VASCO
The Novena in honour of St Joseph Vaz, Patron Saint of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, began at the site of the old Church of Our Lady of Health, Rua Escravo de Maria, Sancoale, on Thursday.
Masses without a congregation were celebrated at 7 am (Konkani) and 8.15 am (English) in the Chapel of Our Lady of Health near the Frontispiece of the old Sancoale Church.The Masses were live-streamed for devotees on the Diocesan website, the CCRTV and the GCTV, which were available on their respective YouTube channels.
The theme for the Novena and Feast this year is "Let us be Jesus' witnesses by living His Beatitudes through the example of St Joseph Vaz." Deaneries have been marked for each day during the Novena and they will be prayed for on those days. Each day of the Novena has also been dedicated to one (or more) apostolate/cause in the Archdiocese, with special prayers being offered for them on that day.
During the Novena and on the Feast Day, the Sanctuary of St Joseph Vaz at Sancoale will be open to pilgrims and devotees for veneration of the statue and sacred relic of St Joseph Vaz from 8 am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 7 pm.
The Novena and the Feast of St Joseph Vaz is also being celebrated in parishes and chapels across the archdiocese.
