The sacred exposition of relics of St Francis Xavier to be held in Goa this year-end will be a part of the Indian Tourism calendar, Union Minister Shripad Naik said here today.
"The exposition of the relics is supported by us. We will provide all the possible financial help for the event," Naik told reporters here.
He said the event would be promoted in a big way and it would be part of the Tourism Ministry's campaign.
"We will promote the event in the country and also abroad," Naik added.
The decennial exposition will be celebrated from November 22, 2014 to January 4, 2015 at Old Goa, nine kms away from here.
Pope's Ambassador to India Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio will be present for the concluding mass of the once-a decade celebration.
Francis Xavier, a Basque, was born in Spain on April 7, 1506, and arrived in Goa on May 6, 1542. He died in December 1552 and was first laid to rest in Portuguese Malacca. Later his body was moved to the Portuguese colony at Goa, today a popular tourist enclave, and installed in the Basilica of Bom Jesus.
The basilica holds the relics of the saint. Every 10 years, the relics are moved in solemn procession to the nearby Se Cathedral where they are available for public veneration for 44 days.
