Prayer Service at Rua Escravo de Maria, Frontispiece of the Church of Sancoale
The idea of having this prayer service is to give an opportunity to the parishioners of each parish to have a spiritual experience at this sacred place, the place where St. Joseph Vaz wrote his famous Letter/Deed of Bondage on 5th August 1667, at the end of the first year of his priesthood. This deed was signed by him at the feet of the altar of Our Lady of Health in this Church. People of all faiths come to inform us of the favours received through the intersession of St. Joseph Vaz.
With the intention to cater to the increase in devotion to St. Joseph Vaz and Our Lady of Health, Sancoale, the parishioners of Sancoale held a prayer service at the Chapel of Our Lady of Health, Rua Escravo de Maria, at the frontispiece of the Church of Sancoale, on Sunday 21st August 2022 from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. This Prayer Service is in line with the other religious acts that are regularly held at Sancoale to honour Our Lady of Health and son of the Soil, St. Joseph Vaz. The service stressed the values and virtues of St. Joseph Vaz. This prayer service consisted of rosary, praise and worship, Eucharistic celebration followed by adoration and benediction. Each Sunday one parish with its parishioners will participate in the prayer service along with the parishioners of Sancoale. On 21st August, the parishioners of the Our Lady of Desterro, Desterro, Vasco da Gama, from the deanery of Mormugao took part.
St Joseph Vaz remains relevant for India and more so for Goa and Goans as a model to be followed to continue spreading the love of God. He lived a life that was full of love, faith, compassion, and courage. St Joseph Vaz was compassionate, for he was motivated and inspired by the mercy shown by Jesus who reflected the merciful face of God the Father.
“All the ends of the earth will see the Salvation of our God” (Is 52:10). This magnificent prophecy from the book of Prophet Isaiah foretells the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all the ends of the earth. Countless missionaries in the history, like this great missionary of the Gospel, St. Joseph Vaz, have responded to the Risen Lord’s command to make disciples of every nation (cf. Mt. 28:19). By his words, but more importantly, by exemplary life, he led the people of Goa and Sri Lanka to the faith which gives us “an inheritance among all God’s holy ones” (cf. Acts 20:32).
The Parishioners along with their Parish priest welcome all those who would like to pray through the intercession of St Joseph Vaz and Our Lady of Health, to participate in the prayer service whenever their parish is invited
Fr. Kennet Teles
Parish Priest, Sancoale, Goa.