Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Goa (Fides Service) - “The Feast day of St Francis Xavier at this time when his relics are exposed for veneration is an opportunity to rediscover our great missionary tradition” the Catholic Archbishop of Goa Mgr Felipe Neri Antonio Sebastiao do Rosario Ferrao told Fides. In Goa the Bom Jesus basilica is hosting the exposition of the relics of St Francis 21 November 2004 to 2 January 2005.
It was in the western coastal town of Goa that Francis (1506-1552) landed in 1542 to begin his mission in the Far East. The relics of the Saint were exposed for the first time in 1782 and then every year on his feast day December 3 until 1864 when it was decided to limit the exposition to once every ten years. The event has become a major celebration for the local Church awaited anxiously by Catholics near and far. The relics were last exposed for veneration, the 15th time in the ten yearly series, from 21 November 1994 to 7 January 1995..
Describing this year’s exposition the Archbishop said: “We see the arrival of more than 10,000 ever day, from Goa, other parts of India and even other countries. On 24 November we started the novena for the Feast of St Francis on 3 December when a solemn mass will be presided by the papal nuncio in India Archbishop Pedro Mons. Lopez Quintana”. The diocese prepared for this major event with care. “In June I addressed a special Pastoral Letter to all the parishes and we formed an ad hoc committee to organise spiritual preparations. Meetings, prayers and other initiatives were held in every parish and people were really looking forward to the festivities” the Archbishop told Fides.
“This event is most important for us because St Francis Xavier was one of the greatest missionaries to Asia and the exposition of his relics offers a great opportunity to renew and intensify our missionary vocation and efforts. As the Pope says in Ecclesia in Asia, the Good News must be proclaimed to Asia by bishops, priests, religious and lay people. This is a privileged time to rediscover our missionary responsibility to proclaim the Gospel and the great missionary tradition of the Church in Goa” the Archbishop told Fides.
He underlined that St Francis Xavier is loved the world over; particularly Indian Catholics are devoted to him: “People in Goa whatever their religion, are deeply devoted to the ‘Lord of Goa’ as St Francis is called. This is confirmed by the ready collaboration offered by civil authorities and the presence of people of other religions. The local government gave full support and assistance to organise the exposition of the relics and also celebrations for his feast day, December 3. Splendid collaboration for logistics, accommodation for visitors. Many Muslim and Hindu pilgrims bear witness, attracted by the Saint. We see people of all situations and walks of life and different religions are making this pilgrimage”.
With regard to evangelisation in India, the Archbishop says: “I see great enthusiasm in our local Church, particularly since Pope John Paul II came here to present the post-synodal document Ecclesia in Asia and said that the Third Millennium is ‘the millennium of Asia. The Jubilee of the Year 2000 also gave new impulse to missionary spirit. Our archdiocese of Goa sent missionaries to Macao, East Timor, Venezuela and to another diocese in India, Agartala diocese on the border with Bangladesh, in great need of missionary personnel”.
At times missionary spirit comes into contact with opposition from Hindu extremist groups which recently led even to attacks on the Church: “There is concern - Mgr Ferrao said- for the recent episodes of violence perpetrated by groups of Hindu fundamentalists. But it should be said that most followers of Hinduism tolerate and respect other faiths, in a spirit of genuine pluralism. India has a century old tradition of harmony among different communities. But unfortunately there are small groups bent on breaking this harmony. This means each and all are called to work to preserve it”. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 2/12/2004 Righe: 52 Parole: 521)
