Rightly, Jose (Joseph Vaz) was more to Sri Lanka then tio Goa. Thanks to the efforts of the California-based Philomena Geese (maybe spelling is wrong) that she secured the Vatican's ears in the cause of making Jose Vaz the Saint. Whatever factors matter in the naming of Saints as Patron of particular country or continent, the prerogative lies with the Vatican. For all that matters, Francis Xavier should have been named Apostle of Spain, as he was a Spainaird. As for Jose Vaz, he gave most of his life in the cause of spreading Christianity in Sri Lanka. In fact, some young Sri Lanka Christians were not aware of who Jose Vaz was when I met them, and I had to explain to them that he, like me, was a Goan. There's a seminary, I think, dedicated to Jose vaz in the hill station of Kandy. On my visit to Sri Lanka, I wanted to go there. But transport is a major problem in Sri Lanka. What's surprising, however, is that no big efforts, at least I am not aware of it, are made in the name of Father Agnelo, though a full-fledged congregation exists in Goa, and its priests are spread din some parts of the world, as well in remote parts of India. Time now to make firm and determinate efforts, on the lines of those who advocated the cause of Jose Vaz to sainthood, to get the venerated Father a place in the galaxy of saints.
Eugene Correia On Sun, Dec 10, 2023 at 5:11 AM John de Figueiredo <[email protected]> wrote: > > Sent from my iPhone > > Begin forwarded message: > > *From:* John de Figueiredo <[email protected]> > *Date:* December 9, 2023 at 5:56:51 PM EST > *To:* Gilbert Lawrence <[email protected]> > *Subject:* *Re: Forced Exodus of GEM Diasporas* > > In the minds and the hearts of many Goan Catholics Francisco Xavier was > the Patron of Goa (or more specifically, of Goan Catholics), as the > expression “Goincho Sahib” reflects. The campaign for the canonization of > Jose’ Vaz was largely ran by the people of Sri Lanka, not Goa. Jose’ Vaz > exercised his mission in Sri Lanka. He should have been the Patron of Sri > Lanka. For some odd reason the Vatican decided to make Jose’ Vaz the Patron > of Goa and Xavier the Patron of Asia. As far as I know, the Goans never > protested against this odd decision. Let us hope that Pope Francis will > correct this odd decision. > Gonsalo Garcia was a “Luso-Descendente” (I.e., a descendant of Portuguese > Europeans). He was born and raised in Bassein and became a Franciscan Lay > Brother. He was martyred in Japan. > John M. de Figueiredo > Sent from my iPhone > > On Dec 9, 2023, at 10:04 AM, Gilbert Lawrence <[email protected]> > wrote: > > > Attached is this month's newsletter on issues affecting GEMs. The topic > is: "Forced Exodus of GEM Diasporas" causing a re-migration. > > But first we wish you a belated happy feast of St. Francis Xavier, who is > honored with the title of Goencho Sahib and the Patron Saint of > Missionaries. Contrary to what some may think, SFX is not the Patron Saint > of Goa. That title belongs to the native son, St. Joseph Vaz (feast day - > January 16), who served as a priest in Goa, South Kanara and Ceylon. The > Patron Saint of the Archdioceses of Bombay, and Vasai is also a native son > (born in the village of Agashi in Vasai), St. Gonsalo Garcia (feast day - > February 5). > > The focus of this month's presentation is an unpleasant and often > overlooked topic of forced relocation of GEMs (Goans, East-Indians, > Mangaloreans) diasporas. There is much the emigre community can learn > from those experiences; and perhaps be better prepared as individuals > and as a community for such future eventualities. > > We hope you enjoy reading this aspect of GEM history. There is a lot of > ‘food for thought.’ Please forward these articles to your relatives, > friends, peers, Indian and Iberian chat sites. Sharing history is sharing > our cultural heritage; and the work is for us, by us. Thank you for > allowing us to share this with you. > > We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy and > Successful New Year. The works of art - painting, sculpture, writings > (books) of GEMs would make excellent holiday gifts to your family, > neighbors, and friends this season; and would encourage GEM artists in > their endeavors and show your support to the community. Please be safe! > Philomena and Gilbert Lawrence, > Authors: Insights into Colonial Goa, > Published via Amazon in paperback and e-book. > For details about the book and authors see: Insights into Colonial Goa. > <https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GJSBCQJ?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860> > > > <Twice Migrated.docx> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Goa-Research-Net" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web, visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/goa-research-net/2B7508E1-8433-4519-9E7E-8082217AF6E1%40sbcglobal.net > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/goa-research-net/2B7508E1-8433-4519-9E7E-8082217AF6E1%40sbcglobal.net?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Goa-Research-Net" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/goa-research-net/CAJhbo_5RjBbrrJfaaHQ53iGzL90_FdQ5yVcCUCpr%2BaX78pFQng%40mail.gmail.com.
