Coffin of St. Francis Xavier (Basilica of Bom Jesus)

This coffin was made during the 1744 exposition.

It is made of pinewood, since this wood is very light and easy to carry. It is covered on the outer side by the silver cloth and fine gold lace. The base of this coffin was decorated with red damask, and the interior was adorned with purple canvas with silver motifs. A narrow gold laced mattress of the same material is made, as well as a small pillow of gold embroidered white damask.

The lid of the coffin is attached with three hinges, and two handles are fixed on the upper and lower ends. It has three brass locks with three keys, one key was kept with the archbishop, another with the Governor, and the third with the administrator.

The top cover was detached from the hinges, and the coffin was then used for all expositions till 1952-53. In 1953, the sacred relics were transferred to the present crystal coffin.

(Source: Display Board)

THE MAIN ALTAR (Basilica of Bom Jesus)

The whole back wall is designed, alike the facade, in numerous carvings in wood, of pillars, friezes, and arabesques, all gilt in pure gold. Above the Altar and Tabernacle stands a giant statue of St. Ignatius of Loyola in the priestly vestments, nearly three meters high. His gaze is fixed immediately on the medallion containing the Greek letters IHS, the first three letters of the Holy Name of Jesus. This attitude of St. Ignatius is symbolic. He is the Founder of the Society of Jesus, whose members are popularly known as Jesuits.

Above the monogram of Jesus, there is the Holy Trinity – Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit – in glory, the ultimate object of the gaze and contemplation, the aspiration and love of St. Ignatius.

The church is dedicataed to Jesus – in Portuguese BOM JESUS, meaning Good Jesus.

N.B. Please turn to your right, and you will see a narrow chapel and in it the beautiful and artistic mausoleum on which rests the silver casket. In this silver casket are kept the Venerable Relics of Saint Francis Xavier.