Blessed Joseph Vaz, a saint soon

By Lalin Fernandopulle

The canonisation of Blessed Joseph Vaz will be completed soon and he would be raised to sainthood at a ceremony presided over by Pope Francis, Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith told journalists at the first media briefing on the impending visit of the Holy Father at the Archbishop's House on Friday.

Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith launches the website. Pic: Thushara Fernando

He said that canonisation is a long process and it needs miraculous intervention. The saving of the life of one of the twins overseas through the intercession of Fr. Joseph Vaz led to the beginning of the canonisation process.

“The process is going on and we are hopeful that it will be completed prior to the visit of the Holy Father”, the Cardinal said. Blessed Joseph Vaz hailed as the Apostle of Sri Lanka will be the first Sri Lankan by adoption to be raised to sainthood.

Joesph Vaz, an Oratorian priest from India played a pivotal role in reviving the Catholic faith in Sri Lanka during the Dutch persecution in the 17th century. He paved the way for religious literature and cultural traditions in the country. Joseph Vaz led a simple life until his death in 1711 in Kandy.

The visit of Pope Francis to Sri Lanka marks the first visit of the Pontiff to Asia after being elected to the papacy in March 2013. He is the third Pope to visit Sri Lanka after Pope Paul the V1 in 1970 and Pope John Paul the II in 1995.

Pope Francis will arrive in Sri Lanka at 9 a.m. on January 13 and will be accorded a State welcome at the Bandaranaike International Airport. Thereafter, the Pontiff will proceed along the Negombo road to the Nunciature in Colombo and Archbishop's House where he will meet the Archbishop and Bishops.

The Holy Father will pay a courtesy call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa and thereafter meet religious leaders at the BMICH. A stamp to mark the visit of the Holy Father will be issued on the same day.

The main event of the Pope's visit which is to canonise Blessed Joseph Vaz will take place at the Galle Face Green on the following day at 8.30 a.m. Thereafter, the Pope will visit the Madhu Shrine for a prayer service and return to Colombo to leave for Manila the following day.

“The visit of the Holy Father is a landmark occasion for Sri Lanka. We warmly welcome Pope Francis to our country which is rich in religious and cultural values. We must use this occasion to demonstrate to the world our values”, the Cardinal said.

Pope Francis known for his simplicity, pastoral care and love for the poor has inspired the church to commit itself to the mission of Jesus Christ to abide in love which is also the theme of the Holy Father's visit to Sri Lanka.

When asked whether the Pontiff would travel in a special chariot, the Cardinal said that Pope Francis always preferred to travel on a simple vehicle. As Archbishop of Buenos Aires Pope Francis had no car and lived in a simple apartment and cooked his meals himself. He lives a radical life bearing witness to the Gospel values.

The official logo and website www.popefrancissrilanka.com of the visit of the Holy Father was launched by Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith on the occasion.