by Joseph Danial SJ
One of my desires has been to visit Goa, which was fulfilled when we, the Satya Nilayam community, made a pilgrimage to Goa for the exposition of the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier.
The Pilgrimage
The six-day pilgrimage from 21 to 26 November 2024, during our semester break, was full of fun and excitement. As I love travelling by train with my friends, I enjoyed our travel as we sang songs, made fun of each other, played games, and sometimes spoke to our loved ones through mobiles.
The veneration of St Francis Xavier
One of my overwhelming moments in the pilgrimage to Goa was venerating the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier. Seeing the uncorrupted body of a great Jesuit who lived an exemplary life was inspiring. The veneration led me to evaluate my life in the Society of Jesus and reconfirm my vocation to the Society of Jesus. Though I had doubts and confusions in my mind, I could feel at ease with them while I saw the undecayed body of St. Francis Xavier.
Meeting New People
In Old Goa, as we were visiting some Churches, I met an Israelite who was twenty-two and wanted to go around India. He shared his experiences with the war that was going on in Israel. It was sad for me to know that he had lost his best friend in the war. He also expressed his deep concern about ending the war as soon as possible since it had taken so many innocent lives.
Replenishing Moments
Taking a bath in the sea is one of my replenishing moments. I went to Canacona Beach with my four friends. It was clean and tidy. Many foreigners were enjoying their vacation, and I met a person, Dea, from America. He was astonished to learn about our lifestyle and was amazed by the mission done by the Jesuits.
Bonding Companionship
I loved the evenings when I enjoyed the companionship as we spent time on the seashore. These conversations helped me grow in understanding my companions with an open heart rather than a judging mind. I was motivated by my friends’ sharing and energised by the harsh experiences that they had in their lives.
Overall, it was precious, priceless, and unforgettable. I was inspired, energised, and rejuvenated to begin the next semester at SN.