Bp Simião Fernandes Urges Renewed Commitment to Service in Homily at St. Joseph Vaz Feast in Goa

Goa, January 16, 2025: A call to rediscover the true spirit of Christian service, especially towards the poor and the marginalised, marked the homily delivered by Bishop Simião Fernandes, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, during the solemn feast of St. Joseph Vaz, Patron of the Archdiocese. Thousands of faithful gathered on January 16 at the site of the Old Church of Our Lady of Health, Sancoale, where the Bishop presided over the Eucharistic celebration.

Preaching on the theme, “Filled with Hope, St Joseph Vaz Proclaimed Christ through the Ministry of Service,” Bishop Fernandes reflected on the life and missionary witness of St. Joseph Vaz, presenting the saint as a model of selfless and inclusive service rooted in the example of Jesus Christ.

The Bishop reminded the faithful that while the Church is blessed with diverse ministries, the essence of Christian service lies not in status or recognition, but in the intention and manner of serving. True service, he said, goes beyond personal comfort or familiarity and is directed especially towards those who are poor, vulnerable, and on the margins of society.

Drawing inspiration from the prophetic mission of Jeremiah, Bishop Simião called upon the faithful to courageously confront and uproot structures of evil that diminish human dignity. He placed this challenge within the broader vision of a Synodal Church, emphasising that service and ministry must be carried out collectively, as one pilgrim people walking together.

Reflecting on the Gospel, the Bishop highlighted three key dimensions of Christ’s service, which he said were clearly embodied in the life of St. Joseph Vaz. The first was readiness—Jesus’ constant availability to others, mirrored in the saint’s generous response to every pastoral need he encountered.

The second dimension, humility, was illustrated through Jesus’ self-emptying love. Bishop Fernandes recalled how St. Joseph Vaz embraced humble roles, even presenting himself as a beggar or baker, so that he could serve freely without seeking honour or recognition.

The third and most challenging aspect of service, the Bishop said, is its all-embracing nature. Jesus served all people, including those who rejected or betrayed Him. In the same spirit, St. Joseph Vaz extended his care beyond boundaries of religion and culture. Bishop Simião recalled the saint’s service to a Buddhist official as a powerful testimony to inclusive and unconditional charity.

Concluding his homily, Bishop Fernandes urged the faithful to move beyond devotion alone and to translate their reverence for St. Joseph Vaz into concrete acts of service. By doing so, he said, the legacy of the saint would remain alive and relevant in the Church today, particularly through committed service to the poor and the marginalised.

The Eucharistic celebration was concelebrated by Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, along with several bishops and priests. The feast celebrations included eight Masses at the venue, including a special Mass at the Oratory of St. Joseph Vaz at noon.

In the days leading up to the feast, novena services drew large crowds of faithful. Each day of the novena was dedicated to a different diocesan apostolate, with Masses celebrated daily by various deaneries, reflecting the vibrant faith and devotion of the local Church.

By Br. Malvino Alfonso OCD

Image credit: Joseph Fernandes