Goan in UK shares a miracle in her family during 2004 Exposition
A file photo of Dr Reyna Sequeira, her husband Melvin and their children, Yash and Sushant.
LONDON
My deep devotion to St Francis Xavier has been a treasured gift passed down through generations in my family. This devotion was instilled in me by my maternal grandparents, particularly my grandmother, who hailed from Neura, a village near Old Goa.
As a toddler, I was raised by them, and they often took me to Old Goa to visit the Basilica of St Francis Xavier, where the saint’s relics are enshrined. My maternal uncle, Fr Joaquim D'Mello (ex-Principal of Loyola High School, Margao, Goa), a Jesuit priest, was also profoundly devoted to St Francis Xavier. His own calling to the priesthood was inspired by attending a retreat at St Francis Xavier Church in Old Goa, where he experienced a spiritual transformation. It was through this connection with St Francis Xavier that he chose the path of service as a Jesuit priest.
As a family, visiting Old Goa every year became a beautiful tradition. On the feast of St Francis Xavier, my uncles, aunts, cousins, and I would gather at a fixed spot near the basilica, bringing lunch and spending the day in prayer, fellowship, and celebration.
My husband Melvin, a man of deep faith, was always a part of these sacred days. He would take me and our children on our holidays to visit the relics of St Francis Xavier, sharing his devotion with us. His reverence for the Saint was also evident in the way he would support the vendors at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, buying candles and wax figures representing body part, heads, legs, face, as small offerings of faith and gratitude.
The most extraordinary miracle in our family occurred in 2004, during the Exposition of St Francis Xavier's Relics. At that time, my sister, Bertha Sequeira, who had been struggling with infertility for eight long years while living in the Gulf, had been unable to conceive despite various treatments.
In a moment of deep faith and trust in God, my husband made a vow to St Francis Xavier: he promised to walk barefoot from Benaulim to Old Goa, a journey of over 30 kms, as an act of devotion and prayer, seeking the saint’s intercession for my sister’s fertility.
I had two minor children at the time, one aged one and the other six. Since we could not take them along on this pilgrimage, I left them in the care of my father in Vasco.
Early that same morning, my husband set out on his journey, walking barefoot, praying the rosary with each step. My brother, Denrick Sequeira who was also based in the Gulf and I, joined my husband on this pilgrimage, and together, we walked in deep prayer and reverence. Despite the exhausting nature of the journey, we remained steadfast in our faith.
By evening, we reached Old Goa, where my husband offered his prayers at the Basilica, fulfilling the vow he had made to St Francis Xavier.
Less than a year later, we experienced the greatest miracle our family had ever witnessed. My sister, after years of struggling with infertility, was blessed with a beautiful son, who was named Shaun. The joy and gratitude that filled our hearts were overwhelming. We believe it was through the powerful intercession of St Francis Xavier that our prayers were answered with this miracle.
This miracle has remained a cornerstone of our family's faith, and we continue to revere and honour St Francis Xavier with profound devotion. His example of faith, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to God has inspired not only my uncle, Fr Joaquim D'Mello, to become a Jesuit priest, but also all of us to live lives rooted in prayer, trust, and love.
To this day, we hold this miraculous blessing close to our hearts, knowing that through St Francis Xavier's intercession, we witnessed the power of faith, perseverance, and the grace of God.
[The writer is Associate Professor of Sociology in Goa and presently based in the UK.]
