The Basilica of Bom Jesus church is one of a kind in India and is known for its exemplary baroque architecture. Famous throughout the Roman Catholic world, the imposing Basilica of Bom Jesus contains the tomb and mortal remains of St Francis Xavier, the so-called Apostle of the Indies. St Francis Xavier’s missionary voyages throughout the East became legendary. His ‘incorrupt’ body is in the mausoleum to the right, in a glass-sided coffin amid a shower of gilt stars.
Located at Old Goa, 10 kilometres east of Panaji, the Bom Jesus Basilica is a World Heritage Monument. Built in the year 1594 and consecrated in 1605, this church coincides with the beginning of Christianity in India. It holds the remains of St. Francis Xavier, a special friend of St. Ignatius Loyola with whom he founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Even after 400 years, the remains are in a good condition and are taken out once every decade. Up until half a century ago, Goa was the capital of Portuguese rule in India and this is part of their heritage. A site with rich cultural and religious significance, the Basilica of Bom Jesus has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
History
This is the only church in Old Goa, which is not plastered on the outside, the lime plaster having been stripped off by a zealous Portuguese conservationist in 1950.
The foundation stone of this remarkably large church was laid on 24 November 1594 and the church was consecrated by Fr. Alexia de Menezes, the Archbishop of Goa and Primate of India consecrated it when it was completed on 15 May 1605. After the death of Francis Xavier, his body was first preserved at Portugal but two years later shipped back to the basilica. The saint is believed to have phenomenal powers of therapeutic healing. The body of the saint is kept in a mausoleum in a nicely ornamented coffin. The Order of the Jesuits was suppressed in 1759 and all of its existing property was confiscated by the Portuguese State. However, the church was allowed to continue its services and has been a revered holy site ever since. It was raised to the status of a minor basilica in the year In 1946.
In 1946 it was raised to the status of a minor Basilica. The Order of Jesuits was suppressed in 1759 and its property confiscated by the Portuguese State. The church was, however allowed to continue services.
Architecture
This magnificent edifice stands as a superb example of Baroque architecture in Goa. The church is called “Bom Jesus” meaning ‘good Jesus’ or ‘infant Jesus’ to whom it is dedicated. The façade has on it, at the top, the letters, “HIS” which are the first three letters of Jesus in Greek.
The imposing facade built out of black granite in an exquisite combination of the Doric, Corinthian and composite styles, is remarkable for its simplicity. It measures 183 ft in length,55 ft in breath, and 61 ft in height. The main altar is 54 ft high and 30 ft broad. The pillars and detail are carved from basalt which was brought from Bassein, some 300 kms away. The interior of the church is built in Mosaico-Corinthian style and is remarkable for its charming simplicity.
The roof was originally tiled. The church is cruciform on plan. The flying buttresses on the northern side of the church are recent additions. A single-storeyed structure adjoining the church on its southern wing connects it with the Professed House.
In its image, the altar has two chapels beside it with a belfry at the back. The altar of St. Anthony lies towards the right while the left side has an exceptional wooden statue of St. Francis Xavier. The northern wall has a cenotaph dedicated to Dom Jeronimo Mascarenhas, the Captain of Cochin, while the southern wall a carved wooden pulpit with a canopy on top. The pulpit has the figures of Jesus engraved on its three sides, the four evangelists and four doctors of the church. The bottom of the pulpit depicts seven figures.
The main altar is again flanked by two decorated altars out of which one is dedicated to Our Lady of Hope and the other to St. Michael. The main altar has a statue of St. Ignatius Loyola overlooking a figure of baby Jesus, and above a medallion with the letters “HIS” inscribed can be seen. Above the medallion, the Holy Trinity – the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are depicted as well. The southern side has another chapel which has twisted columns which are made out of gold and wood. The relics of St. Francis Xavier are kept safely here, with a beautiful silver statue in front of the cenotaph. Paintings and carvings here depict the life of the Saint as well. A beautiful silver statue is kept in front of the casket. The silver casket, which serves as a reliquary containing the sacred relics of the body of St. Francis Xavier, is exquisitely carved and was once studded with precious stones. The casket is divided on each side into seven panels, each of which has two plates representing in relief important incidents in the life of the saint.
The Professed House
The Professed House of the Jesuits located next door to the Basilica is a two storey laterite building covered with lime plaster which actually predates the Basilica, having been completed in 1585 despite strong opposition to the Jesuits. Jesuit missions to the eastern regions were planed and organised from here.
Completed in 1589 under the able supervision of Br. Domingos Fernandes, the Cassa Professa or the “Professed House” according to Jesuit law is one which is intended for the exercise of the ministries of the Society and should be conspicuous for the exactness of the Jesuit way of life.
There is an extremely interesting story behind the construction of the Church. The Jesuits faced strong opposition from the Senate, the Santa Cassa da Misericordiaa and the Franciscans for their planned construction in the spacious square called Terreiro dos Gallos. However on the night preceding the day on which they were to be legally restrained from building the site, two fathers and one brother converted a small house into a temporary church and on its door inscribed the word ‘JESUS’.
The next morning the Church was thrown open and a bell rang to call the surprised people from the neighbourhood to celebrate mass. After that the opponents were never able to dislodge the occupants.
The ravages of time and the raging flames of the great fire in 1663 destroyed some of its lengthy corridors and spacious apartments but it was rebuilt in 1783. One more storey on the top was demolished between 1886 and 1887.
Modern Art Gallery
Interestingly, the complex of the Basilica of Bom Jesus also houses an art gallery, which is the largest of its kind in the continent. The main exhibits here are Italian paintings which have been made during the period between 1973 and 1976. Two of the largest paintings on display here include ‘The Last Judgement’ (6ft x 9ft) and ‘Genesis’ (4ft x 28ft).
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