Tue Dec 03 02:08:36 UTC 2024: ## Goa to Witness Premiere of “Xavier’s Mission China,” a Musical Depicting St. Francis Xavier’s Final Journey

**PANJIM, GOA** – A new musical, “Xavier’s Mission China,” is set to premiere in Goa, offering a dramatic portrayal of St. Francis Xavier’s final, unfulfilled mission to China. The production, the third in a trilogy by Fr. Allan Tavares, a physicist and visiting professor at the University of Porto, delves into the saint’s unwavering faith and the historical context of his last voyage aboard the Santa Croce from Malacca.

Fr. Tavares, inspired by Henry James Coleridge’s “The Life and the Letters of St. Francis Xavier,” has crafted a musical that explores the lesser-known aspects of Xavier’s time in Malacca and his deep longing to reach China. The production features music by Rabindra Pietro and Rio Fernandes, with scripting by Fr. Tavares himself.

This year’s production features internationally acclaimed fashion designer Melwyn Noronha as St. Francis Xavier, reprising a role he played in a previous installment of the trilogy. Noronha describes the play as depicting Xavier’s “simple human yet blessed form of living,” showcasing both his ordinary emotions and extraordinary faith. The diverse cast includes performers from Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, and the USA.

Free performances are being offered to the public, with the aim of sharing Xavier’s story with a wide audience. Fr. Vincent Lobo, a member of the organizing committee, highlights the play’s depiction of the miraculous preservation of St. Francis Xavier’s body after his death and its eventual transport to Goa.

“Xavier’s Mission China” will premiere at Ravindra Bhavan, Curchorem on November 30th, followed by shows in Margao on December 2nd and Candolim on December 3rd. Tickets are available at various locations across Goa, including Ravindra Bhavan venues and select churches and schools. For further details and ticket information, please refer to the provided locations or download the Gomantak Times app.

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