* Archbishop of Mangalore Aloysius D’Souza was the main celebrant for the inaugural ceremony (November 22), Archbishop of Bombay Cardinal Oswald Gracias was the main celebrant on the feast day (December 3) and Papal Ambassador Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio was the main celebrant for the closing ceremony (January 4).
* Besides the close involvement of Archbishop-Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrao and Archbishop-Emeritus Raul Gonsalves, hundreds of other priests from across the State and country also participated in the services during the Exposition.
* After devotees venerated the Relics, they visited a big Exposition pandal as a follow-up to their faith journey, which was divided into three parts: witness of faith, exhibition of faith and challenge of faith, to give the devotees a truly spiritual experience.
* There were also counseling services and a prayer line inside the pandal, while confessions were made available in the Bom Jesus Basilica.
* A feature added for the first time was the vigil prayer service in the Se Cathedral from 7.30-9.30 pm every Saturday during the Exposition. Vigil prayers were based on different themes like childless couples, unemployed youth, sanctity of the faithful, etc.
* As part of the spiritual preparations for the Exposition, the Church brought out two books: ‘Ekcharachem Jivit’ (Life of Communion) and ‘Somudhaiecho Mellavo’ (Community Meetings).
* Pilgrims coming for the event were able to spend more time with the casket housing the Relics. Instead of the earlier system where pilgrims would kiss the casket carrying the relics and leave the site, this time, organizers created a semi-circle so that pilgrims are able to see the Relics. They could take two rounds of the casket and then kiss the Relics and move out so that they can feel close to the Relics.
* Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao inaugurated an Indian Christian Art Exhibition at the Chapel of the former Archbishop’s Palace at Old Goa on November 25, 2014. The exhibition displayed works of world-renowned artists of Goan origin, Angelo da Fonseca and Angela Trindade, besides Alfred Thomas, Sr. Genevieve and Sr. Claire. It is organized by Art-i, the Indian Christian Artists’ Forum, established by the Office for Social Communications of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India.
* The Archdiocese organised an annual inter-religious meet in Old Goa on November 27, presided over by Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao. The theme for this meet was ‘Celebrating co existence of religious diversity in Goa’.
* A number of paintings were on display at the Pilar ArtFest, an event organised by the Pilar Theological College along with the Goa government’s Art and Culture department from November 11, 2014 to January 5, 2015.
* The John Paul II Foundation for Sports (Goa) organized the Expo 2014 World Cup Football which coincided with the Exposition. Organised from December 4 to 14, a total of eight teams from India, Brazil, Columbia, Nigeria, Portugal, Ghana, Egypt and Nepal competed for the World Cup trophy.
* Various shows by different religious institutions across the State were staged at the Exposition Pandal, which was divided into day shows and evening shows.
