The feast of St. Francis Xavier, which is being celebrated on 3rd December will draw huge crowds this year as the decennial exposition of the sacred relics of Goencho Sahib is in progress. Obviously the biggest congregation for the Eucharistic Celebrations will be present for the feast mass. Devotees from far and wide will be attending the feast mass. These include the elderly people and persons with physical disabilities who could find it difficult to find a seat in order to take part in the Eucharistic Celebrations in a fruitful manner.
It is observed that every year the front row of seats for the feast mass is reserved for the ministers of the Goa government and other elected representatives. In the past several Goans have raised objection to this practice of reserving the front seats for the VIPs by the church authorities. It deprives the elderly people and those with physical disabilities of the vantage seats with a comprehensive view of the altar. Even on the first day of the exposition the elected representatives were given the first opportunity to venerate the sacred relics. Everyone is equal in the eyes of God. The prime task of the ministers and the elected representatives is to serve the people.
There is a need to shun this VIP culture at the feast mass. This practice is continued by the church authorities every year probably as an obligation. Such an arrangement is okay for public and government functions. It would be in the fitness of things for the VIPs present for the feast mass to voluntarily give up the front seats for the elderly person, the physically disabled persons and the nuns attending the mass. This will be greatly appreciated by the general public. However, whether the VIPs present for the feast mass will take this step is the big question.
