Goa Celebrates the Feast of Gõycho Saib - St. Francis Xavier with Great Fervour

Goa, December 3, 2025: Thousands of devotees thronged Old Goa to celebrate the solemn feast of Gõycho Saib, St Francis Xavier. In his welcome address at the feast of St. Francis Xavier in Old Goa, Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão greeted all those gathered for the celebration. He expressed joy that Auxiliary Bishop Simião Fernandes was presiding for the first time and acknowledged Bishop Alex Dias, Bishop Emeritus of Port Blair, for his regular presence. He welcomed priests, religious, pilgrims from Goa, India and abroad, as well as government and civil authorities, 

 The Eucharist celebration was presided over by Auxiliary Bishop Simião Fernandes of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman celebrated in the pandal erected for the Novena and feast of St. Francis Xavier at Old Goa. Concelebrating with him were Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão of Goa and Daman; Bishop-Emeritus Alex Dias of Port Blair; Fr. Patricio Fernandes, Rector of the Basilica of Bom Jesus; Fr. Rosario Oliveira, Parish Priest of Se Cathedral and several other priests.

Delivering his homily on the theme “Hope does not disappoint us; hence, like St Francis Xavier, let us be pilgrims of hope,” Bishop Simião Fernandes urged the faithful to safeguard God’s creation. He recalled the Church’s journey of hope with prisoners, families, the sick, migrants, the poor, persons with disabilities, and struggling youth, noting St Paul’s reminder that “all creation has been groaning.”

The Bishop echoed Pope Francis’ call to be “guardians of creation,” warning that hope for the environment is weakening. Citing Genesis, he lamented the damage caused by human greed and stressed that the earth is a gift to be cherished, not exploited. He offered the acronym CARE—Cherish, Act, Respect, and Educate—as practical steps toward ecological responsibility. Concluding, he held up St. Francis Xavier as a model of hope and reverence for creation.

On this occasion, the New Konkani (Roman Script) Missal was released at the hands of Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão.

Bishop Simião Fernandes released Misache Somarombhnnechi Manddavoll – Soho-Somarombhpeanchea Upeoga Pasot (The Order of Mass for Concelebrants). Two other liturgical booklets were also launched: Misache Somarombhnnechi Manddavoll – Bhavartheanchea Upeoga Pasot (The Order of the Mass for the Use of the Faithful), released by Mathew De Souza, member of the Diocesan Centre for Liturgy; and Bhurgeank Mhoje-xim Yeunk Diyat (The Order of the Children’s Mass), released by Sr. Alexia Braz FMCK, also a member of the Diocesan Centre for Liturgy. All the booklets were published by the Diocesan Centre for Liturgy of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.

Cardinal Ferrão also released two books ‘Devachea Bhurgeanchim Gitam‘ published by the Diocesan commission for Sacred Music which were introduced by Fr. Simon D'Cunha , President of the commission. Cardinal Ferrão also expressed his sentiments of gratitude.

Fr. Afonso Mendonca, Director of the Diocesan Centre for Liturgy, animated the liturgy, while Fr. Henry Falcão, Director of the St. Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre, Old Goa, served as the liturgical commentator. The liturgical singing was led by Kenneth Lobo. Fr Patricio Fernandes expressed gratitude to all.

Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, Capt.Viriato Fernandes, South Goa M P, Yuri Alemão, Leader of Opposition and other ministers and MLAs along with faithful participated in the feast.

Masses were celebrated throughout the day for the feast. In preparation, novena Masses were offered daily in Konkani and English. Masses in other languages were also celebrated. Pilgrims from across Goa and neighbouring states participated in the novena and feast. Hundreds of pilgrims from Karnataka and Maharashtra undertook walking pilgrimages to Old Goa, offering thanks for favours received through the intercession of St. Francis Xavier. Many of them stayed in the vicinity of the Basilica of Bom Jesus.

By Br. Malvino Alfonso OCD

Image credit: Joseph Fernandes