Catholic Fire

One of the highlights of Pope Francis' trip to Sri Lanka will be the canonization of Joseph Vaz, the country's first Saint. He was born in India in 1651. After being ordained a priest, he traveled to Sri Lanka. During the XVII and XVIII century,  the Dutch controlled the island and imposed their confession, which was Calvinism. Under those circumstances, Vaz helped preached to Catholics who were actively being persecuted. FR. PRASAD HARSHAN Sri Lankan Priest "He was a wonderful sign of reconciliation, a sign of love, a sign of peace. God is going to give him back to us, as our first Saint. At this junction. Pope Francis is going to give that gift to us in our own land. I have no words to express the joy.” Blessed Joseph Vaz learned the native languages of the island and had a very good relationship with the country's spiritual leaders. He is seen as an example of reconciliation in the country, severely divided by a 25 year long civil war.

Pope Francis has cleared that way for the canonization of Sri Lanka's first saint. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints stated that the Pope had approved a vote by the Ordinary Session of Cardinals and Bishops in favor of canonizing Blessed Joseph Vaz. For the second time in his papacy, Pope Francis bypassed the second miracle required by candidates for canonization. The only other time the Pope has done this was for the canonization of Pope St. John XXIII. Blessed Joseph Vaz was born in Goa, India in 1651. He spent most of his life as a missionary in Sri Lanka, ministering to the faithful during the Calvinist persecution. He was beatified on January 21st, 1995 by St. John Paul II during his Apostolic visit to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Pope Francis is expected to declare Blessed Vaz a saint during his visit to Sri Lanka in January.