As entire Goa braces up for the much awaited canonisation of Blessed Joseph Vaz, his birth place, Benaulim village is also gearing up to celebrate the historic religious occasion to mark his Sainthood.
Hectic preparations underway in the village to celebrate the occasion. While the 10-day novenas have begun at the Our Lady of Patronicio Chapel preceding the feast on January 16, villagers join the litany in the evening at the Blessed Joseph Vaz shrine in front of the house where Blessed Vaz was born on April 21, 1651.
At the St John the Baptist Church, Benaulim atop the Monte, there’s no stop to devotees trickling to find more about Blessed Vaz. A statue of Blessed Vaz is installed right at the entrance inside where he was baptised way back on April 28, 1651. Information spanning from the time of the birth of Blessed Joseph Vaz, his baptism, ordination, his march into Sri Lanka, the rain miracle and his Apostolate with the sick, besides paintings of his paternal home at Sancoale and maternal home at Benaulim are displayed there.
Says St John the Baptist Church Parish Priest, Fr Nelson Colaco: “The Parishioners are all gearing up for the Big Day. While there may be many who will plan to make it to Sri Lanka, we will observe a Holy Hour at 4 pm on January 14 following by a thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration”.
At the Our Lady of Patrocinio Chapel, the 10-day novenas have started ahead of the feast of Blessed Vaz on January 16. Chaplain Fr Benjamin Sacrafamilia said the parishioners are indeed anxiously waiting for the Sainthood of Blessed Vaz. “I would have loved to be there in Sri Lanka to witness the solemn religious occasion, but my presence is required back here with the Novenas underway”, he said.
Fr Benjamin said the parishioners will take out a procession from the Chapel to the Blessed Vaz Shrine at Pulvaddo-Benaulim at 4.30 pm on January 16 followed by a Mass at 5 pm at the Shrine. At the Blessed Joseph Vaz shrine located right opposite the house where he was born on April 21, 1651 preparations are underway. The Shrine, which was renovated a year ago, has been decked up for the religious occasion, even as a group of painters were seen giving final touches to the place. A woman, who was busy watering the plants around, informed that while the novenas takes place at the Our Lady of Patrocinio Chapel everyday, people assemble at the shrine for the litany in the evening. “We are anxiously waiting for the great day when Blessed Vaz will be canonised as a Saint”, she said.
