OLD GOA: From dawn to dusk, thousands of devotees of different faiths flocked to Old Goa on Saturday to pay homage to St Francis Xavier, known worldwide as Goencho Saib, on his feast day.
Delivering the homily at the festive mass at Bom Jesus Basilica in Old Goa, Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi Rev Theodore Mascarenhas, exhorted the faithful to imitate St Francis Xavier in spreading the faith among the people. He said that St Francis Xavier experienced God’s love and moved to different places, including Goa, to spread the faith of Jesus.
Like St Francis Xavier, Rev Mascarenhas said that St Joseph Vaz and Ven Agnelo also tried to take the faith from Goa to Sri Lanka and from the seminary to different mission areas. He said that Goans were fortunate to have St Francis Xavier in Goa who tried to strengthen them with his staunch faith.
After the saints, Mascarenhas said that every Christian has the obligation to live in faith and share it with others. “In the present world, it is not easy to live with strong faith, but Christ’s assurance not to fear should help us to go ahead,” he added.
The Auxiliary Bishop said that to live in faith is our vocation and for that very reason we are Christians and followers of Christ. Reflecting on the theme ‘Inspired by St Francis Xavier, let us be messengers of God’s mercy’ and the three readings of the day, he said that we must experience and take Christ’s love and mercy to others, by words and action.
Rev Mascarenhas said that St Francis Xavier was not afraid to cross seas and oceans in order to spread the message of love, peace and mercy. He said our life will be beautiful when we spread Christ’s love and mercy to others.
While he delivered his homily in Konkani, he also spoke in English and then concluded with a few words in Hindi. Among the concelebrants of the mass were Archbishop of Goa and Daman Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao, and tens of priests from the Archdiocese.
Numerous stalls were put up around Gandhi Chowk at Old Goa that did roaring business as people after the masses made a beeline to the fair for the sweets and also sausage bread that has become a tradition at the feast.
