Panjim: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will begin work to restore the Mastrillian Casket, which contains the relics of St Francis Xavier from December 10. In view of this work, the Basilica will be closed for visitors on Thursday after the 8 am mass.
“Following my efforts and initiatives, a process to protect the monuments was initiated by my friend’s Italian connection through ‘Guala Closures’. A team of three specialists were dispatched from ‘OpificiodellePietre Dure e Laboratori di Restauro di Firenze’, who studied the artefacts from May 27 through June 3, 2018. They said that the Casket must be attended to on top priority or else, it would fall apart within the next 10 years,” said Fr. Patricio Fernandes, SJ Rector of the Basilica.
The ASI Chemical Branch from Aurangabad, who specialise in conservation, have taken the initiative under the mandate from ASI Dehradun to commence the work to conserve and restore the Mastrillian Casket.
The negotiations began long back, ever since ASI Delhi ordered that the treatment be done by their specialists in India.
The work will be done at the Basilica itself under strict security and will commence from December 10.
For this reason, the Basilica will be closed for visitors on Thursday after the 8 am mass.
