Tercentenary Jubilee of Blessed Joseph Vaz was delacred by His Grace Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith at Makola Blessed Joseph Vaz Church, today 16th January 2010.

Joseph Vaz was born on 21st April, 1651, in the village of Benaulim in the territory of Goa, then the capital of the Portuguese colonies in the Far East. He received his basic education within the family, but then went to college – to the Jesuits to study humanities; to the Dominicans to study theology. Joseph was ordained priest in 1676 and after a period of almost free-lance work, was invited by the Patriarch of Goa to work at Kanara, where he remained for some years, distinguishing himself by his pastoral zeal

The Tercentenary Jubilee of Blessed Joseph Vaz declared on the occasion of remembering when he was called to Eternal Kingdom on 16th January 1711.

He returned to Goa, and in 1686, with some other priests, started an Oratory, receiving the necessary information and help from the Congregations in Portugal. In April, 1687, however, he went as a missionary to the island of Ceylon (today Sri Lanka). He arrived incognito at Jaffna and remained on the island for 24 years, fulfilling his apostolate in very difficult circumstances – having to travel and celebrate the sacraments at night, always in disguise, and being constantly pursued by the Dutch Calvinist authorities, who sought to put an end to his single-handed attempt to keep the Catholic faith alive on the island. His work was blessed with success and he succeeded in strengthening the faith of many, comforting the suffering and the persecuted.

    Joseph decided to make his base in the Kingdom of Kandy, in the island’s interior, but on arrival was arrested as a spy and put in prison. He was released after having prayed for and obtained a miraculous fall of rain, so ending a prolonged drought. After that the King of Kandy gave him his personal protection.

    In 1696 the Oratory Fathers of Goa began to arrive on the island and so a properly constituted mission was established. Joseph refused the position of Vicar Apostolic. Preferring to remain a humble missionary, continuing his unstinting work for the people. He translated into Singalese and Tamil, (the local languages), various prayers and a catechism.

    On 16th January, 1711, he knew he was dying. He asked for and received the Last Rites and his faithful followers gathered around his bed. 'Always live according to God’s inspiration,' he told them. At midnight, holding a candle in his hand, he pronounced the holy name of 'Jesus' with great clarity and fervour, and, commending his soul into his Saviour’s hands, he died. He left a marvellous legacy: 70,000 Catholics, 15 churches and 400 chapels.

His Grace the Archbishop addressing the faithful at Makola said, " God chose His disciples as He wills. The disciples Our Lord chose, all were not perfect people. But God called them to Himself and made them strong, made them to be strong and committed missionaries. Our Lord lived with them, performed miracles before their eyes, he felt weary and tired, travelled with them preaching God's Kingdom, prayed with them, ate with them and suffered with them. And ultimately he formed them as he wanted and made them very convinced and dedicated missionaries. Every missionary is a chosen one by Christ. It was so with Blessed Joseph Vaz. Having born in India, he would have very well served the people there. But as he grew up closer to the Lord, he heard the cries of the people of God in Sri Lanka. So he set forth to come to Sri Lanka. The Lord called him and sent him to an unknown land to lookafter His people."

Archbishop Malcolm further said, " there is a divine plan for everyone of us. God calls and chooses some for a very special purpose, He wants them to committ themselves to Him totally all the days of life. Our temporary life here on earth will pass away. Sometimes we feel it was recently we went to school, it was recently we lived as young men and travelled around, but soon we realize that we are growing old, we feel pain in our limbs and legs, and we cannot stop all our physical changes. All these things will pass away. But our life in God is Eternal. It is for this Eternal life we have to strive everyday. So we called to live a life in the Lord and give a place for God in our hearts. If our hearts are filled with hatred, jealousy, envy, revenge, divisions, injustices and chaeting, then there is no place in our hearts for God. We need to give our hearts completely to the Lord and must have a longing to live with Him always. This is what made Blessed Joseph Vaz to come to Sri Lanka and strengthen the faith of the people of Sri Lanka"

At the end of the Eucharistic celebration His Grace Archbishop Macolm Ranjith declraed the Jubilee year until 16th January 2011. The Episcopal Vicar Very Rev. Fr. Marcus Ferdinandez, Rev. Fr. Anthony Fernandopulle- Archdiocesan Coordinator of the Blessed Joseph Vaz Committee, Rev. Fr. Prasanna Rohan- Parish Priest of Sapugaskanda and Fr. Jayalath Balagalla concelebrated at the Holy Mass.