Churches of Goa

Bom Jesus' literally known as 'Good or Holy Jesus'. Basilica Of Bom Jesus, Old Goa holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. The body of Francis Xavier was first taken to Portuguese Malacca and two years later shipped back to Goa. It is said that the saint's body was as fresh as the day it was buried. The remains of the saint still attract a huge number of tourist from all over the world, especially during the public viewing of his body every 10 years which last held in 2014. The saint is said to have miraculous powers of healing. This is one of the oldest churches in Goa and in India. The feast is celebrated on 3rd December every year. The church also holds paintings of scenes taken from the life of St. Francis Xavier. The tomb, on top of which is placed the silver casket with the body of St. Francis Xavier (1696). The Basilica Of Bom Jesus is more than 408 years old and is open to the public every day. 

Our Lady Of The Immaculate Conception Church which is also known as Nossa Senhora  da Immaculada Conceicao in Portuguese. The colonial Portuguese Baroque style church was first built in 1541 as a chapel on a hill side overlooking the city of Panjim. It was eventually replaced by a larger church in the 1600s as part of Portuguese Goa's religious expansion. The feast of Our Lady Of Immaculate Conception is held every year on 8th December, the church is colourfully illuminated.

Our Lady Of Grace Church, Margao, Goa is called 'Nossa Senhora da Graca em Margao, Goa' in Portuguese. Our Lady Of Grace Church was originally a chapel called the Capela de Babalhao, chapel of the Battalion - founded by the first Infintry regiment in 1812. The present Our Lady Of Grace Church building was designed in modern architectural lines and was inaugurated on January 01, 1977. The feast of Our Lady Of Grace Church is celebrated on 5th February every year.

The Our Lady Of Lourdes Church, Utorda, Goa is called Nossa Senhora de Lourdes Igerja em Utorda, Goa in Portuguese. The church was originally a chapel at Utorda built in 1892. The Utorda chapel was then elevated in October 30, 1894 as an affiliate parish of Majorda. It was made into a parish in 1974. The feast of Our Lady Of Lourdes who is the Patron saint of the Utorda church is celebrated on 14th November every year.

Our Lady Of Hope Church, Candolim, Goa is called 'Nissan Senhora da Esperenca Igerja em Candolim, Goa in Portuguese. The primitive Candolim Church was built in 1560 and repaired and remodelled  in 1661. Standing at the foot of the hills of Candolim, serenely gazing out over the gentle sweep of the Nerul river, stands the the church of Our Lady Of Hope. This church is the proud possessor of a statue of the blessed Mother Teresa, as well as a relic of her in the form a drop of blood. The main  church feast of Our Lady Of Hope is celebrated on 19th of December. The church also celebrates the feast of the Assumption Of Our Lady  which falls on the 15th of August. Prior to this from the 13th of August the church holds prayerful reflection of three days of the mystery of the Assumption i.e. the tenet laid down in Catholic doctrine that Our Lady did not 'die' but attained 'vichitr nhid' (strange sleep) before being assumed body and soul into heaven.

Hello everyone!! Do you like to visit beautiful places like beaches, churches, waterfalls?? If yes than this blog is meant for you. I'm Telssa Fernandes. I would like to brief you all about some of the beautiful churches in Goa which I like to visit. Goa is one of the most famous holiday destinations in India. It is also one of the states in India which attracts the maximum number of foreign tourists. Since Goa was under the Portuguese rule, the churches in goa display Portuguese architectures which is very beautiful. Goa has many beautiful churches which are very famous to visit. Our Lady Of Grace Church, Margao ; Our Lady Of Lourdes Church, Utorda ; Three Kings Church, Verna ; Our Lady Of Hope Church, Candolim ; Our Lady Of Immaculate Conception Church, Panjim and Basilica Of Bom Jesus, Old Goa are some of the churches I like to visit.