Basilica of Bom Jesus

Coordinates: 15°30′3.14″N 73°54′41.44″E / 15.5008722°N 73.9115111°E / 15.5008722; 73.9115111
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Basilica of Bom Jesus
Basílica do Bom Jesus (Portuguese)
Façade of the Basilica of Bom Jesus
Map
General information
Architectural styleBaroque architecture, Portuguese colonial architecture
Town or cityOld Goa, Goa
CountryIndia
Construction started1594
Completed1605
The Baroque style main altar is gilded and bears the statue of Ignatius of Loyola standing between Solomonic pillars above which is the name of Jesus in the IHS monogram and the Holy Trinity.
The image shows the location in the church where the sacred body of St. Francis Xavier is preserved without any chemical formulas. It is brought down once in every 10 years.
Upon entering, we can witness beautiful woodwork and carvings which adds further attraction to the history of the location.
The pic shows the rock carving before entering the site. It shows the details and a brief introduction of visitors to the Basilica of Bom Jesus.

The Basilica of Bom Jesus (

St Francis Xavier.[3]

Bom Jesus (meaning, "Good/ Infant Jesus" in

minor basilica, and is considered to be one of the best examples of baroque architecture and Portuguese colonial architecture in India. It is one of the Seven Wonders of Portuguese Origin in the World
.

Giovanni Battista Montini
.

History

Construction work on the church began in 1594 , but still no one was able to put a cross upon the church. The church was consecrated in May 1605 by the archbishop, Dom Fr.

Sancian Island, Chuandao (川島鎮), Taishan while en route to continental China on 3 December 1552. It is also believed that the body is of Thotagamuwe Sri Rahula Thera
, a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk.

The body of Francis Xavier was first taken to Portuguese Malacca and two years later shipped back to Goa. It is said that the saint's body was as fresh as the day it was buried.[4] The remains of the saint still attract a huge number of tourists (Christian and non-Christian alike) from all over the world, especially during the public viewing of his body every ten years (last held in 2016). The saint is said to have miraculous powers of healing.

The church is one of the oldest in Goa and in India. The floor is of

Jesuits
). Ignatius was one of Francis Xavier's closest companions, whose words drew him to a reformed life when Ignatius asked Francis, "What does it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?"

The gaze of the gilded statue of Ignatius of Loyola is fixed upwards in awe at the name of Jesus (IHS) on the gilded emblem of the Jesuits, encircled in radiant rays. Over the emblem, is the Holy Trinity - Father, Son and Spirit - the ultimate muse and focus of the pious Christian. The altar table which is used in Holy mass is gilded and adorned with the figures of Christ and his apostles at the Last Supper, along with the words "Hi Mhoji Kudd", which in Konkani means "This is my Body", from the Institution Narrative.

The

Grand Duke of Tuscany
.

The mausoleum was designed by the 17th-century Florentine sculptor

relics
of the saint are displayed every ten years during the anniversary of the saint's death. His liturgical feast is 3 December.

On the upper level, overlooking the tomb is the Bom Jesus Basilica Art Gallery, containing the works of the Goan surrealist painter, Dom Martin. Author and fellow Jesuit Anthony De Mello was also from Goa and mentions the basilica in his writings.

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is more than 408 years old and is open to the public every day. The body of St. Francis Xavier is in a well-decorated casket, which can be seen in the photographs below. Solemn exhibitions of the 'body' are held every ten years. Murals taken inside the church are provide insights about the artwork of that time.

Gallery

  • Interior view towards altar
    Interior view towards altar
  • Relics of St. Francis Xavier
    Relics of St. Francis Xavier
  • The ornamented entrance to the church
    The ornamented entrance to the church
  • Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa
    Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa
  • Basilica of Bom Jesus-View from the entrance
    Basilica of Bom Jesus-View from the entrance
  • View from the main road near the Premises entry gate in 2018
    View from the main road near the Premises entry gate in 2018
  • Mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier
    Mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier
  • Inside courtyard
    Inside courtyard
  • Basilica of Bon Jesus inside the courtyard
    Basilica of Bon Jesus inside the courtyard
  • An exhibit in the art gallery
    An exhibit in the art gallery
  • St. Francis Xavier's Vestments
    St. Francis Xavier's Vestments
  • Relic of St. Francis Xavier
    Relic of St. Francis Xavier
  • Mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier
    Mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier

See also

References

  1. ^ "One wall inside Red Fort to turn white". The Times of India. 20 May 2011. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  2. ^ "Bom Jesus Basilica sitting on a fire bomb: Church official". The Times of India. 11 May 2011. Archived from the original on 17 September 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  3. ^ "Church slams govt over Iffi dates, threat to Old Goa". The Times of India. 12 November 2011. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  4. ^ Himbutana, Gopitha Peiris (29 January 2006). "Ven. Thotagamuwe Sri Rahula Thera Scholar monk par excellence" (PDF). Lake House. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2013.

External links

15°30′3.14″N 73°54′41.44″E / 15.5008722°N 73.9115111°E / 15.5008722; 73.9115111