The Inaugural Mass for the Ignatian Year was held indoors at the Basilica of Bom Jesus. Old Goa, where the relics of St. Francis Xavier are kept. Due to the COVID 19 pandemic situation in Goa, and Curfew imposed in the State, the Mass was held prior to the 20th, which was recorded by the CCRTV (a Catholic Channel) and then telecast ‘live’ on 20th morning at 10 a.m.  The mass was later available on YouTube. Those present for the Mass included the Provincial, who was the only celebrant and he also broke the Word of God, and the Core Committee members. The ‘liturgy’ was prepared by a selective committee.

The Communication Team of the Province made the mass available to all the stakeholders through the link – these included every member of the Province, the Lay Collaborators, here in Goa and all over the world, a day before. The Feedback from the Lay Collaborators was very positive.
 
The Province said, with the curfew still being imposed in the State and the COVID 19 situation still prevailing – over 1000 cases testing positive daily and about 40 deaths daily, it would take time for the implementation of the scheduled programmes. They hope in God that in the course of months, the situation in Goa Province will improve and they can start working on the programmes scheduled during the Ignatian Year. Click on the YouTube link for the Inaugural Mass for the Ignatian Year https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7B4Bhfnohg