on the first Sunday of Advent, is an important day given to Lord Jesus. A saint’s feast that falls on that particular Sunday is always taken to the next day. Accordingly, the feast of St Francis Xavier will be celebrated on December 4,” said Rector of the Basilica of Bom Jesus Fr Patricio Fernandes, in a comment given to the media.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
It should be noted that the annual novena and feast attract thousands of devotees and pilgrims, who gather around the Basilica of Bom Jesus for this spiritual occasion. The novenas will begin on Saturday, November 25. Daily masses will be held at 6 am, 7.15 am, 8.30 am, 9.45 am, 11 am, 3.30 pm, 5 pm, and 6.15 pm (English). The feast day masses will be at 3.45 am, 5 am, 6.15 am, 7.30 am, 8.45 am, 10.30 am (Main feast mass), 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm, and 6 pm (English).
Furthermore, the Maddi mass (volunteer’s mass) before the novenas will be held on November 24 at 6 pm.
The inter-religious meet will take place on November 30, Thursday, at 10 am, followed by a mass at 12 pm in Konkani.”
