Saint Joseph Vaz* of Sri Lanka Mug

Saint Joseph Vaz is the first Sri Lankan canonized a saint. Oratorian priest and missionary in Ceylon (today's Sri Lanka). Vaz entered Ceylon during the Dutch occupation, when Calvinism had been imposed as the official religion, after taking over from the Portuguese. He travelled throughout the island bringing the Eucharist and the sacraments to clandestine groups of Catholics. Later in his mission, he found shelter in the Kingdom of Kandy where he was able to work freely. By the time of his death, Vaz had managed to rebuild the Catholic Church on the island. As a result of his labors, Vaz is known as the Apostle of Ceylon. On 21 January 1995, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Colombo. He was canonized on 14 January 2015 by Pope Francis in an open Mass ceremony in Colombo. The mug can be customized: colors, styles, sizes, text, etc. For more items like this, please visit: www.zazzle.com/azorean* and then browse the Religion category.