Panaji: In view of the current pandemic, the Novenas leading to the December 3, Feast of Goa’s Patron Saint, St Francis Xavier will this year be held virtually online. “But surprisingly it was proposed that the Feast mass on 3rd December be held in the Basilica of Bom Jesus for selected VIPs by invitation only. This was not a well thought out move,” Aires Rodrigues lamented.
Aires Rodrigues believes that given the current circumstances, “VIPs, if there are any are the Doctors and support staff who have been in the frontline toiling for the last many months at the COVID hospitals fearlessly treating patients while risking their own lives. They are our valiant heroes that have gone that extra mile to make a significant difference.”
“It’s time that politicians at places of Worship are treated like common citizens and given no VIP treatment whatsoever as in the eyes of God we are all equal in any place of worship be it a Temple, Mosque or Church. The Politicians should perhaps take a cue from the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican and learn that humility and sincerity always pays and not arrogance of standing in the front row to boast of closeness to God with no sincere belief nor prayer or penance for all their misdeeds. They should heed the wise words of St Francis Xavier ‘Be great in little things’ All too often we see politicians dreaming up elaborate schemes, most ending up as personal scams and in failure wasting huge amounts of taxpayers’ money. It is worth remembering that Saint Francis professed the sacred vows of poverty and chastity and not of status or material wealth.” Said Rodrigues
“On that Feast day may our COVID -19 frontline warriors besides some poor, downtrodden and handicapped brothers and sisters be given a seat at the Feast mass while the politicians should from their homes reflect and seek mercy for their faults and follies. Let us hope that this will happen.” Concluded Rodrigues
