Goa,
Jewel of India, is studded with a number of churches
that remain as silent but forceful witnesses to the intense religious
history of the land.
Basilica Of Bom Jesus
Visitors from India and overseas flock to the Basilica of
Bom Jesus in Old Goa, built in 1605, and 
now
declared a World Heritage Monument. The church houses the sacred
relics of St. Francis Xavier, patron saint of Goa, who died while
on a sea voyage to China on December 2, 1552. The following year,
while transferring his remains to Goa, in accordance with his
wishes, it was found that the saint's body was as fresh as the
day it was buried. This miraculous phenomenon continues to attract
the devout from all lands, and an Exposition or public viewing
of his body every ten years attracts lakhs of pilgrims. During
the 450 years of Portuguese rule in Goa, St. Francis Xavier was
believed to have accorded protection to the rulers who handed
over their symbols of office to the saint during every changeover
of the office of Governor General. The Saint had miraculous healing
powers which were experienced by the erstwhile Nizam of Hyderabad
when he came for the Exposition of 1878
Se
Cathedral
The Se Cathedral nearby is dedicated to St. Catherine, as
it was on her feast day, 25th November 1510, that Alphonso de
Albuquerque conquered Goa. Believers are awe-struck to hear of
the Cross of Miracles, which is placed in the cathedral, its earlier
church having been destroyed. People have had a vision of Christ
on this cross and the rock on which it was found was said to spout
water while, today, the Cross is slowly growing. Earlier, it was
at Se Cathedral that the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier were
shown to the public
Other
Churches
Not far away from the Se Cathedral stands the beautiful whitewashed
Church of St. Francis of Assisi, which today houses part of the
archaeological museum. Exhibits include prehistoric items from
a distant tribal past as also reminders of Goa Dourada or Golden
Goa. It was the concentration of magnificent churches, symbol
of a powerful conquering presence, which justified this last title.
In fact, the Church of St. Cajatan, built by an Italian architect
in 1651, was modeled in miniature on St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
Today a theological college is housed here.
In
Velha Goa, or Old Goa, crowning a hill which was known as the
Holy hill, is one of the earliest churches, the Church of Our
Lady of Rosary. In Panjim or Panaji, as Goa's capital is called
today, the oldest church is dedicated to Our Lady of Immaculate
Conception. The huge Convent of Santa Monica, dating from 1606,
was the first Nunnery in Asia. Today, after centuries of changing
fortunes, it has been restored and is once again a residential
convent.
The
Reis Magos Church or Church of the Three Magi Kings, built in
1555, was once a mission center of the Franciscan Order of Monks.
Also in Bardez Taluka, at Saligao, amongst picturesque surroundings,
stands the Church of Mae de Dens or Mother of God. The statue
after whom this church was named once occupied a convent, now
no longer extant, and was known for its miraculous powers. This
church is a fine instance of Gothic architecture. The Church of
St. Alex at Curtorim, too, dates from the 16th century. The Church
of St. Anne, at Talaulin Iltias, affectionately called Santana
by the people, is dedicated to the Mother of Mary. It is situated
on the right bank of the Siridao River. The Rachol Seminary in
South Goa has a chequered past. Originally a Muslim fortress,
it was first converted by the Portuguese into a church and later
into a prison. In the late 16th century, it acquired respectability
as a seminary for Theological Studies, with the Jesuits re-christening
it from College of All Saints to the College of St. Ignatius Loyola,
the name of their founder.
While
these Catholic institutions have survived the ravages of time,
a visit to the ruins of lost churches, of which there are many,
would help to discover further the truths of a remarkable period
of religious activity on the shores of our country.
