“The world today doesn’t need shining superstars but The world today needs servants with a humble and zealous heart”, Said Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Fernandes during the solemn feast mass of St. Joseph Vaz at 10 am, at Sancoale. The Feast of St. Joseph Vaz, Patron saint of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, was solemnly celebrated on January 16th, at Sancoale, Goa. Being one of the major religious event honoring Goa’s homegrown saint, the “Apostle of Sri Lanka,” Solemn masses were celebrated at the Old Church Facade of the Our Lady of Health Church, Rua Escravo de Maria, Sancoale, attracting devotees from across Goa and beyond, marked by solemn ceremonies and cultural devotion to the saint who saved Catholicism in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) under Dutch persecution.
Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, Bishop of Agartala Lumen Monteiro, Bishop Emeritus of Bombay Archdiocese, Allwyn Dsilva, Bishop Emeritus of Port Blair, Alex Dias Celebrated the Solemn mass at 10 am, which was presided over by the Auxiliary Bishop of Goa and Daman Most Rev. Simiao Fernandes.
In his homily Bishop Simiao stressed on the theme of Service. While explaining the Scriptures of the day he exhorted the people to learn from Prophet Jeremiah and voice out against the wrong that is happening in the society today. While the Gospel highlighted how we should live in Communion with each other. He further said that St. Paul exhorts us to serve each other without any discrimination, being one with all. While explaining the theme of Service Bishop Simiao stressed on three characteristics of Jesus’ ministry of Service, namely being available to the People, being humble in His service and being all embracing, reaching out to the needy without any discrimination. Bishop Simiao reminded the People that St. Joseph Vaz did the same and we need to do the same too. He shared how St. Joseph Vaz served the poor, attended the sick when everyone rejected them, administered sacraments in some of the most difficult situations and spent his life for the service of the Church as well as People of different faiths.
St. Joseph Vaz, born in Benaulim, with Paternal home at Sancoale, Goa is the patron of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman and a national saint for Sri Lanka, canonized in 2015.
The event focuses on his holy life as a child and young priest in Sancoale, his ministry in Tamilnadu and Karnataka and great missionary work in Sri Lanka, where he brought the Eucharist and sacraments during intense persecution, and his enduring legacy. ” The greatest Miracle of St Joseph Vaz is the existing Catholic Church in Sri Lanka ” exclaimed one of the Priests of Sri Lanka to Pope Francis when he visited Sri Lanka, Shared Fr. Rocklin D’Costa, Parish Priest of Nagoa, Bardez, during his homily at 8.45am Mass.
At the beginning of the Solemn mass at 10am, Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao Welcomed the Bishops, priests and laity for the special celebration. While Fr. Kenet Teles gave the vote of thanks by expressing his gratitude to various people, including Church authorities, priests, parishioners, wellwishers. Police and government officials.
The Feast is celebrated with deep devotion, large crowds, and spiritual fervor, with celebrations extending to neighboring regions and Sri Lanka. This year around One Lakh People participated in the Novenas and feast, with around 20 thousand participating in the feast day Masses. Masses were relayed live through Goa Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media and also presented on GCTV, CCRTV, Herald TV, Prudent Media and many other Local TV and YouTube Channels.
