Goa (Fides Service) - A month before a long awaited showing of the relics of Saint Francis Xavier, a great evangeliser in India, an accidental fire in the Catholic Basilica de Bom Jesus in Goa on October 21 caused widespread fear but no serious damage. The local church authorities have assured the community that the opening of the showing of the relics will go ahead as planned.
The exposition of the relics of the Spanish born missionary Saint intrepid pioneer of mission activity, from 21 November to 2 January 2005 is expected to attract Catholics from all over the region. Some estimate that as many as three million visitors will visit the ancient church to pray near the earthly remains of St Francis, an opportunity which comes only once every ten years.
In a pastoral letter for this special occasion the Archbishop of Goa and Daman Mgr Filippo Neri Ferrao who took possession of the archdiocese only recently, has encouraged people to take part in the many initiatives and programmes planned for the 6 week event. Initiatives by the archdiocese include the publication of books on the history of the local Church in Goa, the life and mission of St Francis and a specially composed prayer.
It was in 1542 in the western coastal town of Goa that Francis (1506-1552) landed 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 last time the relics were exposed for veneration, the 15th time in the ten yearly series was from 21 November 1994 to 7 January 1995. The local Church is also planning special celebrations to mark the fifth centenary of the birth of St Francis (1506) which will open 3 December 2005. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 25/10/2004 righe 33 parole 336)