OLD GOA
Rector of Basilica of Bom Jesus Fr Patricio Fernandes has said efforts are now on to focus on promoting the Basilica as a pilgrimage centre and advising tourists to come with that mindset.
"We are telling them that this is a pilgrimage centre where they should come for spirituality and not just for sightseeing, as the sacred body of St Francis Xavier is kept here," Fr Fernandes said.
Stating that stress is now being laid on how tourists and visitors are dressed, Fr Fernandes added: "As this is a religious centre, tourists are expected to be decently dressed, failing which they are not allowed entry. Further, those without masks are also denied entry.”
