A book on the “LETTERS OF BLESSED JOSEPH VAZ” brought out by the Vice-Postulator, Fr Eremito Rebello, and the Committee of the Cause of Canonization, was released, at a Mass concelebrated by Archbishop Patriarch of Goa, Filipe Neri Ferrao, on the first Sunday of Lent, 13^th instant, at the Sanctuary of Blessed Joseph Vaz, Sancoale, with the attendance of almost a thousand pilgrims from Sri Lanka and Goa. The book presents to the readers, 21 letters originally written by Blessed Joseph Vaz, Apostle of Kanara and Sri Lanka, 12 letters by his companions and 18 documents connected with his life and apostolate, written in Portuguese and Latin, and translated into English. These letters show the insurmountable difficulties and imprisonment Fr. Joseph Vaz faced alone for ten years, and after that the dangers, he and his companions went through courageously, and the dedication by which they served the flocks entrusted to their care.

Besides in these letters we find innumerable pearls of wisdom that can form and mould the lives of every human person even in today’s world. The example of Blessed Joseph Vaz, the “ANGELIC PRIEST”, as the people of Sri Lanka reverently called him, will inspire through these letters our present-day priests, religious and lay people to live a life worthy of their calling; and our missionaries, especially in the present difficult situation in which they labour to proclaim the Good News and values taught by Jesus Christ, will get a boost to face daringly and courageously the challenges they meet in day to day life. Some of these letters provide real models of action in such extremely difficult situations. The book is dedicated to the Clergy, Religious, Missionaries and Seminarians and should be read by all.

The Archbishop Patriarch in his message has said, “We sincerely congratulate the Vice Postulator and the Committee for the Cause of the Canonization for bringing to light this rich treasure of writings by and about our Blessed, compiled by Fr. Cosme Jose Vaz Costa, SFX., a connoisseur on Joseph Vaz.” The book has 240 pages and is available at Rs 100 a copy at the Sanctuary of Blessed Joseph Vaz, Sancoale, P.O. Cortalim, Goa 403 710; which is open from 9.30am to 1.00pm and from 3pm to 5.30pm. Contact telephone No. (0832) 2550263 and e-mail sanjovaz@blessedjosephvaz.org