Goa Prepares for the Feast of St. Francis Xavier

Goa, November 23, 2025: Goa is preparing for the grand celebration of the feast of St. Francis Xavier, fondly known as Gõycho Saib, which will be observed on 3 December at Old Goa. Bishop Simião Fernandes, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, will preside over the solemn feast Mass. This year’s theme reflects a message of trust and perseverance: “Faith does not disappoint us; hence, like St. Francis Xavier, let us be Pilgrims of Hope.”

A series of Masses will be celebrated throughout the feast day.

In the days leading up to the celebration, Novena Masses will be held from 24 November to 2 December. Over these nine days, multiple daily Masses will take place. Various Diocesan Centres and Commissions will animate one Mass each day, with additional liturgies designated to the different deaneries of the Archdiocese.

The schedule will also feature special language Masses, including Marathi, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, and Portuguese. The Mass for the Canons and the Mass for Pilgrims will also be observed during this period.

An interreligious meet will form part of the wider celebrations on 27 November. Throughout the Novena days, the Blessed Sacrament will remain exposed, and priests will be available for confessions.

A large pandal is being set up near the Basilica of Bom Jesus to host all Novena and feast-day liturgies. Pilgrims from neighbouring states have already begun arriving in significant numbers, eager to participate in the Novena and the feast of St. Francis Xavier, one of Goa’s most revered annual events.

By Bro. Malvino Alfonso

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