Team Herald
OLD GOA: In a powerful display of unity, devotees from Goa's Hindu, Muslim and Sikh communities joined the procession, as the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier were carried through the streets of Old Goa on Wednesday.
Their participation showcased the Church's efforts to promote interfaith dialogue and communal harmony, exemplifying Goa’s tradition of diverse faiths coming together in shared reverence.
The journey of the relics began on November 20, when they were solemnly placed in the sacristy during a private gathering attended by Archbishop Felipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão.
The following day, Jesuit priests transported the relics from the sacristy to the main altar of the Basilica, where they were then moved by a second group to the centre of the Basilica.
A third group of dignitaries led the relics to the entrance, where twelve police inspectors took over, transferring the relics onto a specially designed electric carriage to commence the procession
Along the way, altar servers, the cross bearer, and representatives from various associations, including youth groups, the Legion of Mary, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and others, contributed to the procession's reverence.
The event was led by religious sisters, priests, seminarians, canons, and bishops, with Cardinal Ferrão presiding over the occasion, positioned behind the carriage.
A unique highlight of the procession was the inclusion of a brass band, featuring over 100 musicians led by Mestre Fr Simon D’Cunha, a first for the relics procession.
The brass band's presence was inspired by Goa's cultural tradition of incorporating brass bands into religious celebrations.
The solemn event attracted thousands of devotees from around the world, who gathered outside the Basilica to witness the procession and participate in services throughout the day.
In the afternoon, the Church of Santa Monica hosted the soft opening of an art exhibition, ‘Sacred Archives: Memories & Objects,’ which explores the cultural and spiritual significance of St. Francis Xavier’s Exposition.
The exhibition, part of the Serendipity Arts Festival 2024, is open to the public from November 21 to January 9, 2025, showcasing artifacts, archival documents, and stories that highlight the continued devotion to St Francis Xavier, whose legacy continues to shape the cultural and spiritual fabric of Goa.