The Franciscans, who came to Goa in 1517, were the next group after the Dominicans that had greater success converting people to Christianity. They actively pursued conversions in Goa and the neighboring regions of India for the ensuing 25 years.
Behind the Cathedral, the Franciscans erected the first Monastery in Goa and occupied it after demolishing their temporary accommodation. The Monastery is thought to have undergone repairs in 1529. Forty friars were housed in “the great convent of the Franciscans”, as St Francis Xavier referred to it in a letter to his Society members in 1548. On the Sovereign’s order, the Government provided them with all the protection they needed and gave them a few modest houses next to their monastery.
The Monastery started to show signs of decay after 150 years, which led to the repair of many of its cells between 1762 and 1765. It was given a few upgrades to increase its elegance and neatness.
The French navigator François Pyrard de Laval did not think twice to refer to this structure as “the richest and most beautiful in the world”. The cloisters, painted in gold, blue, and other colors, with embossed walls depicting the key events in St Francis of Assisi’s life, were now run-down and deserted. Even though they are empty, the building’s enormous hallways, numerous cells, roomy refectory, and numerous other apartments are still impressive. The building’s long, black stone staircase ascends to the upper floor, from which a second staircase takes you to the highest level, known as the Ghat due to its unusual height.
Located across from the gate and with a view of the churchyard, the main corridor’s lower floor housed the monastery’s novitiate apartment. This church appears to have received no maintenance, which is why it started to deteriorate. As a result, it was demolished in 1661 and rebuilt. Thanks to the altruistic donations of the local Catholics.
Despite being rebuilt, it kept its original portico, which was used to admit St. Francis Xavier and a number of other famous people. It is likely the only surviving example of Portuguese early-16th-century architecture, other than the Church of Our Lady of Rosary, in the East. It is made of beautifully carved black stone. Rafael Moreira claims that Leonardo Vaz, who was a contractor working in the Mosteiro de Belém, Lisboa, up until 1520, completed this Manueline portico (doorway) circa 1526.
Following the closure of the attached convent in 1835, 27 Franciscans were compelled to depart. The church was closed until 1876, when it was opened by Governor João Taveres Almeida, and celebrated St Francis of Assisi’s feast with great pomp at his own expense. The governor had been advised by the archbishop to move the Chorão seminary here in 1862, but an epidemic prevented this from happening.
‘We saw the monastery or church of the Franciscans or Grey Friars, who wear cords instead of girdles around their waists, sandals instead of shoes, grey broad brimmed hats, as countrymen do, as well as cowls over their habit imitating the villager’, travel writer Dr John Fryer wrote in his detailed description.
The great organ from the church has been moved to the church of Margão, and the side altars have had their frames removed. Just three of the nine altars that the church formerly had remain, two of which are in the transept and the main alter.
History of St Francis
•St Francis of Assisi was born in Assisi,
Italy, in 1181/82, and he passed away there on October 3, 1226.
•He was canonized on July 16, 1228 and his feast day is October 4. The lay Third Order, the women’s Order of St. Clare (the Poor Clares), and the friars Minor (Ordo Fratrum Minorum) are all Franciscan orders founded by him.
•In the early 13th century, he was also a leading figure in the evangelical poverty movement.
•He is revered as the patron saint of the environment and animals in the Catholic Church.