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The
Bascilica of Bom Jesus
Goa, a tiny green land on the west
coast of India is studded with temples and
churches. A pilgrimage to Goa is a unique
experience for tourists.
Bascilica of Bom Jesus is one of
the famous pilgrim centers in old Goa. Build
in 1605; this church is a world heritage
monument. Goa’s patron saint St. Francis
Xavier’s sacred relics are kept here. He
passed away on December 2, 1552 on the
island of Sanchuan (Sancian), at the Chinese
coast. Born in 1506, in Navaree (now part of
Spain), he spent 10 years as a missionary in
south India. It is said that Francis Xavier’s
servant had emptied four sacks of quick lime
into his coffin to consume his flesh. But
when the body was exhumed by a group of
Christians from Malacca, it was in perfect
condition. The following year, the body was
taken to old Goa, where the people
considered the preservation a miracle. It
has remained in Goa ever since enshrined in
the Bascilica of Bom Jesus.
In 1556, a medical examination was performed
by the viceroy’s physician to establish
that the body had not been embalmed. He
declared that all internal organs were still
intact and that no preservative agents had
been used.
By the end of the 17th century,
the body which was in an advanced state of
desiccation was enclosed in a glass coffin.
Every
ten years, the saint’s body is carried in
a three-hour ceremony from the Bascilica of
Bom Jesus to the Se’Cathedral. The
saint’s miraculous healing powers were
experienced by the erstwhile Nizam of
Hyderabad when he came for the exposition of
1878. The next exposition will be in the new
millennium in November 2004.
Church of Our Lady
of the Mount
This old abandoned church is almost
impossible to find. But bear with the search
because being on this abandoned overgrown
hill top takes one a few centuries back into
history. The church does not have an
"overawing" architectural style,
but it is gray and mildewed and imparts a
strange melancholy air.
Apparently this was the vantage point from
where the artillery of Adil Shah
bested the forces of Alfonso de Albuquerque
in 1510, only to meet his doom few months
later. Ironically the view from this hill of
the imposing and towering churches below,
built by the Portuguese, who finally wrested
Goa from the Muslims, is wonderful yet
poignant. Interestingly mass feast is still
held at this church on the 8th of
every month at 1700 hours and the feast day
is celebrated on September 8 every year. A
look at its interior makes one wonder how
this is possible.
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