Basilica of Bom Jesus
Basilica of Bom Jesus | |
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Basílica do Bom Jesus (Portuguese) | |
General information | |
Architectural style | Baroque architecture, Portuguese colonial architecture |
Town or city | Old Goa, Goa |
Country | India |
Construction started | 1594 |
Completed | 1605 |
The Basilica of Bom Jesus (
Bom Jesus (meaning, "Good/ Infant Jesus" in
History
This section needs additional citations for verification. (December 2013) |
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.
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
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
The mausoleum was designed by the 17th-century Florentine sculptor
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
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Interior view towards altar
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Relics of St. Francis Xavier
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The ornamented entrance to the church
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Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa
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Basilica of Bom Jesus-View from the entrance
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View from the main road near the Premises entry gate in 2018
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Mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier
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Inside courtyard
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Basilica of Bon Jesus inside the courtyard
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An exhibit in the art gallery
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St. Francis Xavier's Vestments
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Relic of St. Francis Xavier
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Mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier
See also
- Se Cathedral
- Ecce Homo
- List of Jesuit sites
- List of topics on the Portuguese Empire in the East
References
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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
- Media related to Basilica of Bom Jesus (Goa) at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website