PANAJI
After a lull midway, the number of people queuing up to venerate the sacred relics of 16th Century saint Francis Xavier at Old Goa have soared by the thousands over the last couple of days as the decennial event is nearing its end.
Footfalls at the Se Cathedral where the casket containing the sacred relics of the saint are kept for veneration had crossed the 75 lakh (7.5 million) mark earlier this week, the government said.
The final figure is expected to overshadow the 'eight million' pre-Exposition guesstimate by officials when veneration of the relics will close at 7 pm on Saturday. But despite the teeming crowds, hundreds of volunteers ensured order and decorum throughout, since the Exposition began on November 21 last year.
Meanwhile, on Sunday no veneration will be allowed and the Exposition Committee of the Goa Archdiocese has planned a solemn ceremony beginning with a prayer service at 9 am in the Se Cathedral which will be presided over by Cardinal Felipe Neri Ferrao.
Pre-selected representatives from different parishes will then carry the casket and place it on the carriage for the journey in solemn procession back to the Basilica of Bom Jesus.
Ferrao will also then preside over the Eucharistic celebration in the pandal after the casket with the relics of St Xavier are brought in solemn foregrounds of the Basilica.
"His Eminence Felipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao will preside over the Eucharistic celebration (mass). Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Fernandes and other priests will concelebrate," Fr Lawrence Fernandes, SFX, told The Goan.
Fernandes, who is part of the Church appointed 'Exposition Committee' also said that the mass presided by Ferrao will officially bring the curtains down on the 45-day 18th Exposition.
Over the last seven weeks during which the novena and feast dedicated to the saint was celebrated, Catholic church leaders from across the world arrived to venerate his relics, including three cardinals and over a dozen bishops.
Dignitaries from several countries including federal ministers from Portugal, Brazil and some other countries were also among those who visited Old Goa to venerate the Saint's relics.
As has been the case with previous Expositions, rumours abounded that this could be the last time that the saint's relics will be brought down from the mausoleum in the Basilica of Bom Jesus. Church authorities however outrightly dismissed these rumours and insisted that the decennial event will be held ten years hence.
The State government on its part came for much appreciation for its organisational support in hosting the 45-day event.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant himself headed the 'Exposition Secretariat' which had senior bureaucrat Sandeep Jacques, IAS, as the Exposition Commissioner liasoning with the Church officials to ensure security and infrastructure requirements are met.
