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Feast of St Francis Xavier, known to Goans as Goencho Saib, Patron Saint of Goa, was celebrated in traditional Goan style, on December 3 2020, at the Holy Family Cathedral church, organized by the city's Konkani community.
The feast was celebrated with a solemn High Mass in Konkani. The main celebrant was Fr Noel Almeida accompanied by Fr Roswin Pires who delivered the homily, and Fr Antony Lopes - Chancellor and Ecclesiastical Judge of the Apostolic Vicariate.
The mass was streamed live on YouTube - https://youtu.be/TAjQtzTCr8I
St Joaquim & St Anne, a Goan choir added to the traditional flavor.
The feast was spiritually enlightening to hundreds of devotees who attended despite the pandemic, and the cold, rainy weather in Kuwait.
Fr Antony Lopes thanked everyone who gathered to celebrate the Mass as well as his fellow priests for sharing the altar.
Special souvenirs of St Francis Xavier were distributed to mark the day. Traditional cake, snacks, and tea arranged by the Konkani community members of the parish led by Shri Carmo Santos were served to all people.
The occurrence of St Francis Xavier feast also coincided with Advent - the beginning of the liturgical year - a season for preparation of the Nativity of Christ at Christmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming.
A hymn cover of ‘Prepare the Way’ especially produced by St Joaquim & St Anne choir was released on the occasion.
In view of the distressing Covid-19 pandemic which has put the whole world in grief and extreme fear of life, members of the choir merged their voice to knock on every humble heart to welcome the Lord and prepare the way for His presence into everyone’s lives, homes, and hearts.
