Pio Esteves
The 18th Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier, popularly known as ‘Goycho Saib’ will be solemnly inaugurated on November 21. From 1782-1952, the body of St Francis Xavier was exposed for solemn public veneration. Over the years it was discovered that the rate of deterioration of the body was increasing and so the body was placed in a glass casket. And consequently, the body could not be touched directly. This trend continued for the past five solemn expositions. The same will be continued during the current solemn exposition at Old Goa from November 21 to January 5, 2025.
As part of the solemn inauguration, the concerned church authorities would choose the faithful, who would carry the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier from Bom Jesus Basilica to Se Cathedral Church in Old Goa. The chosen ones would always feel privileged to be part of this religious ceremony or ritual as it would be a rare opportunity to bear witness to staunch faith passed on by our very own ‘Goycho Saib’.
For several expositions held in the past, it was a religious practice to carry the sacred relics of the saint on the shoulders of the faithful with deep reverence in a procession. And those who shared such a unique and rare privilege had rich experiences to recount, bearing testimony to faith. As in the past, this year the Goan communities are again looking forward for such an enlightening and enriching experience, which will only add to strengthening of faith passed on by the ancestors.
Sharing her experience of carrying the casket in the past, Calangute parishioner and a lecturer at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Panjim, Mitchel S Cota says, “I had the privilege to hold the casket of the saint during the exposition of the relics of St Francis Xavier in 2004. I physically bore the weight of the casket along with other chosen individuals from across Goa. I was able to honour the saint’s sacrifices, drawing inspiration from his fruitful life. This act was an opportunity of a lifetime for me, for a special and unforgettable prayerful reflection. It was a moment where community, reverence and personal devotion united in sacred homage. I strongly support the idea of carrying the saint’s casket on the shoulders of the faithful, as it is a more sacred experience. This act allows the community, irrespective of religion, to feel a closer connection with the saint, turning the procession into a powerful moment of faith. Probably using a vehicle this year to carry the casket would only result in more detachment and a materialistic act, thus losing the profound spiritual engagement.”
Canon Fr Saturnino Dias also carried the sacred relics on his shoulders in 2014. “It is a rare privilege which the selected few get and nobody would like to miss this golden opportunity. When the tradition has been followed for the past 17 years, why should it not be continued in the near future?,” he questions.
In 2004, Willy Goes, a parishioner from St Inez, attended the 2004 exposition of St Francis Xavier where he learnt that the casket was carried by the faithful (laypersons) selected by the respective parish priests and the Archdiocese. He went on to pen the Konkani novelette ‘Khand’ in 2014 where a Catholic who did not have a positive impression about the church, was selected as one of the pall bearers of the casket which leads to his transformation.
In 2014, Willy was one of the chosen one. “Fr Alfred Vaz, the then convener of the exposition, informed me that I was selected to carry the casket at the closing ceremony. I felt blessed. I carried it on my shoulders. Hanvem Goychea Saibak khand marlo. It was an experience that will never to be forgotten for the rest of my life. The moment the casket rested on my shoulder, it felt very heavy, but within moments, the weight seemed to disappear and we carried it with ease, as if it was floating. It was a miracle.”
“Recollecting that moment, I cannot say whether some divine power carried it for us, or whether we were empowered by the Holy Spirit to bear the weight. It was a heavenly feeling and it made me spiritually richer. When he proclaimed the word of God, the weight carried must have been manifold heavier than the physical weight we carried that day. Those moments when the casket of St Francis Xavier was resting on my shoulder will be cherished till the end,” he recollects.
Sr Livia of the congregation of Holy Family of Nazareth, who carried the casket in 2014 says, “2014 was a profound blessing in my life, as I received the incredible privilege to be part of the exposition of the relics of St Francis Xavier. It was an indescribably emotional moment that experience lifted me beyond myself, allowing me to focus solely on the abundant blessings the Lord has granted me. My devotion to the saint deepened immensely, the identity card provided that day is still there with me as a cherished keepsake. Although it lasted only a few minutes, the experience has left a lasting impression on my life.”
Sharing his experience as a religious, Fr Lancelot Colin Fernandes, presently serving as parish priest of Our Lady of the Sea Church, Nani Daman, reminisces attending the exposition as a child and then as a young priest in 2004. He says, “The priests working in the mission of Daman were given the privilege by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao to carry the casket containing the sacred relics during the closing ceremony in 2014. At that time, I was working at a remote mission station in Sindoni, Dadra and Nagar Haveli. I was honored to be one of the chosen priests, selected by our then Provincial, Fr Valerian D’Souza, to carry the casket. It was an out-of-the-world feeling, with a sense of awe and wonder. I was granted ample time to be in front of the sacred relics and I prayed to St Xavier, asking him to make me a missionary like him, to spread the message of God’s love to all people. It was truly an once-in-a-lifetime experience that will be cherished till my last breath.”
May this forthcoming exposition of the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier be a means to strengthen and deepen the faith of the Goan community, irrespective of religion, caste or creed. And may the age-old tradition followed by the church authorities continue for posterity.