Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa : This church is a fine example of Jesuit architecture, is one of the richest churches in Goa and is carpeted with a marble flooring and inlaid with precious stones. The church of Bom Jesus 'Good' or 'infant Jesus' is well known originally for the tomb of St. Francis Xavier and also holds his paintings. The mortal remains of St. Xavier remin here almost 150 years after his death. The interior is entered beneath the choir, supprted by columns. The main altar, extravagently decorated in gold, depicts the infant Jesus under the protection of St. Ignatius Loyola; to each side are subsidiary altars to Our Lady of Hope and St. Michael. In the southern transept, lavishly decorated with twisted
gilded columns and floriated carvings, stands the chapel and tomb of St. Xavier. It was a gift by Medici, Cosimo III who was the Grand Duke of Tuscany. The church is frequented by a large number of tourists. An ornate domed reliquary in silver contains his remains. On his feast day, Dec 3, the saint's finger is displayed to devotees.

St. Francis Xavier is known as the Apostle of the Indies. It was he who introduced Christianity in Inida and the Far East. Born in Spain, he was one of the first seven members of the Jesuit order and began his missionary work in Goa in 1542. He ws canonized in 1622.

Goa photo gallery