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Exposition of St. Josheph Vaz’ couch courtesy Buddhist prelate
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In an inspiring act of Buddhist-Chrisatian unity, the couch or kavichchiya on which St. Joseph Vaz is believed to have slept during his missionary presence in Gurubewilla in Avissawella, and now found in a Buddhist temple in Maniyangama, has been made available for exposition and veneration.
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith the Archbishop of Colombo in a statement said, the Chief prelate at the temple had graciously consented to release the couch to Ratnapura Bishop Cletus Perera, so the relic connected to the life of St. Joseph Vaz could be exposed at St. Francis Xavier’s Church at Gurugalle (4 km from the Avissawella town) from December 10-13.
Catholics who wish to view the relic and pray for his intervention to bless them, are welcome to go on pilgrimage to this church.
The Catholics Bishop’s Conference of Sri Lanka says it encourages Catholics to engage in this pilgrimage.
The Goa-born St. Joseph Vaz, now the patron saint of Sri Lanka, was canonised in January 2015, when Pope Francis visited this country.