At the stroke of 1030 a.m Rev Fr Manuel Gomes of the Pastoral Institute of St Pius X began with a brief introduction of the theme Christian witness in the Society : Challenges of the Eucharist Kristi Govaiki Somazant: Hench Porsnm sonsvkarnchem Avhan of this years celebration which is the 500th Birth Centenary of St Francis Xavier born on 6th April 1506, at Navarre in Spain - ordained a priest at the age of 31 yrs and died at the age of 46 yrs and spread the word of God in just 15 years .
Later the stream of priests entered from the precincts of the Bom Jesus Basilica at 1040 a.m. for the Eucharistic celebration by Bishop Percival Joseph Fernandes Bishop of Mumbai alongwith several others viz Apostolic Nuncio Emeritus Blasco Colaco Archbishop Stanilaus Fernandes and Abraham, Bishops Thomas Makwana Godfrey de Rosario Alwyn Baretto and Bishop Ferdinand Fonseca including our own Archbishop Emeritus Dr Raul Niclau Gonsalves and Archbishop Patriach Most Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao who introduced the several Bishops. Incidentally the large assembly of Archbishops Bishops and Apostolic Nuncio Emeritus and Bishops was owing to the Western Regional Catholic Council meet and an earlier event in the State. In his homily the Bishop Fernandes who spoke in chaste Konkani and English for the benefit of the audience which included pilgrims from Portugal Spain and other parts of India, dwelt on the life of St Francis Xavier who had showed immense love for propagating the teachings of Jesus Christ. The only thing left behind by St Francis Xavier was a collection of nearly 130 letters written by him to his superiors and mentor St Ignatius de Loyola. These letters were blunt and do not have any literary niceties but it reflected his largeness of heart trust in God his meditation and prayer life. Many of the letters reflected the shocking failures of his dreams. Later Bishop Fernandes also stressed upon the importance of Sermon on the Mount which infact had an immense influence also on our own Apostle of Peace Mahatma Gandhi. At before the offetary members of the laity offered a model of a scale tagdi symbolizing justice, a House which reflects the symbol of a good Home, a banner with the words DO NOT GIVE BRIBES it is a SIN DO NOT TAKE BRIBES it is a CRIME and finally bread and wine a symbol of the mystical body and blood of Jesus Christ. The Mass which ended at 1223 p.m. was held in the specially erected shamiana. The back drop design of the stage was provided by one Mr Francisco Serrao which was tastefully designed and befitting the 500th birth centenary celebrations. During the past 10 days of the novenas the volunteers rendered great service to make the occasion a success. It must be said to the credit of all the Minister of Power Mr Digamber Kamat who ensured special lighting arrangements where the pilgrims from within and outside Goa rest and the vehicle parking areas and keeping the Old Goa without any incident of power cut. The police personnel at Old Goa Police station did a commendable job in ensuring the smooth flow of traffic, there was a word of praise to the local MLA and the Minister of Transport too. Nevertheless the buses made a quick buck charging one way fare of Rs.30/- per commuter from Margao to Old Goa via the National Highway bypass (no vehicles were allowed via Pilar ) The presence of police in plainsclothes also helped curb the light fingered gentry (pickpocketters) which are proactive on this occasion. (Given that Goa has a fair share of migrants such nuances cannot be done away with specially with the ostentious display of wealth by our own niz goencars on such festive ocassions) The PWD too had done a good job though much more needed to be done in maintaining the toilets and ensuring better water supply as there was a putrid stench emanating just around the Basilica as the sun perched itself on top. The priests and nuns too had put in tremendous grit and determination to ensure that there were no glitches and they deserved a pat too for having performed well and had scarce hours of rest and sleep. It may be noted that the Basilica was thrown open to the pilgrims from the wee hours of the morning at 0230 a.m. with the first mass at 0400 hrs until the feast Mass at 1030 a.m. followed by evening masses. The long winding beeline of pilgrims wishing to kiss the casket of the relics of the Saint (yesterday the Church precincts were closed only at 2230 hrs according to a volunteer Mr Godfrey Norton who spoke to this writer at the venue). In fact this writer observed that during the homily many of the pilgrims were in a near drowsy mood reflecting on the fact that many of them did not want to take the risk of being caught up in a traffic jam as witnessed last year. As a matter of fact almost the entire Rapid Action Force police force the volunteers and the security personnel were on their feet throughout the 10 day celebrations. It must be noted that many of the North Indian RAF personnel were deprived of their usual vegetarian based food and had to make sacrifices during the days on duty. There was special mention of thanks to the Deputy Chief Minister who is also the Minister for Tourism (who was present for the Feast Mass besides the St Andre MLA Mr Francisco Silveira ) for the special assistance rendered to ensure the celebration were flawless. The choral groups St Anthony and Holy Angel specially the organists came in for special praise so also the sacristian and the sisters of Mater Dei. These words of thanksgiving came from Fr Savio Barreto the Rector of the Bom Jesus Basilica. It was finally the Archbishop of Goa and Daman Most Rev Ferrao who in turn thanked the Rector Fr Barretto and his team of volunteers for the excellent and smooth prayerful organized arrangements and wished all the pilgrims who partook in the festivities a grace filled feast ---.as the Mass ended at 1223 a.m. The press the audio and visual media gave extensive coverage and the Eucharistic celebrations were carried live on FM radio as well. There was a special announcement in all languages advising those uninitiated and not baptized to refrain from receiving communion. Incidentally this year the feast is celebrated on 4th as 3rd was a Sunday. It may be recalled that on the first day of the Novenas the Homily by Fr Emerito Rebello dwelt upon the failing social standards and the depletion of national resources and the unplanned development that threatens to destroy the State. A snide warning to the elected representatives that the the citizens of the State have not taken too kindly to their performance. Some of the posters on the wall in the back drop symbolized this very concern of the Church and acted as a warning to the pilgrims and specially the Catholics to do a re-think and a plea to practice preach and profess a Christian way of life instead of indulgences in mere rituals and rites. -BE TRANSPARENT AND DEMAND TRANSPERENCY IN ALL DEALINGS -BREAK THE CHAINS OF INEQUALITY PROMOTE ONENESS -BEDBAVACHI SANKLI TODAT EKVOTH VADOIAT. -DHOND (taxes) FARIK KORAT -ADVOCATE FOR ALL THE VOICELESS EMPOWER THEM -BUY SELL TRAVEL WITH RECEIPTS/TICKETS ONLY ENSURE PAYMENT OF TAXES -USE MATERIAL RESOURCES JUSTLY -USE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT One pilgrim said the Archdiocese should set an example by abolition of the caste based Confrariars the caste base burials and the caste based celebration of Feasts. There should be more transparency in the working of the Church why not cover the Church activities under the Right to Information Act said an young priest who was travelling with this writer after the Mass. Even the Archbishop should have direct interaction with the laity at the Paco Patriacal - Archbishops House instead of maintaining a veil of secrecy in the functioning of the Church. A small pamphlet containing Bhag. Francisk Xavier-achea 500 vea Zolmachea vorsa somoiar porbe misar gitam 4-12-2006 was distributed to all during the feast Mass, to ensure that the congregation partook in the celebration of the Eucharistic Mass. Though there was a threat perception things went peacefully. One pilgrim added can any untoward event happen when our Goencho Saib is around true and well said. >From the BOM JESUS BASILICA GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES, BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA) +91 98221 58584 (24 HRS) [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________________ Yahoo! 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