St. Francis Xavier Exposition Goa – 2014

St. Xaviers Casket kept for veneration

This year, 2014 is the decennial exposition of the sacred relics of Goa’s patron saint, St Francis Xavier. The Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao has issued a decree confirming the dates, from November 22 2014 – January 4 2015. Every 10 years, the 450+ year old sacred body of St Francis Xavier is brought down and the case displayed for veneration for pilgrims in Se Cathedral, Old Goa. The Pope Francis is also expected to visit Goa in November for this event.

The Saints relics were encased in a glass and silver casket on 2nd Dec 1637. The casket lies atop a Florentine mausoleum to the right side of the main altar of Bom Jesus Basilca. One can see the saints face and head through the glass opening. Bones of Saint Francis Xavier are also found in the Espirito Santo (Holy Spirit) Church, Margão and in Sanv Fransiku Xavierachi Igorz (Church of St. Francis Xavier), Batpal.

St. Francis popularly knows as ‘Goencho Saib’ (God of Goa) feast is celebrated on 3rd Dec every year, with novenas beginning on 24th November. A huge pandol is laid in front of Basilica of Bom Jesus, where the Novinas take place. The Novena of Grace is a popular devotion to Francis Xavier which began with Italian Jesuit missionary Marcello Mastrilli.

Novinas at Old Goa

The last exposition was held in November 2004. This will be the 15th exposition to be organized at Old Goa, since the first exposition held in 1782, about 230 years after the saint’s death. More than 2.25 million faithful, cutting across religious lines, venerated the relics during the last exposition.

During the festive period, a grand fair opens with many stalls and shops selling Goan food, drinks, sweets, trinkets and souvenirs.

Details of the Program

• 22nd Nov : Day of the Exposition

The sacred relics of the saint are taken in a ceremonial procession from its resting place in the mausoleum in Basilica of Bom Jesus across the church complex to the more spacious Se Cathedral for veneration during the exposition.

• 24th Nov : Start of the Novenas
• 3rd Dec : Feast Day

Pilgrims from all over the world come to Old Goa to participate in the feast and attend the Feast Mass

• 4th Jan: Last Day of the Exposition




A customized tour of Goa that includes Pilgrimage, Culture & Leisure:

1) Authentic Tour guide to Old Goa Church complex, Seminaries, trail of St. Francis Xavier, etc.
2) Guided Tour across Panjim & other parts of Goa.
3) Full day North Goa sightseeing
4) Full day South Goa sightseeing
5) Be part of the Exposition activities like visit of the casket, Novinas, St. Francis feast, etc.
6) Special language mass for the visiting party represented by a Church.
7) Visit to Museums, Beaches, Churches, Portuguese Houses, Fort, Shopping Bazaars, etc.
Look into “packages” section for more details

Tour Rates for St Francis Xavier Expostion 2014-2015

Above quotes are per head rates.

Inclusions:
1) A/C Accommodation on Double occupancy.
2) Dedicated A/C Transport Car/Traveller provided from your Hotel to Destination and back to Destination.
3) Pick up and Drop facility from Airport/Railway station.
4) Accommodation – 3 Star, 4 Star or 5 Star depending on your budget of choice.
5) Meal Plan includes Breakfast and Dinner.
6) 2 Full days of Tour (North & South) including ample Beach time.
7) Instant telephonic help from Sruti Travels personal.
8) Last minute Flexible Itinerary.

Tour Itinerary
3 Nights and 4 Days
Day 1:

Reach Goa in the morning (stay in North Goa)

• Freshen up and start journey to Old Goa
• Guided Tour of the churches in and around Old Goa
• start at St. Catherine chapel
• then to the Museum
• Se Cathedral Church where the casket would be laid
• Break for Lunch
• move across the road to the Basilica of Bom Jesus
• Attend an afternoon Novina ( around 3-4 PM)
• Attend a mass arranged by the arriving party’s church with the church in Goa
• Walk around the fair (for shopping, snacks) in the evening 5-6 PM
• Get souvenirs for remembrance of the exposition and this trip
• Back to Hotel

Day 2:

North Goa Sightseeing

• Visit Fort Aguada and the Light House, beautiful view of the Panjim City, and Arabian sea from here. Check the Lower fort and the famous Sinquerim “Fort Circle”.
• Boat Ride (Have to check and confirm), but there is a boat ride available near by that takes you out to the sea for a round.
• Visit Reis Margoos Fort on the way to Panjim.
• Dona Paula Jetty
• Break for Lunch
• S.t Inez church in Panjim
• Panjim Heritage walk and Fontainhas
• Shopping in Panjim for souvenirs, dry fruits and all stuff Goan
• End with boat cruise in Mandovi

Day 3:

South Goa Sightseeing

• Visit Calangute and Baga beach in the morning (must visit place in Goa for any tourist, plus shopping)
• Beach activities here like paragliding, boat rides etc
• Leave for Spice Plantation (Lunch here)
• Evening go to Bigfoot in Loutolim which showcases the historical and cultural aspects of Goa
• Back to Hotel (pretty long driver from south to north)

Day 4:

• Shopping if time permits
• Depart for hometown. End of tour with fond memories