Feast of Saint Francis Xavier Wallpapers

The Feast of Saint Francis Xavier is celebrated on December 3 at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, which houses the mortal remains of the 16th-century Spanish Jesuit missionary who is the patron saint of Goa. The annual feast draws thousands of devotees from across Goa, India, and the world. Once every ten years, the Exposition of the Sacred Relics takes place, when the body of Saint Francis Xavier is displayed for public veneration, drawing millions of pilgrims (the last was in 2014). The three-day novena (nine days of prayer, condensed to three) precedes the feast day, with special masses conducted at the basilica. The festival features a grand fair outside the church with food stalls, handicraft exhibitions, and cultural performances. For Goan Catholics, the feast is a deeply important event, with families gathering for traditional meals. The Basilica of Bom Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the oldest churches in India (built in 1605) and a masterpiece of Baroque architecture.