(1651-1711) The “Apostle of Sri Lanka” was born in Goa, which was then known as Portuguese India. Joseph studied at the Jesuit University, was ordained a priest at 25, and consecrated himself as a “slave of Mary.” He served as a parish priest and missionary to small villages in India, living in common with the poor, and became a member of the Congregation of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri when he was 34. He then served as a missionary to Dutch Ceylon, modern-day Sri Lanka, for the remainder of his 59 years of life. His ministry there had to begin in secrecy and hiding due to the Dutch Calvinist persecution of Catholics. Many miracles are associated with the missionary work of Saint Joseph.
Saint Joseph’s ministry to the sick and suffering presented him with greater opportunities to share the Catholic faith. He did the right things for the right reasons, not to promote himself or any other agenda. How has practicing the principles of recovery in all of your affairs provided you opportunities to share the message (Step 12)?
“Hardly you will be able to do at the time of death what you have not done during your life” (Saint Joseph Vaz).
Reflection by Brad Farmer