Novena and Feast of St. Francis Xavier
Event Overview
The Novena and Feast of St. Francis Xavier is a major ten-day Christian pilgrimage celebration held at the historic Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa. The spiritual observance consists of nine days of novena prayers leading to the principal feast on 3 December, which commemorates the death anniversary of St. Francis Xavier. Goa Tourism confirms that the annual feast is celebrated on 3 December and is preceded by a nine-day novena attended by large numbers of pilgrims.
Based on the established annual liturgical pattern, the 2026 festival period will run from 24 November through 3 December 2026. The detailed 2026 Mass timetable had not yet been published at the time of verification. The Archdiocese’s recent official schedule shows several morning and evening Masses throughout the novena, followed by the main feast-day services.
During the festival, pilgrims from Goa and other parts of India gather in Old Goa to pray at the Basilica, where the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier are preserved in a silver casket. The annual feast should not be confused with the larger public exposition of the relics, which takes place only periodically.
Important pilgrim activities include:
Attending daily novena prayers and Holy Mass
Visiting the Basilica of Bom Jesus for personal prayer
Offering candles, flowers and thanksgiving intentions
Participating in confession and spiritual preparation
Attending the principal Feast Day Mass on 3 December
Praying before the chapel containing the saint’s relics
Visiting the neighbouring Se Cathedral and Old Goa churches
Joining community prayer with pilgrims from different regions
Exploring the temporary religious fair and food stalls
Purchasing devotional objects and traditional Goan festival sweets
Large crowds, road diversions and temporary traffic arrangements are common near Old Goa during the concluding novena days and the main feast. Pilgrims should arrive early, dress modestly and follow church and local administrative instructions. Normal Basilica visitor hours are generally listed as 9:00 AM–5:00 PM from Monday to Saturday and 11:00 AM–5:00 PM on Sunday, but special festival timings will supersede the regular schedule.
Cultural & Spiritual Significance
The feast commemorates St. Francis Xavier, the sixteenth-century Jesuit missionary whose religious work had a major influence on the history of Christianity in Goa and several parts of Asia. The annual observance on 3 December marks his death anniversary and honours his missionary commitment, spiritual discipline and service to Christian communities.
For devotees, the novena is a period of prayer, repentance, thanksgiving and spiritual preparation. Many pilgrims seek the saint’s intercession for healing, family welfare, education, employment, protection during travel and strength during personal difficulties.
Old Goa has exceptional importance because the Basilica of Bom Jesus houses the relics of St. Francis Xavier. The church forms part of the historic Churches and Convents of Goa and remains both an active place of worship and an internationally recognised heritage destination.
The festival also reflects Goa’s multicultural identity. Pilgrims from different linguistic, regional and social backgrounds participate in the Masses and prayers. The adjoining fair, traditional food stalls and interaction between residents and visitors create a combination of solemn worship, community hospitality and Goan cultural life.
The nine-day preparation emphasises:
Faith and devotion
Repentance and spiritual renewal
Service to others
Missionary commitment
Gratitude for blessings received
Unity among pilgrims
Respect for Goa’s Christian heritage
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