GOA (UCAN): Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, pro-prefect for the Section of Evangelisation of Dicastery for Evangelisation, led the celebration of Mass on the Feast of St. Francis Xavier on December 3 at the historical Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa.
The basilica, located in Old Goa, the former capital of Portuguese India, holds the once-in-10-year exposition of the remains of St. Francis Xavier. The 45-day event began on November 21 [Sunday Examiner, December 1].
Some 15,000 people participated in the Mass, which Mass featured the exposition of the sacred relics of St. Francis. Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, apostolic nuncio to India and Nepal, Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão of Goa, and other bishops and priests concelebrated the liturgy.
The 67-year-old Cardinal Tagle called the Jesuit saint a true messenger of the Good News who expressed concern over the “discrimination, injustice, destruction, greed, and violence” that grip the current world.
The cardinal said authentic messengers do not promote themselves but maintain a simple lifestyle. They face rejection and persecution with the “gentleness of doves,” he added.
“Do I strive to be an authentic messenger of love for Jesus, or do I allow myself to be a messenger of destructive forces and influencers?” he asked, pointing out that St. Francis Xavier left behind fame and fortune in Europe to do missionary work in Asia and visited China, India, Indonesia and Japan.
“Just love, that is all that mattered. The message emboldened the messenger. The messenger embodied the message,” Cardinal Tagle noted.
The cardinal was impressed with the fervour of the Catholics gathered for the Mass. “Now, I will go back to Rome tonight and report to Pope Francis that I have seen the fervour of faith.”
He said that before he flew out of Rome two weeks earlier, he had promised the Holy Father that he would convey his “paternal and filial greetings” to Goa. “He [Pope Francis] said ‘please do,’” adding, “I have fulfilled my promise.”
Goa’s governor, P. S. Sreedharan Pillai; chief minister, Pramod, cabinet ministers, opposition leaders, and senior officials also attended the Mass.
“For the ongoing 18th exposition of the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier, the state has set aside its best infrastructures,” Sawant said, adding, “This is the celebration of the entire Goa state.”
Father Henry Falcao, the diocesan convener for the exposition, said that all 10,000 chairs at the Mass venue were occupied, forcing many to stand outside.
He said people from other faiths also attended the feast.
“Last year, I came here with my wife and prayed to St. Francis Xavier to heal my daughter. When I returned home, my two-year-old daughter’s rickets deficiency was healed within 15 days. I have come with my family to thank the saint,” Rupesh D’Souza said.
Allwyn Fernandes, from Mumbai, said he and his family visit the basilica yearly to venerate the saint.
