Renovated St John of God Church to debut art exhibition celebrating SFX

Panaji: The newly renovated St John of God Church and convent in Old Goa were blessed by Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao on Saturday in the presence of Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Fernandes. The premises will host the official art exhibition, “Footprints of Hope,” commissioned especially for the Exposition.

The art exhibition, the first event in the building during the Exposition, will be inaugurated on Sunday.

The archbishop reminded the faithful about the historical significance of the St John of God Church, which was once used for charitable services. He highlighted the selfless work of St John of God and presented a brief history of the structure.

Fr Noel, the administrator of the archdiocese, spoke about the struggles, both financial and technical that the teams underwent to renovate such huge structures.

The art exhibition, featuring the works of 62 artists, will showcase diverse interpretations of St Francis Xavier’s life and mission through paintings, sculptures, and woodwork. The artists, hailing from Goa, the Gulf, Europe, and other regions, have creatively interpreted the Saint’s life and mission, employing symbols and motifs for contemporary audiences.