St. Francis Xavier’s Relics Exposition Begins, Drawing Thousands to Goa

Old Goa, November 21, 2024: The 18th Solemn Exposition of the Holy Relics of St. Francis Xavier began today at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa with a Holy Eucharist celebrated by the Archbishop Anil Joseph Thomas Couto of Delhi, as the main celebrant. The historic event, attended by 12,000 faithful from Goa, across India and abroad, commenced at 9:30 a.m. with Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão welcoming the congregation. The relics will remain open for public veneration from 3:00 p.m. daily until the conclusion of the Exposition in January 2025.

The Eucharistic celebration was graced by the participation of Archbishop Emeritus Dominic Lumon of Imphal, Bishop Joseph Raja Rao Thelegathoti of Vijayawada, Bishop Visuvasam Selvaraj of Port Blair, Bishop Emeritus Aleixo das Neves Dias of Port Blair, Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas of Daltonganj and Bishop Simiao Fernandes, Auxiliary Bishop of Goa and Daman.

In his homily, Archbishop Couto described St. Francis Xavier as “a man on a mission” whose life embodied the proclamation of salvation in Christ. Reflecting on the saint’s legacy, he urged the faithful to emulate his fervor in discipleship and witness to the Gospel.

The sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier were carried in a procession from the Basilica of Bom Jesus to the Se Cathedral Church in a specially designed electric carriage that transported the Saint's casket. Representatives from various diocesan bodies, associations, movements, sections of Goan society, seminarians, priests, religious, and bishops, participated in the procession. Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão led the prayer service once the relics were placed in the Se Cathedral. 1500 Parish Youth led by Fr. Blaise Lobo , Director of Diocesan Youth Centre, made a human chain for the procession. Specially chosen representatives carried the sacred relics from the original place to the Altar, Basilica to its door and from the entrance of the Se Cathedral to its interior. A brass band, consisting of 100 musicians and led by Fr. Simon D'Cunha, President of the Diocesan Commission for Sacred Music, played a central role in the procession.

The relics will be placed at the Cathedral by noon, where prayers were led by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão. Veneration for those inside the Cathedral and along the procession route followed, with public access to the sacred relics beginning at 3:00 p.m. For the duration of the Exposition, daily veneration will be available from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

As the relics of St. Francis Xavier inspire devotion among the faithful, the event continues to celebrate the saint’s enduring legacy as a missionary and a beacon of faith.

By Catholic Connect Reporter