All Roads Lead to Sri Lanka- Canonization of Fr Joseph Vaz

Canonization of Fr Joseph Vaz 

All Roads lead to Sri Lanka 

Herald Review October 12, 2014

Goans will be travelling in large numbers to Sri Lanka for the grand canonization ceremony of Fr Joseph Vaz in January next year 

LISA ANN MONTEIRO 

No sooner the word spread that Pope Francis’ Apostolic trip to Sri Lanka would result in the canonization of Goan priest and missionary Blessed Joseph Vaz, scores of Goans have decided to witness the historic event firsthand. They wasted no time in getting their act together and hundreds have already booked tickets, with travel agents continuing to receive enquiries with each passing day.

Paul Siqueira, proprietor of Zion Travels, a pilgrimage travel company, says over 350 people are travelling with them in nine groups over three days beginning January 10. He expects the number to rise to 500 with inquiries showing no signs of relenting.

Archbishop of Goa Filipe Neri Ferrao, Vicar General and Bishop of Sindhudurg Alwyn Barreto, and 25 priests will be travelling along with the faithful. Two priests of Goan origin from Canada and Australia and a group of 20 people from the UK have also booked their seats and will be arriving in Goa in time to leave with their groups to witness the once in a lifetime event.

The group Crusaders for Jesus with Mary will be taking a batch of 60- odd people and Airsonic, another travel company, has 100- odd people who have booked with them.

The high demand for tickets during the crucial week in January has meant that prices of tickets have begun to soar and along with this, the price for the entire six- day package that travel companies are offering. Those who booked in advance paid around Rs 42,000. People still booking are paying Rs 48,000 with some even shelling out Rs 69,000.

The lack of direct flights from Goa to Sri Lanka has also added to the travel cost and pilgrims will be travelling via Chennai or Bangalore to get to the island.

Most travel companies are not happy with the lack of seats available on flights.

They would like to see more flights and perhaps even a direct flight from Goa.

Bruno Gomindes, proprietor of Travco Holidays says the government is only concentrating on inbound traffic for the Exposition of the Relics of St Francis Xavier. “ They should also understand the importance of outbound traffic to Sri Lanka for Fr Joseph Vaz’ canonization.

This is a big event which is very close to the hearts of Goans. There is a scarcity of seats and this is very unfortunate.” 

Government role 
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had told reporters last month that there was no guarantee but the State government would be making a request to the central government regarding direct flights. When contacted an official from the CM’s office said, “ The CM has made an informal request to the Centre.

Post October 15, a formal request will be made.” If and when the government gets its act together, there will still be no respite for the hundreds of pilgrims who have already booked and planned their trips.

Paul Siqueira says the least the government could have done was borne the cost of the visas ( a paltry 10 dollars) of the pilgrims.

Pope Francis is due to spend three days in Sri Lanka ( January 12 till 15) before proceeding to the Philippines. At 8: 30 am on January 14, the faithful will gather in large numbers at Galle Face Green, a sprawling park spread across five hectares on the banks of the Indian Ocean in Colombo, for the public mass and canonization ceremony.

For many from Goa it will be their first visit to the neighbouring country.

The excitement among those travelling is palpable. Niyan Marchon who will be travelling with the Crusaders says Fr Joseph Vaz is his personal saint. “ I’ve got many answers to my problems through his intercession and he has saved me from several difficult situations.

My daughter was born on January 16 and we’ve given her a middle name Josel. We are going to reinforce our faith and to thank God for making Fr Joseph Vaz a saint. We also get to see the Pope, making it a wholesome spiritual experience.” Dr Nirmala Dessai from Margao says she has been planning a pilgrimage to Sri Lanka for the past two years but things had never worked out.

This time, she will be travelling with 15 other likeminded people, some of whom will be joining her from Chennai. “ Fr Joseph Vaz is a role model for me. When he was asked to become Bishop of Ceylon he refused and chose to carry on his work quietly. I admire his simple life and his dedication.” Siqueira, who will be travelling with one of his groups, says the devotion and enthusiasm is tremendous. He is pushing for suitable seating arrangements for the Goan pilgrims at the special mass. “ It will be a very proud moment for us Goans. After all, Fr Joseph Vaz is one of us.” 

Extinct Order 
Bl Joseph Vaz was ordained a priest of the diocese of Goa in 1676. Since the European religious in those days weren’t accepting Goan boys in their congregations, a group of priests formed an association called the Milagristas. Joseph Vaz joined this group on December 25, 1685 and was chosen as the Superior General. He was instrumental in writing the statute of the order of the Oratorians of Goa and sending it for approval to Rome. The order received Papal recognition in 1706 and was the first indigenous congregation outside Europe to receive papal recognition.

The order continued until 1835 when all religious orders were banned by the Portuguese. Fr Eremito Rebelo, rector of the Sancoale Sanctuary says the order continued in Sri Lanka and died with the death of the last Oratorian.

“ The order would have continued if not for the ban. It is extinct today.” But the canonization of Fr Joseph Vaz is a fitting recompense. Review Bureau

link: http://epaperoheraldo.in/Details.aspx?id=8542&boxid=51058718&uid=&dat=10/12/2014