PANAJI
Tens of thousands of devotees from all over the State and beyond will venerate their ‘Goencho Saib’ at the Feast of St Francis Xavier on Wednesday.
On the Feast Day, Masses will be celebrated at 3.45 am, 5 am, 6 am, 7.15 am, 8.30 am, 10.30 am (Solemn High Mass), 12.15 pm, 3.30 pm, 5 pm, 6.15 pm (English) at the large pandal set up outside the Basilica of Bom Jesus to host all Novena and Feast Day Masses.
Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Fernandes will be the main celebrant at the Solemn High Mass, while Archbishop of Goa Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, Bishop-Emeritus of Port Blair Alex Dias sfx, and a large number of priests will con-celebrate the Mass.
This year, the theme of the Novena and Feast of St Francis Xavier reflects a message of trust and perseverance: “Faith does not disappoint us; hence, like St. Francis Xavier, let us be Pilgrims of Hope.”
While the Feast of St Francis Xavier will be celebrated in all Parishes and Catholic institutions across Goa, there are a number of Churches in Goa dedicated to St Francis Xavier where parishioners will celebrate the Feast with traditional fervour.
These Churches include the St Francis Xavier Church (Chicalim), St Francis Xavier Church (Velim), St Francis Xavier Church (Macasana), St Francis Xavier Church (Borim), St Francis Xavier Church (Tuem), St Francis Xavier Church (Querim), St Francis Xavier Church (Maina-Corgao), St Francis Xavier Church (Pirna), St Francis Xavier Church (Batpale), St Francis Xavier Church (Mormugao Harbour), and St Francis Xavier Church (Duler). Besides, there are several other Chapels also dedicated to St Francis Xavier.
