The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is an important holiday that is observed by devout Christians all over the world. In India, it is a regional public holiday in the state of Goa. It is observed on 3 December every year.
This feast is celebrated every year in Old Goa at the Basilica of Bom Jesus. Preceding the feast 9 days of Novenas are held and attended by pilgrims from all over the world. There is a grand fair where stalls selling sweetmeats, toys, and clothing line the streets.
Francis was born in Xavier, He was born in rich farmer Family.Francis went to study in Paris, where he met Ignatius of Loyola, who would convince Francis to follow a religious life and become a priest.
Francis left Rome for the Indies in March 1540. His future as arguably the greatest Christian missionary since St. Paul began almost by accident. He wasn't originally chosen to be a missionary, but one of the two originally selected by Ignatius fell ill, so Ignatius asked Francis to go as a replacement.
He was the first Christian missionary to travel Japan and on to Borneo and the Moluccan Islands.
Francis was waiting to travel to take his missionary work to mainland China when he died from a fever on Shangchuan Island on December 2nd 1552.Francis was made a saint by Gregory XV on March 12th 1622.Saint Francis Xavier's relics are kept in a silver casket, inside the Bom Jesus Basilica in Goa.
Legends about this great Saint says that he had a healing power and his body has not decomposed even after 5 centuries of his death. Every ten years until 1994, on the anniversary of his death, St Xavier s dead body was brought out and kept in a glass case, with the feet exposed, for all to see and worship. For the exposition, people from all over India flocked to the church for a glimpse of the saint.
The last exposition was held in 1994. Since the condition of the body had deteriorated visibly, now the body is not displayed.
People still visit the Church of Bom Jesus in Goa every year to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis Xavier and the pilgrimage turns into a picnic for quite a few families, as they shop in the little lanes decorated with streamers. The ambiance of the church site is happy and festive.
