Bangalore: A large number of faithful, priests and religious gathered along with the two archbishops to celebrate the feast of St. Francis Xavier, the patron of Bangalore Archdiocese, who is the great missionary Saint. A con-celebrated high mass was presided over by His grace Most Rev Dr. Peter Machado along with Archbishop emeritus Most Rev Dr. Bernard Moras.
The different lay groups of the parish, be it the youth or Small Christian Community members donned themselves in different attires added color to the grand celebration. Throughout the day, special masses were celebrated to honor the missionary saint to emulate his missionary zeal.
At the feast mass, Archbishop Peter began his homily with the narration of the burial of St. Francis Xavier where he highlighted that the limestones could not corrupt the body of the saint rather it was the like stones got corroded. “Bangalore is full of many religious brothers and sisters who belong to various missionary congregations and it is indeed a special blessing to have St Francis Xavier as the patron saint,” he said.
He enumerated to the congregation in 3 points the life of St Francis Xavier:
A beloved apostle of the Word of God
A beloved apostle of God’s love
A beloved apostle of the Cross
The prelate concluded his homily by asking everyone to imitate the example of unity and harmony from this patron saint, who travelled so many lands and encountered so many cultures, but preaching the Gospel was only his aim.
Rev Fr John Antony, the rector of the Cathedral parish applauded the sincere expressions of their faith towards St Francis Xavier and thanked the prelates, priests, religious and faithful for taking part in festal mass.
The day’s celebrations came to a close with a beautifully decorated car carrying the image of St Francis Xavier being taken around in the busy streets of Central Bangalore.