Rapid Fire
Sacred Relics of Saint Francis Xavier
- 21 Nov 2024
- 2 min read
Recently, the decennial exposition of the sacred relics of Saint Francis Xavier began which will run until 5th January 2025.
- The relics of Saint Francis Xavier, housed at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa since 1624, has shown minimal signs of decay despite being exhumed multiple times.
- He is referred to as Goencho Saib (Lord of Goa), who arrived in Goa in 1542.
- He was a Spanish Jesuit missionary whose mission was to restore Christianity among the Portuguese settlers. He was one of the founders of the Jesuit order,
- He died in 1552 on Shangchuan Island off China’s coast. He was first buried on the island.
- His body was later moved to Malacca and finally to Goa in 1554 and kept at St Paul’s College in Old Goa, the first building constructed by Jesuits in Goa.
- The Feast of St. Francis Xavier, held on 3rd December at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, is Goa's biggest Christian festival, marking the anniversary of St. Francis Xavier's death.
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