TEAM HERALD
CORTALIM: The third edition of ‘Life and Achievements of Blessed Joseph Vaz,’ a book by Fr Cosme Costa, was released at the Sanctuary of Blessed Joseph Vaz in Sancoale on Sunday.
Fr Jose Vaz of Pilar Fathers along with Sanctuary Rector Fr Eremito Rebelo, Assistant Parish Priest Fr Ronaldo Fernandes and Fr Jose Costa released the third edition of the book after the Sunday mass. The third edition consists of two additional chapters.
One new chapter is on the restoration and renovation of the Church of the Cross of Miracles and its adjacent Oratorian Monastery by the Goa Archdiocese. The Oratorian Congregation was the first Asian indigenous institute, organized by Blessed Joseph Vaz.
The restored building will be used to conduct retreats, renewal courses and conferences and to accommodate pilgrims during the forthcoming exposition of St Francis Xavier’s relics.
The second additional chapter covers the process of approval by Pope Francis of the last stage of the Canonization.
In his homily, Fr Rebelo thanked Fr Costa, who is presently the professor at Pilar Theological College, for having permitted the publication of the book. The first edition was published in 1997 and the second in 2004.
The ‘miracle child’ as he is known, Fr Costa’s birth was accepted by the Church as a miracle, for declaring Fr Joseph Vaz as Blessed by late Pope John Paul II in 1995. Blessed Vaz will now be officially declared a Saint by Pope Francis on January 14, at Galle, Colombo, in Sri Lanka. The book is available at the bookstall at the Sanctuary.
