From Out Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Nov 24: Almost three hundred years after it was put together to house the relics of St Francis Xavier, a Jesuit and patron saint of Goa, the mastrillian casket will undergo a major restoration work, a priest said on Friday.

The casket comprising of silver, wood and cloth was originally made by Italian Jesuit Marcelo Mastrili, which is now showing the signs of wearing out.

Fr Patricio Fernandes, the rector of Basilica of Bom Jesus, where the relics of the Spanish saint are preserved said that the casket is there from 1637, it has been safe on top and untouched at the right side of altar in the church.

“But with time it wears off. It is wooden, cloth and silver. The things of cloth are falling apart. If they do not take care now, in ten years time, it will fall apart,” he said.

Archeology Survey of India (ASI), which is holding charge of the Old Goa Heritage Monument complex, where the Basilica is located, has decided to take up the work of restoration.

“ASI will restore the casket and most probably, the work will start after the annual feast of St Francis Xavier scheduled on December 3,” he said.

"This will be for the first time, since 17th century, that the casket would be taken up for restoration.

The urn or coffin housing relics of St Francis Xavier are placed in the casket which has been kept at a height in the Basilica, he said.

"The urn where the relics are preserved was changed from wood to glass in the year 1953, so that the devotees can see them through the glass panels.

“But the casket was not changed. It remained the same from the year 1637."

The Church had invited experts from Italy in the month of May this year, who suggested that the casket needs to be transported to their workshop in Florence in Italy and it would be returned back after a year.

Fr Fernandes said that the Government of India refused the proposal to send the casket to Italy and instead recommended that the ASI take up the work.

The casket along with the relics of St Francis Xavier is taken to Se Cathdral Church, located little away from the Basilica, during the decennial exposition.

Fr Fernandes said that the saint is revered by many for the miracles that they have experienced after praying to him.