NT Staff Reporter
Panaji Nov 24, 2004: With the commencement today of the novenas of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa, the crowds swelled perceptibly and pilgrims began staying both at the government-arranged camp and within the cloisters of the Basilica of Bom Jesus.
The Exposition Commissioner, Mr Bosco George said at least 25,000 pilgrims visited Old Goa today. The Rector of the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Fr Savio Barreto said that around 11,000 people attended the first mass at 6.30 a.m. and the other masses were also well attended. Fr Barreto said only Goan pilgrims have been allowed to stay in the basilica cloisters on recommendations of their parish priests due to security reasons. He said around 200 people are living in the cloisters, where they will cook and sleep during the period of the novenas.
Around 150 pilgrims from outside Goa have registered at the camp at Gaundalem which has a capacity of 1300. Sources in the Goa Tourism Development Corporation, which handles the booking of accommodation at the camp, said that a group of 120 pilgrims from Gujarat have confirmed their arrival tonight. Bookings have also been confirmed by 50-strong groups of pilgrims from various parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
But Ms Kamala belongs to a group of 40 pilgrims from Vijaywada in Andhra Pradesh. Though it is the first time for Ms Kamala, others in her group have visited Old Goa as many as four times before. She says her shed Number 15 has no fans and the bare, newly-flattened floor is still a bit wet. The pilgrims felt uncomfortable and some even got cramps but they have got the darshan of St Francis Xavier and are feeling happy. One of the reasons Kamala came for the Exposition was because there is a belief in Vijaywada that the relics of the saint would be disposed after this Exposition. She is happy to learn that is not true.
Ms Manubhai D, in shed Number 14, is from Anand, Gujarat. He is part of a group of 10 pilgrims that includes his elder brother, Mr Joseph. It is Ms Manubhai�s first visit but Mr Joseph has witnessed four Expositions before.
�I came to see St Francis Xavier and pray for his blessings. Lot of people from Anand are planning to come for the Exposition in December,� says Ms Manubhai.
The number of pilgrims flocking to the Se Cathedral for the veneration and kissing of the relics of St Francis Xavier was noticeably higher today. Tomorrow being the feast of St Catarine of Alexandria, patroness of the Se Cathedral, the Archbishop Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao will celebrate the feast Mass there. Veneration and kissing of the relics will therefore not be allowed between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
The Exposition Commissioner, Mr George said the public response to the railway shuttle from Margao and for the ferry service from Panaji to Old Goa was not encouraging. He said special ferry services could be arranged for groups of school children. Besides, a proposal has been given to the Kadamba Transport Corporation asking that buses be arranged to transport pilgrims from various deaneries of the state to Old Goa during the novenas.
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