Blessed Joseph Vaz

BLESSED JOSEPH VAZ PATRON OF OUR BELOVED KONKAN PROVINCE INTRODUCTION Good evening dearest brothers and sisters, today we are all gathered here to celebrate the feast of Bl. Joseph Vaz. He stands as a powerful patron and advocate before God interceding for all needs of the church. Today he stands as a Model and Intercessor. A model for us to follow in his exemplary life of faith, hope and charity. Blessed Joseph Vaz is also an Intercessor, who prays to God in Heaven for all our needs. He is a patron of Priests, Nuns, Lay-leaders, Catechists, Teachers, Patron of Doctors, nurses, Grave-diggers, patron of tolerance, Patron of Inculturation, patron of children, Youth and families. He shows us the way to celebrate God’s love to the fullest. As we celebrate this Eucharist; let us resolve to follow the exemplary life of this great blessed, and fruitfully achieve the crown of the heavenly kingdom. INTRODUCTORY RITES; Proclaim his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds to all the peoples, great is the Lord and worthy of all praise. OPENING PRAYER; Father of Mercy, in your compassionate love you sent your priest, and our patron of the Konkan province, Joseph Vaz, to your children spiritually and materially oppressed and persecuted in his native Goa, in Canara and mainly in Sri Lanka. Stirred by his great faith and fortitude, may our hearts too be ever available to humbly serve you in our sisters and brothers in need. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, one God, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. 1st Reading: 2nd Reading: Gospel:

Jer 1: 4-10 1 Cor 9: 16-19, 22-23 Lk 10: 1-9

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL Our Response: Lord, hear our prayer. • Father, Bl. Joseph Vaz was a great example of dedicated priesthood, missionary activity and courageous apostolate. May we be comforted by his prayers and be strengthened in times of difficulties. R/• Father as we reflect the holiness of Bl. Joseph Vaz, our patron, we are inspired by his continuous encouragement to his flock to stand by their faith against difficulties and persecutions. May we return to Our Father by following his footsteps. R/• Lord, Bl. Joseph Vaz was a man of great integrity and disinterested love. May we follow his integrity and disinterested love to fulfill our evangelical work. Lord hear us. R/• Lord if it be your divine plan that we have a saint of our own, grant us the grace to see Bl.Joseph Vaz soon proclaimed as Saint .Through his powerful intercession may we receive a much-needed miracle for his Canonization. R/• Lord we also pray for our Provincial Fr. Loddy Pires and his council so that they may be inspired after the heart of Don Bosco and the zeal of Bl. Joseph Vaz to lead and guide the Konkan province. R/PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS Heavenly Father, we offer you the sacrifice of your son for the salvation of all mankind. Your messenger Joseph Vaz whole heartedly offered his entire life to carry the good news of the salvation to many sisters and brothers, near and far. May we too, by the strength of this sacrifice, bear willing witness to Jesus around us. We offer this prayer through Jesus, our Lord. COMMUNION RITE The Lord sent disciples to proclaim to all the towns; the kingdom of God is very near to you. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Father of all peoples, we have participated in the banquet of the body and blood of your only son. Through this holy sacrament may the church grow in unity, and in the footsteps of your servant Joseph Vaz, may we be able to build your kingdom of justice and love in bonds of peace and brotherhood, above all sorts of social discrimination. We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.