The Voices That Made Goa’s Sacred Inaugural Celebration Unforgettable!

The Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier is a momentous event held in Old Goa, Goa, India, every ten years. This significant religious celebration honours St Francis Xavier, a revered Spanish missionary and co-founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Known for his extensive missionary work across Asia, St Francis Xavier is venerated for his dedication to spreading Christianity and his enduring spiritual legacy.

The inaugural ceremony of the 18th exposition of the relics of Goencho Saib was more memorable due to the amazing Eucharistic celebration and the captivating and melodious choir. About 62 members comprising of 32 vocalists/ singers and 30 master musicians coming from different parishes of Goa gave a scintillating performance enhancing the sanctity of the ceremony.

Giving details about the choir team, Monica Fernandes, one of the singers said that every single member felt privileged to be the part of the choir for this sacred Eucharist. “For each one of us 21st November was perhaps the most memorable day. We were fortunate as we got a life time opportunity to take part in the choir of this historic Eucharist. Hats off to Fr Romeo Monteiro, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Goa & Daman whose extraordinary efforts in organising and directing the mammoth choir team were really praiseworthy,” excited and amused after performing at the inaugural mass Monica, a noted tax practitioner from Merces told the Catholic Connect.

Appreciating the choir members a modest and humble Fr Monteiro said that he did not have to do much as the singers and musicians were already well versed. “The musicians & singers came from various parts of Goa, from parishes, involved in their local churches. Most of them are my acquaintances, so I invite them to sing/play & they come willingly “All that I had to do was to was to fine tune them,” Fr. Monteiro who is also a canonist and has international qualification in music said. At the request of Government of Goa, he is also serving as Director of Kala Academy's Department of Western Music.

Truly the faithful in attendance and those who watched the inaugural ceremony were simply mesmerized by the scintillating performance of the choir.

By Louis Rodrigues