Team Herald
OLD GOA: The feast of St Francis Xavier, which was celebrated with pomp and gaiety at Old Goa on Monday had people from all walks of life, with many devotees coming from different parts of the country and the world.
Among those that came were also devotees from Koli (fishing) community from Vasai, Mumbai. Herald spoke to one Peter Baggi of the Koli community who said they have come here for the Novenas, the feast and to take the blessings of St Francis Xavier.
He said with the blessing of St Xavier, their business had increased. Peter also appreciated the love and affection given to them at the Basilica and the accommodation provided to them, besides the warm welcomeby the priests and Goans in general.
Fr Monteiro from Basilica said all arrangements by the concerned authorities were fine from the Novenas to the feast.
He also revealed that pilgrims had come walking from Sindhudurg, Kolhapur and Belgaum with prayers and penance to take darshan of St Xavier.
Fr Eusico of St Estevem, when asked about the Spanish Mass said since St Francis Xavier was from Spain, the mass was held to honour his mother- tongue.
The Se Cathedral Choir, Old Goa too was in attendance for the High Mass, which was led by Fr Mario Saturnino Dias.
