The Feast of St. Francis Xavier was celebrated with great fervor and devotion at the Diocesan Shrine in Chandavar on December 3rd  2024. The solemn celebration was presided over by Rt. Rev. Dr. Duming Dias, Bishop of Karwar.

The celebration began with a grand procession, followed by the Holy Mass, which saw the participation of 42 priests and a large gathering of faithful from across the diocese. Bishop Duming Dias, in his homily, highlighted the missionary zeal and unwavering faith of St. Francis Xavier, urging the congregation to emulate his spirit of evangelization and commitment to Christ. Also, he called the faithful to live out their faith with courage and commitment, just as the saint did.

The choir added a spiritual ambiance to the celebration with their melodious hymns. Following the Mass, a felicitation program was held for Bishop Duming Dias. The parish community expressed their gratitude and appreciation for his dedicated leadership and tireless service to the Diocese of Karwar. The bishop, in his response, thanked the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Faustine Furtado, and the assistant parish priest, Rev. Fr. Wilson Pinto; the bishop also thanked the faithful for their active participation.

The event saw the participation of numerous priests, religious, and lay faithful from across the diocese, making it a memorable celebration of faith and unity. The Feast of St. Francis Xavier at the Chandavar Shrine remains a beacon of inspiration, drawing pilgrims and devotees closer to Christ through the intercession of this great missionary saint.