(November 09,2010) In India, the historic Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, home
to the relics of St. Xavier is struggling to cope with thousands of pilgrims as
the saint’s Dec. 3 feast draws near. The Rector of the Basilica, Jesuit Fr. Savio
Baretto said “We have no permanent infrastructure to host pilgrims; the poor either
sleep in the open or in buses. Some find shelter in nearby convents but that is exerting
stress on the nuns, he said. Fr. Baretto pointed out that the Basilica, attracts
some 50,000 pilgrims during the nine-day prayers in preparation for the saint’s feast.
And on the feast day,Dec.3, more than 100,000 people flock to the church. Even on
normal days it has some 5,000 visitors. The priest said the shrine’s troubles began
after builders bought property around the complex. The state government’s lack of
interest in providing basic amenities to the pilgrims has added to the shrine’s woes,
he added. He noted that three years ago, the government drew up plans for a pilgrimage
center and earmarked land for it near the basilica, but nothing has been heard about
it since then. The government has also shelved plans to declare the shrine area as
a heritage zone, the priest said. This would have stopped construction within 100
meters of the church, with only limited construction allowed within 300 meters, he
added.