I read with interest a letter entitled ‘Of Saints and Sainthood’ by Dr. Francisco Colaco regarding his anticipation that next January the long wait for canonization of Blessed Joseph Vaz and especially his query as he fails to understand the complicated and complex process in the church for canonization.
As I leave for the theologians to answer him (as I am not one), I quote from the Vatican Information Service which published the Decrees of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints says that the Pontiff approved the votes of the Ordinary Session of the Cardinal and Bishop Fathers in favour of the canonisation of Blessed Joseph Vaz, Indian priest of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, founder of the Oratory of the Holy Cross of Miracles in Goa (1651-1711). And that finally, the Holy Father decided that a Consistory will be convoked shortly for the canonisation of Blessed Joseph Vaz.
What joy it was to read the headlines on all newspapers including our own Herald which I am sure must have brought joy and smiles on the faces of all Goans here in Goa and across the continent. As a son of the soil from where Fr. Joseph Vaz grew, it gives me immense pride that after waiting for more than 300 years the Catholics of Goa got their own saint in Blessed Joseph Vaz. I am also proud that I had the opportunity to visit Kandy, in Sri Lanka few years back the place where he preached and lived and visited the church dedicated in his honour.
In the words of our Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao, as we await the final declaration by the Pope, let us thank God for this great blessing that the people of Goa were longing to receive through intensive praying in recent times. And also in the words of Fr. Eremito Rebello, that the Catholic faith of Goans has been recognized by the church. It is indeed a rejoicing time for the church and all faithful both in Goa and particularly in Sri Lanka.
We pray to our brother saint, seeking his intercession to save Goa from all the calamities and be with us to protect our land from the clutches of the evil ones.
