Christian Perspectives

Blessed Joseph Vaz

The Apostle of Sri Lanka:

W.T.A. Leslie Fernando

The Catholics in Sri Lanka commemorate Blessed Joseph Vaz, known as the Apostle of Sri Lanka on January 16. Blessed Joseph Vaz came to Sri Lanka in 1687 under the guise of a coolie. He ministered in Sri Lanka for 24 long years amidst the Dutch persecution of Catholics. He passed away in Kandy on January 16, 1711 and his mortal remains were interred in this country.

It was Blessed Joseph Vaz who saved the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka from extinction during the Dutch period. He also laid the foundation for an indigenous Catholic Church in our country. He was beatified in Colombo on January 21, 1995.

The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka was officially established with the arrival of the Portuguese to the country in the 16th Century.

The missionaries during the Portuguese times adjusted to the life here, underwent hardships led holy and exemplary lives and converted people to Christianity. They built churches and schools, established parishes and laid a sound foundation for the Catholic Church in our country.

Nevertheless some missionaries got involved in politics of the day and made attempts to place Christian converts on the throne. They even got the Portuguese rulers to take over some Buddhist and Hindu temples and convert them to churches.

The repressive attitude of the Portuguese towards the non-Catholics and destruction of their places of worship aroused patriotic feelings against the Portuguese as well as the Catholic missionaries.

Besides the missionaris during the Portuguese times failed to appreciate what is good and praiseworthy in indigenous culture. They rather sought to impose Western culture along with the Christian faith.

Some of those who were converted to Catholic faith fell away once the Portuguese were ousted from Sri Lanka. Catholic strongholds today are somewhat areas covered by Blessed Joseph Vaz and his fellow Oratorians during the Dutch times.

The successes that were of the Catholic Church during the Portuguese times were mainly due to the closeness of the missionaries to people, their sanctitty and good example.

In 1658, the Dutch ousted the Portuguese from the maritime provinces in Sri Lanka. For both political and sectarian reasons the Dutch set their face against the Catholics, proscribed the religion, drove away the priests and took over Catholic churches and schools. For about 30 years there was no single priest to Minister to the Catholics and Catholic activity almost disappeared in the island.

It was in this plight of the Catholics that Blessed Joseph Vas came to Sri Lanka and revived the Catholic faith.

Blessed Joseph Vaz was a Konkani Brahamin by lineage and was born in Benelim in Goa on April 21, 1651. He was ordained a priest in 1676 and he was the superior of the Oratory of Goa when he came to our country. Before leaving Goa he made arrangements for other Oratorian priests to follow him for his missionary work in Sri Lanka.

Blessed Joseph Vaz proved himself to be an embodiment of Christ. He walked barefooted all over the country visiting the scattered Catholics and attended to their spiritual needs.

He slept on a mat and fasted daily unless he was ill. When an epidemic of smallpox spread in Kandy in 1697, Blessed Joseph Vaz and his companion Joseph Carvalho nursed both Christians as well as non-Christians.

Blessed Joseph Vaz and other Oratorians who followed him had to work hard in Sri Lanka under the Dutch persecution. They were never disheartened and they looked after the spiritual welfare of Catholics under severe oppression, victimisation and humiliation. They went from place to place in disguise and at the same time leading simple, serene and austere lives.

It has been the history of the Church, the Catholic faith strived at its best when the religion was persecuted. It was so during the Dutch times in Sri Lanka. During this period the Catholic faith strengthened and its roots struck deep down in the soil in our country.

Besides Blessed Joseph Vaz did not implant Western culture along with the Christian faith. He wanted to set up a Church adapted to the country and suited to its needs and circumstances. In fact the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka under Blessed Joseph Vaz and his fellow Oratorians witnessed and excellent form of cultural adaptation.

The Oratorian priests being Easterners were in a better position than the European missionaries during the Portuguese times to understand and appreciate indigenous culture. Rather than transplanting foreign forms they made an attempt to present the religion to suit the cultural traints in this country.

Blessed Joseph Vaz introduced Oriental forms of worship, prayers and Catholic drama. He himself composed a Cathechism, a Summery of Catholic doctrine, meditations on the Way of Cross and devotions and litanies to the Blessed Virgin Mary in Sinhala and in Tamil.

It was Blessed Joseph Vaz who initiated the performance of Passion shows in Sri Lanka with images of sacred personages modelled on the Catholic puppet drama he had witnessed in Goa.

It is on record in the ‘Oratorian Mission’ that there have been Passion shows in Kandy and in Vanni in the season of Lent in 1706 and later in Trincomalee and several other places. These Passion shows with images of sacred personages are still enacted in churches on Good Friday.

Blessed Joseph Vaz organised Catholic feasts and processions with a national outlook. There were dances with sticks and traditional music at the feast of St. Anthony celebrated in Kandy under the patronage of Blessed Joseph Vaz in the reign of King Wimaladharmasuriya II. It was Blessed Joseph Vaz who introduced carrying of tender coconut palms in place of Olive branches on the Palm Sunday.

The Church structure and usages, ecclestical set up, Cathchesical instructions, prayers and hymns and Catholic culture in Sri Lanka, all could be traced to the traditions set up by Blessed Joseph Vaz.

Thus Blessed Joseph Vaz not only rescued the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka from almost extenction but also endeavoured to set up in indigenous Church in our country. Today with all super-class prestigious institutions, mass media, television, modern vehicles, palatial buildings foreign aid and other modern amenities at the command of the Church it has not made any substantial progress from what Blessed Joseph Vaz and his fellow Oratorians have achieved for the Catholic faith in our country.

In the past we have had a lively Catholic community ingrained with spirituality and well disciplined.

They had the moral strength to stand against any temptation. Today prostitution, homosexuality, child abuse, drug addiction and other vices have made fast in-roads in Catholic areas. The religion has lost its spiritual and moral forces.

In the light of the present context, the ascetic life of Blessed Joseph Vaz, his spirituality, holiness and achievements should be an inspiration to all the Catholics in Sri Lanka.

The clergy today would do well to take a leaf from history and study the role played by Blessed Joseph Vaz and his fellow missionaries amidst the Dutch persecution, their sincerity and dedication if the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka were to regain its spiritual vigour in the modern world.

(The writer is a former High Court Judge and Vice-President of the Newman Society Alumni Association)

‘Military options no solution’ in Middle East: Pope

Pope Benedict XVI said that military options were not a solution in the Middle East and called for a new ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

“I would repeat that military options are no solution and that violence, wherever it comes from and whatever form it takes, must be firmly condemned,” the pope said during his annual address to the Vatican diplomatic corps.

He said he hoped “that, with the decisive commitment of the international community, the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip will be re-established — an indispensable condition for restoring acceptable living conditions to the population — and that negotiations for peace will resume.”

Benedict called on both sides to reject “hatred, acts of provocation and the use of arms.”

The war has killed more than 700 Palestinians, including some 220 children, and wounded more than 3,100 people.

Benedict’s new call for peace came the day after a senior Vatican official likened the Gaza Strip to a “concentration camp,” sparking outrage in Israel.

“Making remarks that seem to be based on Hamas propaganda while ignoring its numerous crimes ... does not bring the people closer to truth and peace,” foreign ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor told AFP on Wednesday.

Benedict said the new conflict “further complicates the quest for a settlement of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.”

The 81-year-old head of the Roman Catholic Church also urged “wholehearted support ... to dialogue between Israel and Syria and, in Lebanon, to the current strengthening of institutions.”

The pontiff, referring to parliamentary elections set to be held in Israel on February 10, said: “It is very important that, in view of the crucial elections ... in coming months, leaders will emerge who can decisively carry forward this process and guide their people towards the difficult yet indispensable reconciliation.”

The Vatican is in talks with Israel for a possible visit by the pope in May, but has yet to confirm the plan.

Last month, Israeli President Shimon Peres said he met with a Vatican delegation to discuss preparations for a visit, which would also take the pontiff to Jordan.

A right-wing Italian daily, Il Foglio, reported that the pope would celebrate mass in Jerusalem and again in Nazareth and Bethlehem where he will meet Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas.

VATICAN CITY, AFP
 

Weekly devotions:

Go forth in peace

Then the word of the Lord came to him. Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there, I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food. So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked “would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?”

1 Kings 17: 8 - 16

Elijah, the man of God was instructed by God to go to a village called Zarephath. The Lord also told Elijah to go to a widow’s house and she will feed him. Among all the people surrounding that area, God chooses a poor, insignificant person - a widow - to look after Elijah.

Elijah follows God’s instructions and arrives at this village - and the first person whom he sets his eyes on is this widow gathering sticks. By no means was she rich or well to do. Elijah calls out to her for some water to drink. Even the poorest of folks will not refuse a person a drink of water - and then Elijah pushes his luck a bit here in asking for some bread to eat too!

Of course Elijah knew that this was the woman who was appointed by God to look after him during his stay in Zarephath and in a way was quite bold about it as his faith rested in God’s instruction to him.

Then the woman turns around and says “I swear by the Lord God I do not have a single piece of bread in the house and I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug......This was going to be her last meal, before she and her son were going to die! When God’s instructions and directions came to Elijah one would think that God intended the woman to look after Elijah but from now on it is clear that God selected Elijah to save this woman and her son from death and use Elijah to look after her!

Here was a desperate woman, a widow at that with a son, crying to the Lord in need of food. The famine had spread all over in this area - people were running to and fro in desperation - many well to do people included - but the Lord hears this widow’s cry and instructs Elijah to get up and go to this village and meet this woman who will look after him and feed him!

The resources a bit of flour and a little cooking oil at the bottom of the jar. The provider-JEHOVAH through Elijah, the man of God. Yes, from meagre resources and a willing, obedient servant, God looks after this widow and her son and Elijah too.

The promise: There will always be plenty of flour and oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again.

As the widow obeys Elijah’s instructions and offers her last bit of resources, the result was: Vs. 16 - No matter how much they used, there was always enough left in the containers - just as the Lord had promised through Elijah.

How does this message speak to you today. What is the Holy Spirit saying to your heart? Are you desperate like this widow with very little resources? Have you been crying out to the Lord?

Jesus is able to bless your meagre resources and multiply it so that it never runs out. Give it over to Him and there will always be plenty left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grows again. This is the promise God gives you too. Take heart, and go forth in peace. It is El-Shadai - God Almighty who speaks.

Prayer:

Thank you Jesus, for your promise and the words of comfort you have spoken to me. Loving Father I know that you are able to open the window of heaven and pour down shower of blessings upon me - even as I experience the Holy Spirit touching my heart and comforting me. I trust in your word and rest in your promise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

- Sunitha Sahayam
 

Feast of St. Sebastian’s Church, Katuwapitiya

Ranjith Lokupothagama Katana Group Correspondent

The annual church feast of St. Sebastian’s Church, Katuwapitiya, Negombo will be celebrated this weekend.

The vespers will be sung at 7.30 p.m. on January 19, Monday by Rev. Fr. Jude Nicholas.

The Festive High Mass will be celebrated on 20, Tuesday at 8.00 a.m. by Rev. Fr. Sumeth Perera.

The procession carrying the statue of St. Sebastian around the Katuwapitiya village will commence on Tuesday at 4.30 p.m.

Rev. Fr. Srikantha Fernando, Parish Priest, Katuwapitiya and the Parish Council, are organising the feast.

St. Sebastian’s Shrine, Kandana 141st Annual Feast

The history of St. Sebastian’s Shrine shows that a French Priest, Rev. Fr. Jochim Albert, OMI who had come to Sri Lanka in 1835 had built a small hut and served the people of the area.

These had not been a statue of St. Sebastian. Hence a picture of St. Sebastian had been placed in this hut for veneration. Presently there is a statue of St. Sebastian which is venerated not only by the people of the village but also thousands of people who come from other part of the country.

The records say, this statue has been placed in the church in 1845.

The centenary of St. Sebastian’s Church had been celebrated in 1967, during the time of Rev. Fr. Nicholas Perera.

125th Jubilee of the church was celebrated during the time of Rev. Fr. Siri Cooray in 1998. Rev. Fr. Susith Silva came as the Parish Priest in October 2002. In January 19, 2006 at the invitation of Rev. Fr. Susith Silva, St. Sebastian’s Church at Kandana was elevated to the statue of a shrine. Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis graced this occasion.

Rev. Fr. Susith Silva left the parish in February 2008 and he was replaced by Rev. Fr. Mahendra Gunatilaka came as the new Parish Priest. His main task is to help the parishioners grow spiritually and bring them closer to God.

His services in a way goes beyond the parish and he is ready to help people in other parishes as well. Rev. Frs. Sumith Roshan and Sudath Hemantha Fernando, assistant pastors of the parish together with Fr. Mahendra Mendis render a valuable service.

All arrangements have been made to celebrate the annual feast of St. Sebastian’s Shrine on 19th and 20th of this month.

Archbishop Oswald Gomis will preside at the vespers service. Rev. Dr. Marius Peiris, the Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo will preside at the festive high mass on the 20th.

- Roshan Almeida
 

Holy mass and Catholics bound by faith

Anything which the catholics do frequently has the possibility of becoming routine. This is true even of something as sublime as the Holy mass. Catholics go to mass weekly or even daily. they follow the ever more familiar ritual. Soon they can find themselves going through it without too much thought or excitement.

They begin well enough and suddenly they are at some place in the mass and wonder how they got there. Christ suffered and died for all so did he rise again and all are caught up in to the great drama. The risen lord punctuates the rhythm of our lives by inviting us to celebrate the Sunday.

Day of salvation

The Sunday is described as the Pasch of God’s people, therefore Sunday is special, so is the Sunday mass. From earliest times it has been called ‘The lords day, the day of salvation when God’s holy people breaking in to an unending song of Alleluia believe the lord is truly risen and has brought about our passover into a new day setting us on a new stage of our pilgrim journey.

Catholics bound by faith are supposed to get a lot out of mass and they do. Christ himself comes to us on his word and in the Eucharist. Christ takes all to himself and gives himself to all although we may not experience a thing.

The daily mass is made meaningful for all and it should be looked upon as a meeting with the lord, and a continuous dialogue with him. It is the lord who invites all draws them together for this celebration.

Catholics respond to the lord and make their way to church entering in to the gathering of his people. Every Sunday is the hour to which Jesus looks forward to bring us to his father. He loves us who are in the world and he loves us also until the end. As he invited his apostles so he invites all of us to become part of the eucharistic assembly.

Eucharist

No one is omitted. Because he died and rose for us. His love summons us with all the urgency of love to share in the celebration and so partake of its fruits. ‘At whose command we celebrate this Eucharist’ is a phrase we hear so often in the third Eucharistic prayer.

Because his care for us is personal so God’s wish for our presence at the Sunday mass expresses his personal love for us. He wants us to become part of the worshipping community. The first important action in the mass is that of assembling. Catholics come together as God’s people.

The simple word ‘come’ very well sums up the opening part of the mass.

As catholic individuals and families we gather together into the one community. Every thing about the introductory has to do with moulding us in to a community. With one voice and heart we sing the one song which opens the celebration and we confess to one another that we have sinned.

Word of God

The liturgy of the word depends on our ability to hear the word of God and allow it to take root in our hearts. The word Eucharist itself has its roots in a greek verb meaning’ To give thanks’. As people we give thanks to God at mass and for sending his son Jesus to us as our saviour and specially for his sacrifice offered in calvary for our salvation.

We may even leave church realising that something special happened to us. Involved here is a basic principle of Christianity, the unconditional giving of self which threads throughout the fabric of the catholic faith. At mass the sacrament makes present Christ great act of love but with a difference.

Praise and worship

For all Catholics praise and worship of God the almighty do indeed dominate their entire prayer life; That while they do certainly turn to him in their needs spiritual or otherwise they praise and worship him above all, and that far from sidelining his glory and praise in their services they place this as the summit of their entire prayer life. For every mass offered in every part of the world is predominantly and above all an offering of thanks giving and praise to the Father.

The prayer of petition is an expression of Farther that God is all powerful and so he can help us, and that God is all loving and so will surely help us. The centre and summit of all prayer and worship is the Divine sacrifice of the mass.

The mass when we understand it fully is essentially and primarily as so frequently repeated in the words of the mass an offering of praise and thanks giving to the Father. Hence it is evident and quite obvious what a primacy and centrality praise and glory hold in Catholic worship. Non of the Catholics can ever afford to forget this.

- Miran Perera