Pilgrims have started arriving in Goa for the 45-day long decennial exposition of the sacred relics of Saint Francis Xavier, which began with the solemn Eucharist on Thursday. The 18th exposition started with a Mass at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, where the mortal remains of the Spanish Jesuit missionary have been enshrined since 1624.
After the Mass, the holy relics of St Francis Xavier, who is revered as the patron saint of Goa, were carried to the Se Cathedral in an electric carriage. The relics will be kept here till January 5, 2025.
In his sermon, the Archbishop of Delhi Anil Couto, said, “St Francis Xavier was a man on a mission, whose only desire was to proclaim the good news of salvation in Christ to the whole world, so that nobody should perish, but that all may be saved and enter the fullness of life, that is God’s kingdom.”
Welcoming pilgrims,the Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao said, “The theme for this Exposition is ‘We are messengers of the good news’. Each day we will be reflecting on different aspects of our lives related to this theme. Let us pray that this whole spiritual event may be of genuine benefit to our lives.”
