TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
OLD GOA: The novena and feast of St Francis Xavier has attracted people from all over the country and many follow the tradition of staying at the Basilica and the Se Cathedral during the novena and the feast.
Goans from all over have been following the tradition for decades. However, devotees from other states are also staying at Old Goa and making the Basilica and Se Cathedral their home during the novenas and the feast.
One such family arrived from Vasai, Maharashtra, on Friday, and are putting up at the Basilica. Mcmillan Edward Natho informed Herald that this is the first time that they have come to Old Goa to participate in the feast of St Francis Xavier.
Natho further informed that their entire family comprises 17 members and more such families from Vasai and surrounding villages will arrive in Old Goa in the next couple of days. Natho also expressed happiness at the facilities available at the Basilica.
However, several other devotees who are staying outside the Se Cathedral are not so fortunate as they have to stay in the open and face the vagaries of nature.
A devotee from Karwar-Karnataka, Vijay Joaquim, informed that this is his fifth trip along with the family and they are putting up outside the Se Cathedral for the past few days as they do not have any other option.
“During afternoon, it is quite hot while during night it is quite chilly,” Joaquim informed while stating that they face other problems like water shortage, bathroom and toilet facilities.
“Sometimes, we even have to go on the riverfront to answer nature’s call,” he said while stating that there’s a long queue to use the toilet. “The ladies are particularly affected,” he added.
Joaquim further informed that their entire family members number over 40, including many kids, while there are several families from Vasai camping outside the Se Cathedral who also face similar problems.
However, despite having to face these odds, devotees like Joaquim continue to throng to Old Goa due to their deep faith in Saint Francis Xavier.
Meanwhile the annual feast of Saint Francis Xavier will be celebrated on December 3, at Bom Jesus Basilica pandal, Old Goa. The novenas began on November 24 and will go on through December 2. The novenas and feast will continue focusing on elements of faith from the encyclical ‘Lumen Fidei’ of Pope Francis. The theme for the feast is ‘Inspired by the faith of St Francis Xavier let us build the body of Christ,’ (Sam Fransisk Xavierache bhoktin Kristachi kudd bhandu-ya). Novena masses are said at 5 am. Masses on the feast day are at 4 am, 5 am, 6 am, 7 am, 8 am, 9 am. The Solemn Pontifical High Mass is at 10.30 am and will be celebrated along with other bishop concelebrants by Derrick Fernandes, Bishop of Karwar. 12.30 pm, 3 pm, Spanish, 4 pm, 5 pm and 6 pm English.
