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 40,000 to 50,000 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 and Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas of Daltonganj. 

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.

Following the Eucharist, a grand procession will commence at 11:00 a.m., with the relics being reverently carried from the Basilica to the Cathedral. The procession will include representatives from clergy and laity, a 1,000-youth human chain and an 80-member band. 

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