Goencho Saib’s relic in Australia

The holy arm of Saint Francis Xavier is venerated by hundreds with piety, prayer and reverence

The Relic in Melbourne

The relic of St Francis Xavier was welcomed with great honour by the Konkanni Cultural Heritage Inc. Victoria, a Goan community along with the other communities at the Chapel of Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia on Sunday 7th October 2012.

The Relic was moved from the hearse to the altar with great honour by the organisers. It was greeted by the people with lit candles and a hymn played on saxophone by Derek Stuart as the procession moved to the altar.

The Mass was celebrated by five priests, Fr. Anthony, Fr. James, Fr. Eugene, Fr. Rolio and Fr. Robin being the main celebrant, whilst the eight-member choir was organised by musician Joe Fernandes.

Fr. Robin celebrated a welcoming liturgy and gave a beautiful sharing about the Relic and the life of St Francis Xavier thereby linking the Saint to our times and this Year of the

Grace. 700 people of different communities including members of Goan associations attended this Eucharistic celebration which was followed by veneration of the Relic.

Generally the feeling was one of gratitude for the presence of the Relic and the work involved in bringing the Relic to Australia. One of the attendees noted, “We were grateful to be able to spend time in the presence of the Relic of St. Francis Xavier. The experience enabled us to consider prayerfully the great sacrifice he made to spread the faith and prompted us to consider our role and responsibility in sharing this great gift of God”.

It was rather special for all in the community to be able to view the relic closely and thanked the Konkanni Cultural & Heritage Inc. for making this possible – in particular Mario Carvalho and the organising committee Jude and Saroj Desa, Vernon and Corryne Da Gama, Titus andUrsula Fernandes, Simon and

Nancy Mendonce, Royden and Lidia Rodrigues, and Cherylanne Carvalho, who personally thanked the Priests, the choir, Archdiocese of Evangelisation, Richard, Monash University, the sponsors, the ushers and others who helped in this great Eucharistic celebration.

Many people commented afterwards how special the evening was and how they experienced the grace and blessing of Almighty God through the life and ministry of St Francis Xavier.

The Relic had a great reception everywhere in Australia.

History

Centuries ago when Goa was under the Portuguese rule, Sambhaji, the Maratha chieftain from North attacked Goa and was all set to conquer the land. The then Portuguese Governor is chronicled to have visited Old Goa and prayed to St. Francis Xavier in the night, and is also supposed to have opened the coffin and picked up the saint’s sceptre.

The next morning, Sambhaji withdrew from Goa and rushed back to protect his own land which was under attack on its Northern border from the Moghal forces. This change of scenario was attributed to St Francis Xavier’s intervention, and since then he has been considered as the saviour and protector of Goa. Probably that is why he is called ‘Goencho Saib” (The man from Goa) The novena of the feast of St. Francis Xavier during November and December is indeed a revelation to understand how much Goans venerate this saint. Not only Catholics, but all faiths including Hindus and Muslims visit Old Goa to pay obeisance to the Saint in significant numbers. The irony is that St. Francis Xavier who has been installed as the Patron of the missions, was never the Patron Saint of Goa. However, Goans believe that he is their Patron who looks after them and protects them from all evil.

People lined up in sombre reverence to touch the casket which housed the relic, seeking the Saint’s blessings and intercession

The irony is that St. Francis Xavier who has been installed as the Patron of the missions, was never the Patron Saint of Goa

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