PANAJI
The successful and close collaboration between the church and the government, and the widespread appreciation of various facilities and arrangements have been some of the hallmarks of the 18th Solemn Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis at Old Goa, as the 45-day spiritual event will conclude on Sunday.
Thousands of volunteers, law enforcement agencies, workers, and various government and non-government teams had closely collaborated to ensure a positive and spiritually-filled experience at the Exposition.
The experience
Summarising the entire experience at the Exposition, Convenor of the Exposition for the Archdiocese Fr Henry Falcao said it had been a great spiritual experience for everyone who were either involved or had participated in the Exposition.
“The entire atmosphere was spiritual, whether it was the silence, order and sanctity while entering the Cathedral to venerate the Sacred Relics.”
Fr Falcao said he had received feedback from several people appreciating the various facilities, arrangements and the entire experience at the Exposition. “I have not heard negative comments about the Exposition and even those who had expressed doubts earlier have now praised the organisation of the Exposition,” said Fr Falcao.
Fr Falcao said a large number of people from different faiths came to venerate the Sacred Relics, especially on Sundays and on holidays.
“St Francis Xavier was a man who attracted people and 500 years later, he continues to attract people from all faiths and from all over the world. So many people have come together for one event. We were all pilgrims working and walking together in this journey,” he said.
“When the archbishop asked me two years ago to be the convenor of the Exposition, I was worried and a bit anxious as this would be a huge task and responsibility. My concern was not the spiritual aspects of the Exposition, but it was more about a close collaboration with the government agencies. But I think that with the prayers of everyone before and during the Exposition, things which we were not expecting suddenly fell in place.”
The preparations, reviews
Fr Falcao said the entire core team comprising of Church and government officials had participated in several meetings before and during the Exposition.
“In fact, we would meet once or even twice a day during the nine-day Novena days, to review the arrangements and to resolve any teething issues. The first week was a challenging week as it was a learning experience for us all who were involved in the exposition, as we had to modify certain arrangements after receiving feedback,” recalled Fr Falcao
“For example, the buggies which were pressed into service for the elderly and differently-abled pilgrims and they were initially stationed in the parking lots. Within a few days, we realised that those buggies were being misused as many abled people also wanted to avail of the buggy facilities and so, we had to withdraw the buggy facilities from the parking lots and move the buggies to inside the Cathedral and outside the Basilica.”
The collaboration
Fr Falcao said the success of the Exposition was possible due to the close collaboration between the Church and the government.
“Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Minister Aleixo Sequeira, Exposition Commissioner Sandip Jacques and other government officials very positive and offered us full support, besides providing all arrangements needed,” said Fr Falcao.
“There was a spirit of dialogue and consultation. Even the CM remarked that this was a longest event “ which spanned 45 days “ during his tenure as CM, which was organised in the best possible manner.”
“In addition, the government and church officials, volunteers and people from various agencies, be it the government officials, the police force, volunteers, the staff and workers, all came together and worked together for a common cause: to present the Exposition in a befitting manner worthy of this great event.”
Fr Falcao was full of praise for volunteers, workers and staff at the Exposition. “I am really grateful to all volunteers, workers and staff, as they were the ones who ran the show, and they were the face of the Exposition. Everyone performed their duties so well and with a smile. People appreciated the volunteers, most of who were youth from all over Goa, for their professional and dedicated services at the Exposition. These are some fond memories I will cherish.”
Several 'firsts' at Exposition
Fr Falcao said there had been a number of ‘firsts’ at the 18th Exposition.
“It was for the first time that the Sacred Relics were carried in an EV carriage and buggy facilities were made available to senior citizens and differently abled. The one common pilgrim village for devotees and the human chain of volunteers for the opening and closing ceremonies were other features introduced for the first time,” said Fr Falcao.
“Besides, special Masses were celebrated for the first time for different sections of society, including the deafblind, the visually impaired and Goan diaspora.”
Concluding ceremony
Fr Falcao said the concluding ceremony of the 18th Exposition would take place on Sunday, beginning with a prayer service in the See Cathedral at 9 am.
“The procession to carry the Sacred Relic in the EV carriage from the See Cathedral to the Basilica will begin at 9.30 am. This time, there will be a different set of volunteers to carry the Relics inside the See Cathedral and inside the Basilica,”said Fr Falcao.
“During the opening ceremony, we had given representation to various deaneries, associations and movements of the archdiocese. This time, we have thought of giving representation to those who were involved and had served us during the 45-day Exposition, such as the volunteers, the police, the waste management staff, even those who took part in our musical operetta ‘Porgottnnar’. This is also our way of expressing our thanksgiving and gratitude to them for the valuable services during the Exposition.”
Fr Falcao informed that after the Relics are placed back at the mausoleum in the Basilica, the Mass will be celebrated in the pandal outside the Basilica at about 10.30 am, to be presided over by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao. “The last day for the veneration is Saturday and but we are aware that there could be a large number of pilgrims on the last day and so, we are open to provide an extension in the closing time on Saturday, to accommodate as many pilgrims as possible,” said Fr Falcao.
