Exhibition of St Francis Xavier’s relics preceded by catechesis

Oct 09, 2014

PANJIM, India: Spiritual formation and catechesis are underway to prepare for the upcoming exposition in Goa of the relics of St. Francis Xavier, the “Apostle to the Far East.”

The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman announced last year that the relics would be exposed at Se Cathedral from Nov. 22, 2014, until Jan. 4, 2015. The exposition, a decennial event – one that happens only once every ten years – is expected to draw millions of pilgrims to the Indian state of Goa.

“For Catholics, the exposition of St. Francis Xavier's relics is an important celebration of faith,” Fr. Alfred Vaz, head of the St. Francis Xavier exposition committee and rector of Se Cathedral, told CNA Sept. 26.

“Parishes in the diocese are spiritually preparing under three sets of compiled catechesis, pointed towards faith promotion and under the footprint of the call for new evangelization following upon the Year of Faith.”

The three sets of catechesis, Fr. Vaz explained, are celebration of faith, known locally as “bhavartacho sombrom”; strengthening Small Christian Communities; and communitarian aspects of the faith.

St. Francis Xavier was among the first companions of St. Ignatius of Loyola, and was one of the first members of the Society of Jesus. He evangelized in India, Indonesia, and Japan, and died in 1552 on his way to China.

His remains are normally kept at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in an elevated silver casket.

On Nov. 22, Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay will celebrate a Mass to begin the exposition; the relics will be transferred in a solemn procession from the Bom Jesus basilica to Se Cathedral, both of which are in Old Goa.

St. Francis Xavier's relics will be available for public veneration, attracting millions of tourists and pilgrims from across India and the world before being solemnly transferred back to the Basilica of Bom Jesus.

Daily veneration will be held 12 hours a day, from seven to seven, with Mass and confessions offered nearly constantly and in various languages, Fr. Vaz said.

“Special counters with multimedia featuring faith formation materials will invite tourists and pilgrims of other faiths to an inter-religious dialogue, and free resource literature will be available,” he added.

Fr. Vaz also recounted that the residents of Goa – irrespective of religion – hold St. Francis Xavier in high esteem, and call him “Goencho Saib”, Konkani for “Sir” or “Lord.” Many also believe he protects Goa from natural disasters, the priest noted.

The Goa and Daman archdiocese has squashed local rumors that Pope Francis would visit the exhibition of his fellow Jesuit's relics.

The concluding Mass will be said Jan. 4, 2015, by Archbishop Salvatore Pennachio, apostolic nuncio to India.--CNA/EWTN