Pilgrimage of faith

Goa marks the decennial 18th Exposition of the relics of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa, which continues till January 5, 2025

- Nicole Suares

There's an old, popular belief amongst Goans that 'Goa is safe because of Goencho Saib, St. Francis Xavier'. Elders often remind their young ones during personal distress. St. Francis Xavier continues to captivate the hearts of millions of pilgrims who visit his sacred relics enshrined at the Basilica de Bom Jesus in Old Goa. This year, the numbers are expected to hit 8 million with the ongoing decennial public Exposition of his holy relics. Pilgrims are arriving in lakhs daily from across the globe. The Exposition continues till January 5, 2025.

Life of St. Francis Xavier

Francis Xavier was the sixth child of Dr. Joao de Xavier and Maria d'Aspilcueta, born into a noble family at Xavier Castle in Navarre, Spain. While studying at the College of Barbara, the young Xavier shared a room with Pedro Fabro and Inigo Lopez de Loyola, the latter of whom established the Jesuit Order. Xavier, one of the co-founders of the Order, was later sent on a mission to Goa, a former Portuguese colony as the papal nuncio. He first arrived in Goa on May 6, 1542.