The Novena of “Goyencho Saib” St Francis Xavier in Goa, India begins on Sunday, November 24. It coincides with the Feast of Christ the King and the last Sunday of the liturgical year.
Theme of the Novena and Feast
The liturgical commission arrived at the theme for the Novena and Feast and also the sub-themes for each day. The theme is: “Rooted in Christ like St Francis Xavier, go and do likewise.” Two strands of themes have merged, one from the Pope’s invitation to be rooted in Christ and sent into the whole world and the Archbishop’s Pastoral letter like the Good Samaritan to “go and do likewise.”
Presiders of liturgical celebrations
A hundred Masses will be celebrated by different priests during these ten days and they will be accompanied by many choirs. The Solemn High Mass on the feast day will be celebrated by the Bishop of Mangalore, Rt. Rev. Peter Paul Saldanha along with the Archbishop of Goa Rt. Rev. Filipe Neri Ferrao along with other bishops and priests.
Universality of the Liturgical celebration
While all Masses will be celebrated in the mother tongue Konkani, other Indian regional language celebrations in Marathi, Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi will also take place on different days. Beside every evening, the last Mass will be celebrated in English. However, Masses will also be celebrated in other European languages – Portuguese, French, Italian and Spanish.
Mass timings during the Novena and Feast
Masses begin at 5 am, on November 24 (Sunday), November 30 (Saturday) and December 1 (Sunday). On other days of the week, the Masses are as follows: 6 am, 7.15 am, 8.15 am (Parish Mass), 9.30 am, 10.30 am, 3.45 pm (Centres Mass), 5.15 pm and 6.15 pm in English.
On December 3, the feast of St Francis Xavier, Masses will be as follows: 4 am, 5 am, 6 am, 7 am, 8 am, 9 am, 10.30 am (Solemn High Feast Mass), 12.30 pm, 3 pm (Spanish), 4 pm, 5 pm, 6 pm (English).
Parish Masses at 8:15 am
While all Masses during the Novena are Novena Masses, the 8.15 am Mass is given specifically to a parish out of the many parishes in the diocese. The entire parish along with its parishioners participates in this liturgical celebration, the introduction, the reading of the Word of God, the intercessory prayers and the choral singing. Parishes allotted the 8.15 am Mass for the entire Novena are Ribandar (November 24), Vaddem-Curdi (November 25), Macasana (November 26), Raia (November 27), Sao Jose De Areal (November 28), Cotto De Fatorpa (November 29), Nagoa-Salcette (November 30), Pilerne (December 1) and Baina (December 2).
Centre Masses at 3.45 pm
The Diocese functions through its various Centres and the 3.45 pm Mass is allotted to the following Centres: Biblical Apostolate – DCBA, DCM, DCE, PMO (November 24) , Youth Apostolate – DYC (November 25), Family & Sick Apostolate – CCR, DFSC, Patriarchal Tribunal (November 26), Social Apostolate, Caritas – CSJP (November 27), Faith Formation & Education Apostolate – ABE, DSE, DCC (November 28), Lay Apostolate – DCLA, DCSCM, DPS (November 29), Priests & Religious Brothers Vocations – DOPV, VCDC (November 30), Liturgical Apostolate – DCL (December 1) and All Women Religious Vocation – EV, CRI, MATER DEI (December 2).
No Mass at 10.30 am
On November 25, the feast of St Catherine, patroness of the Se Cathedral, and on November 28, the day of the inter-religious dialogue, there will be no Mass at 10.30 am. But on November 28, there will be a Mass after the dialogue.
Inter-Faith Religious Dialogue
In reality, we humans have a faith or no faith dimension. In the context of the novena and feast of St Francis Xavier, it is appropriate to share one’s faith perspective with the other, so that, we can enrich each other and grow in greater knowledge and appreciation of the other’s faith life. On November 28 (10. 30 am) will be the inter-faith religious dialogue followed by Mass at 12.30 pm in Konkani.
Pilgrimages during the Novena and Feast
There is a tradition of people walking in pilgrimage from time immemorial. Even in our times, there are old and young, healthy and sick, abled and disabled people and children who in faith as prayer they come to the shrine of Bom Jesus Basilica to ask for intercession from St Francis Xavier and many have gone back in peace and healed. There are groups of individuals who come each year from various parts of Goa and from surrounding States of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Some walk to reach a day before the feast, while others come on other days. Some parishioners begin early morning at 2 am and arrive in time for their parish Mass or other masses. There is a pilgrim Mass for them and in the evening they dance in procession with candles in their hands after the last mass and sing praises to God in thanksgiving for favors received.
Venue of the Celebration
The Church, the Government, the ASI and other bodies concerned have swung into action to provide best amenities and facilities for devotees and pilgrims who will find it convenient to participate in devotions during the Novena and Feast. The main Pandal is larger on all sides than last year and will be lit with floodlights and LED walls. Besides the main pandal, there are various facilities to cater to various needs. Roads and surrounding parking areas are being prepared to provide a favourable ambience for the devotees. There will also be bus services running from the parking lots throughout the day.
Intercessory Group
St Francis Xavier has always interceded and intervened to give a deep spiritual experience to all who come to the novena and feast. This year too, he will do it. However, there will be an intercessory group praying for people, for their safety, for their healing and for a deepening of their lives through an encounter with Jesus.
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