Solemn maddi held; St Francis Xavier novenas at Old Goa start today

Team Herald

OLD GOA: The maddi of the ten-day novena and feast of St Francis Xavier, was solemnly held amidst strict COVID-19 restrictions at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa on Tuesday.

The novenas begin on Wednesday and feast is on December 3.

Fr Patricio Fernandes SJ, Rector of the Basilica, blessed the traditional maddi and recited the solemn prayers which mark the beginning of the novenas from Nov 24, 2021.

The mass was held in the newly erected shamiana outside the Basilica which makes its return after a gap of one year due to the Coronavirus pandemic that hit Goa in 2020.

Fr Fernandes thanked the Almighty for making things happen as until recently everything was uncertain due to the Pandemic.

Raising a special prayer for the intercession of Mother Mary the Mother of God, Fr Fernandes prayed a fervent petition for the novenas and feast to go well with God’s protection and blessings to all who will attend the ceremonies and also for the volunteers, priests and nuns.

Special prayers were raised for all pilgrims who will attend the novenas from far and wide specially those travelling early morning and also sacrificing their time and effort to pay their respects for their most revered saint.

The well attended maddi mass, participated by nuns and devotees was held with maintaining social distance, wearing masks and praying to St Francis Xavier to deliver us from the Pandemic.

The theme of this year’s novena is, “Stay with us Lord, to live communion, participation, mission like St Francis Xavier”.

Fr Fernandes explained the theme which represents the work and mission of St Francis Xavier and it also propagates the recent appeal of Pope Francis to live in harmony and have a mission to participate and take the faith forward.

The ten days of novena, Fr Fernandes said, will help us be more like St Francis Xavier, our Goencho Saib.

While blessing the maddi, Fr Fernandes recalled how St Francis loved this land of Goa and worked in the State for the upliftment of humanity and the downtrodden.

He elaborated on coming closer to the Lord and the saint through the opportunity of the novenas and feast.