NOVENA AND FEAST OF SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa 24 November - 3 December 2009
The annual Feast of Saint Francis Xavier will be celebrated on Thursday, December 3, 2009 at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa. The 9-day Novena to Saint Francis Xavier will be held from 24 November to 2 December 2009. The theme for this year's celebration is "Inspired by the Faithfulness of Saint Francis, let us Shine like Jesus, the Star". The theme draws light from the Universal Church's declaration of 2009-10 as a Year for Priests. Similarly, the celebration will also reflect on the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman's focus on the youth this year. NOVENA During the course of the Novena (24 November - 2 December 2009), Masses will be celebrated at 6.00 am, 7.15 am, 8.15 am, 9.30 am, 10.30 am, 11.30 am, 3.45 pm, 5.15 pm and 6.15 pm. On Sunday, November 29, 2009, an additional Mass will be celebrated at 5.00 am. However, no Mass will be celebrated at 10.30 am on 25 and 26 November 2009. The Novena Mass will be celebrated daily at 8:15 am. This year the parishes of Mandur, Panjim, Marcela, Mapusa, Nuvem, Azossim, Cortalim, Fatorda and Bambolim will celebrate the Novena Mass. Besides Konkani, Masses will also be celebrated in the following languages: - English: Everyday at 6.15 pm - Hindi: 28 November (11:30 am), 29 November (2.30 pm), 30 November (11.30 am) - Malayalam: 24 November (11:30 am, 12:30 pm), 29 November (12:30 pm) - Marathi: 2 December (12:30 pm) - Portuguese: 2 December (11:30 am) - Tamil: 29 November (11:30 am) This Year being dedicated to Priests, the Archbishop-Patriarch of Goa and Daman, Most Rev Filipe-Neri Ferrão, will celebrate a Mass for Priests and Vocations on November 30 (3.45 pm). Similarly, a Mass for Youth will be celebrated on November 26 (3.45 pm). A Mass for the Sick will be celebrated on November 27 (3.45 pm). Special Masses have also been planned for Couples for Christ (29 November, 9:30 am), Volunteers (1 December, 11:30 am), the Pilar Society (2 December, 5:15 pm) and the Goa Jesuits (3 December, 6:00 pm). An Inter-Religious Meet for peace and communal harmony will be held on Thursday, November 26, 2009, at 10:30 am. Leaders of different religious communities will address the gathering which is expected to be attended by a cross-section of society. FEAST The Feast of Saint Francis Xavier will be celebrated on December 3, 2009, with a Solemn High Mass at 10:30 am. The Main Celebrant for this year will be Most Rev Peter Machado, Bishop of Belgaum Diocese. Archbishop-Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrão and Archbishop-Patriarch Emeritus Raul Nicolau Gonsalves will concelebrate at the Feast Mass. Besides the Feast Mass at 10:30 am, Masses on the Feast Day will be celebrated at 4:00 am, 5:00 am, 6:00 am, 7:00 am, 8:00 am, 9:00 am, 12:30 pm, 4:00 pm, 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm (English). The Sacrament of Confession will be held daily from 24 November to 2 December 2009 between 5:30 am to 10:30 am and 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm in the Sacristy of the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa. SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER Born a nobleman on 7 April 1506 at Javier, in the Spanish kingdom of Navarre, Francis Xavier had everything it took to win the glories of the world. A fine sportsman and a bright scholar, he enrolled at the College of Santa Barbara, Paris, to secure a Masters in humanities. Little did he know that his encounters with his roommates, Peter Faber and Ignatius Loyola, would change his worldview. "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul?", Ignatius asked Francis Xavier. Nothing seemed more convincing to Francis Xavier than consecrating himself to God's service along with Ignatius Loyola and five other companions. Together they formed the Compagnia di Gesù better known as the Society of Jesus or the Jesuits. On 15 August 1534, Francis Xavier pronounced vows of poverty and chastity and was ordained a priest on 24 June 1537. Fired with zeal to proclaim the Good News of Jesus, Francis Xavier readily volunteered to be sent to the Indies. He set sail for India in 1541 and after 13 months of a harrowing voyage, reached Goa on 6 May 1542. Having arrived in Goa as a Papal Legate, Francis Xavier chose to stay at the Royal Hospital and cared for its sick inmates. Armed with a cross in one hand and a bell in another, he walked the streets of Goa teaching children catechism in song and verse. His ardent desire to spread the Kingdom of God never tired him from crossing newer thresholds. Having established Goa as the base of the Society of Jesusin the entire East, Francis Xavier braved the seas and travelled to Cochin, the Malabar coast, Tamil Nadu, and even ventured as far as Malacca and Japan. Nothing deterred him from attempting the impossible. It was his spirit of magis (more) that characterised his life as being Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam (for the Greater Glory of God). In 1552, Francis Xavier returned to Goa to set sail for China. While having tirelessly waited for entry into China, Francis Xavier fell seriously ill and passed away on 3 December 1552 on the island of Sancian. Even in death, his body proved to be tireless as it refused corruption in this world only to be immortalised in the world after! The incorrupt body of Francis Xavier was later despatched to Goa where it reached on 16 March 1554, never to depart again. Goa was honoured to be the final resting place of this great apostle, revered here as Goencho Saib (Lord of Goa). On 12 March 1622, Pope Gregory XV canonised Francis Xavier, together with Ignatius Loyola. In 1748, Saint Francis Xavier was declared the Patron of the Indies. In 1927, Saint Francis Xavier was declared Protector of all missionary work. Truly, what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul? http://www.bomjesus.in/index.php/novena-and-feast-of-saint-francis-xavier
