St.Francis Xavier

St.Francis Xavier, the patron saint of Goa, affectionately called as Goencho saiba or Lord of Goa died in 1552 on his way to China. The body brought in 1554 to Goa, is kept in the Basilica of Bom Jesus. The sacred relic of St.Francis Xavier normally housed in a silver casket in the Bom Jesus church, is brought in a ceremonious procession by several priests to the SE cathedral every 10 years for an exposition.

The pilgrims flock to Old Goa for this occasion every decade. This year (2004) the exposition starts on 21st November and continue till the 2nd of January 2005.

St.Francis Xavier who was born in Spain in 1506 to a noble family, was influenced by Ignatious Loyola. Ignatious Loyola who started the Society of Jesus, recruited Francis Xavier into this order.

St.Francis Xavier who landed in Goa during 1542 specifically to stem the rot amongst the faithful, in a short period of time caused a major awakening. He was instrumental in building many churches and institutions in Goa and elsewhere. He travelled across Malacca, China and Japan.

Many miracles have been attributed St.Francis Xavier. He, considered as the patron of all the missions of the Catholic Church, had possessed the gift of the tongues and his miracles included healing the sick and raising the dead. But his real miracle is the miracle of his astounding personality - the legacy he had left behind.

He had converted thousands and won their passionate devotions in a short span of 10 years. His devotion to the service of God, his all consuming passion and his frugal life style won him devoted followers wherever he went. He was beatified by Pope Paul V in 1619 and canonized together with St Ignatius by Pope Gregory XV, on March 12th, 1622.

SE Cathedral

This SE cathedral is the largest in Asia was built to show case the grandiose wealth, power and fame of the Portuguese by the Portuguese Viceroy Redondo. The church construction was started in 1564 and it took 80 years to complete for consecration.

The structure is oblong on the plan, but the interior is shaped like a cruciform whereas the exterior is Tuscan. The interior is of Corinthian style of architecture. The belfry on the southern side of the facade has a Golden Bell which can be heard all over Goa. This church has six altars and nine chapels:

Chapel of Our Lady of Virtues
Chapel of St.Sebastian
Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament
Chapel of Our Lady of Life
Chapel of St.Solcures
Chapel of the Holy Spirit
Chapel of The Cross of Miracles
Chapel of St.Bernard
Chapel of St.Anthony

Altar of Our Lady of Sorrows
Altar of Our Lady of 3 Necessities
Altar of Our Lady of Hope
Altar of St.Peter
Altar of St.Anne

The main altar is dedicated to St.Catherine. The gilded panels describe the martyrdom of the saint. On either side there are wooden statues for St.Paul and St.Peter.Close by is another ancient church - Church of St. Cajatan built around 1651 - modelled after St.Peter's Basilica.