Goa Churches
Basilica of Bom Jesus
A
projecting gallery, which was intended for the use of dignitaries on solemn
occasions, runs along the two longer sides of the Church.
The main altar at the end of the nave is flanked by two decorated altars in
the transept, one dedicated to Our Lady of Hope and the other to St. Michael.
The richly gilded main altar has the figure of infant Jesus and above it is
a large statue of St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the order of Jesuits, gazing
with fervour at a medallion on which is inscribed "HIS". Above the
medallion, the Holy trinity - the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are depicted.
In the transept on the northern side is the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament.
On the southern side in the transept is a chapel with gilded twisted columns
and floral decorations of wood, where the sacred relics of the body of St. Francis
Xavier are kept. The interior of this chapel is richly adorned with wooden carvings
and paintings, depicting the scenes from the life of the Saint.
A beautiful silver statue is kept in front of the casket. The silver casket,
which serves as a reliquary containing the sacred relics of the body of St.
Francis Xavier, is exquisitely carved, and was once studded with precious stones.
The casket is divided on each side into seven panels, each of which has two
plates representing in relief important incidents in the life of the saint.
Adjoining the Chapel of St. Francis Xavier is a corridor that leads to the sacristy,
entered through an exquisitely carved wooden door. It is an oblong vaulted structure
with an apse at the end. Alongside the walls are kept the portraits of various
saints above delicately carved chest of drawers. In the altar at the apse in
an iron chest containing a golden rose blessed by the Pope Pius XII and gifted
to this city in 1953. At the foot of the altar is the grave of the founder of
the vestry, Balthazar da Veiga who died in 1659. A painting giving a fair idea
as to the state of the body of St. Xavier about a hundred years ago is displayed
near the altar.
Inside the basilica the layout is simple but grand. A simple wooden one has
now replaced the original vaulted ceiling. To the left of the door as you enter
the basilica is a statue of St. Francis Xavier, but the visitor's attention
is drawn to the huge and ornate gilded reredos which stretches from floor to
ceiling behind the altar.
Timings:
Sunday: 10.00 to 18.30 hrs. Weekdays: 09.00 to 18.30 hrs
Masses: Sunday: 08.00 & 09.15 hrs. Weekdays: 07.00 & 08.00 hrs.
