Exposition of St. Francis Xavier’s Relics Expected to Draw Millions

Panaji – Preparations are under way in the Goa Archdiocese for the for the much–awaited exposition of the relics of St. Francis Xavier at the Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa, November this year, an event expected to attract more than 3 million people.

The Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, where the missionary saint's tomb is located, is the venue where the Jesuit's remains will be exposed for veneration from Nov. 21 to Jan. 2, 2004.

The church houses the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier (1506–1552), patron saint of Goa and the greatest figure of Christianity in Asia after St. Thomas the Apostle, who died while on a sea voyage to China on December 2,1552. The following year, while transferring his remains to Goa, in accordance with his wishes, it was found that the saint's body was as fresh as the day it was buried. This miraculous phenomenon continues to attract the devout of all lands and an Exposition or public viewing of his body every ten years attracts lakhs of pilgrims. During the 450 years of Portuguese rule in Goa, St. Francis Xavier was believed to have afforded protection to the rulers who handed over their symbols of office to the saint during every changeover of the office of Governor General. The Saint had miraculous healing powers, which were experienced by the erstwhile Nizam of Hyderabad when he came for the Exposition of 1878.

The first exposition of the saint's remains took place in 1782. For a time, his body was exposed for veneration every year on Dec. 3, his feast day.

Beginning in 1864, the exposition was less frequent for security reasons. Subsequently, it was scheduled every 10 years. The last such exposition took place from Nov. 21, 1994, to Jan. 7, 1995.

Archbishop Filippo Neri Ferrao of Goa and Daman, has circulated a Pastoral Letter exhorting the faithful “to participate actively in the different programs and events that will be organized at various levels, so that the entire ecclesial community of this archdiocese is prepared to receive the bountiful gifts of God on the occasion.”

According to Father Savio Barreto, rector of the Basilica of Bom Jesus, more than 1.5 million people visited the exposition in 1994. “Now, with the kind of publicity and improvement in transport, this figure is set to exceed 3 million,” he said.

“The Goa government, too, is preparing for the mega–event,” he said. “It is already working on easing traffic and providing other facilities for the devotees during the exposition” period.