TEAM HERALD
OLD GOA: Thousands of adorers from various walks of life converged at the Basilica de Bom Jesus in Old Goa on the occasion of the Feast of St Francis Xavier on Tuesday in a unique and special show of religious harmony.
Eager worshippers gathered at the basilica the night before to partake in the vespers of St Francis Xavier. Some had been present for over a week, participating in each novena dedicated to the saint. The pandal in front of the Basilica de Bom Jesus was filled to capacity from the very first mass, which commenced at 3.45 am.
There was a palpable excitement among the attendees as they prepared to venerate the saint’s relics following the High Mass. Thousands attended the various masses throughout the feast day, coming not only from Goa, but also from different regions of India and around the globe.
Several faithful individuals expressed their commitment to honour the Sacred Relics during all nine days of the novena leading up to the feast. Additionally, many faithful were involved in walking pilgrimages that journeyed to Old Goa from Maharashtra and Karnataka.
To prevent overcrowding, the committee opted to start the veneration earlier than the usual time of 7 am, as explained by Fr Henry Falcão, the convenor of the Exposition Committee. The veneration of the saint's Sacred Relics carried on even during the High Mass in English at 10.30 am. This mass began with a solemn procession led by altar servers carrying a processional Cross. At the beginning of the service, the Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, addressed the attendees in Konkani, followed by a brief introduction in English.
The day’s theme was ‘Xubhvortomanache Porgottnnar Ami,’ which translates to ‘We are the Messengers of the Good News’.
The principal celebrant for the high Mass was Cardinal Antonio Luis GokimTagle from the Philippines, who is currently based in Rome. He holds the position of Pro-Prefect for the Section of Evangelisation within the Dicastery for Evangelisation and serves as the president of the Interdicasterial Commission for Consecrated Religious.
During his homily, he focused on two key points: the role of a messenger and the significance of the ‘Good News.’ He remarked, “We frequently encounter false messengers sent by false gods. It is essential to reflect on whether each one is a bearer of true news or merely spreading gossip, misinformation, hatred, and division.” In total, over 150 priests participated in the solemn celebration, with over 15 members of the clergy officiating the holy Eucharist.
The delightful inter-religious harmony in Goa was exemplified by the participation of devout faithful from various walks of life, who joined together in the solemn celebration of the feast of Saint Francis Xavier. He has been honoured by people, not just within the Catholic Church, but also by others who respect his contributions to humanity, his moral teachings, and his commitment to spreading education and understanding.
“The saint has made so much of impact on the people of the orient that we have numerous institutions named after him. I have personally experienced several miracles from this great person,” says Vinayak Shetgãocar from Maharashtra.
The Feast of Saint Francis Xavier in Goa is not only an important religious occasion, but also a cultural celebration, bringing together locals, tourists, and pilgrims in a shared expression of faith and community.
On the occasion of the feast, morning masses were conducted at 3.45 am, 5 am, 6 am, 7.15 am, 8.30 am, and 10.30 am. In the afternoon, masses took place at 12.15 pm, 3.30 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm, and 6.15 pm, all in English. The veneration of the sacred Relics commenced at 5 am and continued until 6 pm.