Bantwal: 3-Day celebrations of Sainthood to Blessed Joseph Vaz concludes at Hill Shrine, Mudipu

Pics by John V Tauro & Santhu Omzoor
Bellevision Media Network

Bantwal, 16 Jan 2014: The three-day celebration to mark the sainthood of Blessed Joseph Vaz at Hill Shrine, Mudipu, near here dedicated to the saint concluded on a solemn note on Friday January 16.
 
As the state declared a day’s mourning in honor of former governor Rameshwar Takoor who passed away on Thursday January 15, the celebrations were sober with CM Siddaramaiah deciding to call off his participation in the event.
 
Bengaluru archbishop Dr Bernard Moras unveiled the statue of St Joseph Vaz and the free meal programme for devotees by pouring rice into a measure in the absence of CM Siddaramaiah.

 

Addressing the gathering, the archbishop Dr M0oras said, ‘Giving food to the hungry is a noble deed. Jesus also fed the hungry. May St Joseph Vaz intercede for all people who come to this place and pray?  May their hunger be satisfied?’

 

Rajya Sabha member MP Oscar Fernandes said, ‘It’s a happy moment for all of us that Blessed Joseph Vaz has been canonized. We have witnessed his miracle in Mudipu. It is a joyous day and I want to thank the state government for giving all support to make this programme a successful one.’

 

Mangaluru bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza spoke on the life of St Joseph Vaz and said that he served in parishes of Udupi, Gangolli, Rosario, Panir and other places of the coastal region for 4 years. ‘May the prayers of all devotees who come to this place be answered? It is our good fortune that we received a saint in our own place,’ said bishop Dr D’Souza.

 

Mudipu – St Joseph Vaz Hill Shrine director Fr Gregory D’Souza, MLA J R Lobo, advocate M P Noronha, ZP member Melvyn D’Souza, Denis D’Silva and others were present.

 

Earlier, Archbishop Dr Moras celebrated the Eucharistic Celebration on Friday morning.

 

Dr Moras in his homily, he spoke on the life of St Joseph Vaz and said, ‘Even though he did not die as a martyr, he brought millions of people near to God. He had great devotion to prayer and always offered Holy Mass. As much as he loved prayer, he also dedicated himself to serving the poor and the needy. He also had great devotion towards Mother Mary and recited the rosary everyday.

‘He built a number of parishes wherever he visited and served in Kanara region for 4 years. When he was serving in Ullal area some people plotted to kill him and lay a trap. They told him there was a sick person who need communion, and believing them he went along to a remote area at night. When they were about to kill him, St Vaz hit the ground with his staff and knelt down. At that moment water poured out from the earth, and seeing his miraculous power, the killers ran away. Since then this place has become a shrine. When St Vaz heard of Christians being targeted in Sri Lanka, he took the lead to go that place.’

 

 

 ‘He also performed miracle in Sri Lanka. There was famine for many years. He conducted prayers in an open space with a cross in his hand, and then there was heavy downpour. After this, people believed in him even more. The king also gave him permission to preach the Gospel to entire Sri Lanka,’ said Dr Moras.

 

‘In Sri Lanka, St Joseph Vaz set up 15 religious centre’s, 400 worship centers, a number of hospitals, orphanages and schools. After working for so many years, he passed away on January 15, 1711. After 300 years he was canonized by the Pope. He showed path of light which is shining even now. It is our responsibility to carry the light forward in future too. Let us all walk in the path shown by St Vaz,’ said Dr Moras.

 

Mangaluru diocesan vicar general Monsignor Denis Moras Prabhu, PRO Fr William Menezes, Fr Joseph Martis, Fr Gregory D’Souza, Fr Andrew D’Souza, Fr Alwyn D’Cunha, and other priests were present.

 

Suzanna, Konkani play based on biblical scripture directed by Christopher Neenasam was staged on Friday evening.