Archbishop to be main celebrant at St Xavier exposition mass

Old Goa, Nov. 20, 2004 – The Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Reverend Filipe Neri Ferrao, will be the main celebrant at the only mass to be celebrated on November 21, to mark the inauguration of the solemn 16th Exposition of the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa.

Despite being a Sunday, more then 400 priests are expected to concelebrate the single mass of the day at 9.30 a.m. The Rector of the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Fr Savio Barreto, who is also in charge of the liturgical services said that after the conclusion of the mass, the relics of St. Francis Xavier will be taken in a procession from the Basilica to the Se Cathedral. In keeping with tradition, the relics will be kept for veneration at the Se Cathedral for the entire period of the Exposition ending on January 2, 2005. The daily timings of the Exposition are from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Around 2–3 million pilgrims are expected to pay homage to the relics of the saint.

Fr. Barreto informed that the relics will be lowered from atop the mausoleum and kept in the nave of the Basilica on the previous day. After the mass on the inaugural day, a group of priests will carry the relics from the Basilica to its door. From here the relics will be carried to the Se Cathedral by representatives of the various deaneries of Goa.

The representatives of the deaneries of Aldona, Benaulim, Bicholim, Calangute, Canacona, Chinchinim, Goa Velha, Mapusa and Margao will take turns in carrying the relics on the opening day. The deaneries of Mormugao, Old Goa, Panaji, Pernem, Ponda, Quepem, Sanguem, Siolim and Verna will carry the relics back to the Basilica on the closing day, Fr Barreto said.

During the period of the Exposition, the relics will be kept in the nave of the Se Cathedral, close to the main altar. The pilgrims will be allowed to enter through the southern side–door of the Cathedral in two rows, kiss the relics and leave from the side–door on the opposite side. Fr Barreto said around 140 volunteers will guide the pilgrims.

The Apostolic Nuncio, Reverend Pedro Lopez Quintana, who is the Vatican’s ambassador to India, will arrive in Goa for the feast of St Francis Xavier on December 3. He will celebrate the pontifical High Mass at 10.30 a.m.

The novenas start on November 24. Masses will be celebrated in the mornings at 6, 7.15, 8.15 and the novena mass will be celebrated daily at 9.30 a.m. Beside the English mass at 10.30 a.m., evening masses will be celebrated at 3.45, 5.15 and 6.15.