After a gap of a year, physical novena masses for the feast of St Francis Xavier will reportedly be held at the Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa which can be attended by the faithful by following all the SOPs.
It may be recalled that last year masses were held in virtual mode due to the Covid pandemic with online masses. The government allowing for physical novena masses comes as good news to the thousands of devotees.
It goes without saying that the pandemic protocol will have to be maintained at all times. It is understood that only 50 percent of the sitting capacity will be allowed in the pandal, which will come up outside the Basilica.
However it remains to be seen if the huge fair that comes up for the novenas and the feast day will be allowed by the government this year.
The church is in no way connected to the fair and hence the onus of allowing the fair will be on the government. Another aspect that needs to be looked into is the serpentine queue of devotees seen paying obeisance at the relics of the saint.
