MARGAO: The Bishop of Baroda, Fr Sebastiao Mascarenhas, will be the main celebrant for the main feast mass of St Francis Xavier this year. This was announced by the Rector of the Basilica of Bom Jesus Fr Patricio Fernandes, who added that there will be several other co-celebrants as well.
Fr Fernandes also announced that the theme this year is ‘Like St Francis Xavier, Let us do what Jesus did’.
He encouraged the faithful to observe the essence of this theme as part of their preparation for the feast.
It may be recalled that the feast of St Francis Xavier in Old Goa will be celebrated on December 4 this year, as the Advent season begins on December 3, which falls on a Sunday.
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).
Fr Fernandes added that the usual 5 am novena mass was cancelled in order to help to better organise the Novena masses throughout the day, which the volunteers coordinate.
Timings for daily adoration, intercession and rosary are from 5 am till 6 pm.
