OLD GOA: The XVIII Exposition of St Francis Xavier opened at Old Goa on Thursday with a Solemn Concelebrated Mass infront of the Bom Jesus Basilica at 9.30am. Archbishop of Delhi Anil Couto in his homily said the words of Jesus Christ which converted St Francis Xavier and made him a passionate evangelizer “What does it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and suffers the loss of his soul” are the core of the Bible and the secret of Salvation, to which we pay little attention. More often than not we try to gain the hold world and lose our souls, he stated.
After the Holy Eucharist the body of St Francis Xavier was carried in a grand procession on an e-vehicle, led by a procession of people from various sections of Goan society. The entire route was lined by 1000 youth who formed a human chain on both sides, with a brass band playing religious tunes. Thereafter the casket was kept at the Se Cathedral for veneration by the clergy, those in the procession and those who attended mass. Thereafter the veneration was open to all from 3 pm onwards.