CNA—St. Francis Xavier lived the life of a missionary, baptizing tens of thousands in India and Japan. In death, he continues to give himself to Christ’s Church, as his relics offer pilgrims spiritual consolation in Italy and India. St. Francis Xavier body nearly entirely incorrupt, shown only every 10 years The saint’s right arm is kept in Italy, while a toe is in India after it was reportedly bitten off by an overzealous pilgrim. But the most intact relic of St. Francis Xavier is his body (nearly whole), which is displayed for veneration every 10 years — in a glass casket to avoid any more toe-related incidents. At least 12,000 people gathered in the western state of Goa, India, on Thursday for the opening of a decennial exposition of the saint’s partially incorrupt remains. Thursday marked the beginning of a 45-day event where St. Francis Xavier’s relics — normally kept in a casket in the Basilica of Bom Jesus — are displayed at the nearby Se Cathedral for veneration. Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi celebrated the morning Mass at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, joined by more than 400 priests and bishops. Afterward, attendees processed through the streets with the four-century-old glass casket on a carriage to Se Cathedral, less than 1,000 feet away. Local reports called the exposition an opportunity for religious unity, as many religious groups in India respect the Catholic saint. In anticipation of the decennial exposition, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the saint “a symbol of peace,” while locals affectionately call Xavier “Goencho Saib,” meaning “protector of Goa.” To prepare for the exposition, the Goa state government built...
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