CHURCH OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI

St. Catherine's Cathedral was not finished when a new church was begun, that of St. Francis of Assisi. Each congregation wanted its own church in Goa and this one was consecrated in 1661. They chose to build it on the site of their 16th century chapel which was falling into ruin. The building is in the Tuscan style. Only the portal, which is a remnant of the old chapel, is in the Manueline style from the same period as the Tower of Belém. The façade is topped by two small octagonal towers and its central niche is occupied by a statue of Our Lady of Miracles, brought from Jaffna in Sri Lanka.

The interior of this small church is a marvel of baroque delicacy. The unique nave is entirely covered with finely worked gilded wooden panels depicting scenes from the Bible. The buttresses are decorated with floral motifs. The high altar is entirely carved and gilded. It is framed by two smaller altars dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi. The altarpiece features two majestic statues of Jesus and the patron saint and it repeats the Franciscan vows of "poverty, humility and obedience". On the sides, the painted wooden panels depict scenes from the life of St. Francis of Assisi. The tabernacle is supported by four statues representing the evangelists St. Matthew, St. Luke, St. John and St. Mark. In the central aisle, you will notice some very old tombstones, some of which are decorated with a skull and crossbones.