There is also a political side to such issues too, I guess... The earlier patroness of Goa was Catherine of Alexandria. It was on her feast day that the Portuguese conquered Goa from the Adil Shahis in 1510.
In the post-colonial times of the late twentieth century, this might not seem like a very apt choice, of course. Joseph Vaz was named the patron of Goa (he was yet to become a saint then). Might make sense, apart from other factors, at least on grounds of ethnicity and political correctness. That was only in 1999. Francis Xavier is widely respected through popular devotion -- even crossing the divides of religion. In recent times though, the rise of the hardline Religious Right in India has also meant that his legacy has been questioned and even sought to be delegitimised. Attempts by the State to ask for i-cards at this years SFX feast were questioned for the motives behind the same. FN On Sun, 10 Dec 2023 at 15:41, John de Figueiredo <[email protected]> wrote: > > Sent from my iPhone > > Begin forwarded message: > > *From:* John de Figueiredo <[email protected]> > *Date:* December 9, 2023 at 5:56:51 PM EST > *To:* Gilbert Lawrence <[email protected]> > *Subject:* *Re: Forced Exodus of GEM Diasporas* > > In the minds and the hearts of many Goan Catholics Francisco Xavier was > the Patron of Goa (or more specifically, of Goan Catholics), as the > expression “Goincho Sahib” reflects. The campaign for the canonization of > Jose’ Vaz was largely ran by the people of Sri Lanka, not Goa. Jose’ Vaz > exercised his mission in Sri Lanka. He should have been the Patron of Sri > Lanka. For some odd reason the Vatican decided to make Jose’ Vaz the Patron > of Goa and Xavier the Patron of Asia. As far as I know, the Goans never > protested against this odd decision. Let us hope that Pope Francis will > correct this odd decision. > Gonsalo Garcia was a “Luso-Descendente” (I.e., a descendant of Portuguese > Europeans). He was born and raised in Bassein and became a Franciscan Lay > Brother. He was martyred in Japan. > John M. de Figueiredo > Sent from my iPhone > > On Dec 9, 2023, at 10:04 AM, Gilbert Lawrence <[email protected]> > wrote: > > > Attached is this month's newsletter on issues affecting GEMs. The topic > is: "Forced Exodus of GEM Diasporas" causing a re-migration. > > But first we wish you a belated happy feast of St. Francis Xavier, who is > honored with the title of Goencho Sahib and the Patron Saint of > Missionaries. Contrary to what some may think, SFX is not the Patron Saint > of Goa. That title belongs to the native son, St. Joseph Vaz (feast day - > January 16), who served as a priest in Goa, South Kanara and Ceylon. The > Patron Saint of the Archdioceses of Bombay, and Vasai is also a native son > (born in the village of Agashi in Vasai), St. Gonsalo Garcia (feast day - > February 5). > > The focus of this month's presentation is an unpleasant and often > overlooked topic of forced relocation of GEMs (Goans, East-Indians, > Mangaloreans) diasporas. There is much the emigre community can learn > from those experiences; and perhaps be better prepared as individuals > and as a community for such future eventualities. > > We hope you enjoy reading this aspect of GEM history. There is a lot of > ‘food for thought.’ Please forward these articles to your relatives, > friends, peers, Indian and Iberian chat sites. Sharing history is sharing > our cultural heritage; and the work is for us, by us. Thank you for > allowing us to share this with you. > > We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy and > Successful New Year. The works of art - painting, sculpture, writings > (books) of GEMs would make excellent holiday gifts to your family, > neighbors, and friends this season; and would encourage GEM artists in > their endeavors and show your support to the community. Please be safe! > Philomena and Gilbert Lawrence, > Authors: Insights into Colonial Goa, > Published via Amazon in paperback and e-book. > For details about the book and authors see: Insights into Colonial Goa. > <https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GJSBCQJ?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860> > > > <Twice Migrated.docx> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Goa-Research-Net" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web, visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/goa-research-net/2B7508E1-8433-4519-9E7E-8082217AF6E1%40sbcglobal.net > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/goa-research-net/2B7508E1-8433-4519-9E7E-8082217AF6E1%40sbcglobal.net?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Goa-Research-Net" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/goa-research-net/CAMCR53%2BNeQFccHtoL0%3DMXAwNWMYgkmMhbxJLSJ-FsFFgjkOFtA%40mail.gmail.com.
