the goan I network
OLD GOA
Preparations are going on in full swing for the novena and feast of St Francis Xavier, popularly known as ‘Goyencho Saib’, which begin at the Bom Jesus Basilica on November 24. The theme for this year’s novena and feast is “Like St Francis Xavier, let us live the Beatitudes and be holy.”
Highlighting the themes which would be explored during the novena, Fr Patricio Fernandes, rector of the Bom Jesus Basilica, made a reference to Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao’s pastoral letter.
“Our archbishop has stressed that ‘we are anointed to bring Good News to the poor’. Our response to life as Christians is contained in the Beatitudes. How we have been living these attitudes and what more we could do will be explored on each day of the novena,” said Fr Fernandes.
The rector also focussed on Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation ‘Gaudete et
Exsultate’, where the pontiff invites all to live holiness in today’s world.
“Holiness is a participation in Godliness. The Bible states, “Be holy, for I am holy”,” stated Fr Fernandes.
“The Second
Vatican Council stated this clearly: “Strengthened by so many and such great means of salvation, all the faithful, whatever their condition or state, are called by the Lord “ each in his or her own way “ to that perfect holiness by which the Father himself is perfect”.
