Joseph Vaz
Joseph Vaz, CO (Konkani: San Zuze Vaza; Portuguese: São José Vaz; Kannada: ಪವಿತ್ರಾ ಯೋಸೆಫ್ ವಾಸ್ ಸಂತರು Pavitra Yoseph Vaz Santaru; Tamil: புனித சூசை வாஸ் முனிவர் Punitha Sūsai Vas Munivar; Sinhala: ශාන්ත ජුසේ වාස් මුනිතුමා, ශ්රී ලංකාවේ අපෝස්තුළුවරයාණන් Santha Juse Vas Munithuma, Sri Lankawe Aposthuluvaraya) (21 April 1651 – 16 January 1711) was an Oratorian priest and missionary in Sri Lanka (Ceylon), originally from Sancoale in Portuguese India.
Saint Joseph Vaz C.O. | |
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Apostle of Sri Lanka, Apostle of Canara & Patron of Goa | |
| Priest and Missionary, Apostle of Sri Lanka | |
| Born | 21 April 1651 Benaulim, Salcete, Portuguese India, Portuguese Empire |
| Died | 16 January 1711 (aged 59) Kandy, Kingdom of Kandy |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 21 January 1995, Galle Face Green, Colombo, Sri Lanka by Pope John Paul II |
| Canonized | 14 January 2015, Galle Face Green, Colombo, Sri Lanka by Pope Francis |
| Feast | 16 January |
| Attributes | Mitre placed to side, holding crucifix, sun icon, Oratorian habit |
| Patronage |
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Vaz arrived in Ceylon during the Dutch occupation, when the Dutch were imposing Calvinism as the official religion after taking over from the Portuguese Empire. He travelled throughout the island bringing the Eucharist and the Sacraments to clandestine groups of crypto-Catholics. Later in his mission, he found shelter in the Kingdom of Kandy where he was able to work freely. By the time of his death, Vaz had managed to rebuild the Catholic Church on the island.
As a result of his labors, Vaz is known as the Apostle of Ceylon. On 21 January 1995, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Colombo. He was canonized on 14 January 2015 by Pope Francis in an open-air Mass ceremony at the Galle Face Green in Colombo.