From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Nov 15: The preparations are on full swing for the state's most important religious event – Goenchya Saibache fest (Feast of St Francis Xavier) scheduled on December 3. The novenas would begin from November 24 onwards.

The feast will be held at Old Goa, nine kilometers away from Panaji, where relics of St Francis Xavier are preserved. "This time, the feast is more important as just last year we had decennial exposition of the relics. The feast is very close to the exposition so we expect more people to come," said Fr Savio Barretto, rector of the Basilica, the building which has been notified as one of the world heritage monument.

God’s Mercy is the theme

This year the theme of the feast is "Honouring St Francis Xavier, Let us be fountains of God’s mercy." Barretto said: the stress will be given on mercy of God. The mercy that is reflected in family; and society. "In the bible it is said to be merciful. Apart from that there is so much of hatred in the world," Fr Barretto said.

Bishop of Mumbai to concelebrate the mass

Bishop Domnick Savio Fernandes, Auxillary Bishop of Bombay will concelebrate the mass on the feast day. The pilgrims in large number would be present for the feast. "Some of the pilgrims from places like Kolhapur and Ratnagiri will walk to Old Goa. They will walk for four to five days," the priest said.

Masses in different languages

Barretto said all masses would be in Konkani while specific masses would be in English, Italian, Portuguese, French, Tamil, Malaylam, Hindi, Marathi, Kannada and Spanish. The parish masses from the villages of Caranzalem, Anjuna, Batim, Gurim, Saligao, Curca, Soccorro, Tilamol and Sanquelim will also be held. There will be inter-religious meet on November 30.