Blessed Joseph Vaz becomes Sainthood and Sri Lanka gets first Saint

Blessed Joseph Vaz becomes Sainthood and Sri Lanka gets first SaintSri Lanka will get its first Catholic saint when Pope Francis visits the Country in January, 2015. The process for the canonization of Blessed Joseph Vaz, an Indian missionary considered the Apostle of the Sri Lanka Church, has reached the final stage and the church in Goa is expecting that the long-awaited announcement of his sainthood may come within a few months.
Addressing a media briefing at the Colombo Archbishop’s House, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo told journalists the Canonization process of Blessed Joseph Vaz was in its final stages. Approval from the College of Cardinals would see Blessed Joseph Vaz, who served in north and central parts of Sri Lanka primarily, being elevated to Sainthood, the prelate added.
"We know that the process of his canonization has reached its final stage, though not fully complete and we expect a decision to be taken shortly," Fr Eremita Rebello, Vice-postulator for the cause for the canonization of Blessed Vaz, told. Three Eucharistic services and prayers were held at the Sanctuary of Blessed Joseph Vaz on Friday to pray for Vaz's canonization. A total of 13 priests and more than 1,000 people earnestly prayed in Sancoale, said Rebello. The Congregation for the canonization of saints in the Vatican is likely to meet shortly and decide on the issue. The first statement about the canonization of Vaz can be issued only by the Vatican, Rebello said.

Blessed Joseph Vaz

He born on April 21, 1651 at Benaulim, in South Goa district in the state of Goa, India, was an Oratorian priest and missionary from Goa. He entered Ceylon, now Sri Lanka during the Dutch occupation, when Calvinism was the official religion. He travelled throughout the island bringing the Eucharist and the sacraments to clandestine groups of Catholics. Later in his mission, he found shelter in the Kingdom of Kandy where he was able to work freely. He died on January 16, 1711 at Kandy in Sri Lanka. By the time of his death, Vaz had managed to rebuild the Catholic Church on the island. As a result of his labors, he is known as the Apostle of Ceylon. On January 21, 1995, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Colombo.
A miracle attributed to Blessed Joseph Vaz had been studied and now awaits the approval from the College of Cardinals upon which Blessed Joseph Vaz will be elevated as a Saint. Cardinal Ranjith sounded positive that the canonization would take place during the Papal visit. The miracle attributed to Blessed Joseph Vaz has to do with a couple who are both doctors. The mother conceived twins.
However, she was strongly advised by doctors to abort one child who was weak. However, the lady doctor chose to disregard medical advice and prayed to Blessed Joseph Vaz. Eventually, she gave birth to twins and both children are healthy, according to Cardinal Malcolm. Two panels of Vatican doctors had examined the case and the process saw Devil’s Advocate arguing against the case as well, the Cardinal said.
More Missionaries News Updates

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

D G S Dhinakaran

Image
Dr.Duraisamy Geoffery Samuel Dhinakaran, was an Indian Evangelical Preacher and founder of the Jesus Calls Ministry, born on July 1, 1935 at Surandai in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu, India. He attended St.John`s college, Palayamkottai and subsequently was awarded a Bachelor degree in Mathematics from Madras University in 1955. He had a very tough life being torn by the ailments of poverty and agony of unemployment. Unable to bear the agony of these problems, on February 11, 1955, Dr.D.G.S.Dhinakaran decided to put an end to his life. He started towards the nearest railway track in his village to throw himself before the speeding train when he was stopped by his uncle who introduced Jesus Christ. He experienced a sudden wave of divine peace and hope, flood his heart. His mind was transformed and he returned home enlightened. After this incident, things started happening in him supernaturally. There arose an unquenchable thirst in him to spend hours together poring over the lif...
More +

Charles Mead

Image
Rev.Charles Mead was the Father of the South Travancore Mission, born on 1st October 1792 at Bristol, Gloucester, England. He was brought up by his uncle Rev.John Hunt at Wakefield, Yorkshire, attended Gosport Missionary School and ordained at Chichester on 6th March 1816. According to the London Mission Society’s report, Rev.Charles Mead was nominated for Travancore as Rev.Ringeltaube’s successor. He married Rev.Hunt’s daughter. He left from England on 20th April, 1816 for Travancore and arrived at Madras on 28th August 1816 along with Rev.Richard Knill, who known as the pastor of the church at St Petersburg. He was received by Rev.Loveless, who was the first England missionary of Madras. Rev.Mead was detained a considerable time at Rev.Loveless’s house at Madras by his wife's ill-health and he studied Tamil. There after he gave early intimation of his arrival to Col.Munro and consulted him on various subjects related to the mission affairs and solicited help. After one year back,...
More +

India Celebrates World Sunday School Day

Image
The "World Sunday School" was founded with a great challenge to save and shape the children community after seeing thousands and thousands of street children who neither go to school nor to Church by Serampore trio (William Carey, Joshua Marshman, and William Ward) in India at 1803. Every year first Sunday of November, the "World Sunday School Day", was observed by the Churches. The day is being observed to commemorate the day and its significant change of effective effects towards this modern world especially to the children of the Sunday School in nurturing their shape in way of how a good Christian by birth should adapt to grow in the society through the foot-steps of Christianity's religion principles.
More +