Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-03-07
st. Francis Xavier.

An East Indian secular paper says:
" An important ceremony in connec.
ton with the Roman Catholic church in
India is shortly to be celebrated at Goa.
1t has been determined by his majesty,
the King of Portugal, and his holiness,
the pope, that the time is opportune for
the elimination OF the body Of st. Xavier,
the apostle of India, which has remained
sealed in its gorgeous mausoleum,
erected by the piety Of Donna Maria
Secunda, late Queen of Portugal, in
the cathedral of ancient Goa since 1859.
"The tragic death of this remarka-
BILE and good man, which occurred some
three hundred years ago ct Macao,
while engaged in propagating the great
doctrines of Christianity, is matter of
history, and how his body was brought
by sorrowing and loving friends to Goa
and there inferred, and how he was
canonized by the Roman conclave and
his right hand sent to Rome-since
which time the body has been period.
cally exhumed and presented as one of
the miracles of the church to the thous-
ands of devotees. who, on those occa-
sions, cohgregate from all parts of In
dia to take part in the ceremony. At
each OF these exhumations the remains
have been subjected to the most rigid
inspection by the best medical faculty
procurable, in the presence of all the
great dignitaries of the church and
realm, including the Governor. Cen
eral in person, that no deception may
be used, and that every minute circun-.
stance in the appearance of the body
may be observed, and clearly and dis,
tinctly noted down in the report, which
report, after having been signed by oil
the officials present, is sealed up in the
coffin to remain until its next presenta-
ton. 1t is affirmed that no species of
fraud could by any possibility be ad-
mitted.
81 happened to be travelling in that
part of the world in 1859, and, as I was
intimately acquainted with the then
Governor, having served in the same
regiment with him as q youngster, he
readily admitted my request for pri-
vate inspection, although not of the
Roman Catholic faith. Proceeding, &C.
cordingly. to the cathedral, accompani-
ed by the archbishop's chaplain, and an
aid-de-camp, found the body in its
massive silver coffin, inlaid with the
richest embroidery, open in a glass
case, lying at the foot of the altar. The
front of the case, forming q door, COM
posed Of one solid piece of glass, was
unlocked with q key brought, firmly
fastened round his wrist by gold chain,
by the aid-de-camp. The coffin was
drawn out on truckles, and I knelt by
the side for a closer view. It repre-
sented q man of about forty years,
rather under than over the medium
height, in most perfect state of pre-
servation. The frame was that of o
slightly built man, and the countenance
had the appearance of holy calm and
peace. In fact, it wore an expression
of unutterable love which was fascinat-
ing. I remarked that o slightly dark
ened spot appeared under the left eye,
and this, l was told, had appeared
since the previous inspection, some
twenty years before, and was supposed
to be occasioned by blow received by
the apostle at the time of his murder.
The present occasion, it is thought, will
be one OF the greatest gatherings that
has ever occurred, as notifications have
already been received of the intended
presence ofalmost all the Roman Catho-
lie bishops in India, as we'll as several
from Europe, who will take advantage
of the Suez canal, available for the first
time for the pilgrimage. Apartments
have also been taken for persons of high
rank among the .laity. and it is conf
IDENTIFY reported thakhis royal highness,
the King of Poftngal's brother, will
make one of the number.-Catholic
Telegraph.