GOA (UCAN): At least 12,000 people thronged India’s western state of Goa on November 21 to participate in the ceremonies marking the start of the once-in-10-year exposition of the relics of St. Francis Xavier.
The 18th exposition began with a Mass at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, a 16th-century UNESCO-approved world heritage monument that houses the saint’s body.
“We come here as pilgrims to his feet, begging for Goa’s mercy through his intercession,” Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi, said in his homily. He noted that four centuries have passed since “his [St. Francis] incorrupt body” arrived in Goa from the island of Sancian [now Shangchuan] via Malucca.”
Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão of Goa and Daman, said the theme of this year’s exposition is “We are messengers of the Good News of Jesus Christ.” He said, “We are called to spread it as St. Francis did in his life.”
The Archdiocese of Goa has commissioned a book, Stories in Silver, with photos and text by Pantaleao Fernandes, which will be sold during the exposition.
Fernandes said that whenever he visited the basilica, he was curious to know the details of the 32-panel plates that adorn the casket. He explained that the book narrates the stories and miracles contained in the panels and also tells the story of St. Francis Xavier’s journey from Europe.
After the Mass, the relics were taken out in an electric carriage, deviating from the practice of the faithful carrying them on their shoulders.
Over 2,000 men and women formed a human chain to view the relics from the basilica’s entrance to the nearby cathedral, and many joined the procession.
According to authorities, all 10,000 chairs set for the visitors were occupied, and many stood to witness the opening ceremony.
The relics were brought down and kept inside the nearby 16th-century Se cathedral, open from 7.00am to 6.00pm
“We expect eight million people to visit this year,” Father Henry Falcao, diocesan convener of the exposition committee, said, adding that in 2014, 5.5 million people visited.
Salvador Fernandes, a businessperson who sells weighing machines, was asked to weigh the silver casket to find its accurate weight last year to refurbish it. He said he has been visiting Old Goa every year.
“I was fortunate to touch his toes when his body was kept in the open with Mass vestments without the glass cover,” the 75-year-old from Divar island, near Old Goa, said.
The exposition will last until 5 January 2025.
St. Francis Xavier was buried on an island near Japan in 1552, and his body was found incorrupt when exhumed a year later to be taken to Europe.
The exposition began in 1782, 230 years after the Spanish Jesuit died.
