VASCO
The Solemn Feast of St Joseph Vaz, the Patron of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, was celebrated at the premises of Our Lady of Health, Old Sancoale Church, Sancoale, with great fervour and devotion on Thursday.
Being the Patron of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, the Feast of St Joseph Vaz was also celebrated by the faithful in all parishes of the Archdiocese, neighbouring states and in Sri Lanka.
The Solemn High Mass at Sancoale was celebrated at 10 am, while the other Masses were celebrated at 5 am, 6.15 am, 7.30 am, 8.45 am, 12 noon (at Oratory room of St Joseph Vaz, Sancoale), 4pm and 5.30 pm.
The Solemn High Mass was presided over by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Fernandes, Bishop Alex Dias (Bishop Emeritus of Port Blair), Cardinal Joseph Coutts (Archbishop Emeritus of Karachi) along with several other priests and religious. Thousands of people participated in the Masses and paid homage to the great saint of the soil.
In his homily, Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Fernandes invited the people to be messengers of Good News and hope to everyone without any discrimination.
He pointed out three areas wherein people could be such messengers in the footsteps of St Joseph Vaz.
In the first place, he said, we need to be messengers of Good news in our own families. He reminded the people of the advice of Pope Francis about the need of using three important words "Thank you, Sorry and Please."
He also urged the people to give quality time to each other in their families.
In the second place he said we need to be messengers of hope in the society, especially to the dejected and needy people.
“The Pope invites people to be tangible signs of hope to prisoners, the migrants, people with disabilities, the sick and elderly, the youth who are caught up in different types of abuses. St Joseph Vaz did the same and served everyone without any discrimination,” he said.
Speaking on the final aspect he said, “We need to give hope to nature too by protecting it and promoting sustainable development.”
As the Mass concluded, Fr Kenet Teles, Parish Priest of Sancoale and Rector of St Joseph Vaz Sanctuary, thanked everyone for helping in the organisation of the Novenas and feast.
Cardinal Ferrao wished everyone a blessed and grace-filled feast of St Joseph Vaz, the Patron Saint of the Archdiocese of Goa.
He also reminded the people that this is the 10th anniversary of the Canonisation of St Joseph Vaz. He exhorted the people to take inspiration from St Joseph Vaz and overcome all challenges to be messengers of hope.
