TEAM HERALD
CORTALIM: With the exposition of the relics of St Francis Xavier having concluded, the Catholic community in Goa is now eagerly anticipating the canonization of Blessed Joseph Vaz, the first Goan to be accorded this honour in the Catholic Church.
While the canonization will take place in Sri Lanka on January 14, devotees are expected to attend the novena that will commence on Jan 7. The feast will be celebrated at his Sanctuary at Sancoale on Jan 16.
Masses during the novena will be said at 6, 7.30 and 9.15 in the morning and at 4 and 6 (English) in the evening. There will be a Day of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Jan 9, from 10 am to 3.30 pm. A night vigil will also be conducted on January 9 from 10 pm to 5.30 am. A special mass for the sick will be said on Jan 11, at 9.15 am. Inter-religious meet will be held on Jan 13 at 10.30 am. A retreat will be conducted on Jan 14, from 10 am to 3 pm. Childless couples will be prayed for the gift of a child.
On the feast day, masses will be at 5, 6, 7 and 8 am and 4 pm and 5.30 pm. The concelebrated feast mass will be at 10 am and Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao will be the main celebrant.
A procession from the Sanctuary to the paternal house of Blessed Joseph Vaz at Sancoale will be followed by Mass at Noon in the paternal house.
