Cardinal Ferrão Highlights St Joseph Vaz as Model of Hope and Synodal Discipleship

By Malvino Alfonso, OCD | January 19, 2026

Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão: "Joseph Vaz invites all of us to be joyful and courageous witnesses of Jesus."

Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, expressed joy and gratitude as the Church celebrated the Solemn Feast of St Joseph Vaz, Patron of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman and Apostle of Sri Lanka, at the Old Church of Our Lady of Health, Rua Escravo de Maria, Sancoale.

Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão: "St Joseph Vaz is a saint from our soil and a missionary who became a channel of hope for so many.”

Speaking to Radio Veritas Asia after the Solemn Feast Mass, the Archbishop recalled that since the canonisation of St Joseph Vaz by Pope Francis of revered memory on January 14, 2015, the faithful have had the privilege of celebrating the feast of the Goan saint for the twelfth time. “It is with great joy and fervour that we celebrate the feast of St Joseph Vaz, a saint from our soil and a missionary who became a channel of hope for so many,” said Cardinal Ferrão, who is the President of FABC and CCBI.

Reflecting on the theme of this year’s feast—Through humble and caring service, Joseph Vaz witnessed to Jesus and became a channel of hope—Archbishop Ferrão described St Joseph Vaz as “an inspiring model of synodal discipleship.” He noted that the saint was deeply rooted in Jesus and walked in close intimacy with Him, journeying alongside the people wherever he was sent.

Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão: "St. Joseph Vaz was focused on the mission of proclaiming the Good News of Jesus."

Auxiliary Bishop Simião Fernandes of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman presided over the the feast mass on Jan 16.

“St Joseph Vaz journeyed with the people—first in Goa, then in Karnataka, and finally as an evangeliser in Sri Lanka—building communion, promoting participation in the life of the Church, and remaining focused on the mission of proclaiming the Good News of Jesus,” the Archbishop said.

Emphasising the relevance of the saint for the Church today, particularly in Asia, Cardinal Ferrão said that the life of St Joseph Vaz continues to inspire disciples of Jesus to live their faith with joy and courage. “Joseph Vaz invites all of us to be joyful and courageous witnesses of Jesus and of the values He brought into this world,” he added.

The Archbishop concluded his message by wishing all the faithful “a truly grace-filled and joyful feast of St Joseph Vaz.”

The Solemn Feast Mass was Presided over by Bishop Simião Fernandes, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese, concelebrated by Archbishop Ferrão along with Bishop Lumen Monteiro, Bishop of Agartala; Bishop Alex Dias; Bishop Alwyn D’Silva, Bishop Emeritus of Bombay; and several other priests.