Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa

The Basilica of Bom Jesus ('Good Jesus') in Old Goa, India, is the most important church of Portuguese colonial Asia and a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. Construction began in 1594, ten years before the building was consecrated in 1605 by the Archbishop of Goa. It was built to house the body of St. Francis Xavier, the Jesuit 'Apostle of the East' who evangelized India, Malaya, Indonesia, and Japan before dying on the island of Shangchuan in 1552 while preparing to enter China.

St. Francis Xavier's body was brought to Goa in 1553 and, according to Catholic tradition, was found to be incorrupt. His body has remained at Bom Jesus since 1624, enshrined in a silver reliquary atop a marble-and-jasper mausoleum donated by Cosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany. The church was granted Minor Basilica status in 1964 and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage complex 'Churches and Convents of Goa,' inscribed in 1986.

The Exposition of the body of St. Francis Xavier, held approximately every ten years, is among the most significant Catholic events in Asia.

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is the most visited pilgrimage site in Catholic India and one of the great apostolic shrines of Asia, drawing millions during the decennial Exposition. The St. Francis Xavier feast (December 3) is celebrated with a nine-day novena and Masses that fill the basilica to overflowing. The Indian Catholic Church traces its modern missionary identity to Xavier's witness.