Se Cathedral :

       Se Cathedral is the largest Church in Asia. Its construction was started in 1562, during the reign of Portuguese King Dom Sebastiao ( 1557-78 ), Count of Redondo, the then Viceroy wanted it to be "a grandoise temple, worthy of the wealth, power and fame of the portuguese, who dominated the seas from Atlantic to the Pacific." The construction of the church was finally completed only after ninety long years in 1652.

As one enters through the main entrance, the majestic interiors overwhelm the visitors by its sheer grandeur. The magnificent reredos above the main altar are intricately carved and layered with gold leaf, with six finely painted panels, depicting the life and martyrdom of St.Catherine.

To the right of the entrance is the granite baptismal font made in 1532, and is said to have been used by St. Francis Xavier. The two small statuettes that are inset into the main pillars are of St. Francis Xavier and St. Ignatius Loyola.

The tower atop the building has the huge 'Golden Bell', which is not only the largest in Goa but in entire Asia. The bell is noted for its rich tone.

On each side of the church are four chapels, to right are the chapels of St Anthony, St Bernard, the Cross of Miracles and the Holy Spirit. On the left side are the chapels of Nossa Senhora de Necessidades, the Blessed Sacrament (Known for beautifully gilded and decorated walls and ceiling) and Nossa Senora de Boa Vida.

The chapel of Cross Miracles, houses a miraculous cross, which was made in 1619, by shepherds and erected on a hill top near Old Goa. Miraculously the cross started growing in size and it is said that people even saw an apparition of Lord Christ on it. Thus, it was decided to build a church on that site.

During the construction the 'Cross' was temporarily shifted and when it was moved back to the original site, it was found that the 'Cross' had further grown and the doors of the church had to be widened to accommodate. Finally, it was decided to move this 'Cross' to the present chapel in 1845.

This magnificent church received "The Golden Rose" in 1953 by Pope Pius XII, which is now kept in the Bom Jesus Besilica.


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