Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa

Konkani Name: Borea Jezuchi Bajilika 

Portuguese: Basílica do Bom Jesus

Translation: Basilica of Good/Holy Jesus

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The basilica holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier and is located in Old Goa, which was the capital of Goa in the early days of the Portuguese rule.

Exterior view of the Basilica

Construction work on the church began in 1594 and the church was consecrated in May 1605 by Dom Fr. Aleixo de Menezes, the then archbishop. The Jesuit church is India’s first minor basilica, built over 50 years before the Taj Mahal and has emerged as a landmark in the history of Christianity.

In 1698 a magnificent Florentine Mausoleum was commissioned by the last of the Medicis, Cosimo III, the Grand Duke of Tuscany. It was designed by the 17th-century Florentine sculptor Giovanni Battista Foggini and took ten years to complete. The silver casket containing the coffin was placed on top of it. The tomb of St. Francis Xavier has three parts, namely, the altar, the Florentine mausoleum and the silver casket.

The Church itself is considered to be one of the best examples of baroque architecture in India. Apart from the elaborate gilded altars and intricate marble flooring, the interior of the church is simple. The church also displays paintings of scenes from the life of St. Francis Xavier.

Candles offered in prayer at the Shrine

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is more than 408 years old and is open to the public. The remains of St. Francis Xavier attract a huge number of devotees (Christian and non-Christian alike) from all over the world, especially during the public viewing of his body every ten years (next Exposition from 22^nd Nov 2014 – 4^th Jan 2015). Devotees burn wax figurines and candles at the Shrine in faithful anticipation of miraculous healing, which the Saint is known for.

Devotees offer wax replicas of miracles that they are seeking intersession for.