R.C. Ex-votos
Here then votive offerings that accompany the requests made to the catholic Saint Francis Xavier whose preserved body is kept in the Bom Jesus church in Old Goa, India. He attracts believers from all over India and the world, and many make use of the opportunity to ask him for relieving their distress.
Stalls in front of the church sell wax models that can be offered to Saint Francis while asking him for help. Judging by the large number of wax body parts for sale in the stalls, requests for the cure of all kinds of diseases seem to be the most common. Out of amused curiosity I once bought a small variety of those wax pieces. I have photographed them here for you to see, and to think of suitable requests in case you would like to add them on the bed of flowers at the feet of Saint Francis.
Each piece can of course be used for various requests. The eye can be offered while asking to be cured of an eye infection but also, for example, to be protected against the danger of the evil eye. It all depends on the petitioner. Some pieces are sex specific and I think that one of the pieces could refer to two quite different body parts.
Photos of the week: Wax ex-votos to St Francis Xavier, church of Bom Jesus, Old Goa, India 2016
καιρός remembered 
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