The joy of Easter Sunday was brutally cut short for our Catholic sisters and brothers in Sri Lanka this year, as terrorist attacks killed hundreds and wounded hundreds more. Three Catholic churches and three hotels were attacked on the holiest day of the year, and the prayers of all Catholics around the world turned to the souls of those murdered and their grieving families.

The events are a startling contrast from those of just four years ago when Pope Francis visited the Indian Ocean island nation, where he canonized the very first Catholic saint in Sri Lanka’s history, Joseph Vaz, CO. When the Holy Father canonized the seventeenth-century priest, he said, “Each individual must be free alone or in association with others, to seek the truth, and to openly express his or her religious convictions, free from intimidation and external compulsion,” and noted that Saint Joseph Vaz was a shining example of the religious tolerance found in Sri Lanka at the time.

Vaz was ordained a priest in 1676, and immediately made an impression on others through his example of holiness. He always went barefoot in the hopes of living like the poor, became a well-known preacher and confessor, and just 10 years after his ordination, consecrated himself to Mary, as many of us have done in the generations since.

Feeling called to stand up against the persecution of Catholics in Sri Lanka by their Dutch Calvinist occupiers, Vaz snuck onto the island dressed as a simple porter, carrying nothing but the sacred vessels for Mass hidden under his clothing. He was caught and accused of spying, but was quickly given protection by the authority of the Buddhist King Vimaladharmasuriya II of Kandy, thus allowing him to become to Sri Lanka what Saint Patrick is to Ireland; being directly responsible for the conversion of at least 30,000 people.

That ability to preach and say Mass was cemented after a miracle that saved the island nation from a drought. The King sent his attendants to Joseph to ask him to request his God put an end to the terrible drought plaguing the nation. Saint Joseph Vaz realized this was not only a plea for help, but also a test of the Catholic faith. He set up an altar with a crucifix on it, directly across from the King’s palace, and knelt in prayer. Before he rose from his knees, rain poured down from the sky, but Saint Joseph Vaz was left completely dry. The King was so pleased that he gave Joseph the liberty to preach and bring the Sacraments anywhere he wanted, and this truly opened up the opportunity for those aforementioned 30,00 souls to come to Christ.

As we look on in shock and grief at the recent terror attacks in the beautiful nation of Sri Lanka, let us also call to mind Saint Joseph Vaz and the countless others who have risked their lives to bring the faith around the world through incredible missionary work that showcases for all of us exactly what we are called to do for Christ and his Church.

May the souls of those killed in the Easter bombings rest now in the arms of Our Lord and Our Lady, may the grieving of their families bear fruit for their salvation, and may those behind the attacks experience true contrition for their sins and a complete conversion to Jesus Christ: the way, the truth, and the life.

Make us generous disciples of your Son to listen to the inner promptings and thus to work for faith, justice and peace.

May Saint Joseph Vaz intercede for us in our life’s journey to imitate our Master and Lord Jesus.

May Saint Joseph Vaz be our inspiration and model in our earthly life to be part of the Reign of God.

Amen

Tommy Tighe is a Catholic husband and father of five boys. You can find out more about him at CatholicHipster.com.

Source: www.angelusnews.com