India: St Joseph Vaz Feast celebrated in Goa, Faithful Urged to Renew a Life of Service

The solemn feast of St Joseph Vaz, Patron of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, was celebrated on January 16, 2025, at the site of the Old Church of Our Lady of Health, Rua Escravo de Maria, Sancoale, Goa, southwest India.

Bishop Simião Fernandes, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman presided over the Eucharistic celebration with  Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão of Goa and Daman, Lumen Monteiro, Bishop of Agartala,  Bishop Alex Dias SFX, Bishop Emeritus of Port Blair Bishop Alwyn DSilva, Bishop Emeritus of Bombay, Fr Kenneth Teles, Rector Incharge  of the Sanctuary  of St Joseph Vaz Sancoale, Fr K. T. Emmanuel of the Archdiocese of Bombay and several other priests as concelebrants

Delivering a homily on the theme, “Filled with Hope, St Joseph Vaz proclaimed Christ through the ministry of service”, Bishop Simião Fernandes called upon the faithful to rediscover the true meaning of Christian service, inspired by the life of Jesus and the missionary witness of St. Joseph Vaz.

Bishop Simião reminded the faithful that the Church is enriched by many ministries of service, yet the essence of service lies not in whom we serve but in the intention and manner in which we serve. “Christian service,” he said, “is not limited to those who are familiar or favourable to us, but is directed especially towards those in need.”

Reflecting on the prophetic mission of Jeremiah, the Bishop urged the faithful to courageously uproot structures of evil present in society, particularly those that undermine human dignity. He further situated this call within the vision of a Synodal Church, emphasising that ministries must be carried out together, walking as one people of God.

Drawing from the Gospel, Bishop Simião highlighted three essential dimensions of Christ’s service, all of which were faithfully embodied by St. Joseph Vaz. First, he spoke of readiness to serve at all times, noting that Jesus remained constantly available to others, a trait mirrored in St. Joseph Vaz, who responded generously to every pastoral need.

Secondly, the Bishop underlined the humility of Christian service. Jesus served with self-emptying love, and St. Joseph Vaz imitated this humility by assuming simple roles—such as that of a beggar or baker—so that he could reach and serve others without seeking recognition.

The third dimension, he said, is all-embracing service. Jesus served everyone, even those who would betray Him. In the same spirit, St. Joseph Vaz extended his care to all, including people of other faiths. The Bishop recalled the saint’s service to a Buddhist official as a powerful sign of inclusive charity.

Concluding his homily, Bishop Simião appealed to the faithful to draw inspiration from the life of St. Joseph Vaz and to translate devotion into concrete acts of service, especially towards the poor and the marginalised, thereby making the saint’s legacy alive in today’s Church.

Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão welcomed the Bishops, Priests Religious  and faithful present.

Sr Jeryssa Pereira SFN  was the liturgical commentator while Fr Afonso Mendonça, Director of the Diocesan Centre for Liturgy animated the liturgy for the solemn feast mass. Fr John Albano Fernandes led the liturgical singing. Fr Kenneth Teles, Rector  Incharge of the Sanctuary  of St Joseph Vaz and Parish Priest of Our Lady of Heath Church, Sancoale thanked all.

In preparation for the feast, the novena services are were held at the venue, drawing large numbers of faithful every day. Each day of the novena was dedicated to a different diocesan apostolate, and two masses daily were celebrated by the various deaneries.