OLD GOA
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will begin work to restore the Mastrillian Casket, which contains the relics of St Francis Xavier, at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa from December 10.
In view of this work, the Basilica will be closed for visitors on Thursday after the 8 am Mass.
Explaining the significance of the Casket, Fr Patricio Fernandes, SJ, Rector of the Basilica, in a press note said the Silver Casket containing the relics of St Francis Xavier was brought in procession from St Paul’s College on February 19, 1624, to the Basilica of Bom Jesus, two years after he was declared saint and patron of Goa.
“Fr Marcello Mastrilli, who miraculously revived from death through the intercession of St Francis Xavier, came to Goa in December 1635 on his way to Japan. Upon seeing the Silver Casket, he ordered a new silver covering for the coffin which was completed in time for the feast on December 2, 1637.”
“The Mausoleum was placed in St Francis Xavier Chapel on November 8, 1698 and on top of it, was placed the Mastrillian Casket. Because of this special attraction that year, thousands of pilgrims flocked to the feast on December 3, 1698,” said Fr Fernandes.
Since then, Fr Fernandes said nothing much had been documented about the conservation or restoration of the Mastrillian Casket.
“Following my efforts and initiatives, a process to protect the monuments was initiated by my friend’s Italian connection through Guala Closures.”
Fr Fernandes said a team of three specialists were dispatched from “Opificio delle Pietre Dure e Laboratori di Restauro di Firenze,” who studied the artefacts from May 27 through June 3, 2018.
“They said that the Casket must be attended to on top priority or else, it would fall apart within the next 10 years,” said Fr Fernandes.
“The ASI Chemical Branch from Aurangabad, who are specialists in conservation, have taken the initiative under the mandate from ASI Dehradun to commence the work to conserve and restore the Mastrillian Casket.”
“The negotiations began long back, ever since ASI Delhi ordered that the treatment be done by their specialists in India. The work will be done at the Basilica itself under strict security and will commence from December 10. For this reason, the Basilica will be closed for visitors on Thursday after the 8 am Mass,” Fr Fernandes added.
