OLD GOA: The nine-day novenas in honour of St Francis Xavier will culminate with the feast of 'Goemcho Saib' on Thursday, with several thousands of devotees and pilgrims expected to participate in various religious services at Old Goa beginning from 4 am.
While as many as 12 masses will be celebrated throughout the day, the feast mass will be celebrated at 10.30 am to be presided over by Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay Dominic Savio Fernandes.
Other principal concelebrants at the feast mass will be Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Ferrao, Archbishop-Emeritus Raul Gonsalves, Bishop of Sindhudurg Alwyn Barreto, Ambassador Emeritus of the Vatican Archbishop Blasco Colaco, Vicar-General Fr Jose Remedios Fernandes and Bom Jesus Basilica Rector Fr Savio Barretto.
Scores of priests are also expected to concelebrate at various masses to be celebrated at 4 am, 5 am, 6 am, 7 am, 8 am, 9 am, 10.30 am (feast mass), 12.30 pm, 3 pm (Spanish), 4 pm, 5 pm and 6 pm (English).
Fr Savio Barretto, Rector of Basilica of Bom Jesus informed that keeping in mind that this year has been declared as the year of mercy, the theme for the feast is chosen as ‘Honouring St Francis Xavier, let us be fountains of God’s mercy’ (‘Sam Fransiskak man dium-ya, Devachi kaklut udarponnan vanttum-ya’).
After the 6 pm English Mass, a musical concert “Mission Japan” will be staged by Fr Allan Tavares.
The nine-day novenas at Old Goa had commenced on November 24, drawing lakhs of devotees and pilgrims from in and around Goa, including hundreds of “walking pilgrims” from north Karnataka and South Maharashtra.
Incidentally, various parishes in Goa also have St Francis Xavier as the patron saint of their churches. They include Borim (Ponda), Bhatpal (Canacona), Chicalim (Mormugao), Macasana (Salcete), Maina-Corgao (Pernem), Mormugao Harbour, Pirna (Bardez), Keri (Pernem), Tuem (Pernem), Velim (Salcete) and Duler-Mapusa (Bardez).
