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January 14, 2015

Pope proclaims Joseph Vaz Sri Lanka's first saint

Pilgrims from Goa, India, hold a sign thanking Pope Francis before the canonization Mass of St. Joseph Vaz at Galle Face Green in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 14. St. Vaz was born in Goa.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Canonizing Sri Lanka's first saint, who ministered to Catholics under persecution three centuries earlier, Pope Francis proclaimed what he called the "fundamental human right" of religious freedom.
Published in International
January 13, 2015

Toronto Tamils welcome Pope's 'message of healing'

Toronto Tamil Catholics will gather for a Mass of thanksgiving to celebrate the canonization of Joseph Vaz Jan. 18 at St. Theresa's Shrine of the Little Flower Church.

TORONTO - Pope Francis’ mission of healing to Sri Lanka will be a critical moment for Toronto’s huge Tamil community, which includes thousands of refugees still mourning relatives killed in the 26-year Sri Lankan civil war, said Tamil priest and theologian Fr. Joseph Chandrakanthan.

Published in Canada: Toronto-GTA
January 12, 2015

Sri Lankans work to finalize the little details for Pope Francis' visit

Father Jude Nicholas leads members of the choir during rehearsal at Galle Face Green Jan. 11 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka Jan. 13-15.

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Hours before Pope Francis was to arrive in Sri Lanka, people in Colombo were busy with final preparations.

Published in International
January 10, 2015

Indian priest, ‘miracle son,’ are eager for Blessed Vaz canonization

Father Cosme Jose Costa displays an icon of Blessed Joseph Vaz in late October at the Society of Pilar headquarters in Pilar, India. Father Costa's 1938 birth was accepted by the Vatican as the miracle needed to beatify Blessed Vaz in 1995. Blessed Vaz w ill be canonized by Pope Francis Jan. 14 at the Vatican in Sri Lanka.

PILAR, INDIA - Sri Lankan Catholics are looking forward to Pope Francis’ canonization of Blessed Joseph Vaz Jan. 14, but the enthusiasm and eagerness of Fr. Cosme Jose Costa stands apart.

Published in International