Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Goa (Fides Service) - “Francis Xavier was successful in his mission because he had faith in God’s plan” said Papal Nuncio in India Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, in Goa where he went to take part in celebrations for the Exposition of the Saint’s relics, a regular event which is attracting 10,000 visitors every day to this city on the western coast of India.
On December 3, feast day of Saint Francis Xavier, patron of the missions, even larger crowds flocked to the Basilica of Bom Jesus where his relics are exposed for veneration.
Addressing at least 10,000 people during a solemn celebration of the Eucharist in honour of the saintly missionary of the Far East, the Archbishop said in his homily that the success of St Francis’ mission was his total confidence in the power of God and his openness to all.
The Nuncio recalled that when St Ignatius of Loyola asked him to go on mission to the east, Francis saw the call as the will of God. Francis was deeply touched by the Gospel passage where Jesus asks: “What does it profit a man if he conquers the world but loses his own soul?”.
“I pray that this event of the exposition will be an opportunity to strengthen our faith and intensify our concern, love and forgiveness for all ”, said the Nuncio adding that St Francis Xavier is a precious Saint still today: “He faithfully followed God’s plan for his life as it was revealed to him”. The Nuncio recalled Pope John Paul II’s pastoral plan for the Third Christian Millennium: “a plan based on the Gospel, centred on Christ for us pilgrims nourished by the Eucharist and sent to build Communion”.
Exposition of the relics of St Francis started on 21 November and will conclude on 2 January 2005. The first exposition was held in 1782. For a time the earthly remains of this great Jesuit missionary were exposed every year on the occasion of his feast day. Then it was decided to have an exposition once every ten years. This is the 16th in the ten year series. The last, the 15th , was held from 21 November 1994 to 7 January 1995 (.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 7/12/2004 Righe: 34 Parole: 397)
