NT NETWORK
Margao
Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Ferrao on Thursday said that it is everyone’s responsibility to raise voice when the good of the Earth is in danger, and when the environment is likely to be polluted and there is no scope for enhancing and preserving the intergenerational equity.
Delivering his homily at the High Mass of the feast of St Francis Xavier (Goencho Saib) inside the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa, the Archbishop said, “Pope Francis reminds us that the Earth is the common home and therefore, it is our collective responsibility to protect it… In our society we are called to witness to values of Jesus, when we see situations that are according to the values that Jesus brought into the world… it is our responsibility to promote and enhance such situations.”
“But when we see a situation in which the good of the planet is in danger and the interest of the poor are not taken care of, and when the environment is likely to be polluted, when intergenerational equity is not being enhanced and preserved then it is our responsibility as disciple of Jesus to raise our prophetic voice. We cannot say ‘we don’t care’, as disciples of Jesus and devotees of St Francis Xavier, who raised his voice against the evils of the society,” said the Archbishop, who was the main celebrant for the High Mass.
This year masses were streamed live owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
Only 200 people, including heads of various church-related associations, Chief Minister
Pramod Sawant, legislators and other politicians, were allowed inside the basilica to take part in the mass.
The Archbishop said that St Francis Xavier was a gifted young man who had worldly dream, but the moment he experienced the love of Jesus, his life transformed and realised the hollowness of the worldly dream that he had been pursuing, and was gripped with only one dream to make Jesus known and loved.
“The saint undertook 11,000 miles sea journey from Europe to come to India and Goa to share the riches of his faith…,” the Archbishop said.
“The life and witnesses of St Francis Xavier place a tremendous challenge before you and me to be witness of Jesus in our homes, parish and society. During the COVID times, it is our responsibility to reach out to the poor, sick, lepers, dying, and marginalised as did by St Francis Xavier at his times. May the life of St Francis Xavier inspire us all to be witness of Jesus at all times and at all places,’’ he concluded.
Emeritus Bishop of Andaman Alex Dias was concelebrant for the feast mass with other priests.
The theme of this year was ‘By walking in the footsteps of St Francis Xavier, let us witness the Christ.’
Rector of Basilica of Bom Jesus Fr Patricio Fernandes explained how hard it was to prepare for the feast during the pandemic times.
“But it all happened in the name of Jesus and with the support of many people,” he added.
He also thanked the media, TV channels, for airing novenas and feast masses for the devotees to take part from home.
