Bantwal, January 15: To mark the canonization of Blessed Joseph Vaz by Pope Francis in Sri Lanka, the three-day celebration at Blessed Joseph Vaz Shrine, Mudipu outskirts of the city began on Wednesday January 14th.
The festal mass was led by bishop of Mangaluru diocese Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza in the beginning of the celebration.
In his homily, the bishop said, Joseph Vaz was highly devoted to god and like him; we too should practice our faith sincerely and serve the mankind.
On Thursday January 15th, Msgr Dennis Moras Prabhu, vicar general of Mangaluru diocese will celebrate the solemn festal mass. Dr Bernard Moras, archbishop of Bangalore diocese will celebrate the solemn festal mass at 10.30 am on January 16th. During the valedictory ceremony on January 16th Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected at the shrine along with other ministers of the state.
Joseph Vaz was born on April 21st, 1651 in Benaulim, Goa. He was blessed as the third son to the couple Christopher Vaz and Miranda of Goa. He became a priest in 1676 and served in different parishes of Goa till 1681.
Later, he was sent to Canara. Fr Joseph Vaz travelled from Goa barefooted. He served in Honnavar, Basrur, Kundapura, Gangolli, Mulky, Mangaluru and Ullal Panir. He was miraculously saved from an attempt on his life in 1684, when he was serving as the parish priest of Panir Church.
His ambition was to work as a missionary in Sri Lanka. He entered Sri Lanka in 1687 as a labourer, defying a ban on Catholic priests. He served in various places in Sri Lanka braving all odds, thus rekindling the Christian faith in Sri Lanka.
Fr Joseph Vaz was a courageous soldier of Christ, a dedicated Indian missionary and a humble servant of God. Recognizing his missionary work, Pope John Paul II proclaimed him as blessed Joseph Vaz in Colombo on January 21st, 1995. He is venerated as the ‘Apostle of Sri Lanka’ and also the ‘Patron of Goa’.
The first church in India which is dedicated to blessed Joseph Vaz is at Mudipu.
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel participated and wished well during the stage program. Health minister U T Khadar also paid a visit to the shrine.