It just takes a spark of inspiration to lay the foundation for the birth of great works—great works that could effect a transformative experience. In 2004, at the time of the 16th exposition of St Francis Xavier, Fr Allan Tavares, touched by the life of the saint presented a play to depict an aspect of the same with a few college students.
Starting with that initial play Francis, a Man in a Hurry and a second, Francis on a Mission: Mission Japan (2014), Fr Allan has a third edition of St Francis Xavier’s spiritual journey – Xavier's Mission China.
“After I was struck with the idea, I discussed it with my friends – Aldred, Bonnie and Fr Nixon de Silva, who arranged the music for my first play Francis, a Man in a Hurry. This play was also translated in Hindi. So, this is where the inspiration began. All the plays are on the life of St Francis Xavier and the missionary work that he did,” says Fr Allan.
Though there is plenty of literature on the life of the saint, a dramatisation of his life is more likely to make a strong impact, especially when aided by music and powerful imagery. Xavier's Mission China offers a unique opportunity to experience Xavier’s final mission through art and spirituality.
This musical delves into the saint's unwavering determination to spread the gospel, even as he faces the heartbreak of being unable to reach China.
Fr Vincent Lobo, a member of the organising committee and media co-ordinator of Xavier's Mission China
Free performances of the play have been made available to the public with the aim of reaching out to as many faithful as possible.
Fr Allan is a physicist and does research on worship acoustics. He’s also a visiting professor at the University of Porto in Portugal. He acquired his passion for theatre from his father, late Michael Xavier Tavares, who was a playwright and a director of Goan theatre arts in the 1950s.
Free performances of the play have been made available to the public with the aim of reaching out to as many faithful as possible.
“Being a physicist, being a researcher, he (Fr Allan) has done extensive research on the life of St Francis Xavier. In his third play, he draws inspiration from The Life and the Letters of St Francis Xavier by writer Henry James Coleridge. And these musicals delve into the saint's unwavering determination to spread the gospel, even as he faces the heartbreak of being unable to reach China,” says Fr Vincent Lobo, a member of the organising committee and media co-ordinator of Xavier's Mission China.
This year the role of St Francis Xavier is being played by internationally acclaimed fashion designer Melwyn Noronha. He also played the role of St Francis Xavier in Francis on a Mission: Mission Japan in 2014.
“The play depicts his simple human yet blessed form of living, where St Francis Xavier has normal human emotions, but his constant interaction with God empowers him with extraordinary abilities and visions, which cyclically reverts back to the Lord in gratitude. To know him by being him, is a blessing in itself which I'm humbly excited to play,” Melwyn tells Gomantak Times Digital.
The troupe has people from Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand and even the USA. This operetta will focus on St Francis Xavier's longing to enter China.
“This production focuses on Xavier's last voyage from Malacca on board the ship Santa Croce, capturing his burning desire to reach China. So, through extensive research and exploration of the letters written by St Xavier himself, this musical unveils the lesser-known historical facts about his time in Malacca and his ultimate mission. It offers pilgrims a rare opportunity to explore the final chapter of his life and his spiritual quest,” says Fr Allan.
The production focuses on Xavier's last voyage from Malacca on board the ship Santa Croce, capturing his burning desire to reach China. It offers pilgrims a rare opportunity to explore the final chapter of his life and his spiritual quest.
Fr Allan Tavares, director of the play
Speaking about the play, Fr Vincent says, “This play also brings to light what really happened when after St Francis Xavier died, how he was buried and how his body was found to be miraculously intact, not decomposed, even after six months. When his friends come back to take his remains, they find his body intact. With that miracle, they think it wise to bring his body to Goa as a final resting place. Goa at that time was the Rome of the East. And, also the Archdiocese of Goa extended all throughout Asia.”
Rabindra Pietro and Rio Fernandes have worked on the music and the scripting is by Fr Allan Tavares. Preparations have been going on for six months. To witness this unique glimpse into the final journey, you must watch the final edition to the trilogy – Xavier’s Mission China.
On November 30, Xavier's Mission China will be staged at Ravindra Bhavan, Curchorem.
Passes are available at Ravindra Bhavan, Curchorem/Our Lady Miracles Church, Sanguem/Guardian Angel High School, Curchorem.
On December 2, Xavier's Mission China will be staged at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao.
Passes are available at Grace Church, Margao/Carmelite Monastery, Margao/St Joseph Convent, Alto Aquem/ Furtados, Margao/Ravindra Bhavan, Margao.
On December 3, Xavier's Mission China will be staged at Sala de Nossa Senhora de Piedade Hall, Candolim.
Passes are available at Little Flower of Jesus High School and Primary School, Calangute/Candolim Hall.
Passes for all shows are also available at Furtados, Panjim.