St Francis Xavier's sacred relics return to basilica to rest for a decade

The doors of the Basilica of Bom Jesus, in Old Goa, were opened to welcome the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier, where they will rest in their designated location for the next 10 years. This moment marked the conclusion of the 18th Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier on January 5, 2025.

For the past 45 days, the faithful have been enriched by a profound spiritual journey, leaving them with lasting memories of devotion and reflection.

During the exposition, Old Goa saw over 8 million visitors from across the globe. People came to intercede through the saint, who is considered one of the most important saints in Catholicism, and is also known for his missionary work in the East.

In Goa, where his sacred relics are housed, devotees have immense devotion to the saint, who is lovingly known as Goycho Saib (protector of Goa).

The inauguration of the 18th Exposition, on November 21, 2024, was a grand affair, featuring a human chain, an e-carriage carrying the sacred relics of the saint, a choir, and a sizable congregation of religious figures and people from all faiths.

It was a powerful display of unity and devotion, setting the tone for the entire event.

The Exposition Committee, in collaboration with various other committees, made special arrangements for pilgrims travelling to Old Goa from distant places.

These included the setting up of a Pilgrim Village, e-rickshaws, and battery-operated buggies, ensuring convenience and comfort for all attendees.

One of the standout moments of the exposition was the Shillong Chamber Choir's captivating performance, enchanting the audience with their soulful melodies.

Additionally, the stunning state-of-the-art 3D projection mapping sound and visual show left a lasting impression on visitors, while showcasing creativity and technological innovation that further enriched the spiritual experience for devotees and visitors, alike.

And today, January 05, 2025, the 18th exposition concluded and the sacred relics of St Francis were returned to the Basilica of Bom Jesus from Se Cathedral, where they had been kept for veneration for the past 45 days.

This video offers glimpses into the closing ceremony of the 18th Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier.