Monday, March 09, 2009

The Incorrupt Body of St Francis Xavier

OK, this is the most amazing thing I would see in India.



I had been shocked many times before, but this, I was now certain was by far the most amazing thing to be seen in India.

This was the Basilica of Bom Jesus.

It's another beautiful and large structure.
And initially, you would wonder why this place is so much more amazing than the others?
It's what's on the inside that makes this place so special.
Inside this basilica are the mortal remains of St Francis Xavier.
This was the famous "Incorrupt Body of St Francis Xavier". The very St Francis Xavier who travelled through Asia and became the patron Saint of the Jesuit order!
After he died, his body was brought back to Goa where it was interned in this large casket. Apparently, even years after his death, his body remained perfectly intact.
It felt strange to be standing here in this basilica in front of one of the most famous Saints in the Catholic church, all the while knowing that outside I would be confronted by the heat of India....

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