Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas Sfx, Bishop of Daltonganj, presided over the Eucharistic celebration on January 16, the feast day of St. Joseph Vaz, Patron of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, at the site of the old Church of Our Lady of Health, Rua Escravo de Maria, Sancoale, India.
In his homily, Bishop Mascarenhas said, “St. Joseph Vaz is a great missionary. He went out of Goa and worked as a missionary in difficult situations. His exemplary life as a missionary inspires us to be faithful to our missionary vocation.”
The bishop emphasized the saint's unwavering commitment, saying believers should heed Jesus' call to fearlessness.
The prelate also encouraged a strong faith that transcends apprehension, persecution, and illness, echoing the missionary spirit of St. Joseph Vaz, who taught the importance of knowing, experiencing, and living one's faith while fearlessly proclaiming it to others.
This year’s celebration focused on the theme, “Let us truly follow Jesus after the example of St. Joseph Vaz.”
The Mass was presided by Bishop Mascarenhas, and he was joined by Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman; Bishop Alwyn Barretto, Bishop of Sindhudurg; Bishop Lumen Monteiro, Bishop of Agartala; Bishop Alex Dias, Bishop-Emeritus of Port Blair; Fr. Jose Remedios Fernandes, Vicar General of the diocese; Fr. Valerian Vaz, Rector of Seminary of Our Lady, Saligao; Fr. Lucio Dias, Episcopal Vicar for South Zone; Fr. Raju Selvaraj; Fr. Kenneth Teles, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Sancoale, Deacon Joao Gonsalves; Deacon Rayan D'souza; and 50 other priests.
Emphasizing the need for collective efforts, regardless of religious affiliations, Bishop Mascarenhas urged everyone to unite for the advancement of the state.
He emphasized that Goa is a globally perceived community that inspires faith and transcends religious boundaries to align with the divine will.
The bishop also acknowledged the unwavering love and support extended by the faithful in Goa to the clergy in their respective parishes.
St. Joseph Vaz is a Goan saint, canonized on January 14, 2015, by Pope Francis. He wrote a letter of Bondage to Mother Mary, offering himself as a slave to her and her Son, Jesus, at the altar of the Sancoale church on August 5, 1677.- Br. John Malvino Alfonso, OCD
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