When one visits the Basilica of Bom Jesus, the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier lies in the silver casket mounted high above. While the casket is beautiful adorned, one can hardly see its beauty in the dim lighting. Now, through Pantaleao Fernandes’ new book, the silver casket will find more viewers admiring the splendour of the silver work done on each of the 32 panels that cover the casket. Renowned for his exploration of Goan heritage and religious history, Pantaleao has authored a fascinating book, ‘Stories in Silver,’ which delves into the life and miracles of St Francis Xavier. These stories are come to life as they have been portrayed on the intricate silver plates adorning his casket, which had remained largely unseen and unexplored.
Pantaleao's initial encounter with the casket's plates took place in 2005 when he first photographed the tomb for his book, ‘100 Goan Experiences.’ “There are books on the mausoleum and on the casket but nobody can see the work on it as they are very small when one looks up at it. When I photographed the casket, I could zoom in and see on the computer that there are some figures. Later on, I read about these are 32 plates and on some books, they have given a brief description like one liners on each plate. But it made no sense, because you could not refer to the art on the plates,” says Pantaleao.
The silver casket is said to be designed by the Italian, Fr Marcello Mastrilli who became devoted to the Saint after he was miraculously healed in Naples in 1634 after seeing a vision of St Francis Xavier when he was seriously ill. After recovering, Mastrilli visited Goa as a pilgrim in 1635 and in 1936, he helped fund the plans for the new casket. The new grander casket was unveiled to the public on December 3, 1637.
Speaking about how he managed to photograph the casket, Pantaleao explains, “I thought that this is a nice subject for a whole book. However, photographing them from that height was not possible in such a restricted place. It was only during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the casket was temporarily taken down for repairs and polishing in 2021. I read about the news and immediately contacted Fr Patricio Fernandes, the rector of Basilica of Bom Jesus with a request to photograph it. I had to then get permission from the church authorities. They gave me the permission, but it was under repairs, so I could not access it. Finally, I got a message from them that ‘today evening if you are free, you can photograph as by 8 pm it will be up’. Within a few hours’ time frame, my son and I managed to actually get some nice pictures. I was so amused and thrilled, because I could see them so close. When I saw it on my computer, I realized that they are very beautiful and the filigree is very artistic. Who would have worked on it? It was Goan goldsmiths that worked with silver.”
The silver plates were far more intricate than he had imagined. They depicted key moments from the saint’s life, including his healing miracles, his travels across Asia, and his miracles beyond death. The plates featured a detailed silver filigree work, with minute engravings that highlighted not just the figures but also the emotions of the scenes, the fine lines of the architecture of the houses and the clothes worn by the people of that era. These plates were far more than mere decoration, they told a detailed visual story of St Francis Xavier's life, crafted with precision and artistry by Goan goldsmiths in the 17th century, right from his sister Magadalena’s vision to the healing of Fr Marcello Mastrilli.
His next step was to weave these discoveries into a larger narrative. In 2022, Pantaleao approached Fr Henry Falcao, Convenor of the exposition committee, with an idea to create a book that would bring the story of the casket's plates to the public. He suggested a collaboration that would allow the Basilica to showcase these intricate details in a way that had never been done before. Fr Henry and the church authorities agreed, and Pantaleao embarked on a detailed study of the plates, piecing together the life story of St Francis Xavier through their visual depictions.
“I have my own library with books including the letters of St Francis. I visited The Xavier Centre of Historical Research, Porvorim and I referred to books by Paul Ehrlich and Georg Schurhammer that gives a lot of information,” says Pantaleo. He also embarked on a journey to retrace the footsteps of St Francis Xavier in India. “St Francis Xavier was based in a place called Tuticorin, where he built a small church, and then he kept moving. He would build a small church, educate the people, make someone in charge, and kept moving on. On one plate, Kombuture is mentioned where St Francis Xavier is standing with a child near a well with a small parapet. We visited the place and this well is still there. We drew water from the well and drank it. From there, we drove further and went to a cave where he stayed. The cave is well maintained with a chapel,” adds Pantaleao, as he put in all these efforts to retell the stories behind these plates.
The 32 silver plates are not just a visual representation of St Francis Xavier’s miracles; they are also a tribute to the artisanal craftsmanship of the Goan goldsmiths. These artisans, who were known for their silverwork, were commissioned in 1636 to create the plates, a task that would take several years to complete. The silver was chosen not only for its malleability but also because it was a fitting tribute to the saint—more accessible than gold but still regal in its own right.
Pantaleao's research revealed that these plates were crafted using the repose technique, a form of relief where metal is hammered into shape to create intricate designs. The level of detail in the plates is astounding—from the folds of St Xavier’s robes to the textures of the trees and landscapes in the scenes. Each plate was designed to reflect the most significant moments of Xavier's life, as captured through the lens of 17th-century craftsmanship.
The story of the casket’s silver plates is a testament not only to the life and miracles of St Francis Xavier but also to the cultural and artistic heritage of Goa. By bringing these images to light, Pantaleao has immortalized the work of the Goan goldsmiths and the legacy of St Francis Xavier, offering future generations a deeper understanding of this iconic religious figure.