Which of the following monuments in Goa enshrines the tomb that contains the relics of Saint Francis Xavier, the famous Christian missionary?

Introduction / Context:
Saint Francis Xavier was a famous Christian missionary who worked in Asia in the sixteenth century and is especially associated with Goa in India. His relics are preserved in a richly decorated tomb that many pilgrims and tourists visit every year. Several important churches and religious monuments exist in Goa, so exams often test which specific monument houses his relics. This question asks you to identify the correct church where the tomb containing his relics is enshrined.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The place is in Goa, known for its old churches and Christian heritage.
• The relics are those of Saint Francis Xavier.
• The options given are Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, Monte Hill, and St. Alex Church.
• We assume general knowledge of famous Goan monuments from history and tourism studies.

Concept / Approach:
The Basilica of Bom Jesus, located in Old Goa, is world famous for containing the mortal remains of Saint Francis Xavier. His body is kept in a silver casket inside a richly decorated chapel within the basilica. Although Se Cathedral and other churches are also historically important, they do not house his relics. Therefore, the approach is to match the well known association between Saint Francis Xavier and the Basilica of Bom Jesus and then select that monument as the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Old Goa is home to several historic churches built during the Portuguese period. Step 2: Remember specifically that the Basilica of Bom Jesus is famous worldwide because it contains the body and relics of Saint Francis Xavier. Step 3: Recognise that Se Cathedral is a separate monument known for being one of the largest churches in Asia but not for his tomb. Step 4: Note that Monte Hill and St. Alex Church are notable religious sites but are not linked with the relics in question. Step 5: Conclude that the Basilica of Bom Jesus must be the correct choice among the given options.

Verification / Alternative check:
A good way to verify is to think of tourist brochures or history chapters on Goa. They usually mention that the Basilica of Bom Jesus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is visited because of the preserved body of Saint Francis Xavier displayed there periodically. This strong association between his name and the basilica is repeated in travel guides, exam notes, and documentaries. Since none of the other listed churches are described as housing his relics, the memory check confirms Basilica of Bom Jesus as the right answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Se Cathedral is wrong because, although it is an iconic church dedicated to Saint Catherine and is known for its large bells and architecture, it does not contain the relics of Saint Francis Xavier. Monte Hill is a hill with chapels and religious significance but is not the place where his body is enshrined. St. Alex Church is an important parish church in Goa but again has no special connection to his relics. Since only the Basilica of Bom Jesus is directly associated with his tomb, the other options are not correct.

Common Pitfalls:
The most common pitfall is confusing different Goan churches because many of them are located close to each other and are frequently mentioned together in travel literature. Some learners may only remember Se Cathedral as a large white church and mistakenly link it with the relics. Others may be unfamiliar with the names and guess randomly. To avoid this, it is helpful to memorise one clear pairing: Saint Francis Xavier and Basilica of Bom Jesus. Once that link is fixed, questions of this type become straightforward.

Final Answer:
The correct option is Basilica of Bom Jesus, which enshrines the tomb containing the relics of Saint Francis Xavier in Goa.