Panaji: Around 1.5 million people attended the 17th exposition of relics of Saint Francis Xavier that concluded on Sunday at Bom Jesu Basilica in Old Goa.

The 44-day exposition began on November 22. The last few days of December drew each day some 100,000 pilgrims from all religions and many countries, the organizers claimed.

To help the pilgrims pay their homage to the saint, the organizers extended the exposition time by three hours on the last day. The veneration ended at 10 pm on Sunday, January 4.

Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio led the concluding Mass assisted by Archbishops Philip Neri Ferrao of Goa, and Stanislaus Fernandes of Gandhinagar and Bishops Lumen Monteiro of Agartala, Anthony Alwyn Fernandes Barreto of Sindhudurg and Oswald Lewis of Jaipur.

Prior to the concluding Mass, the relics of the saint was brought from Se Cathedral to Bom Jesu Basilica, their final resting place. Representatives of different segments of society carried the relics at eight different points during the 45-minute journey. Officials from various Goa state government departments carried the casket to Basilica of Bom Jesu from the last point.

Archbishop Ferrao, in his introductory talks at the concluding Mass, said the six-week exposition provided an occasion to experience God’s grace to draw inspiration from St Francis Xavier and strengthen faith in God. “St Francis is God’s gift to us, and we invoke his blessings for our ongoing journey of faith,” the Goa archbishop added.

In his homily Archbishop Pennacchio told the gathering that his attendance at the concluding program was the sign of Pope Francis’ presence among them. The Pope “is a living and dynamic example of announcing the Gospel with sacrifices and joy,” the Vatican ambassador said.

The nuncio said he was happy to join pilgrims from different parts of India at the exposition.

The concluding program coincided with the feast of Epiphany that commemorates the visit of three wise men from the East to Baby Jesus. “Today’s feast helps us mediate on the three people who came to visit Jesus. They came from the East expressing deep faith in the Savior as they searched for him through a long journey,” the nuncio explained.

Archbishop Pennacchio urged the people to live their faith as Pope Francis has suggested. “Pope Francis says Faith is a grace. It is a gift. We need to welcome God into our life through prayer, love, and charity. Let your faith be sincere,” he added.

The nuncio also described faith as people’s “positive response to God for a deeper communion with him” and said the exposition of the relics of St Francis would them deepen their faith and communion with Jesus.

Archbishop Pennacchio reminded Christians that they are called to give witness to Christ. “Be present as experts of Communication and communion in situations of conflicts. Be witnesses of love and faith,” he added.

He also urged Christians to take the lead in building bridges of “sincere faith and dialogue” in India where people of different religions live.

Reminding the faithful about the importance of evangelization, the nuncio exhorted the gathering to draw inspirations from Apostles and Saint Francis Xavier to respond to the call of Jesus to proclaim his Good News. “Francis came to India. You are disciples of St Francis. His example must be an inspiration to all generations of Christians in India,” he added.

“Come out of yourselves and go out to others who are in difficult situations, to the youth who are lost, people looking for a purpose in life, to the sick and suffering,” the nuncio said.

Fr Alfred Vaz, convener of the Exposition Committee, shared his joy at the successful completion of the events. He said more than 600 volunteers, mostly student and young people, who went around with enthusiasm, care and joy were the visible face of the organizers. “They made a lot of sacrifice to be at the service of the pilgrims, which contributed toward the success of the exposition,” the priest said.

“I got up at 4:30 every morning to attend to the Mass arrangements during my stay here. I took a break after 14 days,” said a volunteer who was on her job for three weeks with a week of break in between.

Three battalions from Maharashtra Police, besides Goa Police, guarded and guided people round the clock.

Fr Vaz also commended the government authorities for ensuring round-the-clock uninterrupted supply of water and electricity that helped the smooth management of the exposition.

Officials of the government and the Church meticulously planned traffic around the exposition site and accommodation for the pilgrims.