March 12, 2022 marks an important day for the Society of Jesus and the Jesuit family. It was on this day that St Francis Xavier was canonized by Pope Gregory XV in 1622 which was on the same day as Ignatius Loyola. St Francis Xavier ranks among the greatest missionaries in Christian history. St Xavier was beatified by Pope Paul V in 1619. He travelled and preached in Italy and then came to Goa as a missionary in 1541. He died on December 3, 1552. On 11 December, 1553, Xavier's body was shipped to Goa. The body now lies at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa, where it was placed in a glass container encased in a silver casket on 2 December, 1637. It is indeed a moment of great joy for the Catholics in the state and across the country that the Archbishop of Goa and Daman Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao has issued a circular regarding the celebration of the IV Centenary of the Canonization of St. Francis Xavier. It will indeed be a holy and solemn occasion as Goa celebrates the 400th anniversary of the canonization of one of the greatest saints of the Catholic church and a gift from God to the world. Every parish priest needs to observe March 12, 2022 in solemnity, devotion, fervent thanksgiving and joyful celebrations for the gift of St. Francis Xavier who has devotees belonging to different religious groups in the state. It will indeed be a historic day for the Catholic Church while recalling the outstanding contributions made by the saint to the life of the church.
ADELMO FERNANDES, Vasco
