Goa set for exposition of St Francis Xavier’s relics
Sakal Times Reporters Name | CAMIL PARKHE | Thursday, 20 November 2014 AT 01:22 PM IST
Old Goa (Panaji):Goa is set to receive lakhs of devotees for the exposition of relics of Spanish Jesuit St Francis Xavier, at Old Goa, starting on November 22.Hectic activities including painting of centuries-old church buildings and erection of pandals and stalls are presently taking place at Old Goa, often called as the Rome of the East. This will be the 17th decennial exposition of sacred relics of St Xavier who preached Christianity in Goa and other parts of Asia in the 16th century.
The relics, which are permanently placed at a pedestal in Bom Jesus Basilica, will be open for veneration at the Se Cathedral, the largest church in Old Goa, for 44 days from November 22 to January 4.
A large number of Christians and people of other faiths from India and abroad are expected to visit Goa for the exposition, arranged by Goa government in association with the Goa Church. The government administration is presently busy raising special pandals to shelter the thousands of devotees waiting in long queues in front of Se Cathedral and Bom Jesus Basilica.
The rush of devotees is expected to be more during the novena prayers preceding the feast of St Xavier on December 3 and during the Christmas holidays and last four days of the exposition.
The Church has denied rumours that it will be the last time the sacred relics will be opened for veneration.
Vagator-based Sr Leena, belonging to the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, told Sakal Times that nuns of various religious congregations in Goa will share their charism at the stalls in Old Goa during the exposition. The congregations will showcase their spiritual and various kinds of social works, to the visiting devotes.
Pilgrimage arranged for Puneites
The Pune diocese, which has arranged pilgrimage tours for devotees, has said that accommodation at various church centres in Goa has already been booked well in advance. Coordinator Fr George D’Souza said that two buses carrying people from various parishes in Pune diocese will leave Pune for Goa on December 10 and 14. Some parishes in Pune have also arranged their own tours for the exposition, Fr D’Souza said.
