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 Goa's Feast of St. Francis Xavier is the patron saint of Goa and the Feast of St. Francis Xavier of Goa is held on the 3rd of December every
year to commemorate his demise. He was also referred to as
"Goencho Saib" which means the Lord of Goa. During
the Feast of St. Francis Xavier in Goa, devotees from all
over the country and abroad trickle in to Old Goa to take
part in the ceremonies.
Feast of St. Francis Xavier in Goa is attended each year
by over two lakh devotees. The Feast has a Pontifical Mass
performed by an assembly of clergy holding high ranks. On
this particular day the pilgrims begin to assemble at the
Basilica of Bom Jesus early in the morning. The High Mass
takes place in the mid-morning and is attended by the devotees.
Many of them reach the Church on foot from Ambelim in Assolna
in Salcete. The transport system is thrown into disarray due
to the rush of the crowd on this day. Another customary ritual
associated with the Goa's Feast of St. Francis Xavier is
that the pilgrims have to line up to be able to kiss the relics
of the saint. This act is believed to usher in good luck and
happiness. More than anything else, this act testifies to
the love and devotion that the Goans cherish for their "Goencho
Saib". This ritual continues for several days even after
the Feast.
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of useful information on Feast of St. Francis Xavier in Goa
and on other exotic places in Goa and around the globe.
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