Special ceremony, procession, Mass mark conclusion
Old Goa: The 45-day decennial Exposition of the sacred relics of Saint Francis Xavier concluded on Sunday on a solemn note at Old Goa with a special ceremony and a Mass. The holy relics kept in Se Cathedral for veneration were ceremoniously taken back to Basilica of Bomb Jesus.
The cordoned road stretch between the basilica and the cathedral was dotted by people who had come to catch a glimpse of the sacred relics of the saint.
The casket carrying the relics was brought to the basilica in a procession which was graced by Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, Auxiliary Bishop of Goa and Daman Simiao Fernandes, other bishops and the clergy.
Auxiliary Bishop Fernandes initiated the prayer in the cathedral at 9 am. Cardinal Ferrao, accompanied by two senior priests, sat in the front near the relics, while in the background, politicians including Law Minister Aleixo Sequeira, South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes, district collectors, deputy collectors, and representatives of various groups that volunteered during the Exposition were present.
The nearly 40-minute ceremony was held with prayers, gospel readings, and singing of hymns.
A 25-member choir sang the hymns as prayers were said and gospel was read.
Auxiliary Bishop Fernandes expressed gratitude to God for the successful conclusion of the Exposition.
“With the 45-day Exposition, we have grown spiritually and strived to be messengers of Good News. We humbly acknowledge that these blessings are a result of your grace. We are enlightened and blessed by the Exposition, which will guide us in our future endeavours, especially in this year 2025 dedicated by Pope Francis as pilgrims of hope to renew our lives,” Auxiliary Bishop Fernandes said.
A group of children dressed as angels formed a circle around the casket as the prayer ended.
Convener of the Exposition committee of the Church Fr Henry Falcao announced the procession order. Thereafter senior police officials offered prayers before shouldering the casket.
The casket was then shouldered by representatives of various groups for brief moments before it was taken towards the main door of the cathedral.
The Law Minister and the South Goa MP briefly shouldered the casket before returning it to police officials outside the cathedral.
The casket carrying the relics was placed on an electric vehicle by senior police officials and other government officials.
The procession commenced as laypeople, religious sisters, seminarians, and priests walked along.
Cardinal Ferrao and other bishops led the way, while Auxiliary Bishop Fernandes walked behind the special vehicle.
A brass band played religious tunes during the procession. As the procession neared the gates of the cathedral, a large number of people was seen waiting to capture a glimpse of the relics.
The police faced tough time in controlling the faithful. After the vehicle was carefully brought within the basilica premises, the casket was lowered by the police from the vehicle and taken inside the basilica.
A crowd of devotees rushed into the pandal for a final glimpse of the relics that were being taken into the basilica. The people plucked the flowers adorning the vehicle, displaying their profound faith in the saint.
Cardinal Ferrao, Auxiliary Bishop Fernandes, Bishop of Shimla-Chandigarh Ignatius Loyola Mascarenhas, Bishop Luman Monteiro of the Diocese of Agartala, Bishop Emeritus of Port Blair Alexio Dias and priests con-celebrated the mass at the pandal set up outside the basilica.
