Saint Joseph Vaz

Saint Joseph Vaz was born on April 21, 1651 in Goa, India and was raised in a family marked by faith. After completing classical and philosophical studies in Goa, he was ordained a priest in 1676, at the age of 25. Saint Joseph Vaz dedicated himself to preaching in many parishes and founded a Latin school for future aspirants to the priesthood. His devotion to the Mother of God was also highlighted with his personal consecration to Mary “as a perpetual slave” on August 5, 1677.

Saint Joseph Vaz in Ceylon

Upon learning of the situation of Catholics in Ceylon, Saint Joseph Vaz had a deep desire to go as a missionary to that region. In March 1686, he left for Ceylon, disguising himself as a “coolie” to infiltrate clandestinely. Saint José Vaz went door to door to beg and began celebrating mass in secret. However, his presence was discovered and those who sheltered him were flogged and arrested. He escaped and moved to Kandy, where he was exposed as a Portuguese spy and arrested.

Missionary ministry

Even under house arrest, Saint Joseph Vaz managed to exercise his priestly ministry for the faithful. Gradually, he had more freedom and began to celebrate mass in Kandy. After convincing the king of his innocence, he expanded his ministry throughout the kingdom’s villages. Saint Joseph Vaz visited Catholics, educated them, celebrated the sacraments, built churches, helped the poor and trained catechists.

Death of Saint Joseph Vaz

Saint Joseph Vaz went on his long and frequent missionary journeys, but ended up being brought unconscious to Kandy. After months of physical suffering, he died on January 16, 1711, at the age of 60.

Saint Joseph Vaz was a tireless missionary who marked the history of the Catholic Church. He dedicated his life to the care of Christians in Ceylon and contributed to the establishment and strengthening of the Church in that country.