This story is from November 16, 2014

Rail users seek spl trains to Goa for 17th exposition of St Francis Xavier

The Christian community in Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts have urged the railway authorities to operate special trains to Goa for the 17th solemn exposition of St Francis Xavier in December.
Rail users seek spl trains to Goa for 17th exposition of St Francis Xavier
MADURAI: The Christian community in Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts have urged the railway authorities to operate special trains to Goa for the 17th solemn exposition of St Francis Xavier in December.
As the relics of St Francis Xavier, the first Jesuit missionary to India will be displayed after 10 years, rail users from the southern districts where much of his evangelical work took place, have urged authorities to operate the special trains to witness the event.

The 17{+t}{+h} Solemn Exposition at Basilica of Bom Jesus - when the relics is kept for public veneration between the months of November and January - will attract hundreds of people from the region to take out a pilgrimage towards Goa, rail users said. The relics of the saint are kept for public veneration called as solemn exposition once in 10 years attracting many pilgrims across the country.
At present, there is only one train from the southern districts towards Goa that runs between Tirunelveli and Dadar. The train is already full in all classes and there is no seat availability for the entire months of November, December and January next year.
L Wilfred, a fishermen leader from Colachel said that St Francis Xavier was their favourite saint across the coastal belt and many used to carry out pilgrimages whenever his relics are exposed in Goa. "A special train will be of great help to many of us here. Most of our fishermen will return to shore for Christmas and may take out pilgrimages. When a special train was operated from here to Velankanni, it was fully packed and special train to Goa will have lot of patronage among local people," he said.

At present, the rail users from these districts may have to take Tirunelveli - Dadar Express from Tirunelveli or travel towards Ernakulam to catch trains running on the Konkan section.
P Edward Jeni, secretary, Kanyakumari District Rail Users Association pointed out the section of Indian subcontinent is much beholden to St Xavier whose mission was vibrant in Quilon (Kollam), Kanyakumari, Nagercoil, Mangalore and Goa areas. "Christians here visit Goa often and relics of St Francis Xavier have been kept for public view this year at Goa after a gap of 10 years. Hence, many people from this part would visit Goa in large numbers for this event hence we appeal the railway authorities to operate special trains to Goa in these months. A special train from Kanyakumari through southern districts will be most useful," he said. Railway officials said that the rail users could forward their proposal to them and they will escalate their demand to railway board which decides running special trains.
The legacy of St Francis Xavier
In coastal districts of Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari, Xavier is a common name for male. The month of December will see series of celebrations across coastal villages where people will take out festival to their favourite saint. Francis Xavier (1506 -1552 AD), the first Jesuit missionary to India from Spain arrived at Cape Comorin in the year 1542 after landing in Portuguese settlement in Goa settlers in India. He predominantly worked among Parava (Fernando) fishing community in next three years and established many churches and missions across the coast.
"St Francis Xavier is patron saint of Kottar Diocese and there is lot of affinity towards him across coastal villages from Trivandrum to Tuticorin," said Fr Jerone Simon, a Catholic priest from Punnakayal village in Tuticorin district where grand celebration will be undertaken for the saint in the month of December. "There are many churches after St Francis Xavier and month of December will see widespread celebrations across all coastal villages", he said.
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