Letter from Goa to St. Francis Xavier

Milions of false gods in the street
run in the mood of spending spree
to buy all idols which they need
still claiming boldly they are free.

They want a safe pass in their pod,
yet crayons fade in times of steel,
for authority comes from God
but tyrants come from their own will.

I shrink from going with the crowd
marching for rights to the wrong place
with fears misplaced that get so loud
when evil shows its ugly face.

New pagans tell the ancient fables,
where bells gave joy muezzins grieve
and Jewish merchants by their tables
stand where Our Lord once used to live.

I am in the land where all creation
sold blessings for the earthly bliss
but yet I am filled with consolation:
people are people but God Is.

A. Vaccaro: Francis Xavier preaching