India: Goa Archdiocese expects 6.5 million pilgrims to see St. Francis Xavier's Relics

Fr. Henry Falcão, the Convenor of the Committee formed for the Exposition by the Church and Director of St. Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre in Goa, predicted that more than 6.5 million pilgrimages will attend the exposition of the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier. 

Fr. Falcão said that based on the data ten years ago, the approximate number of pilgrims was 5 million.  As Convenor of the Exposition Committee, he wishes to remind everyone that the Exposition is a spiritual event, one that should help all of us to renew our Christian faith and lives.

The Exposition of the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier will be held from November 21, 2024, until January 4, 2025. The faithful will have the opportunity to venerate the Sacred relics until January 4, 2025.

On January 5, 2025, a procession will carry the Sacred relics from the Se Cathedral back to the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, beginning at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Solemn closing Eucharistic celebration.

Speaking to Radio Veritas Asia ( RVA), Fr. Falcão expressed that the Exposition of the Sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier is a spiritual event. The archdiocese’s focus is to use this occasion for the renewal of Christian life.

"An Exposition Committee has been appointed by the archbishop, consisting of 15 members and headed by myself as the Convenor. For efficiency and effectiveness, each member of the Exposition Committee has been assigned a responsibility. Accordingly, there are Sub-Committees headed by the members, such as the Sub-Committee for Art Exhibition, Sub-Committee for Communication and Media, Sub-Committee for Liturgy, etc," said the priest.

The solemn opening of the Exposition will be on November 21, 2024. The Solemn Holy Eucharist will be at 9:30 a.m., followed by a procession carrying the sacred relics of the Saint from the Basilica to the Se Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.

When asked about the help provided by the Government of Goa, the priest said: “We need to understand that the Exposition is primarily a spiritual event and an event of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. Since millions of devotees visit Goa during the forty-five days of the Exposition of the sacred relics, the Government steps in to help with infrastructure and other facilities in which the Church has no competence, e.g., security, roads, water supply, electricity, fire services, ambulances, etc. The Government has been supportive and helpful. There are Commissioners appointed by the Government, and the Exposition Committee works closely with them to ensure that the entire event is fruitful and memorable.”

He added, “Pilgrims who wish to visit Goa on the occasion of the Exposition can make their own arrangements for Board and Lodge.”

Those who wish to contact the Committee for help can write to us at [email protected]. Various pilgrim Centres will accommodate pilgrims.

For this purpose, the Committee has also prepared a prayer in English and Konkani and given it to the faithful. 

“The Theme of the Exposition aptly reminds us that we are called to be the messengers of the Good News. St. Francis Xavier did his part to proclaim the Good News of Jesus; it is our turn now to do the same,” he said.