VASCO
Admitting that the Covid pandemic has brought in the darkness of disease, death, poverty, fear, frustration and loneliness, Archbishop-Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrão on Saturday said Jesus is the light for people and Goa’s illustrious son, St Joseph Vaz, was a role model for them.
“We are called to be courageous and enthusiastic witnesses of Jesus by living the life of the beatitudes. For this, St Joseph Vaz becomes a model for us,” said Archbishop Ferrão.
He was delivering a homily at the Feast Mass of St Joseph Vaz, Patron Saint of the Archdiocese, at the site of the old Church of Our Lady of Health in Sancoale.
Bishop Emeritus Aleixo Dias of Port Blair, Bishop Alwyn Barreto of Sindhudurg, Bishop Lumen Monteiro of Agartala and about 30 priests also concelebrated at the Feast Mass.
On account of Covid restrictions, there was limited participation of representatives from the clergy, religious and laity from across the archdiocese.
Archbishop Ferrão recalled the poor, simple and humble life of St Joseph Vaz as he served the poor, needy and sick of all faiths in Karwar, Honnavar, Mangalore and Sri Lanka, despite encountering hardships and challenges along the way.
“We need to use our God-given talents and riches for the glory of God and to serve the poor, sick and needy like St Joseph Vaz,” he said.
Reminding the faithful of difficult situations faced by St Joseph Vaz, Archbishop Ferrão said “We too face difficulties, especially during this period. St Joseph Vaz had also encountered persecution and difficulties. We need to embrace these difficulties with love and show concern and serve those who face difficulties,” said the archbishop.
He said though only a limited number of people could participate in the Feast Mass, the spiritual joy and fervour had, however, not diminished as many faithful and devotees of St Joseph Vaz had been following and participating in the services through virtual means.
He prayed that the inspiring life of St Joseph Vaz would impel people to be instruments of goodness and messengers of peace.
The theme for the Novena and Feast this year was "Let us be Jesus' witnesses by living His Beatitudes through the example of St Joseph Vaz."
Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha and Sancoale Deputy Sarpanch Succorina Vales were among the limited number of people participating in the Feast Mass due to the Covid pandemic. Besides, there were no vendors selling food items and other items around the feast site.
On the Feast Day, pilgrims and devotees venerated the statue and sacred relic of St Joseph Vaz at the Sanctuary of St Joseph Vaz in Sancoale.
