St. Francis Xavier is better known as “Goencho Saib” (Lord of Goa) by Goans, is the Patron Saint of Goa. The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is a feast held annually on the 3rd of December – the day he was buried – after nine days of prayer, called the Novena.

St Francis Xavier was a Basque Jesuit missionary in the 1500s, was known as the Apostle to the Indies and one of the supreme Christian missionaries. His accomplishment in Goa in particular earned him many followers and today he is respected as the area's patron saint. The fest is commemorated to honor his contribution and popularity. The festival draws thousands of followers who gather at the Bom Jesus Basilica to celebrate mass and to get in line with fellow devotees to kiss the relics of St Francis that are held there.

During his lifetime the saint was far and wide identified for nursing the sick and dying. Today, many pilgrims come to the feast in the hope that they may still recover from his healing powers and to give thanks for the comfort he has given them.

Thousands of devotees from across the country as well as abroad attend the Feast, which has a Pontifical Mass performed by a congregation of high-ranking clergy.

Masses begin as early as 4am, with the solemn High Mass celebrated mid-morning. Later the visitors move on to the Old Goa fair, one of the largest in the region. This major festival usually lasts for 9 days with devotees visiting the Bom Basilica.