Feast of St Francis Xavier likely to be eco-friendly this year

The next month's Feast of St Francis Xavier, known as the most reverred festival of Goa, and Novenas may be eco-friendly this year as the Goa Church is mulling over a ban on the usage of plastic or bio-degradable material.
Thousands of pilgrims attend the Feast of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa, where his relics are preserved. While the Feast would be held on December 4, Novenas will begin from November 25 onwards.
Novena is an ancient tradition of devotional praying in Christianity, consisting of private or public prayers repeated for nine successive days or weeks.
"To begin with, we will avoid using flex and decoration made up of thermacol to deck up the stage set up for the mass. This is a hard decision and we have been already been talking about it," said Fr Patricio Fernandes, Rector of Basilica of Bom Jesus where the relics of st Xavier are preserved.

He said the decision to ban plastic or bio-degradable items is in sync with the call given by Pop Francis.
Fr Fernandes said the Church Authorities are still contemplating ways to minimise or negate the use of environmentally hazardous material during the Feast.

"As people are used to plastic or thermacol, it will be a bit difficult task. Usage of these non-environment friendly material began a decade ago to deck up the stage of the mass," the priest said.
People from across the country will participate in the Feast celebrated in honour of St Xavier, the patron saint of Goa.

Fr Fernandes said groups of pilgrims from places like Karwar, Belgaum, Sawantwadi, Azra and Malvan usually arrive on their foot for the festival.
He said devotees from Portugal, Italy and other countries also attend the Feast.
"On the daily basis, we have a big crowd in the early morning and then evening when Novenas begin. On Saturday and Sunday, we keep the mass at 5 a.m. to ensure lesser footfalls," the priest said.
This year, the masses will start at 4 A.M as a large number of people typically camp near the Basilica in night.
About 15,000-20,000 people will participate in the main mass which will begin at 10.30 a.m.

Fr Fernandes said the masses will be held in local languages, besides in French and Spannish.