Joseph Vaz, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Joseph Vaz

Indian presbyter

Date of Birth: 21-Apr-1651

Place of Birth: Benaulim, Goa, India

Date of Death: 16-Jan-1711

Profession: presbyter

Nationality: India

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

St.
Joseph Vaz, CO, (Konkani: Sant Zuze Vaz; Portuguese: São José Vaz; Tamil: ????? ????? ???? Punidha Yosap Vaz; Sinhala: ????? ???? ???? ????????, ????? ?????? ????????????? Santha Juse Vaz Munithuma, Sri Lankawe Aposthuluvaraya), (21 April 1651 – 16 January 1711) was an Oratorian priest and missionary in Sri Lanka, then known as Ceylon. Vaz arrived in Ceylon during the Dutch occupation, when the Dutch were imposing Calvinism as the official religion after taking over from the Portuguese.
He travelled throughout the island bringing the Eucharist and the sacraments to clandestine groups of Catholics.
Later in his mission, he found shelter in the Kingdom of Kandy where he was able to work freely.
By the time of his death, Vaz had managed to rebuild the Catholic Church on the island. As a result of his labors, Vaz is known as the Apostle of Ceylon.
On 21 January 1995, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Colombo.
He was canonized on 14 January 2015 by Pope Francis in an open-air Mass ceremony at the Galle Face Green in Colombo.