BIS #1725 CELEBRATIONS ABOUND ON THE FEAST OF BLESSED JOSEPH VAZ


Edelbert D’Silva sdb


NASHIK, JANUARY 20, 2010: ‘Juze Vaza amchea Bhava tuje pasot argham mhoima’. On January 16, 2010 the Community of Divyadaan thanked God and celebrated the feast of this great missionary with filial love and devotion. The celebration began on a spiritual note through a well animated Morning Prayer and meditation. At meditation, the community was invited to reflect on and imitate the heroic virtues of Blessed Joseph Vaz. The notice board called the brothers to be beacons of God’s love, imitating the example of Joseph Vaz. In the afternoon the brothers of the Konkan province organized creative games and made it even livelier with beautiful Konkani melodies. In the evening, the three communities of Salesian Training Institute, Don Bosco Bhavan and Divyadaan gathered at Don Bosco Parish to celebrate the Solemn Eucharist in honour of this great saint. Fr. Ashley Miranda sdb was the main celebrant. During the homily he shed light on the life of Joseph Vaz and highlighted the fact that Joseph Vaz underwent a lot of suffering because of the burning love he had for Jesus. Though Joseph was a Goan, he mastered Tamil and Sinhalese so that he could be more efficacious in his preaching. Humility was the hallmark of Blessed Joseph Vaz. The brothers were invited to be bearers of God’s love to others. Being the year dedicated to the priesthood, the brothers of Divyadaan watched the Konkani movie “Padri”. One cannot forget the scrumptious meal which added flavour to the celebrations. The events of the day inspired the community to imitate Joseph Vaz, especially his love for the missions, the poor and his love for Jesus.