It is unfortunate that a hornet’s nest has recently been stirred up by former RSS Goa chief Subhash Velingkar challenging the title of ‘Goencho Saib’ accredited to Goa’s most popular and venerated saint, St Francis Xavier, in favour of the mythological Lord Parshuram. It is surprising that it has taken so many years for Mr Velingkar to come to the realisation of his new-found belief, and how Goa came into existence after Lord Parshuram shot an arrow into the sea and ordered the sea God Varuna to recede. Accordingly, it is Lord Parshuram who deserves the title of protector of Goa and not St Francis Xavier who was responsible for the inquisition in Goa during 450 years of the Portuguese rule. To buttress his claim, the recent ‘Goa Files’ exhibition showcases the atrocities of the Portuguese for conversion of the Hindus in Goa. On the other hand, who can deny the good works and spiritual and physical healings of the thousands of the sick who flocked to Francis Xavier for his blessings and miraculous healings during his stay in Goa? Even today, millions continue to throng the Bom Jesus cathedral in Old Goa after four centuries, where the incorruptible mortal remains of the saint are kept for public veneration. Undoubtedly, it was the saintliness of Francis Xavier and his paternal care for the people in Goa that earned him the title of the patron saint of Goa and ‘Goencho Saib’ -- a title revered by people of all faiths and which will continue forever and can never be taken away from him.
