It’s that time of the year when Old Goa is buzzing with people, when the nine-day novenas as well as the feast of St Francis Xavier draws crowds of devotees from near and far.
The theme of this year’s celebrations is ‘Like St Francis Xavier, let us do what Jesus did.’ While the feast day is Dec 3, this time around, it will be celebrated on Dec 4, 2023 due to liturgical reasons.
The mass timings during the novenas and feast are as follows, and all masses are in Konkani, unless specified.
NOVENA TIMINGS (Nov 25, 2023 – Dec 3, 2023)
Morning: 6 am, 7.15 am, 8.30 am, 9.45 am, 11 am
Evening: 3.30 pm, 5 pm & 6.15 pm (English)
INTER-RELIGIOUS MEET
Thursday, Nov 30 (10 am) followed by mass at 12 noon (Konkani)
NO NOVENA MASS AT 9.45 am
On Sat, Nov 25: Mass at 10 am in Se Cathedral, Old Goa
On Thu, Nov 30: Inter-religious meet at 10 am
DEANERY MASSES
All masses are in Konkani, unless specified.
Nov 25 (Sat):
8.30 am (Mapusa A - Porvorim, Socorro, Guirim, Parra)
11 am (Raia A - Loutulim, Camorlim)
5 pm (Pernem)
Nov 26 (Sun):
8.30 am (Mapusa B - Duler, Bastora, Colvale, Pirna, Cunchelim, Mapusa, Revora, Ucassaim)
9.45 am (Raia B - Raia, Rachol, Arlem)
11 am (language mass)
5 pm (Old Goa)
Nov 27 (Mon):
8.30 am (Chinchinim A - Chinchinim, Cuncolim)
9.45 (Raia C - Curtorim, Maina-Curtorim)
11 am (Quepem B - Quepem, Paroda, Ambaulim)
5 pm (Goa Velha)
Nov 28 (Tue):
8.30 am (Calangute A - Calangute, Saligao)
9.45 am (Chinchinim B - Assolna, Betul, Velim, Cabo de Rama, Cananguinim, Cotto de Fatorpa, Dramapur, Sarzora, Tolecanto, Veroda)
11 am (Quepem A - Chandor, Macazana, San Jose de Areal, Tilamola)
5 pm (Bicholim)
Nov 29 (Wed):
8.30 am (Calangute B - Candolim, Nagoa, Nerul, Pilerne, Reis Magos, Sinquerim)
9.45 am (Mormugao)
11 am (Canacona)
5 pm (Aldona)
Nov 30 (Thu):
8.30 am (Panjim A - Merces, Bambolim, Chaorao-Bartolomeu, Graca, Ribandar, Santa Cruz)
5 pm (Panjim B - Panjim, Caranzalem, Taleigao, St lnez)
Dec 1 (Fri):
8.30 am (Verna)
9.45 am (Margao A - Holy Spirit, Grace)
11 am (Benaulim A - Holy Trinity, John the Baptist, Betalbatim, Colva)
5 pm (Siolim)
Dec 2 (Sat):
8.30 am (Ponda)
9.45 am (Margao B - Navelim, Fatorda, Aquem, Dicarpale, Davorlim)
11 am (Benaulim B - Carmona, Cavelossim, Varca, Orlim, Seraulim)
5 pm (Sanguem)
DIOCESAN CENTRES MASSES (3.30 pm)
Nov 25: Bible Apostolate – DCBA, DCMA, PMO
Nov 26: Social Apostolate – CSJP, CARITAS-GOA, DCE
Nov 27: Youth Apostolate – DYC
Nov 28: Lay Apostolate – DCLA, DCSCM, DPS
Nov 29: Family & Sick – DFSC CCR, PT
Nov 30: Priests & All Consecrated Men – COFP, DOPV, VCDC, IRD
Dec 1: Faith Formation – DCC, DSE, ABE
Dec 2: All Consecrated Women
Dec 3: Liturgical Apostolate – DCL
FEAST DAY MASS TIMINGS (Monday, Dec 4, 2023)
Morning: 3.45 am, 5 am, 6.15 am, 7.30 am, 8.45 am, 10.30 am (feast mass)
Afternoon/Evening: 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm & 6 pm (English)
Solemn Feast High Mass: 10.30 am
Bishop of Baroda, Fr Sebastiao Mascarenhas, will be the main celebrant at the solemn high mass on the feast day.
Masses will be live-streamed on the Basilica's and the Archdiocese's YouTube channels on the novena and feast days.