St Juze Vas novenas and feast The arrangements at the new venue Church O.L Health, Sancoale are well thought of leaving nothing to chance or to be imagined. It is an excellent, complete comfortable set up for the faithful to be immersed in spiritual exercise. The arrangements are on the lines of the feast of St Francis Xavier. . The area is vast,. scenic open providing for all necessary preparations. Ample parking for two and four wheelers, traffic police, security guard and checking are in place , There are only , necessary stalls for convenience of the faithful. Religious articles, refreshment and the area is fortunately not commercialized, drinking water facility, medical and emergency facility, information counter, broadcasting of services, huge pandal and beautifully decorated stage for the religious services, There are meaningful posters depicting his messages, all around greeting the visitors as they enter the venue, important dates in his life , his letter of bondage is prominently displayed Systematic arrangement for veneration of the statue of the saint along with the relic. It is only Diocese with financial , man power resources and experience which could undertake successfully such a responsibility on an unprecedented massive scale and for the first time, . Services at different times, both morning and evening in various languages, are provided on the similar lines of St Xaviers Feast celebration. There were pilgrimages by different churches on all days accompanied with their parishioners . Looked like and gave the impression as if it was the repeat of second feast of St Xavier`s On the feast day 16 January 2018,a galaxy of Bishops from neighbouring areas are participating in Eucharistic celebration, adding spiritual grandeur to the occasion. A mass is planned at the oratory on the feast day
The church venue is historically significant, because it is here that he signed in blood the letter of bondage to B.V.M and used to visit on foot very often. It is also recorded that the main door of the Church had opened automatically on one of his night visit. The place was abandoned, the village shifted to the other extreme end due to scourge of plague/small fox, Presently the surroundings are inhabited in a large way and the place is coming to life once again. It was indeed a wise decision ,considering the area available, accessibility by road, for teeming multitudes in the first year itself to be accommodated comfortably. Those who emotionally tried to resist the change at the start, quoting traditions will now realize and reconcile in good spirit that it was indeed a right move in the best interest of the faithful and historical relevance. The Church of Our Lady of Health built in sixteen century is in complete ruins , except for the front façade that stands in its magnificent glory, a reminder of its glorious past. It may be the right intention to rebuilt the church someday in near the future to revive the past historical traditions and dedicate it in honour of the patron saint of Goan origin The feast of St Xavier`s is Celebrated in old Goa on a grand scale on 3 December, but on the same day , at the same time celebrations are also held at Velim , Batpal, Fradilem, Navelim without raising any controversy or conflict of interest. The Novenas, celebrations planned at Oratory can go on simultaneously without disrupting the celebrations at new venue, but in a spirit of understanding, reconciliation not a sign of disagreement, or rebellion. The only question being that both the venues are in close proximity of each other and are likely to raise eyebrows of dissent. In times to come the new place will attain great spiritual revival and naturally a Church will be built in honour of St Joseph Vaz as the most befitting memorial. Those that have eyes to see and ears to hear will vouch for the good and reasonable initiative. Necessitated with present and future needs. St Joseph, we pray enlighten our minds and hearts to accept the reality and practical wisdom of our our authorities Factoids DOB in Goa,24-4-1651, Ordained.1676, Death in Sri Lanka 16-01- 1711, DOD in Colombo 21-01-1955.; patron of Archdiocese 16-01-2000. Canonization 14-01-2015 Nelson Lopes Chinchinim <https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1642640385798227&set=pcb.1642642095798056&type=3> [image: Image may contain: people standing, sky and outdoor] <https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1642640385798227&set=pcb.1642642095798056&type=3>