India

Old Goa:

Church of St.Cajetan built 1651-1665. Built around the same time, the Convent was much smaller. The church is shaped like a Greek cross and was modeled on the original design of St.Peter in Rome. The Italian Theatines were sent to the kingdom of Golconda to preach Christianity and since they were not allowed to work there, they settled in Old Goa in 1640. This church is in Corinthian style inside and out, and is built of laterite blocks which are lime plastered. Inside is a clever use of internal buttresses and four huge pillars supporting a dome resting on a drum and crowned by a lantern. On the base of the dome is St.Cajetan's motto: 'Quaerite primum regnum Dei'. The altars have Italian school paintings on canvas, some depicting scenes from the life of St.Cajetan. The largest on the right is dedicated to St.Cajetan himself.

Another painting shows St.Cajetan with St.Francis Xavier. St.Cajetan is the one on the left. On the church facade is a niche with a statue of our Saint.

Of interest is the covered well inside that indicates that the site might have once been a temple. On the side one can see a doorway that once was the entrance to an Islamic palace belonging to Adil Shah, the ruler of Goa before the Portuguese disembarked.

In the church of St Cajetan, a set of 6 unusual paintings depicting our Saint:


1. St Cajetan in his vision of Our Lady and Baby Jesus.

2. St Cajetan receiving the crucifixion nail from Christ Himself.

3. St Cajetan kneeling in front of an altar with his heart being carried up to heaven by angels.

4. St Cajetan’s vision of the resurrected Christ.

5. St Cajetan helping Jesus carry His Cross.

6. Mary appears to St Cajetan on his deathbed.

Goa - Assagao:

The church of St.Cajetan in Assagao is often confused with that of St.Alex in Calangute because of the architectural similarity. St.Cajetan was built in 1775. In 1813, Archbishop S.Galdino raised the chapel church stature and expanded it. It is whitwashed all over the outside. It is situated on a busy tourist route in north Goa.

Goa - Bastora - Mapusa:

Church of St.Cajetan supported by a group of expatriates in Surrey UK. Lately the church was being renovated.