Saint Joseph Vaz, the ÔApostle of CeylonÕ (1651Ð1711), was canonized on 14 January 2015. A priest of the Oratory of St Philip Neri, he is greatly loved in Goa, southern India and Sri Lanka. During a time of fierce persecution he followed the Oratorian way of life as far as possible, and established many small groups led by laymen to teach and encourage Catholics.