Viresh Parsekar & Venita Gomes
The decennial Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier came to an end in Goa on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
The sacred relics of St Francis Xavier were taken from Old Goa's Se Cathedral to the Basilica of Bom Jesus in a ceremonial procession.
A human chain comprising hundreds of youths lined the route from the cathedral to the basilica as the carriage, carrying the relics made its way to the Basilica of Bom Jesus, where it will be kept for the next 10 years.
The procession was led by the cross bearers, followed by the volunteers and those who provided services during the 45-day event, and then the priests and the religious.
The closing ceremony was attended by numerous members of the religious community, including priests, nuns, bishops, cardinals, seminarians, deacons etc.
The closing ceremony of the Exposition 2024-25 included a choir and brass band in the procession, adding to the solemnity of the occasion as the sacred relics were carried to the Basilica of Bom Jesus.
The closing ceremony ended with a eucharistic celebration, marking the end of the 18th exposition in Old Goa, with the next exposition likely to take place in 2035.
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