The Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St. Francis Xavier is a momentous event held in Old Goa, Goa, India, every ten years, attracting pilgrims and tourists from around the world. This significant religious celebration honors St Francis Xavier, a revered Spanish missionary and co-founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Known for his extensive missionary work across Asia, St. Francis Xavier is venerated forhis dedication to spreading Christianity and his enduring spiritual legacy.
During the exposition, the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier, normally housed in the Basilica of Bom Jesus, are displayed for public veneration in the Sé Catedral. The event spans several weeks and includes a variety of religious ceremonies, including Masses, prayer services, novenas, and processions. It is a time of deep spiritual reflection, devotion, and celebration, highlighting the rich cultural and religious heritage of Goa.
The solemn opening of the exposition of the sacred relics of Saint Francis Xavier was held on November 21, 2024. The solemn Holy Eucharist was celebrated at 9:30 a.m., where in Archbishop Anil Couto was the main celebrant. It was held outside the Basilica of Bom Jesus and graced by a breathtaking choir led by Mestre Fr Romeo Monteiro. The kyrie eleison, Agnus Dei and Christus vincit sung in Latin were the striking pieces sung among others equally soulful. Prayers of the faithful were recited in multiple Indian languages. The mass was followed by the grand procession carrying the Sacred Relics from the Basilica to the Sé Cathedral.
During the procession human chains made up of more than 1500 people helped keep away people from entering into it or getting close to the sacred relics being carried. Veneration of the sacred relics for the public began after post 3:00 p.m. There were over 400 priests who participated into the solemn eucharistic celebration in Old Goa.
Noted author and photographer, Pantaleão Fernandes had the release of his book during the solemn mass at 9:30 am. His new book, ‘Stories in Silver’ focusses on the silver casket of St Francis Xavier and the 32 intricate silver plates adorning it. Although the casket is exquisite, its beauty is difficult to fully appreciate in the subdued lighting of its current location. However, with the release of Pantaleão Fernandes’s new book, this silver masterpiece will attract a wider audience, allowing more individuals to admire the splendor of the intricately crafted plates that adorn it.
Every day, veneration of the Sacred Relics of the Saint will be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. However, there will be no veneration on 5th January 2025. Every day, there will be 7 Masses in Konkani and one Mass in English. The timings are as follows: 6 am / 7.15 am / 8.30 am/ 9.45 am / 11am / 3.30 pm/ 5 pm / 6.15 pm (In English). During the whole duration of the exposition, a wheelchair facility will be available at the gate in front of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi.
In addition to masses in Konkani and English, there will be masses in various other languages scheduled on particular days. On Nov 24, at 11:00 am in Tamil, at 12:15 pm in Malayalam and at 2:00 pm in Hindi. On November 26 at 2:00 pm in French; On December 01 at 11:00 am in Portuguese and on December 02, at 11:00 am in Kannada. The solemn closing of the Exposition will be on January 05, 2025. The prayers in the Cathedral will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will be followed by the solemn procession. The closing holy Eucharist will follow.
On Wednesday, November 20, evening, the relics were ceremoniously brought down and placed in the sacristy during a private gathering attended by Archbishop Felipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão. On November 21, Jesuit priests transported the relics from the sacristy of the Basilica to the main altar. Concurrently, a second group, consisting of representatives from the Exposition committee and the Exposition secretariat, escorted the relics from the main altar to the center of the Basilica.
A third group then took over, guiding the relics from the center to the main entrance, where the casket was transferred to twelve police inspectors, who subsequently placed it onto a specially designed electric carriage. The solemn procession commenced with altar servers and the cross bearer, followed by representatives from various associations and movements, including youth groups, the Legion of Mary, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Confraria, and Fabrica.
The delightful inter-religious harmony in Goa was exemplified by the participation of representatives from both the Hindu and Muslim communities, who joined together in the procession to demonstrate the Church's commitment to fostering dialogue and communal harmony. Falcão noted, ‘There were requests for Hindus and Muslims to carry the casket, which we could not accommodate due to liturgical considerations.
Leading the procession were religious sisters, priests, seminarians, canons of the Cathedral chapter, and bishops, with the cardinal presiding over the event and positioned behind the carriage. Enhancing the solemnity of the occasion was a brass band, made up of over 100 musicians, led by Mestre Fr Simon D’Cunha, a first for the relics procession. Falcão explained, ‘The idea of including a brass band came to me because it is a common tradition in many of our churches in Goa.
During any feast, particularly a patron's feast, a brass band is always present. It plays before mass and between masses and following every procession. This has been a longstanding tradition and culture in Goa, so I thought it fitting to incorporate a brass band for such a significant procession in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman’. Several thousands of devotees from all across the world, attended the services held throughout the day outside the Basilica of Bom Jesus.
In the second half of the day at 3:45 pm was a soft opening of an art exhibition titled ‘Sacred Archives: Memories & Objects’, was held only for its contributors at the magnificent Church of Santa Monica, situated on Monte Santo, Old Goa. This sub-exhibition, featured within Goa Familia’s Archive of Potential (Goan) Futures at the Serendipity Arts Festival 2024, explores the profound cultural and spiritual heritage associated with St. Francis Xavier’s Exposition—a revered tradition that is intricately woven into the fabric of Goa’s history.
This exhibition showcases a thoughtfully chosen array of artifacts, archival documents, and stories, illustrating how the relics of St. Francis Xavier persist in inspiring devotion, strengthening community ties, and influencing the sacred environment of Goa. The exhibition will remain open to the public from November 21, 2024 – January 09, 2025 at the Church of Santa Monica, Old Goa.