BELAGAVI
Stating that there is a deep-rooted devotion among the people of Karnataka to St Francis Xavier, Archbishop of Bangalore Peter Machado has stated that priests and clergy in the archdiocese of Bangalore are looking forward to visit Old Goa for the Exposition in large numbers.
He was speaking to The Goan regarding the excitement among the faithful from the Archdiocese to pay homage to the revered saint.
“There is a deep-rooted devotion among the people for St Francis Xavier, who is fondly revered as Goencho Saib by the Konkani-speaking faithful. The annual feast on December 3 is indeed a devotional spectacle to witness,” said Archbishop Machado.
“Besides Bangalore, which is home to more than 200 congregations of Religious Priests and Sisters, many of them with their members serve as missionaries all over the world and for them, St Francis is an icon of missionary zeal and enthusiasm to serve in evergreen pastures,” the Archbishop said.
He also stated that the French missionaries, popularly known as the MEP Fathers, are responsible in a great way for the evangelisation of the territories that presently fall in the area of the Bangalore Archdiocese.
The Cathedral of St Francis Xavier in Cleveland Town stands as a shining monument of devotion and dedication to missionary efforts of Priests who have served the Archdiocese of Bangalore and other places in India and abroad.
“As in the other parts of India, Bangaloreans too are making elaborate plans to travel to Goa during the time of Exposition to pay homage to the Goencho Saib. The Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier in Old Goa this year is not only good news to the Goans but also Christians all over the world.”
“For us in Bengaluru, St Francis Xavier is special and the Exposition this year will mean much to us, as he is the Patron of the Archdiocese of Bangalore,” Archbishop Machado said.
“We know at this time, all roads will lead to Old Goa, but the journey from Bengaluru to Goa will be a journey of faith and surely a memorable one,” he added.
