>VelroyFernandez at 11:36, 3 June 2021

2021-06-03T11:36:37Z

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{{short description|Church in Old Goa, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox Historic building
|image=Basilika Bom Jesus.jpeg
|caption=
|name=Basilica of Bom Jesus
|native_name={{lang-pt|'''Basílica do Bom Jesus'''}}
|location_town=[[Old Goa]], [[Goa]]
|location_country=[[India]]
|architect=
|client=
|engineer=
|construction_start_date=1594
|completion_date=1605
|date_demolished=
|cost=
|structural_system=
|style=
|size=
}}
[[File:Main altar at the Basilica of Bom Jesus.jpg|thumb|The Baroque style main altar is gilded and bears the statue of Ignatius of Loyola standing between Solomonic pillars above which is the name of Jesus in the IHS monogram and the Holy Trinity.]]
[[File:The preserved sacred body of St. Francis Xavier - The Basilica of Bom Jesus.jpg|thumb|The image shows the location in the church where the sacred body of St. Francis Xavier is preserved without any chemical formulas. It is brought down once in every 10 years.]]
[[File:Interiors of The Basilica of Bom Jesus.jpg|thumb|Upon entering, we can witness beautiful woodwork and carvings which adds further attraction to the history of the location.]]
[[File:Introduction - The Basilica of Bom Jesus.jpg|thumb|The pic shows the rock carving before entering the site. It shows the details and a brief introduction of visitors to the Basilica of Bom Jesus.]]
The '''Basilica of Bom Jesus''' ({{lang-pt|'''Basílica do Bom Jesus'''}}; [[Konkani]]: ''Borea Jezuchi Bajilika'') is a [[Roman Catholic]] basilica located in [[Goa]], [[India]], and is part of the [[Churches and convents of Goa]] UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-20/delhi/29563822_1_comprehensive-conservation-management-plan-ccmp-naqqar-khana |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216073300/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-20/delhi/29563822_1_comprehensive-conservation-management-plan-ccmp-naqqar-khana |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 February 2013 |title=One wall inside Red Fort to turn white|date=20 May 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Bom-Jesus-Basilica-sitting-on-a-fire-bomb-Church-official/articleshow/8230823.cms |title=Bom Jesus Basilica sitting on a fire bomb: Church official | newspaper=The Times of India |date=11 May 2011 |access-date=2 September 2018}}</ref> The basilica is located in [[Old Goa]], former capital of [[Portuguese India]], and holds the [[Relic|mortal remains]] of [[St. Francis Xavier]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-12/goa/30390942_1_iffi-novena-baretto |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216065215/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-12/goa/30390942_1_iffi-novena-baretto |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 February 2013 |title=Church slams govt over Iffi dates, threat to Old Goa|date=12 November 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref>

'Bom Jesus' (literally, 'Good (or Holy) Jesus') is the name used for the [[Ecce Homo]] in the countries of Portuguese colonization. The [[Jesuit]] church is India's first [[minor basilica]], and is considered to be one of the best examples of [[baroque architecture]] and [[Portuguese Colonial architecture]] in India. It is one of the [[Seven Wonders of Portuguese Origin in the World]].

== History ==
{{more citations needed section|date = December 2013}}
Construction work on the church began in 1594. The church was consecrated in May 1605 by the archbishop, Dom Fr. [[Aleixo de Menezes]]. This [[world heritage]] monument has emerged as a landmark in the [[history of Christianity]]. It contains the body of St. Francis Xavier, a very close friend of St. [[Ignatius Loyola]] with whom he founded the [[Society of Jesus]] (the Jesuits). Francis Xavier died on [[Sancian]] Island, [[Chuanshan Archipelago|Chuandao]] ({{zh|c=川島鎮|labels=no}}), [[Taishan, Guangdong|Taishan]] while en route to continental [[China]] on (3 December 1552).

The body of Francis Xavier was first taken to [[Portuguese Malacca]] and two years later shipped back to Goa. It is said that the saint's body was as fresh as the day it was buried.<ref name="BDS">{{cite web | url=http://www.lakehouse.lk/budusarana/2006/01/29/Budu13.pdf | title=Ven. Thotagamuwe Sri Rahula Thera Scholar monk par excellence | publisher=Lake House | date=29 January 2006 | access-date=1 October 2013 | author=Himbutana, Gopitha Peiris | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004220213/http://www.lakehouse.lk/budusarana/2006/01/29/Budu13.pdf | archive-date=4 October 2013 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref> The remains of the saint still attract a huge number of tourists (Christian and non-Christian alike) from all over the world, especially during the public viewing of his body every ten years (last held in 2014). The saint is said to have miraculous powers of healing.

This is one of the oldest [[church (building)|church]]es in [[Goa]] and in [[India]]. The floor is of [[marble]] inlaid with precious stones. Apart from the elaborate gilded altars, the interior of the church is simple. The main altar holds a large statue of [[Ignatius of Loyola|St. Ignatius of Loyola]], the founder of the Society of Jesus ([[Society of Jesus|Jesuits]]), and one of Francis Xavier's companions whose words drew him to a reformed life. "What does it profit a man," Ignatius had asked Francis, "if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?"

The gaze of the gilded statue of Ignatius of Loyola is fixed upwards in awe at the name of Jesus (IHS) on the gilded emblem of the Jesuits, encircled in radiant rays. Over the emblem, is the [[Trinity|Holy Trinity]] -Father, Son and Spirit - the ultimate muse and focus of the pious Christian. The altar table which is used in Holy mass is gilded and adorned with the figures of Christ and his apostles at the [[Last Supper]], along with the words "Hi Mhoji Kudd", which in Konkani means "This is my Body", from the [[Words of Institution|Institution Narrative]].

The [[church (building)|church]] also holds paintings of scenes taken from the life of St. Francis Xavier. The mausoleum, on the top of which is placed the silver casket with the body of St. Francis Xavier (1696), was the gift of the last of the [[Medicis]], [[Cosimo III]], the [[Grand Duke of Tuscany]].

The mausoleum was designed by the 17th-century Florentine sculptor [[Giovanni Battista Foggini]]. It took ten years to complete. The casket containing his body is made of [[silver]]. The holy [[relics]] of the saint are displayed every ten years during the anniversary of the saint's death. His liturgical feast is 3 December.

On the upper level, overlooking the tomb is the Bom Jesus Basilica Art Gallery, containing the works of the Goan surrealist painter, Dom Martin.
Author and fellow Jesuit [[Anthony De Mello]] was also from Goa and mentions the basilica in his writings.

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is more than 408 years old and is open to the public every day. The body of St. Francis Xavier is in a well-decorated casket, which can be seen in the photographs below. Solemn exhibitions of the 'body' are held every ten years. Some photos taken inside the church are attached for better understanding of the artwork of that time. These artworks are called "murals".

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Goa-BomJesus-Nave1.jpg|thumb|Interior view towards altar
File:Mausoléo São Francisco Xavier.jpg|thumb|Relics of St. Francis Xavier
File:Goa - St. Francis Xavier's Church.JPG|thumb|The ornamented entrance to the church
File:Basilica of Bom Jesus, old goa.JPG|Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa
File:Besilica of Bom Jesus 6 (Old Goa ).jpg|Basilica of Bom Jesus-View from the entrance
File:Basilica of Bom Jesus Side view from Entry gate.jpg|View from the main road near the Premises entry gate in 2018
File:Mortal Remains of St. Francis Xavier.jpg|Mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier
File:India - Goa - 005 - Portuguese-style courtyard of Basilica (342034401).jpg|Inside courtyard
File:Besilica of Bon Jesus inside courtyard.jpg|Basilica of Bon Jesus inside the courtyard
File:IHS Basilica of Bom Jesus IMG 20141222 120103165.jpg|An exhibit in the art gallery
File:St. Francis Xavier's Cloth.jpg|St. Francis Xavier's Vestments
File:St. Francis Xavier's Relic.jpg|Relic of St. Francis Xavier
File:Saint Francis Xavier, Goa.jpg|Mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Se Cathedral]]
* [[Ecce Homo]]
* [[List of Jesuit sites]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|Basilica of Bom Jesus (Goa)}}
*{{Official website}}

{{Basilicas in India}}

{{Authority control}}
{{coord|15|30|3.14|N|73|54|41.44|E|type:landmark|display=title}}

[[Category:Roman Catholic churches in Old Goa|Bom Jesus]]
[[Category:Basilica churches in India|Bom Jesus]]
[[Category:Colonial Goa]]
[[Category:Jesuit churches in India|Bom Jesus]]
[[Category:Churches completed in 1605]]
[[Category:1605 establishments in India]]
[[Category:1600s establishments in Portuguese India]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Goa]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in India]]
[[Category:Baroque architecture in India]]
[[Category:Portuguese Colonial architecture in India]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in North Goa district]]
[[Category:Roman Catholic churches in Goa]]

Basilica of Bom Jesus - Revision history

>VelroyFernandez at 11:36, 3 June 2021