PANAJI: Thousands of pilgrims have gathered in Old Goa for the much-anticipated decennial exposition of the relics of St. Francis Xavier, a religious event expected to attract up to 8 million people from around the world.
The sacred relics, which were carried in a grand procession from the Basilica of Bom Jesus, is now been placed at the Se Cathedral, where it will remain for 45 days, till January 5, 2025, for devotees to venerate.
The procession began this morning with a solemn ceremony attended by Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai, and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant amongst others, who all venerated the Sacred Relics in the Sacristy of the Basilica of Bom Jesus before the start of the official inaugural event.
Reverend Anil Couto, the Archbishop of Delhi, led a congregation of thousands at Thursday's Eucharistic celebration held inside the Basilica.
A remarkable 10 other bishops, including Cardinal Felipe Neri Ferrao and Auxiliary Bishop Simião Purificação Fernandes, co-celebrated the mass. The ceremony culminated in the unveiling of the relics of the sixteenth-century Spanish saint, which were then placed on a specially designed e-carriage for the procession to the Se Cathedral.
The procession was accompanied by a choir of 50 musicians and singers, adding to the solemnity of the occasion, with the music directed by Fr. Simon D'Cunha. A 100-member brass band followed the carriage, playing three hymns dedicated to St. Francis Xavier. The event was orchestrated by Fr. Romeio Monteiro
