Feast of St Francis Xavier to be held on December 4

The Feast of St Francis Xavier, which is one of the most important event for the followers of Christianity, would be held on December 4 as against the annual date of December 3.
The feast is celebrated at Old Goa, nine kms from here, where the body of the saint who died in the year 1552 and whose relics are still preserved in the Church.
"Since the festival of St Francis Xavier comes in the advent season, which is a time of expectant waiting and preparations for the celebrations of Christmas, the feasts of Saints are not celebrated on Sundays," Fr Alfred Vaz, priest who was convenor for deccenial exposition of relics of St Francis Xavier in the year 2012, told reporters.

He said that December 3 falls on a Sunday and that is the day which is dedicated only to the services of Lord Jesus in the Advent period.
"We have an option to observe the feast either a day in advance or a day later if it comes on Sunday. That is why it is decided that the feast would be held on December 4," Vaz said.
The feast which is one of the most important religious event in the coastal state is attended by thousands of people from across India and also from the neighbouring like Sri Lanka, US and UK.

The body of the saint is placed in a glass container encased in a silver casket at Basilica of Bom Jesus located at Old Goa.