The term ‘sāib’ originates from the Arabic word ṣāḥib, meaning ‘master’ or ‘companion’. Documented between 1690 and 1700, ‘sāib’ and its variations have permeated numerous languages, including Persian, Marathi, and Urdu. In the Goan context, this title holds special significance for Saint Francis Xavier, widely venerated as the ‘Sāib of Goa’. How, and when did this happen?
The improbable victory of the Portuguese against the Marathas in 1683 has long been credited to the divine intercession of St Francis Xavier. When the Maratha king Sambhaji attacked and all seemed lost, Governor D Francisco de Távora turned to faith, placing his staff at the side of the saint’s relics and fervently praying for Goa’s deliverance. As legend has it, a sudden twist of fate altered the course of history. Aurangzeb’s Mughal forces launched an invasion into Maharashtra, forcing Sambhaji to turn back to defend his homeland.
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The imminent attack on Old Goa was averted, and the Portuguese were spared from catastrophe. Old Goa was unscathed, an event many faithful attributed to the saint’s miraculous intercession, while others deemed it mere coincidence. From that moment, the devout hailed Francis Xavier as Goa’s protector — the Gôencho Sāib. It is worth noting that this title was never officially conferred by the Portuguese authorities or the Catholic Church but was a spontaneous expression of the people’s devotion.
The ‘Miracle of 1961’
Another defining moment cemented Saint Francis Xavier’s role as Goa’s divine protector. In 1961, as Portuguese rule in Goa neared its end, an extraordinary incident occurred during India’s liberation of the territory. Filomeno Diogo Jacinto da Silva, then serving as a reservist, recounts this pivotal moment.
On December 18, 1961, with the Indian Army’s advance into Goa, the Portuguese government ordered the sacred relics of Saint Francis Xavier to be removed from the Basilica of Bom Jesus and flown to Portugal. A team of 100 soldiers was dispatched to execute this mission, ensuring the relics were safeguarded before enacting orders to destroy Old Goa, a drastic measure intended to obliterate any vestiges of Portuguese glory.
However, despite the combined efforts of the soldiers, the sacred casket could not be lifted from its place. The Basilica’s closed doors bore witness to this inexplicable phenomenon in the presence of the Bishop, the Governor, and the Secretary. Stunned by this miraculous intervention, the Portuguese Governor defied Salazar’s orders, recognising the event as a divine sign. Consequently, Old Goa was spared from destruction, preserving its legacy for future generations.
As the faithful gather during the Exposition to venerate his relics, they bring with them deep gratitude for Saint Francis Xavier’s protective presence. These stories, whether deemed miracles or fortuitous coincidences, highlight the enduring bond between Goa and its Gôencho Sāib, a saint who is celebrated not only as a spiritual figure but as a guardian during Goa’s most precarious moments in history.
