From: Mervyn Lobo
There is no body to bring back nor is there now the need for a basilica to hold
it in. If you cannot find St. Jose Vaz in your living space you will never
find him in Kandy. Nor will you find him in a brand new basilica. When I want
something from a saint, I do not pray to him/her. All I do is flatter the
saint. And the biggest form of flattery (I know) is to imitate the saint's
lifestyle.
--------GL responds:
The point Mervyn makes is likely raised by many diaspora Goans. So I want to
respond to this post thoughtfully and respectfully. So let's look at this
specific example and not talk generalities. The issues that likely apply to
Mervyn, in varying degrees, apply to a lot of diaspora Goans and to many native
Goans too.
It would appear that Mervyn is a devotee of St. Jose Vaz and he "imitates (or
tries to imitate) the saint's life style." This specifically in the case of
St. Vaz, and likely most saints, is to sacrifice, and give all their wealth to
the poor.
Mervyn started life in East Africa and like most Goans in those East African
countries went through a tumultuous period (to put it mildly) relocating to
other countries. Likely during that period they prayed to Vaz and many other
saints. Likely most diaspora Goans, through a period of trials and
tribulations, Mervyn and family landed upright on their two feet in Toronto,
Canada. To make a long story short, Meryn like most diaspora Goans are now in
the one to ten percent of the top economic ladder of the people in the
countries where they settled.
The probability is all of us go through five to six crises through our adult
life. The next crises that arrives at Mervyn front door, likely will be dealt
with similarly - a scurry to the library to find the picture of amcho Goenkar
St. Jose Vaz buried in one of the books or a framed picture hanging on a wall
or on a stand.
I do not know what St. Jose Vaz response will be. But the following to Mervyn
or to me or most diaspora Goans could logically be:
St. Joseph Vaz response: "I have interceded for you, as another Goan, every
step of the way and brought you and your family safely through. Now you
personally live in a 3-5 bedroom, 8-room house with two fancy cars in garages.
Yet when I wanted to have my own house for my devotees, you could not spare
one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) of your wealth, which BTW I helped you amass."
It is a given that we will not take our wealth with us. And since most Goans
are conservative, we will not waste the money in gambling. So the reality is
the money will be inherited to the children and grandchildren. Likely they
will "blow it up" on cars, homes, vacations, celebrations possibly thanking
grandparents for the money. As a financial person yourself, would it not be
wiser for you to invest some of that inheritance money, so that what ever
happens to one or the other grandchildren, great-grandchildren etc they will
always be assured (thanks to you) of the good graces of St. Jose Vaz; thanks to
the people of Goa and the devotees of St. Jose Vaz who will pray at the
basilica?
In my humble opinion, the lead for the basilica has to come from the Bishop of
Goa. And without that lead, I think the dialog about a structure to honor St.
Vaz is a talk in futility. As Filomena says there has been some renovation of
St. Vaz's place in Goa. I did not know or have not seen it, and I do not know
if it honors Goa's first Saint?
To me a basilica (or call it what one may) in the midst of the saint's devotees
is a natural extension of becoming a saint; and a physical way for the saint to
be brought closer to his native people for whose benefit the saint is
canonized. For diaspora Goans it is another connecting point for future
generations from across the world.
Mervyn know the bible better than me. There are several references to "More is
expected from them to whom more is given." Cynical replies and explanations or
flattery of the saints and oneself at the Pearly Gate or at the moment of
crises is a poor substitute for lack of past actions.
Regards, GL
