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MANGALURU: Historical Days will be celebrated at St Joseph Vaz Shrine, Mudipu near here on January 14, 15 and 16 to commemorate the Sainthood of Blessed Joseph Vaz, who will be raised to Sainthood by Pope Francis in Sri Lanka on January 14.
 
Most Rev Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese said that Blessed Joseph Vaz, who performed miracles on the hill of Mudipu, is a priest from coastal region raised to the altar of sainthood for the first time in the history. The occasion will be celebrated on the Miracle Hill of Mudipu on Mangaluru - Vitla road about 25 kms away from city. The Bishop said that he will lead a solemn festal mass on January 14. Rev Msgr Dennis Moras Prabhu, Vicar General of Mangalore Diocese and Most Rev Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore Diocese, will lead solemn festal masses on January 15 and 16 respectively. Stage programmes with ministers and dignitaries will be held on all days of celebration, the Bishop said.
 
On 9th January the statue of Blessed Joseph Vaz will be brought to the shrine in a procession from Panir to Mudipu in a decorated vehicle. Votive offering procession will be held from Mudipu Church to Blessed Joseph Vaz Shrine at Miracle Hill on January 11, he added.
 
Joseph Vaz was born on April 21, 1651 in Benovlim, Goa as the third son of Christopher Vaz and Miranda of Goa. He became a priest in 1676 and served in different parishes of Goa till 1681. Later he was sent to Canara. Fr Joseph Vaz travelled from Goa barefoot and he had served in Honnavar, Basrur, kundapura, Gangoli, Mulki, Mangalore and Ullal Panir. He was miraculously saved from an attempt on his life in 1684, when he was serving as the parish priest of Panir Church. His ambition was to work as a missionary in Sri Lanka. He entered Sri Lanka in 1687 as a laborer defying a ban on Catholic priests. He served in various places in Sri Lanka braving all odds, thus rekindling the Christian faith in Sri Lanka. He died on 16 January 1711.
 
Fr.Joseph Vaz was a courageous soldier of Christ, a dedicated Indian missionary and a humble servant of God. Recognizing his missionary work Pope John Paul II proclaimed him as blessed Joseph Vaz in Colombo on 21 January 1995, the Bishop said
 
Miracle Hill at Mudipu: An abode of peace and tranquility, Miracle Hill attracts thousands of pilgrims from far and near. It is the first church in India which is dedicated to Blessed Joseph Vaz. The scenic beauty, serene atmosphere and clean caressing breeze of the miracle mountain have not only heightened the devotion and piety among people also soothed their hearts but also made it an attractive pilgrimage centre, he added.