The St Francis Xavier Church, Kolhapur, will celebrate the Feast of St Francis Xavier with a Mass on December 7.
BELAGAVI
Goans may have settled in the Upper Ghat regions of Karnataka and Maharashtra and beyond for several generations but the fervour to their Goencho Saib just as strong, with many Goan settlers gearing up either to visit Old Goa in large numbers or participate in Feast Masses in their respective parishes.
Hundreds of Goan settlers will also join the walking pilgrimage to Old Goa during the annual feast of the saint.
Many of the churches and chapels in the region will celebrate the Feast by offering Masses and special prayer services.
The Feast of St Francis Xavier is celebrated every year on December 3 at St Xavier’s High School Kolhapur, which is managed by Pune Province of the Jesuit Society. Apart from a Special Eucharist, a special assembly is held, special guests are invited, lunch is organised for guests and staff.
A church devoted to St Francis Xavier at Kolhapur is completing 60 years this year. The Feast will be held on December 7. A large number of Goan settlers have settled in Kolhapur city.
Special masses will also be offered at Our Lady of Rosary Church (Ajara), St Anthony Church (Gadhinglaj) and the chapels across the region. At many places, people also take part in procession etc.
Founded by Johnson Pasku D’Souza, a Goan settler from Aldona, the St Xavier’s High Shool, Mahad also has special programmes to commemorate the Feast of St Francis Xavier.
File photo of the celebration of Feast of St Francis Xavier at St Paul's High School Chapel, Belagavi.
On November 28, walking pilgrims arrived at St Francis Xavier Church, Nesari town in Gadhinglaj taluka of Kolhapur district. Special prayers are offered during the stay of the pilgrims at this chapel campus.
The St Francis Xavier Association at Belagavi, an association that founded about a century ago by many of the Goan settlers from Belagavi region, celebrates the feast every year.
Apart from a Konkani Mass on December 3 every year to commemorate the Feast of the Goencho Saib, the association also extends assistance to the walking pilgrims. The Mass is held at Immaculate Conception Church here, which is also known as Goenchim Igorz.
A Church at Kattinganhalli-Asangi in Bagalkote district in North Karnataka, which was founded by the Goa Jesuits, celebrates St Francis Xavier Feast with devotion and fervour on December 3 every year.
Churches in Khanapur taluka, Hubballi-Dharwad and other parts of the Diocese of Belgaum will also have special devotions on December 3 to mark the Feast of St Francis Xavier.
