Saint Joseph Vaz: The Hidden Apostle
Saint Joseph Vaz (1651–1711), an Oratorian priest from Goa, India, is known as the Apostle of Sri Lanka (Ceylon). Canonized in 2015 by Pope Francis, he single-handedly revived Catholicism amid severe Dutch Calvinist persecution.
Born into a devout family, ordained in 1676, he first served in Kanara before sneaking into Sri Lanka in 1687 disguised as a beggar. For decades, he ministered clandestinely administering sacraments at night, caring for plague victims and the poor, learning local languages, and rebuilding the Church through lay catechesis and small prayer huts
Imprisoned briefly, he later gained freedom in Kandy, where his “miracle of rain” during drought led to mass conversions. He founded a native Oratorian community and died exhausted from apostolic labors.
Leadership Lessons for Catholic Leaders
Embrace courageous missionary zeal under persecution. Disguised and risking death, he revived a priestless Church for 50 years, teaching clandestine ministry, resilience, and trust in Providence amid modern restrictions or secular hostility.
Prioritize charity and inculturation. Serving all—plague victims, Buddhists, Hindus—he learned Sinhala/Tamil, composed devotions in local languages, modeling outreach to the marginalized and respectful dialogue.
Empower the laity. Training lay leaders to sustain faith without priests, he fostered synodal collaboration and lay apostolate.
Live heroic self-sacrifice. Nursing the sick at personal risk and enduring hardship, he exemplified Gospel obedience and evangelical charity.
Pope Francis highlighted his patient suffering, missionary outreach to all, and respect for others’ dignity—vital for today’s leaders in rebuilding faith communities.
