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This week’s missionary hero is St. Joseph Vaz, an Oratorian priest who devoted his life to spreading the good news of Jesus in Sri Lanka, known as “Ceylon” in Joseph’s day.
Joseph was born in Benaulim, Goa, Portuguese India on April 21, 1651. He was the third of six children. After receiving an excellent classical Jesuit and Dominican education, he was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Goa in 1676. Soon after his ordination, he began going barefoot to live like the poor and became a popular preacher. As a new priest, he also opened a school for prospective seminarians. In time, he became a member of the Oratorian Fathers.
Though Fr. Joseph worked in various places in India, his biggest contribution to the Church was his work in Ceylon, today known as Sri Lanka.
Fr. Joseph encountered a host of problems upon arrival in Ceylon. For one thing, Calvinists had taken over the society, and they had banned Catholic priests. So, Fr. Joseph and his companion had to do their missionary work at night, and often they had to wear disguises as beggars.
In one area of Ceylon, called the Kingdom of Kandy, the king asked for Fr. Joseph to come and pray for rain during a drought. Fr. Joseph did just that, and soon abundant rain fell. According to the story, none of the rain fell on Fr. Joseph. From that day on, the king gave Fr. Joseph and his companion the right to do mission work all over the Kingdom of Kandy.
Of all the mission experiences Fr. Joseph had, one that had far-reaching and long-lasting effects was his work as a nurse-priest. In the middle of 1697, a smallpox epidemic was affecting slaves and beggars, and they were left to die in deserted spots and jungles. Fr. Joseph and his nephew found this unacceptable. So, they quickly began caring for those affected by washing them, feeding them, clothing them, giving them medicines, and loving them. Fr. Joseph would rent out houses that he could use as hospitals. Sometimes, 10 to 12 people a day would die, and Fr. Joseph and another priest would have to dress the corpses, carry the coffins, and bury the dead. The epidemic went on for twelve months.
People took notice of the heroic efforts of Fr. Joseph and his companion, and many decided to become Catholic Christians as a result.
Fr. Joseph Vaz died in Kandy on January 16, 1711 at the age of 59. Pope Francis canonized Joseph on January 14, 2015.
Saint Joseph Vaz’ feast day is January 16, and he is a patron saint of Sri Lanka. In fact, he is often called “The Apostle of Sri Lanka.”
