Mangalore: Our Lady of Mercy Parish Observes 300th Death Anniversary of Joseph Vaz
 
News & Pics: Stanley Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (RD/VA)
 
Mangalore, Jan 16: Our Lady of Mercy parish, Panir, here observed the tri-centenary death anniversary of Joseph Vaz on Sunday January 16.

Fr Stanley Monteiro, chaplain of St Aloysius Boys Home, Olavinahalli, here worshiped the sacrament at the monumental sanctuary that has been retained intact where blessed Joseph Vaz offered Eucharistic Celebrations at the old church that lies tucked in lush greenery, while the new church has been constructed on the main road that links Deralakatte with Mangalore – Tiruvanatapuram national highway at Beeri.
 
The diocesan vicar Monsignor Denis Moras Prabhu celebrated the Holy Mass. Monsignor Denis Moras Prabhu also felicitated Clara Coelho, parishioner of Our Lady of Mercy who is a newly-elected taluk panchayat member.
 
Our Lady of Mercy parish priest Fr Vincent D’Souza, parish council vice- president Michael Lobo and secretary Sarita Pinto were present on the occasion. Fr Vincent D’Souza thanked all the parishioners who participated in large numbers.

About Joseph Vaz
 
Blessed Joseph Vaz was a zealous Goan missionary who served as a parish priest of Our Lady of Mercy, Panir for few years.  It’s during his priestly duties he had to attend to the call of a sick during a middle of night, while his perpetrators tried to kill him at Mudipu hill.  A miracle had taken place there. When he knelt on the rock to pray, water gushed from the place.  The perpetrators fled away on witnessing the miracle.  The hill has been developed as significant pilgrimage centre in his honour, while pilgrims from all the country and Sri Lanka arrive throughout the year in order to pray to Blessed Joseph Vaz and be blessed and relieved of their physical ailments.