St Xavier’s Church keeps faith burning for 150 years

The city’s first Catholic church run by Jesuit priests – St Xavier’s Church in Camp – is completing 150 years, thus giving a reason for the parishioners to celebrate.Reverend Father Bertie Rozario SJ Parish Priest and the congregation of St Xavier’s Church will organise a nine-day fete of St Francis Xavier to mark the occasion.According to Rev Fr Bertie, “The church is a vibrant faith community, which has been active for the past 150 years. The faithful from all communities are drawn to St Xavier’s Church due to its peaceful and quiet interiors, its calming influence and solemnity.”Added Rozario, “We have been actively and wholeheartedly involved in a series of festivities and celebrations for the nine days of the novena, culminating in the final Feast Day celebration. These nine days of solemn prayer and blessings of St Francis Xavier will attract many pilgrims from far and wide.” The church is undergoing renovation, where most of the church art, paintings, structure and the building is being restored. Having launched the work in May this year, their team of artists has given a new look to nearly 20 antique statues and also polished the pews and other old furniture. The Novena Services began on November 24, and will continue till the Feast Day Mass on December 3 at 7 pm at the Church. The oldest member of the church, Anjelina Alex D’cruz, who is 102 years old and resides only a few blocks away from the church, when asked to recount her memories of the church, just folded her hands in reverence and said, “Ask God and He will give you everything. I have been with this church for long years and God has always provided me with everything I wanted.”