The Archdiocese states relics of FX would be exposed at Se Cathedral from Nov. 22

Mangalore Today News Network

Panaji, Oct 03, 2014:  Spiritual preparations are underway for the upcoming exposition in Goa of the relics of St. Francis Xavier, the “Apostle to the Far East.”

The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman announced last year that the relics would be exposed at Se Cathedral from Nov. 22, 2014, until Jan. 4, 2015.

 

The exposition, a decennial event, is expected to draw millions of pilgrims to the Indian state of Goa.

“For Catholics, the exposition of St. Francis Xavier’s relics is an important celebration of faith,” Fr. Alfred Vaz, head of the St. Francis Xavier exposition committee and rector of Se Cathedral, said.

“Parishes in the diocese are spiritually preparing under three sets of compiled catechesis, pointed towards faith promotion and under the footprint of the call for new evangelization following upon the Year of Faith.”

St. Francis Xavier was among the first companions of St. Ignatius of Loyola, and was one of the first members of the Society of Jesus. He evangelized in India, Indonesia, and Japan, and died in 1552 on his way to China.  His remains are normally kept at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in an elevated silver casket.

On Nov. 22, Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay will celebrate a Mass to begin the exposition; the relics will be transferred in a solemn procession from the Bom Jesus basilica to Se Cathedral, both of which are in Old Goa.

St. Francis Xavier’s relics will be available for public veneration, attracting millions of tourists and pilgrims from across India and the world before being solemnly transferred back to the Basilica of Bom Jesus.

Daily veneration will be held 12 hours a day, from seven to seven, with Mass and confessions offered nearly constantly and in various languages.

The Goa and Daman archdiocese has squashed local rumors that Pope Francis would visit the exhibition of his fellow Jesuit’s relics.  The concluding Mass will be said Jan. 4, 2015, by Archbishop Salvatore Pennachio, apostolic nuncio to India.

The last exposition of the relics, in 2004, drew more than 2.5 million pilgrims to Goa. The state’s government, together with the national government, has made extensive plans for the religious tourism associated with the exhibition, adding the event to the tourism ministry’s calendar.   The Goan government and local administration will also work to ensure pilgrims’ safety and provide infrastructure for the exposition’s success.

The relics’ attraction of both pilgrims as tourists, as they are incorrupt.  “Interestingly, there are few who come in amazement to witness a human body that has endured against the state of decomposing without any chemical substances for centuries, who hit their guts and then acclaim that (he) is indeed a holy man.”   In Karwar diocese’s a shrine to St. Francis Xavier is located in Chandavar.