DHIRAJ HARMALKAR
dhiraj@herald-goa.com
SANCOALE: Five years after the canonisation of St Joseph Vaz, the number of devotees of this Goan Saint have increased manifold. Over the past nine days, thousands have thronged Sancoale to participate in the Novenas in preparation for the feast of the Saint. On his feast day, on Thursday, thousands more are expected.
Speaking to Herald, after the Mass on the last day of the Novena, Rector of St Joseph Vaz Sanctuary at Sancoale, Fr Manuel Dias, stated that since the canonisation on January 14, 2015 at Sri Lanka by Pope Francis, devotion of the Saint has increased across the world.
“A few years ago the feast was celebrated at the sanctuary, and there was a space constraint. Mass was held outside, but many devotees had to sit inside the Church and participate in the Mass through television screens. There was also parking issues, but now, thankfully we have moved to another venue,” Dias said. The venue for the Novena and Masses could not have been better. There is the River Zuari flowing on the north and the façade of the old church of Sancoale standing among the ruins, and it was here that St Joseph Vaz signed his Letter of Bondage to Mother Mary. It is here that thousands come, seeking the Saint’s blessings and for healings.
Dias said that the suggestion and decision to shift the venue came from the Archdiocese. It was the Archbishop who proposed the change of venue.
“We met several times on this issue. Now that we have moved, thousands of devotees are able to participate and feel blessed during the mass,” he said.
Sister Suzane Vaz of Holy Family Convent, Sancoale said that since St Joseph Vaz has been made the patron of the Archdiocese of Goa, Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao has asked the priests to promote the devotion to him in their respective parishes.
She added that during the Novenas, priests from across Goa are asked to take part in the Masses so that the preaching reaches across the State, and devotees receive blessings.
Asked what arrangements made for the convenience of the visitors, Dias said that proper parking arrangements have been made. “There is a drinking water facility, toilet facility, medical assistance. To avoid a rush and crowd, volunteers have been placed at the spot to help the devotees.”
The volunteers come even from abroad. Agostinho Gonsalves from Divar said that for the last 12 years he has been volunteering his services here. Gonsalves claimed that although he works abroad, during this period he manages to get leave and come to Goa. “I have seen thousands of devotees flock to the Novenas and feast of St Joseph Vaz to receive blessings. Many like me are volunteering for the feast celebration,” he added.
Some of the devotees present on the last day of the Novena said they had attended all nine days. Edward Fernandes from Sancoale said that before the canonisation, the feast was celebrated in the sanctuary and after the canonisation the Archdiocese decided to shift the venue to bigger space to accommodate the thousands of devotees which have increased. He claimed that for every Mass there are 4,000 to 5,000 devotees and there are five Masses every day.
