Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Colombo (Agenzia Fides) - "What would you say if a wish comes true after 300 years? The whole Church in Sri Lanka rejoices today. The canonization of Joseph Vaz, co-founder of our Church is a great gift and we thank Pope Francis": with these words His Exc. Mgr. Vianney Fernando, Bishop of Kandy, expressed to Fides Agency, the immense satisfaction of the bishops and of the whole Catholic community in Sri Lanka at the news of the upcoming canonization of Blessed Joseph Vaz, communicated by the Holy See. "We have worked hard and overcome so many obstacles - he says - now we are simply happy. We hope and pray that the celebration will take place during the Pope's visit to Sri Lanka. Our joy would be even doubled", he adds, saying that on September 14th, the local Church experienced a special day of prayer for this intention. The Bishop told Fides that he also shared the joy with the Bishop of Goa.
Joseph Vaz, called the "Apostle of Sri Lanka", was born in Benaulin (the Indian state of Goa) in 1651 and was ordained a priest in the Congregation of St. Filippo Neri, he went on a mission in Sri Lanka, where the Dutch Calvinists had launched a violent persecution against Catholics. He founded more than 15 churches and 400 chapels. His translation of the Gospel in the two languages of the country, Tamils and Sinhalese is of precious value. Vaz dies in Kandy in 1711, on January 16, the day on which his feast is celebrated in the liturgical calendar. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on January 21, 1995, during his apostolic visit to Sri Lanka. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 18/09/2014)
