The St. Francis Xavier Exposition Committee 2014 today announced the theme for this edition of the Exposition which is ‘Faith Creates Communion, Strengthens Family, Commissions to Renew the Society’ (‘Bhavart Ekchar Rochta, Kuttumb Thirayta, Somaz Novsorunk Pattoyta).
The official web portal for the St Francis Xavier Exposition www.sfxexposition2014.com was launched by His Grace The Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao in the presence of Rev. Fr. Alfred Vaz, Convenor, St Francis Xavier Exposition Committee, committee member Elvis Gomes and others.
The 17th public exposition of the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier which is held every 10 years will be held between 22nd November 2014 to 4th January 2015.
Said His Grace The Archbishop Patriarch of Goa and Daman, Filipe Neri Ferrao, “I am indeed happy to inaugurate this website and to greet everyone who will be visiting it in the months to follow. I sincerely pray that this solemn Exposition of the Relics of our saint, and the massive spiritual preparation the Church in Goa is engaged in, may be an occasion for us to renew our faith and commitment amidst the manifold challenges of our times. May it also bring the priceless gift of God to many people who are sincerely searching for the real meaning and purpose of their lives”
Said Fr. Alfred Vaz, Convenor, St Francis Xavier Exposition Committee 2014, “In today’s world of fast-paced communication and technological advancement, information can be sought almost instantly. This website is an effort to connect with visitors of Goa and share information seamlessly. Through the website we shall update you about the Exposition and all the important religious events, schedule of masses, novenas, and public veneration sessions taking place here in Goa.”
Added Elvis Gomes, Member, St Francis Xavier Exposition Committee 2014,”This year the exposition will be a little different. We will be erecting a temporary structure which will include an auditorium, stage, counseling hall, prayer room and exhibition spaces. The effort is to expose visitors and pilgrims to the theme and its true meaning.”
The design and coding of the website has been done by Melina M. Afonso, assistant professor at Goa Engineering College.
Fr. Vaz added, “This year 2014, the sacred relics will be brought down for the 17th time for the Solemn Exposition and will be taken from the Bom Jesus Basilica to the Sé Cathedral Church, in Old Goa for public veneration. Thousands of people will come to venerate the saint, to reflect on his faith experience, to understand one’s faith and to grow in faith. To orient this faith journey, the theme for this Exposition is ‘Faith Creates Communion, Strengthens Family, Commissions to Renew Society’. To delve well into the theme and to remodel ourselves like St. Francis Xavier with the love of Christ and passion to spread His message, different initiatives are being taken by the Exposition Committee, to share the message of the theme, through audio-visual means, especially during the exposition.
A number of activities have been planned for the religious event. These include exhibitions, talks on various subjects, theatre, music sessions, stage performances and more. A large exhibition space set up during the holy Exposition will include stalls where various religious congregations, centers of faith, institutes and religious organizations will showcase their community led work.
A state wide school and parish level art exhibition is being organized on the theme ‘Faith Creates Communion, Strengthens Family, Commissions to Renew Society’across all the schools of the Archdiocese board of education in the state and among the parish community. The art work created by the children will be showcased at an exhibition at Old Goa during the Exposition.
St.Francis Xavier, born Francisco de Jasso y Azpilicueta, on 7th April 1506 was the sixth and last child born to Dr. Joao de Xavier and Maria d’Aspilcueta at Xavier castle, Navarra (now part of Spain). He was a Roman Catholic missionary who preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Asia and was the co-founder of the Society of Jesus. Francis Xavier was beatified by Pope Paul V on 25th October 1619, and was canonized by Pope Gregory XV on 22nd March 1622. Pope Pius XI proclaimed him the ‘Patron of Catholic Missions’. His feast is celebrated on 3rd December each year. The body of St Francis Xavier which miraculously defied the laws of nature, of turning into dust, lies till this day in a silver casket in the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa, India.
The exposition of the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier is held every 10 years. The sacred relics of the saint are taken in a ceremonial procession from its resting place in the mausoleum in Basilica of Bom Jesus across the church complex to the Se Cathedral for veneration during the exposition. This year it will be held between 22nd November 2014 to 4th January 2015 in Goa.