Pilgrims have started arriving in Goa for the 45-day long decennial exposition of the sacred relics of Saint Francis Xavier, which began with the solemn Eucharist on Thursday. The eighteenth (18th) exposition started with a Mass at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, where the mortal remains of the Spanish Jesuit missionary have been enshrined since 1624. After the Mass, the holy relics of St Francis Xavier, who is revered as the patron saint of Goa, were carried to the Se Cathedral in an electric carriage. The relics will be kept at Se Cathedral for veneration by the devotees till January 5, 2025. Over 1,000 people formed a human chain as the relics were carried across the church complex to Se Cathedral, accompanied by members of the clergy, volunteers and selected representatives of the society. Earlier on Wednesday, the four-century-old silver glass casket holding the relics was lowered from its resting place in the mausoleum at the Basilica in a private ceremony. The Church authorities expect over 8 million people to visit the state during the 45-day event, surpassing 5.5 million people who visited Goa during the previous Exposition in 2014. In his sermon, the Archbishop of Delhi Anil Couto, said, “St Francis Xavier was a man on a mission, whose only desire was to proclaim the good news of salvation in Christ to the whole world, so that nobody should perish, but that all may be saved and enter the fullness of life, that is God’s kingdom.” “Throughout his voyages and movement from village to village, house to house, person to person, he found time to spend long hours in prayer to seek God’s strength and light and to do his will. His predilection was for the poor, the sick and prisoners and all those in need…470 years have passed since his incorrupt body – now we call it relics – arrived in Goa by ship from the island of Shangchuan via Malacaa in the middle of March 1554 and is with us for our veneration to date. So many historical developments have taken place here since…in this city of Old Goa, in the state, the country and in the world, but our ‘Goencho Saib’ is with us and we come as pilgrims to his feet, begging for God’s mercy through his intercession,” he added. Welcoming pilgrims from different parts of the country and the world, the Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao said, “The theme for this Exposition is ‘We are messengers of the good news’. Each day we will be reflecting on different aspects of our lives related to this theme with the help of God's word. Let us pray that this whole spiritual event may be of genuine benefit to our lives.” Cruz Cardozo, a Goan native, said the Exposition is not just a religious event. “It is a profound testament to Goa’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage. For us Goans, it symbolises unity, faith, and the enduring legacy of our patron saint, who tirelessly dedicated his life to serving humanity and spreading the message of love and compassion. It is a time when people from all walks of life come together, transcending borders and beliefs, to honour a saint who embodies the spirit of Goa – welcoming, resilient, and deeply rooted in its values,” he said. Cardozo added, “The Exposition is more than a pilgrimage. It is a reminder of our shared identity. It reaffirms our connection to our history while encouraging us to build a future guided by the principles he cherished.” Jyoti Parsekar said she had come to pay homage to St Francis Xavier and seek the saint’s blessings. “This is the first Exposition I am attending. Since it is the first day, there is a lot of crowd, but I am happy as I was able to see the relics during the procession,” she said.
