The Mudipu Shrine is situated on the hillock, popularly known as the Miracle hill, Bantwal Taluk of Dakshina Kannada, 25 kilometers to the east of Mangalore city. The shrine is now a famous pilgrim center for all religious communities. Thousands of pilgrims from far and near visit the shrine thought the year to get God’s blessings and favours from St Joseph Vaz. Devotees experience God’s presence in this beautiful, calm and peaceful environment where St Joseph Vaz set his foot, which is now an abode of peace and miracles.
Early life of St Joseph Vaz: St Joseph Vaz is indeed the “Son of India” born to Christopher Vaz and Maria De Miranda in Goa, on April 21st, 1651. As a young boy he expressed strong desire to become a priest and his devout parents encouraged and supported him.
After his priestly ordination in 1674, he served as a priest in Goa, for four years. His earnest desire was to become a missionary.
But his superiors sent him as sent him as a Vicar of Canara in 1681. With great enthusiasm he started his mission as an instrument of Jesus spreading the good news in Karwar, Karnataka, Honnavar, Bhatkal, Mulki and Mangalore. He toiled hard to face the poor and the downtrodden from the bondage of slavery. He walked from village to village teaching the Gospel, attending confessions and wherever necessary baptizing people. He became the symbol of Christ when he visited the sick and service to the needy.
In 1681, he was sent to Ullal- Panir and won the hearts of many with his simplicity, generosity, kind deeds and service. But some people became very jealous of his popularity and plotted to kill him. One night in 1684, they came to Fr Joseph Vaz and asked to anoint a sick man on his death bed in the village. Fr Joseph Vaz followed them, but they took him to a deserted area on the top of Mudipu hill and attempted to kill him. Fr Vaz went down on his knee, lifted his hands and pressed his staff hard on the ground and prayed. What a miracle! From the spot where he pressed his knee and the staff, springs of water gushed out and a bright light shone around him. Those who witnessed this fled away in fear. Even to this day you see springs of water in the small pits formed on the ground!
In 1684, Fr Joseph Vaz’s desire to work as a missionary was fulfilled when he was posted to Srilanka as a missionary.
In the beginning he dressed as a begger and moved among the people to identify the faithful. Very soon some catholics came to know that he was a priest and attended to his needs. As days passed, with the rosary around his neck and with the intercession of virgin Mary, he began to preach preach the Good News which continued for 25 long years. He is rightly called the ‘Apostle of Srilanka’ for his untiring evangelizing works to promote Catholic faith. He passed away in 1711 on January 11, at the age of 60.
Fr Joseph Vaz was announced ‘Venerable’ in 1989, declared ‘Blessed’ in 1995 and was canonized in 2015 by Pope Francis.