A Family’s Miraculous Journey of Faith Through St. Francis Xavier

The deep devotion to St. Francis Xavier in their family is a cherished legacy passed down through generations, starting with the narrator’s maternal grandparents. The narrator’s grandmother, from the village of Neura near Old Goa, played a key role in nurturing this devotion. As a child, the narrator was raised by them, and visits to the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier, where the saint’s relics are enshrined, became a treasured family tradition.

The narrator’s uncle, Fr. Joaquim D’Mello, a Jesuit priest and former Principal of Loyola High School in Margao, Goa, was also profoundly devoted to St. Francis Xavier. His spiritual journey began after attending a retreat at St. Francis Xavier Church in Old Goa, a transformative experience that led him to embrace the priesthood.

For many years, visiting Old Goa on the feast of St. Francis Xavier became an important family tradition. Uncles, aunts, and cousins would gather at the Basilica of Bom Jesus for prayer and fellowship. The narrator’s husband, Melvin, also shared this devotion, joining in these sacred days and supporting the vendors at the basilica with small offerings.

The most extraordinary miracle in the family occurred in 2004, during the Exposition of St. Francis Xavier’s Relics. The narrator’s sister, Bertha Sequeira, had struggled with infertility for eight years. In a moment of deep faith, Melvin vowed to walk barefoot from Benaulim to Old Goa, over 30 kilometers, praying for Bertha’s fertility.

Less than a year later, Bertha was blessed with a son, Shaun, and the family believes that it was through St. Francis Xavier’s powerful intercession that this miracle took place. To this day, this miracle remains a cornerstone of their faith, inspiring them to live lives of trust, prayer, and love.

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