Saint Joseph Vaz
Also known as: Apostle of Ceylon; Apostle of Sri Lanka
Saint
Post-Congregation
Feast Day
January 16
Born
April 21, 1651
Died
January 1, 17
Canonized
17 September 2014 by Pope Francis (papal confirmation of plenary session sentence)
Beatified
21 January 1995 by Pope John Paul II at Colombo, Sri Lanka, his Cause having been pursued since 1737
Biography
Saint Joseph Vaz, also known as the Apostle of Ceylon and the Apostle of Sri Lanka, was born on April 21, 1651, in Benaulim, Salcette, Goa, India. He came from a devout Christian family of the Konkani Brahmin caste, being the third of six children born to Christopher Vaz and Maria de Miranda. From a young age, Joseph showed great dedication to his faith....