Panaji: Almost 10,000 devotees flocked to Old Goa on Tuesday for the high Mass for the
feast of St Francis Xavier
, where
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle
, the main celebrant, warned Catholics against divisiveness, anger, and hate. The Filipino prelate also expressed concern over the “discrimination, injustice, destruction, greed, and violence” that grips the world.
Tagle, who is a senior figure in the
Vatican
administration, said that he had informed Pope Francis that he would be celebrating the mass on the feast of St. Francis Xavier in Goa.
“Now, I will go back tonight to Rome and report to him that I have seen the fervour of faith and love among the faithful here in the archdiocese of Goa and Daman and also people outside this territory,” said Tagle.
He said that before he flew out of Rome a fortnight ago, he had promised the Holy Father that he would convey the Pope’s “paternal and filial greetings” to Goa. “He (Pope Francis) said ‘please do’. I have fulfilled my promise,” said Tagle.
In his homily, Tagle, who currently serves as pro-prefect of the dicastery of evangelisation, also cautioned against “fake news and gossip” that appears to be gaining prevalence in a world driven by social media. “Those who allow Jesus to rule their hearts will regard others not as threats, not as enemies, but as brothers and sisters, members of the same family. There will be authentic peace,” Tagle said in his homily.
“Unlike the rulers of this world who favour some and neglect the others, that is not the kingdom of God. That is not the good news,” said Tagle. The high Mass was held at 10.30am at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, which is part of the complex of churches and convents that form part of the Unesco World Heritage Site at Old Goa.
Tagle is in Goa for the biennial meeting of the International Societies of Apostolic Life (MISAL).
Pilgrims came to Old Goa walking from Sindhudurg, Belagavi, and Kolhapur districts, while several Goan devotees also walked through the night from various parts of Goa to partake in the feast. People dressed in their finest attire came to pay reverence to the saint’s relics. Citing the example of St Francis Xavier, Tagle exhorted the people to be messengers of good news with a meek, humble attitude.
He pointed out that the Spanish saint left behind fame and fortune in Europe to come to India, Southeast Asia, Japan, and China. “In all his missionary travels… it was neither ambition nor conquest that gave St Francis Xavier energy. It was the love for Jesus. He was driven by love, just love. That is all that matters,” said Tagle.
Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai, chief minister Pramod Sawant, cabinet ministers, opposition MLAs and other bureaucrats attended the Masses. Apostolic Nuncio Leopoldo Girelli, the Vatican’s official representative in India and Nepal, was also present for the high Mass along with Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao. Joining them for the high Mass were Bishop Jose Alfredo Caires de Nobrega from Madagascar, Auxiliary Bishop Tonito Francisco Xavier Muananoua of Maputo, Mozambique, Bishop Sebastiao Mascarenhas of Baroda, Bishop Emeritus of Port Blair, Alex Dias, Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Fernandes, and Bishop-elect of Vasai, Thomas D’Souza.
“It is a real blessing to be here and to witness how the legacy, the memory of St Francis, which is a memory of love, continues to touch people. And we hope that this message of love would be transmitted by all of us. We can cross mountains, rivers, and seas just to bring the message of love,” said Tagle.
English (US) ·