Staff Reporter
Old Goa
Veneration of the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa ended on Saturday, with approximately 80 lakh people seeking blessings of the saint.
The 18th decennial Exposition will conclude on Sunday with the return of the sacred relics from Se Cathedral, where the relics have been presently kept, to the Basilica of
Bom Jesus.
Convener of the Church Exposition Committee Fr Henry Falcao said Bishop Simiao P Fernandes will lead Sunday’s morning prayers at 9 am at the Se Cathedral. He said Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, clergy members and representatives of various volunteer groups involved in the event will be present.
Following the prayers, a procession will commence at 9:30 am from Se Cathedral to the Basilica where the sacred relics will be kept amidst a solemn ceremony. Thereafter, Cardinal Ferrao will celebrate Mass at 10:30 am at the pandal on the Basilica premises.
Expressing his satisfaction at the successful organisation of the event, Fr Falcao said lakhs of people venerated the sacred relics and accepted and appreciated the newly introduced changes at the event.
Speaking to this daily, Fr Falcao said that for the first time in the history of Exposition, around 80 lakh people from far and wide and from diverse backgrounds venerated the relics.
The Church Exposition Committee, in collaboration with the ‘Exposition Secretariat’, a committee constituted by the state government, introduced services such as pilgrim village, and e-rickshaws and battery-operated buggies to help the elderly and physically challenged individuals. Besides, an electric vehicle was used to carry the relics and a changed veneration route was used this time. Special masses were also conducted for the Goan diaspora, people with special needs and the visually impaired.
“We have received an abundance of positive feedback from various parts of the country and around the world appreciating the changes we made this time. I am overwhelmed by the seamless execution of this event. The collaborative efforts of many individuals contributed to its success. We also had a fruitful partnership with the state government, which delivered the necessary infrastructure for our accomplishments. We express our gratitude to the government for their support,” Fr Falcao said.
He also acknowledged the prayers offered by many individuals for the success of the event. “We commenced prayers two years ago, and today, we witness the fruition of those prayers. Through the intercession of St Francis Xavier, everything fell in place, overcoming the initial concerns caused by untimely rains,” he said.
Talking about the distinguished personalities who venerated the sacred relics of the saint, Fr Falcao said Portugal’s Minister for State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel and his associates visited Old Goa apart from a delegation of Vatican led by newly elected Cardinal George Koovakad.
Other important persons who attended the event included Vice President of Zimbabwe Dr C G D N Chiwenga and his family, Ambassador of the United States to India Eric Garcetti, Ambassador of Italy to India and Nepal Antonio Bartoli, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, USA and several bishops from across the country.
