Villagers in Sancoale are joyous. A son of the soil, Blessed Joseph Vaz is on his way to becoming a Saint. The communication has already been received by Archbishop’s palace and the message is already out. The faithful can already begin to call him Saint Joseph Vaz.
The sanctuary dedicated to Blessed Joseph Vaz lies at the side of the road in Sancoale where people flock each Friday to seek his intercession. Although Blessed Jopseh Vaz was born in Benaulim, his mother’s village and baptized there he spent his growing years in Sancoale, his paternal village.
Every second Friday healing services are held in the shrine attended by more than one thousand people. Most of the miracles that have taken place have happened during the healind services. Fr Eremito Rebello, vice-postulator for canonsiation and rector of the sanctuary says Friday is devoted to healings as Blessed Joseph Vaz was born, baptized and died on a Friday. A number of people he says receive favours through his intercession. “When the Vatican requested to send proper documentation for his canonization we submitted 21 cases of miracles. These were submitted to the Congregation for Saints and they accepted all the documents. The documentation has all the reasons why Blessed Jopseh Vaz should be declared a saint. Documents were sent from Goa, Sri Lanka and petitions from different persons were put together to make it a great case for his canonization.
Jose Dourado, a parishioner says his daughter was born on January 16 and this has increased his faith in Blessed Joseph Vaz. “My father was a great devotee of his and through his intercession I’ve always got what I’ve prayed for. Last year I got a stroke and was on bed. Fr Eremito came to visit me at GMC and prayed with me. That night I felt a warm healing hand over my head and heard Blessed Joseph Vaz telling me to go home. I got up and felt relieved.”
However it isn’t only the Catholics who have devout faith in the son of the soil. A number of non Catholics too visit the shrine for favours. One family is the Usapkar family from San Jose de Areal who couldn’t conceive for ten years after marriage. “They ran from doctor to doctor and out of disgust gave up all medication. Someone suggested that they visit the shrine. They came for a retreat with great faith that Blessed Joseph Vaz would intercede for them. Within two months she conceived and now have a healthy baby boy.”
At the time Blessed Jopseh Vaz couldn’t proclaim Catholicism in the open in Sri Lanka. For ten years he worked without any protection, only wearing different disguises. “He would sometimes go around as a beggar, baker, dhobi, bangle seller and fishermen. One such gown that he wore is with the Bishop of Sri Lanka. One piece of that gown was brought to Goa and lies in the Sanctuary while another was taken to Mangalore where he worked for four years. This relic is encased and a document from the Bishop of Sri Lanka, by the side of it shows it is a genuine piece of clothing he wore.
Few metres from the Sanctuary is the ancestral house of Blessed Joseph Vaz. The original house could not withstand nature’s fury but the room where Blessed Vaz and his family would pray, still stands. The jackfruit tree by the side of the house is also still standing.
Fr Ronaldo Fernandes, assistant priest points to the jackfruit tree and explains how Blessed Vaz as a little boy would climb the tree from his window at night, descend and then proceed to Cortalim where it is believed divine intervention would miraculously open the doors of the Church for him.
He also explains the significance of the cross. It was blessed by Pope Clement and Vaz kept it with him throughout his life. When he died he had it with him in his hand. Many people pray to this cross.
His canonisation in Sri Lanka will be followed by the celebration of his Feast in Sancoale and the villagers are gearing up for the special event which will take place just two days after his canonisation. “I’m really happy. Our fathers and forefathers prayed for this miracle. It is a dream come true for the people of Sancoale and Goa.”
Lawrence Fernandes, another parishioner says the news of his canonisation brings him great happiness too. “This is very important for people who believe in him and in his miracles. I’ve read many books about the lives of saints but I’ve not come across any saint in India who had miracles taking place in his lifetime.” Many faithful from Sancoale will be travelling to Sri Lanka for the grand event and returning for the feast. “The past two years we’ve had a large crowd present at the novenas and Feast. From this year onwards it will only be bigger.”
This report has been compiled from the TV documentary series on HCN called ‘The Story’ anchored by Rupesh Samant.
