First Sri Lankan to be canonized

Blessed Joseph Vaz will soon become Sri Lanka's first saint after Pope Francis advanced his cause for canonization by waiving the requirement for a second
miracle.

The canonization of the 16th century cleric is expected to take place during the Holy Father's visit to Sri Lanka in January 2015.

An Indian-born priest of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, Blessed Joseph Vaz (1651-1711) became an “apostle” for Sri Lanka at a time when Catholics were suffering persecution at the hands of Calvinist Dutch rulers. The soon-to-be declared saint was also the founder of the Oratory of the Holy Cross of Miracles in Goa.

Typically, two miracles attributed to a Blessed are required before he or she can be declared a saint.

 

Ann Schneible for CNA/EWTN News

Source: ucanews.com (Sept. 18, 2014)