Media Release
Abu Dhabi, Dec 9: St Joseph’s Konkani Community (SJKC), Abu Dhabi, celebrated the feast of St Francis Xavier, on Saturday November 29 at St Joseph's Cathedral.
The celebration began with Triduum. The daily preparation started with rosary, devotional hymns, novena to St Francis Xavier and the Holy Eucharistic celebration with spiritually nourishing reflections by the guest priest Fr Mariano Martinho Lourenco OFM Cap from St Antony’s Province, Goa, India with the themes: On first day, 'In this Jubilee year of the Lord, let us build our families on prayer and forgiveness', on the second day, 'Faith as light and security in our life as pilgrims of hope' and on the third day, 'Teachings of St Francis Xavier as a guide to improve our spiritual life'. The spirit of St Francis Xavier ignited in us the same passion with which he proclaimed the good news, to live for Christ, to love without measure and to bring His light wherever we go, he said.
The festal day celebration began with a grand procession by altar servers, lectors, eucharistic ministers and the celebrants. Fr Mariano Martinho Lourenco OFM Cap, was the main celebrant and the concelebrants were: Fr Dr Valerian Fernandes OFM Cap, chancellor & judicial vicar of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, Fr Dr Rohan Miranda OFM Cap, ecclesiastical judge in the marriage tribunal, Fr Derick D’Souza OFM Cap, secretary to Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Fr Ratan Almeida OCD, assisting in the Christian Formation of the Vicariate, Fr John Bosco Mosha OFM Cap, a Tanzanian priest taking care of the African community., Fr Michael Kim OFM, a Korean priest taking care of the Korean community of St Joseph’s Cathedral parish, Fr Marino Pacchioni OFM Cap, Fr Angelo Borghino OFM Cap, Italian Capuchins on visit to the parish and Fr Mariyan Miranda OFM Cap, spiritual director of SJKC. Besides, Br Michele Rivoira OFM Cap, a capuchin lay brother and Fr Chito Bartolo OFM Cap, the parish priest. At the outset Fr Chito Bartolo OFM Cap, thanked the Konkani community for their commitment and dedicated assistance for the parish community and gave a short message just before the festive Mass. Over above 800 faithful devotees participated in the solemn Eucharistic celebration.
After the Mass was concluded, Fr Marian Miranda OFM Cap, welcomed all the concelebrants and the committee members offered flowers, as a token of appreciation to them. Vote of thanks was rendered by SJKC Asst coordinator Austin Menezes whereas SJKC committee member Joaquim compered the programme. The procession with the relic followed and the people participated with great devotion, reverence and discipline. After the procession faithful were blessed with the relique of St Francis Xavier.
At the end of the festive Eucharistic celebration and the procession, a sumptuous dinner was served during which various Goan songs were sung with the accompaniment of the band. It was indeed an excellent celebration as all those present enjoyed the celebration.