Thousands of devotees thronged the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, western India, on Dec. 3 to celebrate the solemn feast of St. Francis Xavier, affectionately called by Goan Catholics Gõycho Saib, meaning “Patron of Goa.”
“We have a new patron saint,” he said, his voice carrying across the small congregation of shopkeepers, teachers, and daily wage workers. “Pope Leo has declared Saint Devasahayam the patron saint of all lay people in India.”
