Canada: On March 1st 2015 at 2.30 pm Calgary welcomed and celebrated a new saint, St. Joseph Vaz at St. Antony’s church. 5340, 4 St. SW, Calgary, Alberta.
A solemn Holy mass was presided by Most Rev. Bishop Frederick Henry and celebrantswere : Very. Rev. John Schuster V. G, Very Rev. Jack Pereira, VG, Rev, Brain Hubka, Rev. Roy Jayamaha, Re. Godwin Pinto, Rev. Paul Raj, Rev. John Petravicius, Rev. Bill Stephenson and Deacon Rev. Mr. Ron Fortier.
St. Joseph was beatified in 1995 by St. Joh Paul II and canonized by His Holiness Pope Francis on January 14, 2015 in Sri Lanka.
St. Joseph Vaz was born in Benaulim, Goa and joined the Oratorians, the order of St. Philip Neri and served as a missionary in Mangalore and in Sri Lanka.
Over two thousand faithfulwelcomed and celebrated a new saint, St. Joseph Vaz from various communities and associations namely : Canorient Association, Calgary Konkons, Goan Association and Sri Lankan Associations and many others from several countries including India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.