EXPOSITION: THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY BEGINS

DELHI ARCHBISHOP COUTO ACCOMPANIED BY 10 OTHER BISHOPS TO LEAD THOUSANDS AS ST FRANCIS XAVIER'S RELICS GETS UNVEILED TODAY; 8 MILLION PILGRIMS FROM ACROSS GLOBE EXPECTED

The mega religious event billed to attract as much as 8 million people from across the globe is finally here: the decennial exposition of the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa.

After weeks of planning and preparations, Reverend Anil Couto, the Archbishop of Delhi, will lead the congregation of thousands at Thursday morning's Eucharistic celebration inside the Basilica of Bom Jesus.

At least 10 other bishops will co-celebrate with Couto, including Cardinal Felipe Neri Ferrao and Auxiliary Bishop Simião Purificação Fernandes, before the casket holding the life-size relics of the sixteenth century Spanish saint is unveiled and taken in an elaborate ceremonial procession on an e-carriage to the See Cathedral.

A choir comprising 50 musicians and singers will add to the solemnity at the inaugural mass which will be conducted by Fr Romeio Monteiro.