Thousands throng Old Goa

Thousands of pilgrims from different parts of the state thronged Old Goa as the novenas preceding the feast of St Francis Xavier commenced on Sunday.  

A total of 12 masses were held on the first day with the services beginning as early as 5 am and ending at 6.15 pm. Apart from the 6.15 pm mass, which was in English, all the other masses were held in Konkani.   

Also masses in other languages were held like Tamil at 11.30 am, Malyalam at 12.30 pm and Hindi at 2.30 pm. Coincidentally, the first day of the novena coincided with the feast of Christ the King and the theme ‘Baptized and sent to proclaim Jesus the Universal King’ reflected the same.  

Focusing their homilies on the chosen theme, the priests exhorted the devotees to proclaim Jesus to the world just like St Francis Xavier.  

Meanwhile, pilgrims from far and wide, have camped at the Basilica with some occupying the corridor while others putting up at the structure behind the Basilica. For the next nine days, the Basilica will be their home till the end of the feast.  

The security at Old Goa has also been beefed up with police personnel, some with guns, posted at strategic places. Some policemen were also posted on watch towers while some were occupying the makeshift bunkers.  

The traffic police were kept busy, particularly during the early masses as huge number of pilgrims and devotees thronged during that time. Fire force personnel have also been posted at the Basilica and a fire tender has been kept ready in case of any emergency.  

The beggars too lined up along the footpaths and begged for alms from the pilgrims and devotees thronging Old Goa.  

Several persons were also selling flowers, candles and wax figurines so that the same could be offered to St Francis Xavier as offerings. At the fair, the stalls selling the traditional Goan sweets as well as those selling grams and peanuts were a hit among the devotees as they chose to buy the same while on their way back home.