There is a deep personal bond between St. Francis Xavier and Goans. Goans of all walks of life affectionately call the Saint Goycho Saib. This title has goanized the great Saint. 7th April is the birth of St. Francis Xavier. Being in the Jubilee year of the 2025 year of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Parish of St. Francis Xavier led by the Parish Pastoral Council wants to celebrate a Jubilee of the Artists by holding an art exhibition that will display paintings that portray St Francis Xavier with a difference. The difference that we wish to bring in is to instill Goan-ness in the paintings. The theme of the exhibition is: ‘Goycho Saib Goychea Akaran/ Goycho Saib in the Hues and Shades of Goa’. We leave it to the creative interpretation of the artists to bring Goycho Saib alive in our Goan-ness. We treasure the rich tapestry of Goan culture and desire to put Goycho Saib in the alphabets of Goan culture. The title ‘ Goycho Saib’ has profound performative effects on Goans. This attempt is to further plunge deep into the deep and personal bonding that the Saint evokes in Goa. The exhibition will be inaugurated on 7th April 2025 and will be open for general public for seven days. We invite all artists, art enthusiasts, well-wishers and devotees of the Saint to become part of this celebration.
