The annual Feast of Saint Francis Xavier will be celebrated on Thursday, December 3, 2009 at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa. The 9-day Novena to Saint Francis Xavier will be held from 24 November to 2 December 2009.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Inspired by the Faithfulness of Saint Francis, let us Shine like Jesus, the Star”. The theme draws light from the Universal Church’s declaration of 2009-10 as a Year for Priests. Similarly, the celebration will also reflect on the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman’s focus on the youth this year.

NOVENA

During the course of the Novena (24 November – 2 December 2009), Masses will be celebrated at 6.00 am, 7.15 am, 8.15 am, 9.30 am, 10.30 am, 11.30 am, 3.45 pm, 5.15 pm and 6.15 pm. On Sunday, November 29, 2009, an additional Mass will be celebrated at 5.00 am.

However, no Mass will be celebrated at 10.30 am on 25 and 26 November 2009.

The Novena Mass will be celebrated daily at 8:15 am. This year the parishes of Mandur, Panjim, Marcela, Mapusa, Nuvem, Azossim, Cortalim, Fatorda and Bambolim will celebrate the Novena Mass.

Besides Konkani, Masses will also be celebrated in the following languages:

• English: Everyday at 6.15 pm
• Hindi: 28 November (11:30 am), 29 November (2.30 pm), 30 November (11.30 am)
• Malayalam: 24 November (11:30 am, 12:30 pm), 29 November (12:30 pm)
• Marathi: 2 December (12:30 pm)
• Portuguese: 2 December (11:30 am)
• Tamil: 29 November (11:30 am)

This Year being dedicated to Priests, the Archbishop-Patriarch of Goa and Daman, Most Rev Filipe-Neri Ferrão, will celebrate a Mass for Priests and Vocations on November 30 (3.45 pm). Similarly, a Mass for Youth will be celebrated on November 26 (3.45 pm). A Mass for the Sick will be celebrated on November 27 (3.45 pm).

Special Masses have also been planned for Couples for Christ (29 November, 9:30 am), Volunteers (1 December, 11:30 am), the Pilar Society (2 December, 5:15 pm) and the Goa Jesuits (3 December, 6:00 pm).

An Inter-Religious Meet for peace and communal harmony will be held on Thursday, November 26, 2009, at 10:30 am. Leaders of different religious communities will address the gathering which is expected to be attended by a cross-section of society.

FEAST

The Feast of Saint Francis Xavier will be celebrated on December 3, 2009, with a Solemn High Mass at 10:30 am. The Main Celebrant for this year will be Most Rev Peter Machado, Bishop of Belgaum Diocese. Archbishop-Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrão and Archbishop-Patriarch Emeritus Raul Nicolau Gonsalves will concelebrate at the Feast Mass.

Besides the Feast Mass at 10:30 am, Masses on the Feast Day will be celebrated at 4:00 am, 5:00 am, 6:00 am, 7:00 am, 8:00 am, 9:00 am, 12:30 pm, 4:00 pm, 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm (English).

The Sacrament of Confession will be held daily from 24 November to 2 December 2009 between 5:30 am to 10:30 am and 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm in the Sacristy of the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa.

For further details and updates, please visit the shrine website: www.bomjesus.in