Sri Lanka: Bishop Harold Anthony Urges Faithful to Be “Pilgrims of Hope” at St Joseph Vaz National Feast
The National Feast of Saint Joseph Vaz was solemnly celebrated on 15 January 2025 at the National Shrine of Saint Joseph Vaz, Mahagalagamuwa, in the North Western Province of Sri Lanka.
The feast-day Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Bishop Gnanapragasam of Mannar, with Bishop Harold Anthony Perera of Kurunegala serving as a concelebrant.
Delivering the homily, Bishop Perera called on the faithful to become “pilgrims of hope” amid the many social, economic, political, and spiritual challenges facing the nation today, drawing inspiration from the life and mission of Saint Joseph Vaz.
Reflecting on the first reading from the Prophet Isaiah, the Bishop noted that God’s message of hope was proclaimed to a people weighed down by suffering and uncertainty. He observed that Saint Joseph Vaz arrived in Sri Lanka during a similarly dark period, when Christians were subjected to intense persecution and lived in deep fear and hopelessness.
Highlighting the Saint’s heroic witness, Bishop Perera recalled that Saint Joseph Vaz came as a missionary at a time when giving shelter to a priest was considered a grave crime, punishable by imprisonment, confiscation of property, or even death. Despite these dangers, the Saint courageously traveled in disguise to reach Catholics who practiced their faith in secrecy, organizing them into small communities and nurturing a true “Church of Communion.”
The Bishop emphasized that this missionary journey continues today, urging the faithful to root their lives and their hope firmly in the Holy Eucharist, especially in times of suffering and uncertainty.
The feast was organized by Fr. Rufus Thalis, Parish Priest of Galgamuwa and Administrator of the Shrine, together with Fr. Sanjeewan Leon, CMF, Assistant Parish Priest, in collaboration with the Saint Joseph Vaz Committee and parishioners. A delegation from Goa, the birthplace of Saint Joseph Vaz, was also present for the celebration.
