Churches of India - Churches of Goa

Goa, apart from its lovely sun-kissed beaches, is peppered with a number of churches that remain as silent but forceful witnesses to the intense religious history of the land. In fact there are a number churches of India. Tourists planning to travel to Goa should not miss the opportunity to visit the churches of Goa to understand the place better. Some of the most popular churches of India are the ones in Goa.

Basilica of Bom Jesus

A must in your travel itinerary during your travel to Goa, the Basilica of Bom Jesus Church in Old Goa, built in 1605, is a World Heritage Monument that houses the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier, patron saint of Goa, who died while on a sea voyage to China on December 2, 1552. The following year, while transferring his remains to Goa, in accordance with his wishes, it was found that the saint's body was as fresh as the day it was buried. This miraculous phenomenon continues to attract the devout from all lands, and an exposition or public viewing of his body every ten years attracts lakhs of pilgrims. It happens to be one of most often visited churches of India.

Se Cathedral

During your Goa travel, visit the Se Cathedral, which is dedicated to St. Catherine, as it was on her feast day, 25th November 1510, that Alphonso de Albuquerque conquered Goa. Believers are awe-struck to hear of the Cross of Miracles, which is placed in the cathedral, its earlier church having been destroyed. People have had a vision of Christ on this cross and the rock on which it was found was said to spout water while, today, the Cross is slowly growing. Earlier, it was at Se Cathedral that the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier were shown to the public. This too is one of the popular churches of India.

Other Churches of Goa

Many of the famous churches of India are those in Goa. Amongst the other churches of India in Goa are St. Francis of Assisi, which today houses part of the archaeological museum. Exhibits include prehistoric items from a distant tribal past as also reminders of Goa Dourada or Golden Goa. It was the concentration of magnificent churches, symbol of a powerful conquering presence, which justified this last title. In fact, the Church of St. Cajatan, built by an Italian architect in 1651, was modeled in miniature on St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Today a theological college is housed here.

And if you travel to Old Goa, visit the Church of Our Lady of Rosary. During your Panjim or Panaji travel, check out the oldest church in Goa dedicated to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception. The huge Convent of Santa Monica, dating from 1606, was the first Nunnery in Asia. Today, after centuries of changing fortunes, it has been restored and is once again a residential convent.

The Reis Magos Church or Church of the Three Magi Kings, built in 1555, was once a mission center of the Franciscan Order of Monks. Also in Bardez Taluka, at Saligao, amongst picturesque surroundings, stands the Church of Mae de Dens or Mother of God. This church is a fine instance of Gothic architecture. The Church of St. Alex at Curtorim, too, dates from the 16th century. The Church of St. Anne, at Talaulin Iltias, affectionately called Santana by the people, is dedicated to the Mother of Mary. It is situated on the right bank of the Siridao River. The Rachol Seminary in South Goa has a chequered past. Originally a Muslim fortress, it was first converted by the Portuguese into a church and later into a prison. In the late 16th century, it acquired respectability as a seminary for Theological Studies, with the Jesuits re-christening it from College of All Saints to the College of St. Ignatius Loyola, the name of their founder.

While these Catholic institutions have survived the ravages of time, travel in Goa to see the ruins of lost churches, of which there are many. This would help to discover further the truths of a remarkable period of religious activity on the shores of our country, during your travel in Goa.