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01 REV. FR. LOUIS JOSEPH OMI
(1914-1999)

Birth : 17 May 1914 at Gurunagar, Jaffna
First Vows : 15 August 1936 at Bambalapitiya
Final vows : 15 August 1939 at Borella
Oblation No. : 6331
Ordination : 06 August 1941 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna
Death : 14 January 1999 at Colombuthurai, Jaffna.

Father Louis Joseph was born on 17 May 1914 at Gurunagar, in the diocese of Jaffna. He was the son of Mr. Soosaipillai Louis and Vaithy Mary of Karaiyoor, Jaffna. He had his early education at St. James’ R. C. Boys’ School, Gurunagar. In 1931 he joined St. Martin’s Minor Seminary and continued his studies at St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna from where he successfully passed his London Matriculation Examination in 1935. Deciding to become a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate, he entered their St. Francis Xavier’s Novitiate at Bambalapitiya on 14 August 1935. At the successful completion of his year of probation, he made his first profession vows as an Oblate on 15 August 1936 at Bambalapitiya. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Kynsey Road, Borella and pursued his philosophical and theological studies at St. Bernard’s Seminary, Borella. He made his final profession of vows at Borella on 15 August 1939. When he successfully completed his ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest of God by Bishop Guyomar on 06 August 1941 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna.

When Fr. Louis Joseph came out of the Scholasticate after completing his years of first formation, he was sent to Mathagal as Acting Parish Priest to replace Fr. Alfred Huctin who had gone to Europe on his vacation. In September 1942, he was sent again to replace this time Fr. Louis Dessy in the far away and difficult mission of Delft. After ministering as a relief officer for six months, Fr. Joseph received his real first obedience as Assistant Parish Priest of the mission of Point Pedro where he served for four months from 4 September 1942. His next appointment was Assistant at the mission of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna in January 1943. He worked in that mission so very patiently and faithfully for five long years that he was appointed Parish Priest and sent to the mission of Mandaitivu in April 1947. Fr. Joseph enjoyed his stay at Mandaitivu as he had a freehand to organize his work and to carry out his plans. He served in that mission for four years and in September 1951 he was sent to the mission of Thalayady. He was there only for a few months and on 12 February 1952, he was transferred to the mission of Thalvupadu-Pallimunai. Here he worked hard for four years to improve the economic condition of the parishioners who were mostly fishermen. He encouraged the parents to take interest in the education and health-care of their children. He stressed the importance of education to improve their living standard.

The next mission Fr. Joseph served was Mirusuvil where he was transferred to on 30 September 1956. The mission of Mirusuvil of that time included the out stations of Kilaly, Kachchai and Pallai. In Mirusuvil, he had to struggle to keep the various communities and castes in peace and unity. He visited all the families of the mission and knew each member by name. He took keen interest in talking to people and to listen to their problems and stories. He sacrificed his time and energy specially in looking for the lost sheep. Fr. Joseph always had an eye on young boys and girls, to recruit suitable candidates for priesthood and religious life. Many priests and nuns owe their vocation to his kind guidance and direction. After serving for five years at Mirusuvil, he was transferred to the far off mission of Delft, the longest island between South India and Jaffna in May 1960. The mission of Delft had many communities and castes, and each had a church of their own. Here too Fr. Joseph had to work hard to keep all these communities together in peace and unity. There was no means of transport in the island and only way of visiting places and people was by bicycle or bullock-cart or on foot. Though Fr. Joseph was an asthmatic and diabetic patient, he did not care about his health or meals or diet, but went about his work, looking after his sheep. He had a soft corner for the poor and the oppressed. He himself lived a simple and frugal life. He sacrificed even the little comforts and pleasures he had in order to help the poor and the needy.

Fr. Joseph’s next assignment was to the problematic mission of Vathiry-Karaveddy where he went in November 1961. Fr. Joseph loves to work in difficult and problematic missions. He has his own art of administering such parishes and tackling their problems. He followed the principle of the British: Divide and Rule. In the problematic parishes, there were always conflicting or opposing parties. If there was no problem, Fr. Joseph himself would create a problem and he would take the side of the majority, and thus always majority of the people remained on his side, and only a little minority would be against him. So he would be able to administer the parish without much opposition. After serving for two years at Vathiry-Karaveddy, Fr. Joseph was transferred to the mission of Vavuniya in the Vanni. It too had many out-stations and he had to travel a lot in the hot sun. He managed to fulfill his responsibilities to all those out-station missions but at the cost of his health. He was transferred from Vavuniya to Pandeterruppu in January 1968, but he could not stay their long as he fell seriously ill. He was sent to Bandarawela in May 1968 for recuperation and convalescence.

Fr. Joseph returned to the diocese in mid-August 1968 and was sent to the mission of Mathagal. This was the mission he served the longest period of time, nearly nine years. Here he helped the members of St. Sebastian’s Church to get over their social disabilities and treated them equally as the other communities in Church matters. But towards the end of his stay there, he acquired the displeasure of the members of St. Anthony’s Church and had to leave Mathagal in September 1976 and go to the mission of Thalaiyaddy where he had been earlier in 1947. The last mission served by Fr. Joseph was Mandaitivu where he went in September 1980. During his stay at Mandaitivu there was a tension between the Catholics and the Hindus who were the majority in that island. The majority Hindus were oppressing and harassing the minority Catholics. Fr. Joseph had to work hard to improve the economic condition of his parishioners who were mostly fishermen and to help them to liberate themselves from the oppression and harassments of the Hindus. Now Father Joseph was past seventy years of age and he was getting more and more sick with asthma, diabetes and heart ailments. So he retired from active ministry and went to Fr. Matthews’ Memorial Home, the home for elderly priests at Colombuthurai, in 1987.

At Amala Utpavam he was able to get better medical and dietal attention, and he went through life without much problem. But the mass exodus of 1995 displaced him from Father Matthews’ Home and he had to undergo lot of hardships and difficulties in the Vanni as a refugee. He returned to Jaffna from Madhu after the displacement but he was never the same again. He was ill for some time and finally succumbed to his illness on 14 January 1999. The last rites took place at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna on 15 January 1999. The concelebrated Pontifical High Mass was presided over by Bishop Thomas Savundranayagam, and Fr. Jayaseelan, his nephew, delivered the panegyric. The final obsequies were conducted by Fr. Michaelsamy, the former Vicar General. Then his mortal remains were taken in procession to St. Mary’s Burial Ground where they were laid to rest. May he rest in peace.

02 REV. BRO. DON MARCELLINE KURUWITA OMI
(1920-1999)

Birth : 02 June 1920 at Bollate, Ganemulla, Colombo
First Vows : 08 December 1954 at Mont Eden, Kalutara.
Final vows : 08 December 1960 at St. Vincent’s Home, Maggona
Oblation No. : 10405
Death : 15 June 1999 at Marian Grove, Kohuwala

Brother Don Marcelline Kuruwita was born on 02 June 1920 at Bollate, Ganemulla, in the Archdiocese of Colombo. His parents were Kuruwita Arachchige Santiago and Pingamage Dona Sophi Hamy of Bollate, Ganemulla. He had his education at the R. C. School of Bollate and passed his Junior School Certificate Examination. He had five of his sisters nuns in different Religious Congregations. That says a lot about the discipline and training as a good Catholic he had at home when he was a young man. After his studies, Marcelline was fortunate to find an employment in a tailoring mart as a tailor which needed plenty of training. While he was working as a tailor, he himself decided to dedicate his own life for the service of God and his people as a religious Brother. It was a sort of a late vocation as his help was needed at home to earn for the family. Marcelline chose the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and entered their Novitiate at Mont Eden, Kalutara on 07 December 1953. Successfully completing his year of formation, he pronounced his first profession of vows as an Oblate Brother on 08 December 1954 at Mont Eden, Kalutara.

After his first Oblation, Bro. Don Marcelline was assigned to serve at St. Vincent’s Home, Maggona. There he was entrusted with the Tailoring Department where he had to train the juvenile delinquents and the orphans of the Home in sewing and stitching. He was very kind to them and with brotherly affection he taught them the art. He used to tell them how hard he had to work as a young boy to learn tailoring and that for a long period of time he was allowed to do only the stitching of the button holes. Bro. Marcelline was very happy to train those boys and to help them find a ready job when they leave the Home. He was proud to tell others that so many of his boys have found self-employment and managing their own tailoring marts. While teaching them how to sew and stitch, he himself became an expert in tailoring and sewing habits and cassocks of the priests and religious. He was really a master cutter of suitane that priests and religious were going to him all the time. With all his busy work, Bro. Marcelline kept up his disciplined life as a Religious. You could see him, no matter where he served, engaged in his self imposed time table, while conforming himself to the general time table of the community. He was meticulously faithful to his religious duties and community exercises.

After serving for twenty years at St. Vincent’s Home, Bro. Marcelline was transferred to the Oblate mission of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Maradana in 1974. Here he helped the Parish Priest in the running of the house and in the sacristy. But he still continued his tailoring work and sewing cassocks for which there was a great demand. After serving for seven years at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Maradana, he was given a transfer to the St. Joseph’s OMI Minor Seminary, at Kohuwala, Nugegoda in November 1981. Here he helped the bursar in the running of the house and for rest of the time, he continued his work of stitching and supplying cassocks for the priests and Brothers. Regarding his work, you could term him to be a thorough tailor, that was the secret why everybody wanted to get his cassocks done by him – be an Oblate or otherwise, a priest or a bishop, a veteran missionary or the novice, local as well as foreigners serving in our Delegations, nay even the members of the Christian clergy. One may say without an exaggeration that in this regard he served entire Church of Sri Lanka.

Bro. Marcelline never retired from active work in the sense he never became a member of the Marian Grove at Kohuwala. In fact he happened to be at Marian Grove, gone there for a short period of convalescence, when death visited him on 15 June 1999. He was ready for the call, and breathed his last in the arms of Bro. Thomas, the Director. His final rites were held at his home parish, Bollatte, Ganemulla, amidst a great concourse of people. The Eucharist was presided over by Bishop Raymond Peries of Kurunegala with Fr. Bernard Quintus, the Provincial, concelebrating along with several priests. The panegyric was preached by Fr. Irwin Moraes OMI. The final obsequies were read by Fr. Bernard Quintus OMI. The burial service at the cemetery was conducted by Fr. Shelton Perera OMI, the Superior of the Oblate Juniorate, Kohuwala. Finally the mortal remains of Bro. Marcelline were laid to rest in the parish cemetery. May he rest in pece.

03 REV. FR. EMMANUEL WIJEYARATNAM OMI
(1926-1999)

Birth : 05 March 1926 at Inuvil, Jaffna
First Vows : 08 September 1948 at Bambalapitiya
Final vows : 08 September 1951 at the General Hospital, Colombo
Oblation No. : 8554
Ordination : 06 August 1954 at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena
Death : 05 July 1999 at Colombuthurai, Jaffna

Father Sebastiampillai Emmanuel Wijeyaratnam was born on 05 March 1926 at the Inuvil Hospital, Uduvil, Jaffna. His parents were Saminatharpillai Sebastiampillai and Antonia of Valvettiturai, Point Pedro, in the diocese of Jaffna. He had his early education at the Roman Catholic School at Valvettiturai and secondary education at St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna from 1936 to 1947, during the Rectorship of Fr. T.M.F. Long OMI. He completed his London Matriculation Examination very successfully and was selected to follow a course in Medicine at the University. But he sacrificed it, and instead, wanted to dedicate his life for the service of God and his people. He joined the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and entered their St. Francis Xavier’s Novitiate at Bambalapitiya on 30 August 1947. On successful completion of his year of probation, he made his first profession vows at Bambalapitiya on 08 September 1948. He was chosen by his Superiors to be sent to Rome to pursue his philosophical and theological studies at the Studium Generale. While in Rome, when he finished his philosophical studies, he fell ill with Tuberculosis of the bone and had to return to his native country, Sri Lanka, for medical treatment. He made his final profession of vows while he was in the General Hospital of Colombo on 08 September 1951. He continued his theological studies at the Oblate Scholasticate at Woodlands, Kohuwala, and was ordained a priest of God by Archbishop Thomas Cooray OMI on 06 August 1954 at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena.

Immediately after he came out of the Scholasticate in August 1955, Fr. Wijeyaratnam was assigned to the academic staff of the newly opened St. Joseph’s OMI Minor Seminary at Green Path, Kohuwala, Nugegoda. In April 1956, he was transferred to the mission of Dehiwala as Assistant Pastor. He returned to the Juniorate in September 1958 and continued to be in the academic staff for three more years. In 1961, he was transferred to the mission of St. Lucia’s Cathedral as Assistant Pastor. Then in March 1963, he was sent to the mission of Grand Street in Negombo in the same capacity. He was brought back again to Colombo in 1964 and assigned to the mission of Bambalapitiya as Assistant Parish Priest. The following year, in May 1965, he was made Parish Priest and sent to the mission of Nugegoda. But again he was asked to go the mission of St. Lucia’s Cathedral as Assistant Pastor in December 1966. In September 1968, he was transferred to the mission of Wellawatte in the same capacity. In February 1969, he was sent to the mission of Slave Island as Parish Priest. He also served as the Parish Priest of the mission of Colpety in 1971. Thus within a short time, Fr. Wijeyaratnam had been shifted all over the place in the city of Colombo. It was because of the need and the dearth of priests fluent both in Tamil and English in the city of Colombo. Though it was a real nuisance, because of the need of the Church, Fr. Wijeyaratnam obliged his Superiors with patience and humility.

In May 1971, Fr. Wijeyaratanam was sent as a missionary to Madras in India to help in the new Oblate Delegation of India. When the Delegation developed and wanted to start its own Novitiate in 1973, Fr. Wijeyaratnam was appointed as the Novice Master. While he was at the Novitiate in India, he had some problems with his overstaying of his Visa and had to face lot of harassments from the police. Very much disgusted and frustrated, Fr. Wijeyaratnam returned to Sri Lanka in 1975 and was assigned as Socius to the Novice Master at Sidupiyanila, Bandarawela. In August 1975, he was given a break and sent to the East Asian Pastoral Institute in Manila to follow a renewal programme. On his return from Manila, in 1977, Fr. Wijeyaratnam was sent to work in Jaffna, the northern capital of Sri Lanka.

The latter part of Fr. Wijeyaratnam’s life and ministry were spent in Jaffna. He took up his residence at Amala Utpavam, Colombuthurai, in 1977 as a full timer in retreat work among the religious and nuns of the diocese of Jaffna. He was an accomplished scholar, a voracious reader, and a zealous and dedicated priest. He belonged to a special class of people who had kindness tempered with discipline. His humility, his humane behaviour, availability and willingness to help anyone at any level at any time outweighed and surpassed all his other qualities. His knowledge and experience in Colombo and India, in the field of preaching and spiritual direction came in handy in his new ministry. Soon all who came into contact with him began to appreciate his work, and he was in much demand for the formation of religious and as confessor to various religious communities of the diocese.

To enhance his easy accessibility, in January 1983, he shifted his residence to Thodarpaham, the Oblate Provincial House, in the heart of the city of Jaffna. In addition to his ministry of Sister Formation, on 1 January 1986, he was appointed Superior of Thodarpaham community which at that time included also the Preachers’ Band. Though Thodarpaham was normally a quiet place, during that period of time, its environment was very tense and vulnerable due to its proximity to Jaffna Fort which lay siege to the militants. Hence the city was the prime target for the shelling and bombing by the air force and the army, and that took place quite frequently. That traumatic situation often made the blood pressure of Fr. Wijeyaratnam to rise up and gradually he became a heart patient. Once it happened during the IPKF occupation of Jaffna, Fr. Wijeyaratnam was stuck up at Pandeterruppu Retreat House where he had gone to preach the retreat of some Sisters. He could not get back to Jaffna as there was no transport available. One day all of a sudden, Fr. Wijeyaratnam was driven into Thodarpaham in a huge army truck. There was high tension and excitement at Thodarpaham, everybody fearing for the worst. But, thank God, to everybody’s surprise and astonishment, Fr. Wijeyaratnam was politely accompanied by an army officer, Col. Bharar, who saw him safely in. The colonel had given Fr. Wijeyaratnam a lift in his truck from Pandeterruppu.

After serving two terms as Superior of Thodarpaham, Fr. Wijeyaratnam was transferred from Thodarpaham to the Oblate Juniorate at Colombuthurai in June 1992, as confessor and spiritual director to the Juniors and the Scholastics. Yet he continued with his main work of ministry to the formation of Sisters. It was morning of 05 July 1999, Fr. Wijeyaratnam went to the refectory as normal for his breakfast. As he was taking his breakfast, he had a massive heart attack and fell dead on his breakfast table. Such was the sudden and sad end of his long life of dedicated service to priests, religious, nuns and seminarians.

Fr. Wijeyaratnam’s sudden demise and disappearance was very much felt by all, particularly by the religious sisters who were his clients. One of them, expressing her sentiments on behalf of the others, had this to say: “Father Wije, thank you very much for giving us the honour and privilege of being associated with you, for setting us all an example of a good religious priest and a brother. Thank you for the steadfast devotion and unwavering commitment. You adorned and illumined our lives like the sun, and never missed an opportunity to encourage us. We always admired the kindness of your heart not only for us but towards all who came into contact with you as well. We also know you helped and guided many priests, nuns and seminarians silently and regularly. . . .. . On behalf of all I thank you for making us what we are and for inculcating sound values and principles in us. We hope we can do justice to all your efforts”.

The funeral of Fr. Wijeyaratnam took place on 07 July 1999 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna, in the presence of numerous priests, religious, nuns, seminarians and lay people. In the evening, Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Savundranayagam, the Bishop of Jaffna, presided over the concelebrated Requiem High Mass during which Fr. Paul Natchetiram OMI, the Director of the Oblate Juniorate, delivered the panegyric. After the final obsequies, the mortal remains were taken in procession to St. Mary’s Burial Ground where they were laid to rest. May the Good Lord grant him eternal rest.

04 REV. FR. LUIGI GONSAGA HETTIARACHCHI OMI
(1927-1999)

Birth : 21 December 1927 in Pamunugama, Colombo
First Vows : 08 December 1951 at Mont Eden, Kalutara
Final vows : 08 December 1954 at the Oblate Scholasticate, Nugegoda
Oblation No. : 9105
Ordination : 09 August 1957 at the National Seminary, Ampitiya
Death : 11 November 1999 at Eldeniya, Kadawatha

Father Luigi Gonsaga Hettiarachchi was born on 21 December 1927 at Pamunugama in the Archdiocese of Colombo. His parents were Don Barlow Appuhamy Hettiarachchi and Portalentina Margaret Jayamanne of Pamunugama. He had four brothers and three sisters. He had his early education at St. Joseph’s School, Pamunugama. His parents’ life example led him to opt to serve God and his people, and so they sent him to St. Aloysius’ Seminary, Borella in 1942. He continued his secondary education at St. Aloysius’ till 1950. Then he decided to join the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and entered their Novitiate at Mont Eden, Kalutara on 30 November 1950. having completed his year of probation successfully, he made his first profession of vows as an Oblate on 8 December 1951 at Kalutara. He then proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Woodlands, Nugegoda where he pursued his philosophical and theological studies. He made his final profession of vows on 08 December 1954. In 1955 when the Oblate Scholasticate was shifted to the National Seminary, Ampitiya, he did his final years of theology at the National Seminary. He was ordained a priest of God by Mgr. Armund Clabaut OMI, a missionary bishop from Northern Canada, at the Chapel of the National Seminary on 09 August 1957.

Successfully completing his ecclesiastical studies and the first formation, he came out of the Scholasticate in April 1958. Fr. Luigi’s first assignment as a young energetic priest was to the Oblate Preachers’ Band at Nazareth, Wennappuwa on 4 June 1958. He was not an eloquent preacher, but his simplicity of style and clarity of exposition of ideas made him soon a popular preacher. He was a prayerful person and serious about his work. He was very much acceptable to the Superiors and the people, and he remained in the Preachers’ band for eight long years. His first transfer was to the difficult and malarial infested mission of Alagollawa in the North Central Province. He was sent there in January 1966. He was enjoying his stay there in the jungle areas, but as his services were urgently needed, he was brought back to Nazareth, Wennappuwa after two years in May 1969. After serving a second lap of six years in the preaching band, he was sent as Parish Priest of the Oblate mission of Ragama in May 1975.

In the following year, in February 1976, Fr. Luigi was made the District Superior of the ecclesiastical district of Ragama. He was well accepted by his peers and he was very much helpful to them. Of course with his affable nature, he was more a friend to them than a Superior. Fr. Luigi also served as Parish Priest in the missions of Gampaha, Morogoda, and Kamaragoda in the Archdiocese of Colombo. He was a very popular Parish Priest. The people liked him very much for his simplicity and unassuming nature. He was a peaceful and lovable person. He was always available to his people and did his best to satisfy their various needs. He loved them and they reciprocated that love with gratitude.

Fr. Luigi did not take much care about himself and his health. Hence he started falling sick very often with some abdominal ailments and had been hospitalized several times. So he was removed from the parish ministry and sent to the Oblate Juniorate at Kohuwala as the bursar. At the Juniorate he carried out his responsibilities to the satisfaction of everyone. He was not only the bursar but also helped the juniors as confessor and spiritual director. He was a model and example to them. Though he was old and sick, Fr. Luigi never wanted to retire. He wanted to die in harness. However to lessen the work-load, he wished to have a smaller parish or a mission. His Superiors readily obliged him by offering him the Church of Our Lady of Expectation in Eldeniya, Kadawatha, as resident priest. Here again there was an excellent rapport between the priest and the people. There was much spiritual revival and community service in Eldeniya.

Father Luigi’s last illness began when he was in Eldeniya. And during the entire period of his illness the people were very concerned and helpful to him, always ready to be of service. Fr. Luigi was admitted to Jayawardenepura Hospital, Kotte, but he succumbed to his illness at 5.00 p.m. on the 11 November 1999. The Eldeniya faithful kept up the demonstration of their love and gratitude to their beloved pastor right up to the day of his burial. They paid their respects and honoured his mortal remains by keeping vigil with prayer and hymns for the whole night.

The final obsequies took place in Fr. Luigi’s own parish, St. Joseph’s Church, Pamunugama on 13 November 1999. There was a large gathering of priests, religious, relatives and friends. The Archbishop Nicholas Marcus Fernando presided over the concelebrated Mass together with Fr. Bernard Quintus, the Provincial, Fr. Joe Wickramasinghe, the Vicar General, and other priests. Fr. Ernest Poruthota, a companion of Fr. Luigi during Seminary days, preached an eloquent homily. Finally the mortal remains were laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery of Pamunugama.

05 REV. BRO. NEVILLE PETER FERNANDO OMI
(1942-2000)

Birth : 17 November 1942 at Kadalana, Moratuwa
First Vows : 08 September 1967 at Mont Eden, Kalutara.
Final vows : 08 September 1973 at St. Vincent’s Home, Maggona
Oblation No. : 12053
Death : 25 January 2000 in Colombo

Brother Neville Peter Fernando was born on 17 November 1942 at Kadalana, Moratuwa. His parents were W. Peter Fernando and Margaret Silva, very devout Catholics who brought up their son as a devout Catholic like themselves. He had his early education at the R. C. School at Kadalana and then at St. Anthony’s College, Panadura. Neville grew up a young man who was a practicing Christian, very much involved in the apostolic works of the parish. As a boy he was a member of the Altar Boys Association and gradually developed a desire to serve God and his people as a religious. He revealed his desire to Fr. Julius Wijesuriya OMI, the Parish Priest. Fr. Julius who was very fond of the Co-adjutor Brothers, introduced them to him and helped him to grow in that vocation.

Young Neville, deciding to become an Oblate Co-adjutor Brother, entered their Novitiate at Mont Eden, Kalutara on 7 September 1966. Fr. Edmund Fernando (later bishop) was the Novice Master and he inculcated into young Neville the Oblate values and spirit. Having successfully completed his year of Novitiate, he made his first profession of vows as an Oblate Brother on 08 September 1967 at Kalutara. Immediately after his vows, the first assignment he received was to St. Vincent’s Home, Maggona.

Already during his Novitiate, Bro. Neville had some problem with failing eye-sight and had to be treated. After his vows, when he was sent to Maggona, the Superior sent him to the Deaf and Blind School at Ragama to learn the Braille system which would be of help in his apostolate later on. At St. Vincent’s Home, he was put in charge of a section of the Children’s Home. Bro. Neville loved little children and he took keen interest in the children entrusted to his care. Though his eye-sight was bad, it did not bother him much doing his work. He taught the children their religion and Mathematics. He was a good disciplinarian, tempered by Oblate charity and concern. On 08 September 1973, he made the final profession of his vows at Maggona. At St. Vincent’s Home, he was also in charge of the Candle department where he carried out his responsibilities to the entire satisfaction of his Superiors as well as his clients. Every Tuesday he took the candles to St. Anthony’s Church, Kochchikade and organized their sale very well. In addition to the three important works, he also helped in the administration of the Institute and looked after the coconut estate. All the time he showed great concern for the poor and the needy. He took keen interest and followed up the young men who had left St. Vincent’s Home after their training. He sought assistance from the rich and wealthy and helped the needy, especially the old boys of the Institute.

In 1993, Bro. Neville was transferred from Maggona to the Oblate centre, Dev Arana, at Polwatte in Minuwangoda. Here he continued his apostolate with the same enthusiasm and zeal. Besides helping the Superior in the house-hold work, he went out to the neighbouring missions such as St. Sebastian’s Church, Kandana, St. Jude’s Church, Indigolla to help the parish priests at their shrines. Sometimes, when needed, he stayed over-night in those missions and helped the parish priests. He visited the sick, distributed Holy Communion and helped in the preaching. His work was much appreciated by the priests and the people. Always his main concern was the poor and the needy. He was a good friend and the right hand man of the Parish Priest of Kandana, and later St. John’s, Mutwal, Fr. Siri Cooray.

In the midst of all his busy work, Bro. Neville never neglected his religious duties and prayers. He was always obedient to his Superiors and got their blessing and approval in all the work he did. Now his eye-sight was completely gone blind but they did not bother him much in his work. He was always happy and smiling. But another disease which he neglected, diabetes, slowly affected his other organs and ruined his health. He fell ill and he was taken to Marian Grove in 1999. After a short period of illness, he succumbed to it at Ratnam’s Hospital, Union Place, on 25 January 2000.

The funeral of Bro. Neville took place in his home parish, Kadalana, surrounded by his dear family members, friends and relatives. The concelebrated Requiem High Mass was presided over by Fr. Bernard Quintus OMI, the Provincial. Fr. Sri Cooray OMI, a great admirer of Bro. Neville, delivered the panegyric. Final Obsequies were conducted by Fr. Gabriel Nanayakkara OMI. .The mortal remains were then removed to the parish cemetery where a big gathering of priests, religious and the people from places where he served were present. At the cemetery, Fr. Mervyn Noel OMI did the final rites and the remains were laid to rest. May the Good Lord grant Bro. Neville Eternal Rest.

06 BISHOP HENRY JOY GOONEWARDENE OMI
(1925-2000)

Birth : 15 July 1925 at Dehiwala, Colombo
First Vows : 8 Septmber 1945 at St. Francis Xavier’s, Bambalapitiya
Final vows : 8 September 1948 at Kynsey Road, Borella
Oblation No. : 8030
Ordination : 16 March 1951 at Lucia’s Cathedral, Colombo
Consecration : 10 July 1982 at Anuradhapura
Death : 17 April 2000 in Colombo.

Bishop Henry Swithin Thomas Alexander Joy Goonewardena was born in Dehiwala, on the outskirts of Colombo, on 15 July 1925. He was the son of late Henry Wijetunga Goonewardena and Mary Margaret Kannangara. He had two brothers, Philip and Emile, and two sisters, Myra and Therese. He had his education at St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya. Already as a student he excelled in his studies, and was well noted for his simplicity, piety and prayerfulness and specially his concern and love for the poor and the unfortunate children. He was affectionately called “Joy” by his companions. When he completed his College education, he decided to join the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and to work for the amelioration of the poor and the marginalized. He entered the Oblate Novitiate at Bambalapitiya on 01 September 1944, and at the end of his year of probation, made his first profession of vows as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate on 08 September 1945. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Kynsey bRoad, Borella and pursued his theological and philosophical studies at St.Bernard’s Seminary, Borella. He made his final profession of vows on 8 September 1948, and at the end of his first formation, he was ordained a priest of God by Archbishop Thomas Cooray at St.Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena on 16 March 1951.

As a newly ordained priest, Fr. Joy began his priestly ministry in the Archdiocese of Colombo. His first appointment was to the staff of the Oblate Scholasticate, Woodlands, Nugegoda. He served there for four years and in 1955 was appointed Chaplain to the Holy Family Convent, Wennappuwa in the diocese of Chilaw. In 1956, he has sent as Assistant Parish Priest to the parish of all Saints’, Borella, and in 1958 he became the parish priest of the new parish of Rajagiriya. After three years of ministry in the parish, in 1961 he was once again appointed to the tutorial staff of the Oblate Scholasticate, Nugegoda. In 1963 Father Joy was appointed Director of the Orphanage at St. Vincent’s Home, Maggona.

In the meantime, Mgr. Frank Marcus Fernando, the Bishop of Chilaw, had made a request to the Oblate Provincial for a few zealous hardworking priests who were willing to serve in difficult areas in his diocese. Father Joy made his option to serve in the difficult areas of the diocese of Chilaw and in 1965 he became the parish priest of Nikaweratiya. In 1971, he went to Anamaduwa. As parish priest in these two places, he also covered a number of out-stations, as priests were very few those days, These were difficult times. There was little food, water was not healthy, malaria was widespread, and venomous snakes were common. Roads were bad if there were any roads, and vehicles used for public transport were generally not trustworthy. This was the lot of the poor people living in those areas and it was under these conditions Fr Joy opted to live and work.

In 1974, Fr. Joy was appointed Parish Priest of Anuradhapura as well as Missionary Vicar of the North Central Province. A year later, in 1975, the entire North Central Province was made the Prefecture Apostolic of the Anuradhapura, and Very Rev. Fr. Joy Goonewardene was appointed the first Prefect Apostolic of Anuradhapura on 19 December 1975. On 18 March 1982, the prefecture of Anuradhapura was made a diocese, and Mgr. Henry Goonewardene was appointed the first bishop of the diocese of Anuradhapura. The Episcopal Ordination of the new bishop took place at St. Joseph’s Church, Anuradhapura, which has now become the Cathedral of the Anuradhapura diocese. The chief consecrator was Mgr Frank Marcus Fernando, who was then the chairperson of the Bishops’ Conference of Sir Lanka.

Though Mgr. Joy Goonewardene was elevated to a higher position in the Church, he always remained a simple, humble, pious and zealous man of God, who had a special love and concern for the poor and the marginalized. He chose as his motto, “Parare Viam Domini” – “to prepare the way of the Lord,” which was very appropriate for the area such as the North Central Province, and that expressed his sense of commitment to permeate God’s love to all his people. During his episcopate, he established new centers at Polonnaruwa, Minneriya, Maduruwewa, Habarana, Rajangana, Rambewa, Horawapotana, Kehatagasdigiliya, Kilauea, Eppawale, Kagama Padaviya and Galkuriagama. In all these places where no priests were residing, he put lay catechists to instruct the people and to attend to their spiritual needs. He also got the help of the Sisters of the Holy family, Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, Sisters of Charity and Sisters of the Holy Cross. The home for the elders at Kala Oya was also begun during his episcopate, with the initiative of Fr. Reginald de Silva. He also built mission houses where necessary and the present Bishop’s House at Anuradhapura. A number of secular priests were also ordained for the diocese and they worked side by side with the Oblate Missionaries. It was also during that time that a church dedicated to Blessed (now Saint) Eugene de Mazenod, the Founder of the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, was built at Potanagama, a few miles away from Anuradhapura

Tired exhausted weak and sick, Bishop Joy relinquished his Episcopal responsibilities in 1999. He spent himself so munch that he was forced to retire on medical advice. He left Anuradhapura and took up residence at “Samata Sarana”, a home run by the SCIM Sisters at Mutwal. Bishop Joy’s niece, Sr. Bernie Silva, who was the Director of the Home, tenderly looked after her uncle till the end. But the missionary bishop continued his apostolate incognito till his very end. During his stay at Samata Sarana, he shared many interesting anecdotes which had really happened in his life and they really brought out some insight into the heart and mind of the man. As a priest, he lived and served in extreme simplicity and poverty. Always he was on the move, visiting every nook and corner of the diocese. He often wore black cincture and traveled by public transport. He generally carried some bread in his pocket and whatever time wherever he took a break, he ate his bread. He truly identified himself with those whom he served. As he was always on the move, once some Sisters wondered where he slept the night. When they asked him where and how he spent the night, his reply was “what is important is not where and how, but whether I slept. And I tell you that had a good night’s sleep”. Later the Sisters discovered that he had been carrying in his pocked some old news papers which he spread to sleep wherever he spent the night.

Once it happened that when Bishop Joy was in Europe and he had gone to pray at the Shrine at Lourdes. The clothes he was wearing at that time had been picked up from the old clothes he had collected in Europe for the poor of his diocese. As he was kneeling at the shrine, a well-built European, wearing a clerical collar had approached him. Apparently the white man was looking for a porter to carry his huge suitcase to a nearby hotel. Coming across Bishop Joy in such shabby clothes, thinking he was a porter, he had asked him to carry the bag for him. Without a word, Bishop Joy had carried that bag to the hotel. On arrival at the hotel, the priest found that hotel elevator was out of order, and a number of stairs had to be climbed to reach his room. So he ordered Bishop Joy to carry the bag up the stairs and into the room. By the time they reached the room, Bishop Joy was panting. The man with the clerical collar did not know who carried the bag for him, and the man who wore the Bishop’s ring never revealed who he was. He was happy that he received a few dollars to help the poor in his diocese. This was the simplicity and humility of Bishop Joy.

Bishop Joy was a very caring person. He gave personal care to all who came to him. It happened in the Bishop’s House at Anuradhapura. One night, after all the domestic helpers had retired for the night, Bishop Joy had heard someone at the gate. When he hurried there, he had found an old man who told him that he had no place to spend the night. Bishop Joy had welcomed him and found him a mat and a pillow to sleep. But then the old man had complained of a severe backache. So Bishop Joy had gone to the kitchen, boiled some water and fermented the old man and rubbed some ointment. The next morning before going for Holy Mass, Bishop Joy had taken a cup of coffee for the visitor, and inquired about the backache. ”The backache is very much less,” the old man had replied, “but now there are blisters”. That is Bishop Joy.

In 1999, the light of his earthly life began to flicker – he became exhausted both physically and mentally. He lost his memory completely and could not recognize people. Few months later, suddenly he went into a coma and he was very ill. He was given the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, but gradually he came out of the coma. However he was no more able to look after himself. Even washing and feeding had to be done by others. It was very pathetic to see Bishop Joy in that condition. Finally he passed away to his eternal reward on Monday, 17 April 2000. at “Samata Sarana”, Mutwal.

His mortal remains lay in state at Samata Sarana. On Wednesdays, April 19, there was a Requiem High Mass at Samata Sarana in the evening at 5.00 p.m., and then the remains were removed to De Mazenod House, Mattakuliya where at the chapel a Requiem Service was held at 8,15 a.m. on 22 April, and thereafter the remains were removed to Anuradhapura for the final obsequies and burial. The funeral service took place at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Anuradhapura on April 24 in the presence of the entire Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka. Many Oblate Fathers with Father Provincial were there to bid the final “Good-Bye” to Bishop Joy. Mgr Oswald Gomis conducted the last rites and Mgr. Frank Marcus Fernando gave the panegyric. Finally the mortal remains of Bishop Joy were laid to rest in St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Anuradhapura.

07 REV. FR. MICHAEL SAVERIMUTHU OMI
(1916-2000)

Birth : 02 August 1916 at Kulamankal, Mallaham, Jaffna
First Vows : 08 December 1951 at Mont Eden, Kalutara
Final Vows : 08 December 1954 at Woodlands, Nugegoda.
Oblation No : 9186
Ordination : 21 December 1954 at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotahena.
Death : 29 May 2000 Ratnam’s Hospital, Colombo.

Father Michael Saverimuthu was born on 02 August 1916 at Kulamankal, Mallakam, in the dioceses of Jaffna. His parents were Michael and Isabella of Kulamankal. He had his education in the local R. C. School and at St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna, and at Henry’s College, llavalai. After passing his London Matriculation, he entered the Catholic Teachers’ Training College at Colombuthurai, Jaffna, and obtained a second class Tamil Trained Teacher’s certificate. He was teaching for some time in few of the Catholic schools in the upcountry area, and then decided to become a priest and to serve and God and His people. He received his vocation to the priesthood late in life. He joined the Novitiate of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate at Mont Eden, Kalutara on 01 December 1950. At the end of his year of probation, he made his first profession of vows as an Oblate on 08 December 1951 at Kalutara. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Woodlands, Nugegoda to pursue his philosophical and theological studies. He made his final profession of vows on 08 December 1954. At the successful completion of his ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest of God by Archbishop Thomas Cooray OMI at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena on 21 December 1954.

Fr. Saverimuthu completed his years of first formation in December 1955, and his first assignment as a new young energetic priest was Assistant to the Cathedral mission of Kotahena. The mission was divided into different zones and entrusted to the care of different priests. Fr. Saverimuthu was assigned to the zone of Kochchikade. It was the most congested area of the Colombo city and thickly populated with Indian immigrants who were mostly employed as laborers in the Port Cargo Corporation and in dry fish and other business establishments. They lived in an absolutely subhuman conditions in shanties and slums. A good number of them were Catholics in name, but in practice they did not have any religion at all. It was a den of drug addicts, kasippu dealers, drunkards, criminals, murderers, prostitutes and adulterers. The whole area was unhygienic, dirty and stinking. It was always a scene of quarrels, fights, crimes and murders. No decent people dare to enter that area, as the whole environment was polluted and frightening. There were two ancient churches of Portuguese period, but now dilapidated and abandoned, which served as the home for the drug addicts, Kasippu dealers, thieves, criminals, and prostitutes.

When Fr. Saverimuth visited the area for the first time, he was really shocked to see its pathetic and frightening state. He was deeply moved by the sight of the subhuman and miserable conditions in which his parishioners were living in the heart of the city of Colombo. He felt just like what young Father Eugene de Mazenod felt when he saw the shanties and slums around Aix en Province after the French revolution. Fr. Saverimuthu wanted to de something immediately, something quickly to liberate his people from such inhuman situation and to help them to live with self-respect and human dignity. He visited every nook and corner of the area, covering the slums and shanties, studying and evaluating the real situation. He met the poor and down-trodden, and identified himself with their sorrows and pains. He met the dry-fish mudalalis and the wealthy and influential people of that area and discussed with them the problems of the people and how to solve them. But he was reluctant and not daring enough to take any radical action. For he was still young and inexperienced, and what would be the reaction of the people and the senior priests. He reflected on his future project for nearly three years.

It was about that time he was transferred from Kotehena to the mission of Grand Street, Negombo, as Assistant Pastor on 21 January 1959. In the Grand Street parish, he was assigned to look after the fishermen of the Munnakara area. Here too he was faced with the problem of shanties and slums of the city of Negombo. He worked for four years in that mission, working hard to improve the living conditions and Christian faith of the people. Fr. Saverimuthu was an Oblate to the core and always had a preferential love for the poor, the marginalized and the oppressed. He wanted everyone to live with self respect and human dignity. He could never ever tolerate when he found someone was unjustly treated, discriminated, marginalized or ostracized. He would come out very strongly on their behalf and would do everything possible on his part to see that justice was done. He was a very powerful speaker and writer. On account of his stubborn stand on the question of truth and justice, he often hurt people and made enemy among the parishioners, politicians and even fellow priests.

After laboring energetically for three years in the mission of Grand Street, Negombo, he was brought back to Kotehena and was asked to look after again the Kochchikade area. Back in familiar terrain and armed with experience and courage he gained in Negombo, Fr. Saveri went ahead with the social reform of the area around Kochchikade. Now he had a very good parish priest to encourage and support him in his endeavors in the person of Fr.Lucien Schmitt OMI, a great social worker and administrator. It was at that time, the archdiocesan authorities were negotiating to sell the two ancient dilapidated churches to some businessman of the area. . Fr. Saverimuthu did not want to hear of it. So he struggled boldly with the archdiocesan authorities to make them to give up the idea of selling the churches. Instead he took up the challenge to clear up the area and to rebuild the churches and make them available for divine service. He got round some youth and influential people of the area, and with the help of the police, he cleared the churches of wild cats, snakes, stray dogs, pimps, drunkards and drug addicts, and started work first on the church of St. Anne, next to a Hindu temple on Chekku Street. He got the necessary plan drawn up by one of his close friend, Fr. H. Vedanaygam OMI, in Indian architectural style and slowly the church took its shape. The necessary funds were collected from the dry-fish mudalalis and businessmen of the area and through the influence of Fr. Schmitt from several foreign funding agencies in Europe. The adjoining mission house was also cleared up and Fr. Saverimuthu temporarily took up his residence in that old dilapidated building. He got the church blessed and started saying Holy Mass in the church. He also organized an altar boy’s association, a choir, and some Praesidia of the Legion of Mary to help him in the liturgy and the spiritual upliftment of the people of the area. Very soon Chekku street was made a separate independent parish with Fr. Saverimuthu as its first parish priest on 03 February 1969. He crowned the celebrations with a parish mission conducted with the help of the Oblate Preachers’ Band at Amala Utpavam, Jaffna, under the leadership of Fr. Z. N. Croos OMI. The archdiocesan authorities helped him to put up a new presbytery with all necessary conveniences at Chekku Street.

In the meantime, Fr. Saverimuthu got the second church also cleared up, renovated it and dedicated it to Our Lady of Vailankanni, Our Lady of Good Health. Holy Mass and the novena to Our Lady of Vailankanni are conducted there on every Saturdays. He also redeemed the other Church lands in the area occupied by unauthorized settlers and put up a convent, a parish center, a library, a sewing center, an adult school and a preschool for the children of area. Now both the churches are beautifully built to the finish and beautiful liturgical services are being conducted in them. Thus the life of Fr. Saverimuthu was identified with the parish of Chekku Street. He loved it and sacrificed his life for it. The people appreciated his work and loved him in return. It was quite visible at his funeral. Really he was a fighter, speaker, writer, social reformer, priest, missionary and an Oblate to the core. He made use of all these talents and gifts of God to enhance his ministry.

The latter part of Fr. Saverimuthu’s life was spent in north Sri Lanka. With the 1983 racial riots, he displaced himself with the displaced poor Tamil people of Colombo central and brought them over to the north of Sri Lanka. He purchased some coconut estates in the area of Pallai and established a few model villages, such, as Thresammal Puram, Gnanapragasar’s Ashram etc. and settled the displaced people in them, irrespective of caste or creed. He erected three churches in this area and attended to the spiritual and moral life of the Catholic children. He found avenues for employment for the people in the estates. It was his wish that this ministry to the displaced people should continue in the future too.

It was when he was busy with this rehabilitation and resettlement work, he fell ill and had to be taken to Colombo for treatment. He was admitted to Ratnam’s Hospital, Colombo. and it was found out that he was in the last stages of cancer of the anus. During the last few days of his life he suffered immensely, and finally succumbed to his illness on 29 May 2000. When the people of Chekku Street heard about his death, they appealed to the Provincial authorities to make arrangement to bring his mortal remains to their parish. They even wanted to have his mortal remains to be buried in St.Anne’s Church itself. In response to their request, the mortal remains of Fr. Saverimuthu were taken to St.Anne’s Church, Chekku Street in the evening of 29 May 2000. The people came in big numbers right through the night to pay their last respects to their beloved pastor and the champion of Chekku Street. Next morning, there was a concelebrated Requiem High Mass presided over by Fr. Emmanuel Jesuthasan OMI, representing the Provincial OMI, Jaffna. After the Holy Mass, the remains were taken in a motorcade to Our Lady of Fatima Church, Maradana. The final rites were conducted in the evening with a concelebrated Pontifical High Mass presided over by the Archbishop of Colombo, Dr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando. The homily was preached by Fr. Clinton Anandappa OMI. After the final obsequies, the mortal remains were taken in a motorcade to Kanatte Burial Ground where they were laid to rest. Thus the life of an energetic and dynamic priest and an Oblate came to an end .

08 REV. FR. MODESTUS EMILE PERERA OMI
(1934-2000)

Birth : 24 February 1934 at Kotahena
First Vows : 01 November 1955 at Mont Eden, Kalutara
Final vows : 01 November 1958 at Ampitiya
Oblation No. : 10060
Ordination : 01 September 1962 in Kandy
Death : 25 July 2000 in Colombo

Father Weerakoon Arachchige Emile Modestus Perera was born on 24 February 1934 at Kotahena, in the Archdiocese of Colombo. He was the son of W. A. Vincent Perera and Elizebeth Millicent Cecilia Rupesinghe of Kotehena. He had his education at St. Benedict’s College, Kotehena and passed his Senior School Certificate Examination. Deciding to join the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, he entered their Novitiate at Mont Eden, Kalutara on 31 July 1954. After successfully completing his period of probation, he made his first profession of vows on 01 November 1955 at Kalutara. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Ampitiya where he pursued his philosophical and theological studies. He made his final commitment as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate on 01 November 1958 at Ampitiya. After finishing his ecclesiastical studies successfully, he was ordained a priest of God by Bishop Leo Nanayakkara OSB, the Bishop of Kandy, at the National Seminary, Kandy on 01 September 1962.

Fr. Emile’s priestly and missionary career took him to variety of parishes and missions, urban and suburb, rich and poor, thickly and sparsely populated, well established and missionary areas. When he completed his first formation, the very first assignment he received was to the mission of Kadalana in Moratuwa as Assistant Parish Priest in April 1963. In the following year, on 10 April 1964, he was transferred to the parish of Moratuwa as Assistant. In January 1965 he was sent as Assistant to the Oblate parish of Maradana in the city of Colombo. His next appointment was to the mission of Gampaha as Acting Parish Priest on 03 July 1965. Thus having been initiated into the mission life, he was appointed parish priest and sent to the extensive mission of Anuradhapura in the North Central Province on 03 February 1966. His next move was as parish priest to the mission of Ratmalana on 10 January 1967. He served in that mission for eight years and on 26 May 1975, he was made the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Maradana.

Fr. Emile had a pleasant personality and a good rapport with the people. He was kind and generous towards the poor and the needy. Wherever he went, he was much accepted and loved by the people. He was given a break in 1978 and sent to East Asian Pastoral Institute in Manila for a renewal programme. On his return, he was sent to mission of Enderamulla as pastor in September 1982. The following year, in July 1983, he was made the Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Anuradhapura where he served for five years. His next appointment was to the difficult and malarial infested mission of Nochchiyagama in 1988. In 1990 Fr. Emile was given another break and sent to U.S.A. to work in a parish there.

On his return from America, he was sent to Alagollawa, another hard and malaria infested mission. The last mission he served was Kurunegala. In all these places his selfless services were much appreciated. While being busy with his mission work, Fr. Emile neglected his health and diet, and became a highly diabetic patient that had affected his heart and other organs. He had to be brought to Colombo for treatment and he took his residence at Marian Grove, the retired Oblate Fathers’ Home in Kohuwala. From there, whenever possible he went to the adjacent parishes to help. Finally he had a massive heart attack and passed away peacefully for his eternal reward on 27 July 2000 at Marian Grove, Kohuwala.

The funeral rites of Fr. Emile took place at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotahena, his home parish, where he had served as an altar boy. The concelebrated Pontifical High Mass was presided over by His Excellency Archbishop Oswald Gomis. The panegyric was delivered by Fr. Anthony Padililian OMI. The final obsequies were conducted by Fr. Bernard Quintus OMI, the Oblate Provincial. The burial took place at Madampitiya cemetery where the mortal remains were laid to rest in the family vault. May good Fr. Emil rest in peace!

09 REV. FR. DON RAPHAEL ALOYSIUS OMI
(1924-2000)

Birth : 04 July 1924 at Pamunugama, Colombo
First Vows : 08 September 1947 at St. Francis Xavier’s, Bambalapitiya
Final vows : 08 September 1950 at Oblate Scholasticate, Nugegoda
Oblation No. : 8361
Ordination : 04 August 1952 at St. Lucias’s Cathderal, Kotehena
Death : 19 September 2000 in Colombo

Father Kirihetti Lyanage Don Rapahel Aloysius was born on 04 July 1924 in the Catholic village of Pamunugama in the Archdiocese of Colombo. He was the son of K. Don Michael Appuhamy and Dona Maria Wickremasinghe of Pamunugama. Tenderly and carefully nurtured in a devout Catholic atmosphere, he had his early education at De Mazenod College, Kandana, for ten years. Then he went to St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa where he passed his Senior School Certificate Examination in colours. Having been moved by the Holy Spirit, he decided to join the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and dedicate his life at the service of God and His people. He entered their St. Francis Xavier’s Novitiate at Bambalapitiya on 30 August 1946. At the end of his successful completion of his year of probation, he made his first profession of vows as an Oblate on 08 September 1947. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Bambalapitiya and pursued his philosophical and theological studies under efficient professors like Fathers Serru, Riou, Gurusamy, Baron and others. He made his final profession of vows on 08 September 1950 at the Oblate Scholasticate in Nugegoda. On his completion of his ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest of God by Archbishop Thomas Cooray at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena on 06 August 1952.

When Fr. Raphael Aloysius came out of the Scholasticate after finishing his years of first formation in July 1953, he was assigned to the Oblate Preachers’ Band at Nazareth, Wennappuwa on 01 August 1953. He was really an ideal as a preacher with a very round base voice and a tall, well built personality. He was well versed in his Sinhalese and a talented speaker. He served at Wennappuwa for three years and then he was transferred to the National Seminary, Ampitiya as the Bursar. It was about that time the Oblate took over the administration of the National Seminary and it had a big coconut estate, a cattle farm and a piggery to look after. Fr. Aloysius served in the National Seminary for two years and then he was taken back to the Preachers’ Band in October 1958. This time he served at Nazareth as a preacher for eight years. He was a very popular preacher, appreciated by the people for his thought provoking sermons and rhetorical deliverance. Though externally he looked like a severe, difficult man, he was really a kind hearted and loving person.

After his eight years of stay at Nazareth, Wennappuwa, he was sent to the East Asian Pastoral Institute in Manila to follow a diploma course on Catechetics. He returned to Wennappuwa after his Diploma and continued to serve in the preachers’ band. On 01 September 1968, Fr. Raphael was appointed the Chaplain of the Teachers’ Training Colleges at Bolawalana and Maharagama. His next appointment was the Director of Archdiocesan Catechetical Training School at Tammita, Negombo, where he went on 24 November 1971. But in the following year he was promoted as the General Manager of the Roman Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese on 04 April 1972. In 1974, Fr. Raphael was taken back to the Congregation and sent as Superior of St. Vincent’s Home, the big Oblate complex in Maggona. When he finished his term as Superior at Maggona, he was again wanted by the Archdiocese to be the Administrator of the Basilica of Our lady of Lanka at Tewatte in 1978.

After his stay at the Basilica, Fr. Raphael was getting old and sickly, and he was sent as Parish Priest of the mission of Seeduwa in June 1982. But in the following year, he was again wanted to be the administrator of the Shrine of St. Jude at Indigolla. In 1989, he was transferred to the mission of Matumagala, and in 1990 to Bambalapitiya. The last mission served by Fr. Raphael was Kolonnawa from 1996-1997. In 1997 he retired from active ministry and went to the Holy Cross Convent, Gampaha, as Chaplain. Thus we see that Fr. Raphael Aloysius had not only a tall and big personality physically, but he had been always holding high positions right through his active life both in the Archdiocese and in the Oblate Province. In fact he had been a member of the Oblate Provincial Council for nearly twenty-five years. So much so his colleagues use to tease him, calling the “permanent councilor”. Though he held high position, he was never in the lime light. He always preferred to be in the back-ground.

Father Raphael was not in the best of health during his last few years of life, but he remained in his post serving God and his people. While serving the Carmelite Sisters at Gampaha, he quietly passed away to his eternal reward on 19 September 2000. The funeral took place in his home parish, at St. Joseph’s Church, Pamunugama, attended by numerous priests, religious, sisters, relatives and friends. The mortal remains were laid to rest in the cemetery of the mission of Pamunugama. May the Good Lord grant him eternal rest!

10 REV. FR. NIHAL JAYANTHA PINNAVILA OMI
(1951-2000)

Birth : 28 February 1951 in Negombo, Colombo.
First Vows : 15 October 1969 at Mont Eden, Kalutara
Final vows : 15 October 1972 at General House, Rome
Oblation No. : 12011
Ordination : 10 April 1976 at St. Mary’s Church, Marawila
Death : 31 October 2000 at the Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya.

Father Don Leslie Nihal Jayantha Pinnavila was born on 28 February 1951 in Negombo in the Archdiocese of Colombo. His parents were Pinnavila Vidanalage Don Anthony and Muthukudaarachchige Dona Winifreeda of Horagolla, Marawila. Both were school teachers. He had his early education at St. Xavier’s College, Marawila, and then at Joseph Vaz’ College, Wennappuwa where he successfully completed his General Certificate of Education examination. When he was a young lad of 17, he wanted to dedicate his life for the service of God and his people in the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. So he entered their Juniorate at Kohuwala in January 1968. He was sent to do a year of probation at the Oblate Novitiate at Mont Eden, Kalutara on 7 October 1968. Having successfully completed his year of probation, he made his first profession of vows as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate on 15 October 1969 at Kalutara. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Ampitiya to pursue his philosophical and theological studies. He revealed his intelligence and capabilities in his philosophical studies, his Superiors decided to send him to the International Scholasticate in Rome to do his theological studies. He made his final profession of vows on 15 October 1972 at the General House in Rome. He returned to Sri Lanka after his theological studies, and was ordained a priest of God by Mgr. Frank Marcus Fernando, the Bishop of Chilaw, on 10 April 1976 at St. Mary’s Church, Marawila.

Fr. Jayantha was an energetic young man, full of zeal and apostolic enthusiasm. His first assignment was to the mission of Ragama as an Assistant in November 1975. He continued to serve there after his ordination, and he was gradually initiated into the parish ministry. Then in August 1976, he was transferred to the staff of the Oblate Philosophate at Mattukkuliya. Observing his interest in philosophical subjects, his Superiors sent him to Rome to do some post graduate studies on Philosophy. He did his B.Ph and L.Ph. in Rome and returned to Sri Lanka in January 1980. On his return, he was sent to the mission of Anamaduwa as Acting Pastor. In 1981, he was made the Acting Superior of the Oblate Philosophate in Mattukkuliya. But in the following year, when the Philosophate was shifted to Ampitiya, the ethnic war broke out and Fr. Jayantha opted to go and work among the refugees in Vavuniya and Madhu. Here he was able to witness and experience of the pain and struggle of the displaced people in refugee camps. He found much satisfaction in helping these refugees by alleviating their pain and worries and giving them some sort of consolation. Like St. Eugene de Mazenod, Fr. Jayantha felt God calling him to dedicate his life to service of the poorest of the poor. In fact this thirst was in him right through his life.

But in 1982, he was sent by his Superiors as Parish Priest of Anamaduwa. In the meantime every week he had to travel to Ampitiya to take classes at the National Seminary. In 1984, Fr. Jayantha enrolled himself as an internal student at the University of Peradeniya to do his Doctorate in Philosophy. To facilitate his studies, in 1992, he was transferred to the Oblate Scholasticate in Ampitiya as a member of the staff.

Fr. Jayantha successfully completed his Doctorate with the thesis on “Place of Human Body in Interpersonal Relationship”. He continued to teach Philosophy at the National Seminary and at the Jesuit Philosophate, but his mind and heart were towards serving the poor, the down trodden and the marginalized. With the approval of his Superiors, he took up residence at Sahana Medura at Power Station Road, Kandy in 1994. From there he started organizing some projects on his own at Polonnaruwa, Puttalam, Galaha and some other places. He got round some youths and with their help, he tried to serve the poor and the marginalized without any distinction of race or religion in whatever way he could. In the meantime he neglected his health and his meals, and became a bad diabetic and heart patient.

When he was in Galaha one evening, Fr. Jayantha had fallen ill suddenly and collapsed. He was rushed to the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital and the doctors tried their best to revive him but did not succeed. Fr. Jayantha succumbed to his illness on 31 October 2000 at the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital. The news of his illnes was sent to the Superior of the Oblate Scholasticate community of which he was a member. Before the Fathers went to the Hospital, he had passed away. The mortal remains were brought to the Scholasticate the following morning and a concelebrated Mass was offered for the repose of his soul. The sudden death of Fr. Jayantha was a great shock to his brother Oblates. When the people, most of them were Buddhists, whom he had been helping in Polonnaruwa, Puttalam and Galaha, heard of his death, came rushing to the Scholasticate to pay their last respect. The Buddhist monk of that place too was there. The way they wept and mourned showed how much they loved him and how much they had lost in him. They wailed saying, “Our saviour is gone! Our Fr. Jayantha is no more”. One old Buddhist lady prostrating before the coffin said, “Oh, dear Father, thank you for the roof above our head, you yourself built for us with the youth of our village”. It was a touching scene

After the Mass, the mortal remains were removed to his home at Horagolla, Marawila. The funeral took place at Marawila on 2 November 2000. What surprised everybody was the large number of Buddhists present at the funeral service. They represented the people who had benefited by his services, the people who had worked with him in the field of social work like the NGOs, the Buddhist monks who had worked in close connection with him in Hingurakgoda area. There were outbursts of weeping and lamentations from these people. Nobody realized the extent to which Fr. Jayantha had gone to establish a dialogue of life with the non-Catholics. In fact it was remarked by so many that the chief mourners were the folks dressed in white, representing the ordinary folks. The funeral Mass was presided over by Fr. Bernard Quintus, the Oblate Provincial, at which a meaningful homily was delivered by Fr. Gamini Silva OMI. The final obsequies were presided over by Fr. Rohan Silva. Fr. Jayantha’s mortal remains were laid to rest just outside the church.

11 REV. FR. GASTON BERNARD ALWINUS OMI
(1929-2001)

Birth : 30 April 1929 in Jaffna
First Vows : 08 September 1949 at Mont Eden, Kalutara
Final vows : 08 September 1952 at General House, Rome
Oblation No. : 8746
Ordination : 10 July 1955 in General House, Rome
Death : 05 September 2001 at Marian Grove, Kohuwala

Father Gaston Bernard Alwinus was born on 30 April 1929 in Jaffna. He was the son of Cosmos William Damian Alwinus and Mary Anne Irene de Lima of Jaffna. They were from the Burgher community in Jaffna and made a deeply religious family. His father was the head master at St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna. Two of his sisters became nuns, Sr. Irene of the Holy Cross and Sr. Hyacinth of the Holy Family. His brother, Guy, after teaching in Brunei, became a priest of the Blessed Sacrament. Gaston had his education at St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna and passed his Senior School Certificate Examination in colours. He joined the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate on 08 July 1948 and entered their Novitiate at Mont Eden, Kalutara on 30 August 1948. Having successfully completed his year of probation, he made his first profession of vows as an Oblate on 08 September 1949 at Kalutara. His Superiors observing his intellectual capabilities sent him to the Oblate International Scholasticate in Rome for his philosophical and theological studies at the Angelicum University. He made his final profession of vows on 08 September 1952 in Rome. At the successful completion of his ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest of God at Roviano in Rome on 10 July 1955.

Father Gaston returned to Sri Lanka in 1956 and was assigned to the staff of the National Seminary at Ampitiya immediately. Fr. Gaston was a ready friend and confided in some persons who attracted him. He was an average student and was more practical than speculative. He knew electrical work and was a good musician, pianist and singer. He taught Philosophy for two years at the seminary, and in May 1958 enrolled himself at Aquinas University College in Borella to do his Higher School Certificate Examination. At the completion of his studies in July 1961, he was sent to work in the Oblate Delegation of Jaffna. In Jaffna he was helping in different parishes and finally assigned to the mission of Naranthanai as Assistant Pastor. After two years he was taken back to Colombo and sent as Assistant Parish Priest of the Cathedral mission of Kotehena. He had a big personality and a good voice. He was an extraordinarily talented man. He was very meticulously methodical and a little bit rough in his dealing with the parishioners. So wherever he went, he had problems with the people. He served as Assistant also in the missions of Milagiriya, Bambalapitiya, Rajagiriya and Matugama. He found the use of Sinhala difficult in pastoral life and opted for foreign missions. He served for about 15 years in the mission field in Sri Lanka.

In 1972, when many Burghers were migrating to Australia, he joined the Oblate Province of Australia and went to Australia as a missionary. In Australia, he taught Science and French first at Lesmurdie Mazenod College at Perth and then at Iona College, Brisbane, Queensland. He was an excellent teacher but too severe for the lively, vivacious Australian students. So he decided to leave the College scene. He was resident at Hurtsville in Sydney and also at Adelaide for some time. After working for fifteen years in Australia, he went to work in the United States of America. He joined the Oblate Western Province of United States, and worked at Santa Rosa parish in San Fernando in 1987. After few years, he was called to the General House in Rome in 1995 to work in the computer section. Finally he retired from active ministry and returned to his home Province and settled down at Marian Grove, Kohuwala in 1996. From Kohuwla, he wrote regularly articles to the Catholic Messenger, sharing his experiences and theological reflections.

His last years were spent at Kohuwala. To understand Fr. Gaston, we must remember that he suffered from ill health all his life. He had constant attacks of allergic asthma until his death and had to fight hard to survive. His eyes too gave him trouble, and the skin eczema which came and went. He had more than his share of ailments. The Lord gave him a heavy cross to carry, the ‘sting of flesh’ and he could say with St. Paul, “I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, the Church” (Col. 1: 24). Fr. Gaston could be harsh in his judgment of others at times and broke into outbursts of bad temper. But when we remember his constant sufferings we can pardon all. He was quick to apologize.

During his last days he suffered immensely in silence. Finally he passed away quietly to his eternal reward on 05 September 2001 at Marian Grove, Kohuwala. His mortal remains were removed to the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Maradana on the following day, and the funeral service took place in the evening. His mortal remains were laid to rest at Kanatte.

12 REV. FR. ALFRED RAYAPPU OMI
(1941-2002)

Birth : 16 April 1941 at Pathawattai, Ilavalai, Jaffna
First Vows : 31 May 1960 at Mont Eden, Kalutara
Final vows : 31 May 1966 in Colombo
Oblation No. : 11399
Ordination : 1996 in Karachchi, Pakistan
Death : 16 January 2002 at Pirmahal, Pakistan

Father Alfred Rayappu was born on 12 March 1941 at Pathawattai, in the mission of Ilavalai, in the diocese of Jaffna. He was the fifth in a devout and God-fearing family of six children. He had his education at St. Henry’s College, Ilavalai. At College, he performed his studies well and passed through his Junior School Certificate Examination. He was also involved in extra-curricular activities. As a young man he had a desire to dedicate his life to the service of God and his people. So he joined the Congregaion of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 1958 to become an Oblate Co-adjutor Brother. He entered their Novitiate at Mont Eden, Kalutara in May 1959, and at the successful completion of his year of probation, he made his first profession of Vows as an Oblate Co-adjutor Brother on 31 May 1960 at Kalutara.

His first assignment as an Oblate Brother was to the Oblate Scholasticate in Ampitya to assist the bursar of the house in 1960. Four years later, in 1964, he was transferred to the National Seminary, Ampitiya, as Farm Manager. In 1966, he was sent to South India to follow a course on catechetics at the pastoral centre at Thindivanam. On his return in 1966, he was called to help in the catechetical centre of the Archdiocese of Colombo to teach catechism in Tamil medium. Observing his efficiency and ability, later he was transferred to the National Catechetical Centre, and made responsible for the Catechetical apostolate in Tamil medium. During this period, he was given a sabbatical year to do Audio Visual Training in Ireland, United Kingdom and Germany. He carried out the responsibilities laid on him faithfully for nearly ten years to the satisfaction of all.

It was when Bro. Alfred was involved in the catechetical apostolate in the Archdiocese of Colombo that he, through the influence of our missionaries in Pakistan, opted to go as a missionary to the Oblate Delegation of Pakistan in 1978. In Pakistan he had plenty of scope to develop his talents in the catechetical apostolate. After studying Urdu language for a short period of three months, he began his service in the parish of Goira, in the diocese of Faisalabad. In 1985, he supervised the construction of the Oblate Juniorate in Multan, and in 1986 he was appointed as its first Director. Later, at the request of the Bishop of Multan, he organized seminars, camps and catechetical programmes in the diocese of Multan to train the catechists working in the diocese and in the Oblate missions. His expertise was also made use of by the diocesan authorities, and gradually he set up a Diocesan Catechetical Centre. He performed his works so well that his Oblate colleagues and Superiors coaxed him to become a priest. But Bro. Alfred, though he had good knowledge of theology and pastoral, preferred to remain a Brother and carry on his apostolate. Later on realizing that he could be of more service to the people as a priest than as a Brother, he consented to go ahead with his priestly Ordination. He requested his Provincial Superior to allow him to proceed to the priesthood, and his request was granted. He was sent to the National Seminary in Karachi for a crash course of Theology. Eventually he was ordained a priest of God on 12 July 1996 in Karachchi, Pakistan.

After his ordination, Fr. Alfred was assigned to the mission of Pir Mahal as Parish Priest. As this was a new venture, he had to reside in one of the classrooms of the school, and build up the Parish house, catechist’s house and the parish church at Pirmahal. He also built a church and a catechist’s house in Kamalia, an out-station, and also chapels in two other villages. Fr. Alfred was a Jack of all Trades, and was a great asset to the Oblate Delegation as well as to the people he served. He was a pastor, a builder, an educator, a mechanic, a photographer etc. His love for the poor, the needy and the sick was the moving force that made him move around on his motor cycle visiting his parishioners. Sun or rain, cold or heat did not deter him from doing his duty. Education of poor children and medical care for the sick were his priorities. Generally, his pocket money was spent not on himself but to pay the school and hostel fees of poor children or to buy medicine for the poor who were ill. Many young men are well educated and are well to do in the society today, due to the untiring effort of Fr. Alfred. A number of them were at his funeral bearing witness to the service rendered to them by him.

Fr. Alfred was a person who never complained of any illness. He was considered to be a strong and healthy person, who lived a very simple life and never cared for even the normal comforts of life. He was the secretary of the National Catechetical Commission and was engaged in conducting seminars, refresher courses and study programmes for catechists, young priests and laity. He was a also a member of the Board of Directors of the Waves Studio in the diocese of Lahore. Although he was not feeling too well that day, he did not want to miss the meeting of the Board of Directors and went to Lahore to attend it. He returned to Primahal, his station, soon after the meeting around 5.30 p.m. on the 15 January 2002. That evening he complained of some pain on his left arm and chest, and also some burning sensation in his stomach.. When a doctor was consulted, he treated him for some muscular pain. Fr. Alfred was to go to consult a specialist the following day. On Wednesday, the 16th, as usual he came out of his room at 6.00 a.m. and told those who were there that he was not well enough to offer Holy Mass. He had a cup of coffee and told his cook to prepare a light breakfast and went for a bath. He never came out of the bath room, but he had collapsed dead in his toilet on 16 January 2002.

The funeral of Fr. Alfred took place on the following day, 17 January 2002 at Pir Mahal. Many priests (41), nuns and Brothers were present to pay their last respect to their beloved Father. The newly appointed Vicar Apostolic of Quetta, Mgr. Victor Ganapragasam OMI and Fr. Bashir Francis, the Vicar General of the diocese of Faisalabad also came to pay their respect. The funeral service was presided over by Fr. A. D. Alex, the Delegation Superior. Fr. Anjou Soares, a diocesan priest of the Hyderabad diocese, who delivered the panegyric, said, “A dedicated, committed and hard working priest who left no stone unturned in the service of his people. A priest to the core. Simplicity of life style and love for the poor were his hallmarks.” Finally the mortal remains of Fr. Alfred were laid to rest in the Primahal church compound, by the side of the church he built.

The sudden death of Fr. Alfred was a big shock for all his parishioners and his companions. Really it was a great loss for them and the Oblate delegation of Pakistan. “It is a great loss not only to the Oblates but to the Church in Pakistan” said Bishop Joseph Coutts of Faisalabad diocese. Fr. Bashir Francis, the Vicar General appealed to the Oblates, “Send us another priest like Fr. Alfred.” “Our father, our leader, our priest, our king is no more with us. We are now orphans. We are like sheep without a shepherd. We have nobody to look up to, or to turn to” was the sentiment expressed by the people of Pirmahal parish. Though Fr. Alfred is physically dead, he lives on in the minds and hearts of his parishioners. They are determined to keep him alive by carrying on the mission that he began in their parish. May he rest in peace.

13 REV. FR. JOHN ANTONY FRANCIS OMI
(1921-2002)

Birth : 06 November 1921 at Malaga-Johor, Singapore
First Vows : 08 September 1941 at Bambalapitiya
Final vows : 08 September 1944 at the Oblate Scholasticate, Borella
Oblation No. : 7350
Ordination : 18 March 1947 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna
Death : 29 January 2002 at Colombuthurai, Jaffna

Father John Antony Francis was born on 06 November 1921 at Malaga-Johor in Singapore. His parents were Mariampillai Packiam Francis and Mary Elizabeth of 12 Cathedral Street, Jaffna. Though born in Singapore, he returned to Sri Lanka as a child. He had his early education at St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna, and later at St. Henry’s College, Ilavalai. He passed his London Matriculation Examination in colours. After his College education he waited for some time to settle his sister in life, to enter the seminary. One Mr. Jacob came forward to marry her and thus he helped John Francis to proceed to the Seminary. Deciding to join the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, he entered their Novitiate at Bambalapitiya on 30 August 1940. Having completed successfully his year of probation, he made his profession of first vows as an Oblate on 08 September 1941 at Bamabalapitiya. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Kynsey Road, Borella from where he pursued his philosophical and theological studies at St. Bernard’s Seminary, Borella. He made his final profession of vows on 08 September 1944 at Borella. At the completion of his ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest of God by Bishop Alfred Guyomar of Jaffna on 18 March 1947 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna.

When Fr. Francis came out of the Scholasticate after completing his first formation on 15 July 1947, the first assignment he received as a priest was Assistant Pastor to the mission of Anuradhapura in the North Central Province which was part of Jaffna diocese at that time. In the following year, he was brought back to Jaffna and sent as Assistant Parish Priest of the mission of Kayts. His next assignment was to the staff of the Catholic Teachers’ Training College, Colombuthurai, as its bursar in July 1949. After three years, he was transferred to the staff of St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna as its bursar. In September 1952, he was given a study-break to complete his B.A. (London) degree. After sitting for his final examination, he was sent to the mission of Navanthurai an Assistant Pastor. In the following year, in March 1954, he was appointed Parish Priest and sent to the mission of Nallur. After two years, he was brought to the Bishop’s House and made the Assistant General Manager of the Catholic Schools in September 1956. It was the period when the Government nationalized all denominational schools and took over their administration. Fr. Francis was a person who was very tactful in his dealing with people and diplomatic in his approach, and so he was found the right person to tackle all the school arbitration cases with the Government.

After working hard as the diocesan arbitrator, he was given a break in September 1959, and sent to Ireland on study leave to do a Higher Diploma course on Education at the Catholic University of Dublin. On his return in September 1961, he was assigned to the staff of St. Patrick’s College as its Vice Rector. He worked for nearly twelve years as Vice Rector, and in February 1973, he was appointed Rector of St. Henry’s College, Ilavalai. Now St. Henry’s was a Government school and the whole academic standard, buildings, discipline and sports were very badly neglected and deteriorated. Fr. Francis had to work hard to bring back the situation under control and improve the standard. He was a very kind man with gentlemanly character and always with a smile on his face. So he was able to get round the teachers and the students, and with their support and cooperation, the rest was easy. He managed to make St. Henry’s College a recognized school in the north. During this period he served also in the Provincial Councilor of the Oblates .

With his experience, knowledge and know-how, he was appointed Rector of the illustrious St. Patrick’s College in January 1976. At St. Patrick’s, as it was run as a private school, the diocese was struggling to find the funds to pay the salaries of the teachers and to maintain the buildings. With his tact and diplomacy, Fr. Francis was able to tide over the difficulties. He had to work hard to maintain the Patrician traditions of the College which had been established by his predecessors. He had a good rapport with the teachers, and got round the students by taking interest in developing the sports and games. Thus getting the help and cooperation of the academic staff and the student body, he was able to maintain the discipline of the College. He was a good administrator. Gradually the standard of the academic performance at the public examinations improved. But his main contribution was encouraging and building up of good cricket and football elevens.

Fr. Francis retired from St. Patrick’s College and his education ministry in December 1979. He was transferred as Parish Priest of the mission on Mirusuvil in January 1980. Though he was academically qualified and a teacher par excellence, he always yearned for the missions. So he was very happy to go to Mirusuvil as pastor. Here he proved that he was not only an educationist but also a loving and able Parish Priest. He was a neat and tidy person, armed with matchless wit and humor. He was mild and soft spoken but full of wisdom. People saw in him one who was genuinely interested in their welfare. In spite of the fact that being a parish priest was a full time work, he managed to find time to organize and conduct healing services and exorcisms. In October 1984, he was transferred to the difficult mission of Passaiyoor. Fr. Francis was a first class mediator in time of troubles and confrontations. With his tact and diplomacy he was able to sail smooth through troubled waters in Passaiyoor. People appreciated his work and that was amply visible in the way they expressed their love and gratitude at his death.

In the meantime Fr. Francis was getting old and sick, so he was asked by his Superiors to go to Father Matthews’ Home on retirement in 1991. Though he went to Amala Utpavam in obedience, his desire was to be of some service to people till his death. So he appealed to his Superiors and they obliged him by giving him a small mission – the mission of Erlalai. But Erlalai was a little too much for him with Soorawattai and a shrine. He fell ill with cataract of his eyes. The traveling to Colombo for the operation was difficult at that time. Anyhow he managed to go by ship to Trincomalee and then to Colombo. The operation was successful but there were some complications after the operation and he had to remain in Colombo for some time. On his return to Jaffna, he had to go into complete retirement at Father Matthews’ Home in 1992. In 1995, he had his share in the agony of mass exodus and displacement to Wanni that ruined his health further. In 1997 when he returned to Jaffna after the exile, he had to put up at Vasanthaham, Colombuthurai as Father Matthews’ Home was then temporarily used as the Scholasticate. When the new Scholasticate was opened in July 2001, he shifted his residence back to Father Matthews’ Home.

Fr. Francis was a joyful guy at Matthews’ Home, entertaining everyone coming to visit him with his humor and jokes. He was enjoying his retirement gracefully. Suddenly, on 25 January 2002, he fell ill, and was more or less paralyzed and bed-ridden for a few days. He passed away peacefully to his eternal reward in the early hours of 29 January 2002 at Father Matthews’ Home, Amala Utpavam, Colombuthurai. The mortal remains were laid in state in St. Joseph’s Chapel to give chance for the people to pay their last respects. Priests, religious, nuns and lay people came in numbers to pay their respects. The teachers and students of St. Patrick’s College and also of St. Anthony’s Girls’ School came in procession to pray for the repose of his soul and to show their love and appreciation. The people of Passaiyoor too were flocking to pay their last respect.

The burial took place the following day, on 30 January 2002, at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna. The concelebrated High Mass was presided over by Rt. Revd. Dr. Thomas Savundranayagam, the Bishop of Jaffna. The Homily was preached by Fr. R. Jayaseelan. The Rector of St. Henry’s College too spoke a few words of appreciation of what Fr. Francis had done for the College. After the last Obsequies said by the OMI Provincial, Rev. Fr. Jeevendra Paul OMI, the mortal remains were removed in procession to St. Mary’s Burial ground where they were laid to rest.

14 FR. ADRIAN JOSEPH OMI
(1924-2002)

Birth : 09 January 1924 at Atchuvely, Jaffna
First : Vows:08 September. 1946 at Bambalapitiya
Final : Vows: 08 September 1949 at Borella
Oblation No : 8200
Ordination : 06.08 1951 at St.Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna
Death : 17 February 2002 at Colombuthuari, Jaffna

Fr. Adrian Joseph was born on 09 January 1924 at Atchuvely, in the diocese of Jaffna. He was baptized by his uncle, Fr. Gnanapragasar OMI, a great missionary and a scholar. His parents were Benedict Bastiampillai Joseph and Margaret Nesaratnam. His was a big family with one sister and seven brothers. Fr. Adrian was the eldest. All of them were extraordinarily talented people, gifted with musical, mechanical, technical, medicinal and farming talents. They were “Jack of all Trades”. His father was a Post Master and as he was shifted from place to place on transfer, the family also moved on. As a result the children’s education was affected. Adrian Joseph had his early education in many schools: first at a local school at Ratnapura, then at St. Michael’s College, Batticaloa, then at St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa, and finally at St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna from 1935 to 1943. While at St. Patrick’s College he joined St. Martin’s Minor Seminary, Jaffna from where he continued his education at the College. When he completed his College education, he opted to join the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, like his uncle Swami Gnanapragasar. He entered their St. Francis Xavier’s Novitiate at Bambalapitiya at the end of August 1945, and made his first profession of vows as an Oblate on 08 September 1946. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Kynsey Raod, Borella from where he pursued his philosophical and theological studies at St. Bernard’s Seminary, Borella. At the successful completion of his ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest of God by Rt. Rev. Dr. Jerome Emilianuspillai, the Bishop of Jaffna, on 6 August 1951 at St Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna. Later on, his youngest brother, Theogenes Joseph too followed in the foot step of his eldest brother and became an Oblate priest. He was a pioneer missionary in Pakistan for several years, and then served at the General House in Rome and presently working in the Philippines..

After completing his years of first formation, when Fr. Adrian came out of the Scholasticate, he was assigned to the staff of St. Joseph’s Oblate Juniorate, Kohuwala, Nugegoda, on 29 September 1952. Later he succeeded Fr. Romould Fernando as its Director in March 1954. Observing the intellectual capabilities of this young priest, his Superiors decided to send him to follow a degree course at Aquinas University College, Borella, with residence at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Maradana. When he left the Juniorate on 6 January 1956, he was much praised for his deep sense of duty consciousness by those who delivered the farewell speeches. When he approached the final examination, Fr. Adrian shifted his residence to a quieter place, De Mazenod House, then the Oblate Provincial’s house, on Borella Cross Road, Colombo 8. After successfully completing his B.A.(London), he went back to the Juniorate as its Director on 1 February 1960. After serving two terms as the Director of the Juniorate at Kohuwala, in June 1964, he was transferred to St. Vincent’s Home, Maggona where the Oblates were starting another Minor Seminary. He was its pioneering Director. At the end of his term as Director at Maggona, Fr.Adrian was sent for some pastoral experience to the mission of St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena in December 1966. When he was serving as an Assistant Parish Priest at Kotehena, he was appointed Parish Priest of the mission of Sea Street, Negombo. He served at Sea Street for two years. But again his help was needed in formation work, this time in Jaffna, where the Oblates were opening up a new Juniorate at Colombuthurai for the Tamil speaking minor seminarians. It was Fr. Adrian who was chosen to be its first pioneering Director. He was specially chosen by his Superiors to establish and to lay a strong foundation in the Oblate tradition for a solid formation ministry in the north. He took up responsibilities as the Director of St. Joseph’s Juniorate, Colombuthurai, Jaffna, on 23 January 1970. Fr. Adrian’s name and life are identified with the Oblate Juniorate in Jaffna. He was its founder, director, pioneer, planner, builder and developer. He was the one who brought up the Juniorate to its present status. He started life in a dingy old building behind St. Josepha’s Chapel with ten boys, boarded in a dilapidated shed on the left of the chapel. That old shed served as their dormitory, study hall, kitchen and refectory. When Father General, Very Rev. Fr. Richard Hanly and his team visited the Juniorate in 1973, they were shocked to see the pathetic state of their Juniorists, and ordered immediately for a new building. Fr. Adrian was one who planned, supervised and executed the present Juniorate structure. He meticulously attended to all the little needs and facilities required by the Juniors. His sense of duty, spirit of hard work, dedication, simple life pattern, disciplined life, missionary zeal and prayer life all surely had an impact on the seminarians who went through him. They will always remember vividly and gratefully the days they lived under his care

After serving nearly ten years at the Juniorate, Fr. Adrian was transferred to Amala Utpavam, just across the road, as Superior of Fr. Matthews’ Memorial Home for elderly priests and the Preaching Band on 30 June 1979. But after the ethnic riots of 1983, when our theologians studying at our Scholasticate at Ampitiya came to Jaffna to continue their theological studies at St. Francis Xavier’s Major Seminary, Colombuthurai, Fr. Adrian was asked to look after them in addition to his work at Amala Utpavam. In 1984, he was transferred to St Francis Xavier’s Major Seminary as spiritual director and professor. Though he taught Latin and Sacred Scripture at the seminary, he was more interested in evangelization and catechesis. He was convinced that what the people needed was not high theological doctrines but simple catechism. Even the notes he prepared for his students of Sacred Scripture were presented in simple, precise and in-depth forms, useful to teach catechism for the poor illiterate masses. He observed the seminarians who did their College studies in vernacular were weak in their English and struggling to understand the theological terms and phrases. So he decided to write a glossary of theological technical terms for students of Theology, Philosophy and other allied subjects. But in the course of time, it grew into a fully-fledged Lexicon. Though he put much time, energy and labor into it, his untimely demise made its publication impossible. Some of his students are working hard to get it published. Fr; Adrian retired from active ministry in 1998, and took up his residence at Fr Matthew’s Home, Colombuthurai.

Anyone who knew Fr. Adrian closely will find it difficult to describe his personality. He will find words insufficient to express them. His personality is multi-faceted, his interests are many and diverse, varying according to the situation and needs of the people. His talents and capabilities are plenty: he is a musician, a singer, a composer, an instrumentalist, a linguist, a thinker, a writer, a reader, a teacher, a student, a mechanic, a technician, a planter, a scientist, a doctor, a philologist, a priest, a religious etc.. He was a Jack of all Trades and at the same time master of all. He could discuss and continue a conversation with anyone on any subject matter. But he remained above all a student right thought his life. He was always eager to learn anything new in any field, be it astronomy, astrology, medicine, photography, agriculture, music, biblical research, scientific inventions etc. Even in his old age, he used to write to his brothers, nephews and nieces living abroad, to send him the latest books on various topics. They too were happy to oblige him. Fr. Adrian was a well read, well knowledgeable person. It was the basis of his all other qualities and talents. He was a quiet but hard working man, always busy with something in his room. He did not want to waste a single minute. He hardly went outside the house, yet he knew very well all that was happening around the world. All grades and ranks of people who came to visit him supplied him with all the news available. He was a man of principles, a disciplinarian, and methodical in his teaching, firmly rooted on Oblate spirituality. He had a special love and affection for the poor and the downtrodden.

Among all his talents and qualities, Fr. Adrian was well known all over Sri Lanka as a great maestro, musician, composer and organist. It is in this field, he contributed much to the Church in Sri Lanka. When Vatican II introduced vernacular into the liturgy of the Church, Fr. Adrian was one of the pioneers who produced numerous vernacular hymns and set them in oriental music, both in Tamil and Sinhalese, to be used in the liturgy of the Church in Sri Lanka. . He wrote many articles to the Catholic Messenger on this topic. In an article he wrote in the Catholic Messenger, entitled “On creating a Ceylon Church Music,” he said, “the western and eastern systems of music have their own merits, but the music that best tallied with the liturgy of a country is the music of the country itself’. He started with translating the traditional Latin hymns into Tamil and Sinhalese, while keeping to their original western melody and music. It made it possible for the whole community, comprising of both Sinhalese and Tamils. to sing the same hymn in their own languages at the same time during services. Then he slowly introduced the oriental music and melodies into his compositions. Later he composed his famous “Gospel Carols” (Carols based on Sacred Scripture) in Tamil and Sinhala, adapting Sri Lankan folk song patterns and melodies. Its Tamil version was “Ithaya Veenai” and the Sinhala version “Hade Veenai”. His main intention was to promote congregational singing in the multi-lingual Christian communities. According to number of music experts, the Sinhala High Mass he composed made an extremely favorable impression. He gave a public recital of some of the Sinhala hymns he had composed.

When the Church forbade singing of irrelevant hymns after the first reading at Mass, Fr. Adrian composed and published his “Responsorial Psalms and Sequences,” the psalms in oriental melodies and music. He also published the musical notations for all the hymns and psalms he composed. In order to propagate his compositions, he trained the Juniors at Kohuwala and Colombuthurai, and produced cassettes to facilitate the training of the parish choirs. Thus contribution of Fr. Adrian to the liturgical renewal and Church music cannot be easily forgotten.

If Fr. Adrian’s contribution to the Church in Sri Lanka was in the line of church music and liturgical renewal, his contribution to the Oblate Province in Sri Lanka was in the formation of the future priests and Oblates. Out of the fifty years of his priestly life, he had given forty years to the formation ministry, first at Kohuwala, than at Maggona, then at Colombuthurai, both at the minor and major seminaries. Thus he has created a history in the formation ministry in Sri Lanka. Hundreds of seminarians had gone through his hands. He was a man of God, a man of prayer, a man of principles, a man of sound judgment, a man of few words, a man of the poor and marginalized, always available, always remained a student. Surely all these qualities would have had a tremendous impact on the young men who had been under his care. No wonder his superiors placed their trust and confidence in him for such a long time. Fr. Adrian too never let them down. He carried out all his responsibilities to the best of his ability and to the satisfaction of one and all. Nobody will ever deny that Fr. Adrian had been an able, efficient and successful formator.

Last years of Fr.Adrian had been a difficult one. Right along his life he had been carrying on with a bundle of ailments like rheumatism, Elephantiasis, Migraine headaches and heart ailments. But he never went to a doctor. He knew some medicine and he relied on self medication. He was not exempted from the traumas and anxieties of the displacement that took place in 1995 to Wanni and in 2000 to Valikaman. It was a terrible experience for him. Though he suffered a lot, but never complained of anything. He was more worried and sympathetic towards the poor displaced people. Towards the end of his life, the aliments of which he had been in control until then, overpowered him in the last weeks of his life. They made him suffer grievously but he never sought the help of a doctor or a nurse. He was quite satisfied with the assistance offered by his veteran boy, Mr. Thurai, who had been with him for the last thirty years. In his last pain and agony, he never uttered a word against the divine providence, but always said “God wants me to suffer, and I suffer with Christ for salvation of many souls”. That was his life witness and martyrdom. Finally he succumbed to his ailments on 17 February 2002, the anniversary of the approbation of our Constitutions and Rules.

The mortal remains of Fr. Adrian lay in state at St. Joseph’s Chapel, Colombuthurai during the day. On the following morning, after a Requiem mass, they were removed to St. Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna. The funeral services were held in the afternoon at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna on 18 February 2002, amidst a large congregation of priests, nuns, seminarians and laity. The concelebrated Requiem High Mass was presided over by P. Selvarajah, the Vicar General and a close relative of Fr. Adrian. The mortal remains of Fr. Adrian were laid to rest at. St. Mary’s Burial Ground, with the final obsequies conducted by Fr. Francis Daniel OMI, the Superior of Father Matthews’ Memorial Home. May he rest in peace .

15 REV. FR. EUGENE RINCHON OMI
(1924-2002)

Birth : 01 February 1924 at Melchelen-Brussel, Belgium
First Vows : 03 October 1945 at Korbeck – Lo, Belgium
Final vows : 03 October 1948 at Velaines, Belgium
Oblation No. : 8053
Ordination : 01 July 1950 at Velaines, Belgium
Arrived in SL: 24 November 1951
Left Sri Lanka: 20 April 1961
Death : 22 October 2002 in Belgium

Father Eugene Rinchon was born on 01 February 1924 at Melchelen-Brussel at Molon Beck in South Belgium. His parents were Robert Rinchon and Jeanne Brouhon. After completing his College studies at Notre Dame de Brussels with a Diploma in Humanities, he entered the Oblate Novitiate at Korbeck-Lo, Belgium on 02 October 1944. At the successful completion of his year of probation, he made his first profession of vows as an Oblate on 03 October 1945. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Velaines for his philosophical and theological studies. He made his Final profession Vows on 03 October 1948 at Velaines. Finally, at the successful completion of his ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest of God on 01 July 1950 at Velaines, Belgium.

When he came out of the Scholasticate in July 1951 to begin priestly ministry, he was assigned to go as a missionary to the Oblate mission in Sri Lanka. He arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 24 November 1951 as a young energetic zealous priest, filled with enthusiasm and apostolic zeal. He was assigned to work in the Archdiocese of Colombo. As he had to study the Sinhala language, he was sent first to the mission of Pamunugama as Assistant parish priest on 01 January 1952, and then, after a few months, to the mission of Welligampitiya on 09 April 1952. In April 1953, he was made a Parish Priest and sent to the mission of Dalugama, a mission extending to Pamunuwila, Dippitigoda, Sapugaskande and Mabima But his residential centre was at St. Francis de Sales Church, Dalugama. In this vast mission, he launched out to serve the people with great love and devotion. He was very fluent in his English, French and Sinhalese by that time. His regular Sunday sermons were prepared with the help of one of his loved parishioners, Maurice Bolegala. At the beginning he gave his sermon from the text transliterated in Sinhala, and gradually learned the Sinhala language well so as to be able to converse with his parishioners in their own tongue. His conversations were pleasant, full of charity and helpful to those with whom he conversed. His concern for the people endeared him to the people, so much so that he spontaneously said on one occasion: “My country, village and family are thousands of miles away, but my heart in here in Dalugama”.

Fr. Rinchon was not only the dispenser of spiritual blessings and the celebrator of Sacraments and Sacramentals, but he was truly interested and involved in the social and civic needs of the people. It was his concern and interest in the social, civic and material needs of the people that brought him into conflict with the politicians who were in power in the country at that time. Consequently the Srimavo Bandaranayake’s government of that time declared him to be a “persona non-grata,” and wanted him to be deported from the country immediately. It was the period when the socialist government of Premier Mrs. Srimavo Bandaranayake was persecuting the Church by nationalizing all her denominational schools, sending all the nursing Sisters away from the hospitals, and sending the foreign missionaries out of the country. It was a very sad experience for Fr. Rinchon, and he appealed to the Government to extend his Visa. But it was not given, and he left Sri Lanka 20 April 1961 with a heavy heart. But his spirit was truly in our country. The people of Dalugama never forgot this dear and loving priest, who was indeed a Good Shepherd to them. They demonstrated the remembrance of their Pastor by naming the road leading to Dalugama Church :”Rinchon Mawatha”. Away from Sri Lanka, Fr. Rinchon never forgot Dalugama. He kept in touch with his friends through letters. He sent a message of congratulations for the centenary celebration of the Church. He even paid one or two visits to Sri Lanka to renew his contact with his friends and parishioners of Dalugama.

Fr. Rinchon went first to Europe for his holidays. But since he was a missionary at heart, he requested to be sent to the Philippines. His request was granted and he received his Obedience to the Oblate mission in the Philippines on 23 June 1961. He arrived in the Philippines in January 1962. He was an active, zealous, cheerful and friendly priest who could involve himself in all activities of the parish. He worked in the Mindanao island for more than twenty years, especially in difficult areas. His first mission in the Philippines was Kabacan, North Cotabato where he served from March to October 1962, which served him as a period of orientation in Philippine life in a parish. Next he was sent to Pikit, North Cotabato. It was not a very big town, but a difficult mission. It had a large number of barrios, some of them very hard to reach. You have to travel up and down the hills on very bad roads, especially during rainy season. Most of the barrios are populated by Cebuanos and Ilongos. So Father Rinchon had to work on those dialects to be able especially to hear confessions. He was very active in the liturgy of the Church, so that Sunday services were very much lively and well attended. The parish of Pikit was well known for its piety and its active leaders. It was when he was at Mindanao, he was asked by someone what was the trouble he had in Sri Lanka so as to be put out of that country. Without batting an eyelid, Fr. Rinchon seemed to have replied, “I had an affair with the Lady Prime Minister.” He served in this mission for four years.

Father Rinchon was then transferred to a completely different type of ministry. He was appointed the Novice Master at the Oblate Novitiate in Tamontaka in 1966. It was a very responsible work to form the future Oblates of the Province in the Oblate way of life. He had to provide for their human and spiritual formation, and to inflame in them the Oblate missionary spirit. He served as Novice Master for a term of three years, and then reverted to his favorite parish ministry. He was appointed parish priest of the mission of Parang, Maguindanao in 1969. This was a fine parish on a beautiful hill over-viewing the sea. It had already a large and beautiful church. It had also a convent, a fine Notre Dame School, a house for the Oblates of Notre Dame who attended to pastoral work, helping the parish priest. Hence, Parang had already a well organized and equipped parish community. Fr. Rinchon added a community hall for the parish. This parish had only a few barrios and most of the activities are for the church in the town. It had very good lay-leaders and therefore a good attendance on Sundays and many activities in the parish. Father Rinchon served in this mission till 1973.

In 1973, he was transferred to the Regional House in Manila, the capitol of the Philippines. Here Fr. Rinchon had ample opportunity to bring out his construction abilities. First, he supervised the construction of the Regional House. The Oblates had transferred their Scholasticate by purchasing the Novitiate of the Good Shepherd Sisters, a fine building very appropriate for our Scholasticate, with a beautiful chapel. There was enough land to put up another large building as a Regional House for the Oblates. It was supposed to be a two-storey building with about ten rooms. Fr. Rinchon showed himself such a good builder that the Provincial gave him the job of supervising the construction of an Oblate Retreat House in Quezon City, Manila. After completing the building, he started organizing retreats in that new house.

In 1975, he was recalled to Cotabato and assigned to the parish of Kalamansig, along the coast. This was not a large parish, but it was a lonely place because people had to travel by boat to get there. It had a small church and a good Notre Dame School. This parish did not have many barrios. In 1979, Fr. Rinchon was sent again to the Retreat House in Quezon City in Manila as the Director of the Oblate Missionary Centre, as it was named then. He took up again the organizing of retreats and seminars. Very soon it became very popular place. In 1981, Fr. Rinchon was appointed the Treasurer and Chancellor of Mgr. George Dion in the Vicariate Apostolic of Jolo. After serving for four years in Jolo, he decided to get back to his home Province, Belgium, in 1985, for reason of health. When the Superior General came to know that Fr. Rinchon was back in Belgium, he called him to Rome and appointed him Superior of the International Scholasticate in 1986. It was a very responsible work, forming and preparing young men from different nationalities and cultures to be the future Oblate priests. It would seem that Fr. Rinchon was well adapted and acknowledged in this delicate work of spiritual guidance of future missionaries. After his term of office as Superior, he continued to stay there as treasurer and Assistant to the new Superior. In September 1991, he was given Obedience to the Province of France-Midi as Superior of the Oblate Charism House in Aix-en-Provence. He served for three years as Superior of Aix-en-Provence, and then in 1994, he was appointed as the spiritual director of the Major Seminary at Aix. In 1998, he was appointed parish priest of the Oblate parish of the Sacred Heart, Nice, and also Superior of the Oblate community there.

On 1 October 1999, Fr. Rinchon received his Obedience to the South Belgium Province and to the house of Rhode St. Genese. He was already sick when he went back to Belgium. A few years ago he had undergone heart by-pass (4x) operation. He had diabetes and Paget illness in the bones. At the end he got gangrene on his foot and had to undergo surgery twice to cut his toe. During his last days he was at the Oblate House in Barvaux-sur-Ourthe. Fr. Rinchon experienced the Cross of Christ during his priestly ministry with disappointments, rejections, failures wherever he served. His period of retirement was no exception. But he was courageous in his sufferings, and shared them with the Lord he served so well. Finally he succumbed to a heart failure on 22 October 2002. in the hospital of Bastogne, Belgium. His funeral and burial took place in Barvaux-sur-Ourthe. May his soul rest in peace in the Lord.

16 REV. FR. SARATH SILVA OMI
(1945-2002)

Birth : 24 January 1945 at Ratmalana, Colombo
First Vows : 31 May 1965 at Mont Eden, Kalutara
Final vows : 13 June 1971 at the Oblate Scholasticate, Ampitya
Oblation No. : 11744
Ordination : 16 May 1973 at Fatima Church, Maradana
Death : 14 March 2002 at the Home for the Elders (The Lawn), Ja-Ela.

Father Sarath Ignatius Silva was born on 24 January 1945 at Ratmalana, in the Archdiocese of Colombo. He was the son of Alanakarage Wilmet Silva and Viyalagoda Vidnaarachige Cecilia Virginia Jayasekara of Ratmalana. Sarath was brought up by his devout parents, surrounded by his loving family, and he grew up to be a pious active young man. He had his early education at St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya and later at St. Joseph’s Juniorate, Kohuwala. He entered the Oblate Novitiate at Mont Eden, Kalutara on 30 May 1965. Having completed his year of probation, he made his first pronouncement of vows as an Oblate on 31 May 1966 at Kalutara. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Ampitiya from where he pursued his philosophical and theological studies at the National Seminary. He made his final profession of vows on 13 June 1971 at Ampitiya. Even before his ordination, he was imbibed by the Oblate charism, “Evangelizare pauperibus misit me,” and was anxious to go to the help of the poor and marginalized of our society. Already as a Scholastic Deacon, he was given the opportunity to help the poor fisher folk of the Nilaveli parish in Trincomalee. He literally lived with them like a fellow fisherman and shared their way of life. He was a shining example to the fishermen as he was not sharing in their drinking bouts and never got used to their bad language. The fishermen wondered how he could live their life without some “kasippu”. He was ordained a priest of God on 16 May 1973 by Bishop Oswald Gomis at Fatima Church, Maradana.

After his ordination, Fr. Sarath, under the guidance and direction of his Oblate Superiors, went round serving in various dioceses, particularly in rural areas. His first assignment was in May 1973 to the mission of Bollata, in the Archdiocese of Colombo, as Assistant Parish Priest. In the following year, in September 1974, he was transferred to the mission of Anuradhapura, in the Prefecture of Anuradhapura as Parish Priest. He served in that difficult area for four years, and then, in 1978, he was sent to the mission of Anamaduwa in the diocese of Chilaw. On 8 July 1980, he was appointed the Chaplain of the Youth and Children’s Apostolate in the district of Veyangoda. He was close to the young and trained them to leadership through the apostolate of the LA-Kri-Vi. As the chaplain of the La-Kri-Vi moment for seven years, he had contributed very much to the development of the movement in Sri Lanka, and through that to the religious amity and unity among the children and youth of our country.

His next move was to the mission of Gampaha on 15 September 1987 as Parish Priest. With the death for Fr. Michael Rodrigo in 1987, the Superiors found Fr. Sarath to be the correct man to send to Buttala to continue the Inter-religious dialogue started by Fr. Mike. So in September 1988, Fr. Sarath was transferred to the Church of Christ the King, Buttala, in the diocese of Badulla. The following year, in October 1989, he was appointed the Superior and Manager of St. Vincent’s Home, Maggona. During this period he also served as a member of the Provincial Council, and contributed much to the development of the Oblate Province of Sri Lanka. After serving his term as Superior at Maggona, he was transferred to our Lady of Fatima Church, Maradana as Co-pastor in June 1993. The last mission served by Fr. Sarath was the mission of Mirigama.

In all these varieties of missions and ministries, Fr. Sarath evidently worked hard with full of zeal and enthusiasm, with only one goal in mind: to evangelize the poor and the marginalized, after the mind and heart of our saintly Founder, St. Eugene de Mazenod. As for all faithful disciples of Christ, Fr. Sarath too had his share in the Passion and the Cross of his Lord and Master. “The disciple is not greater than his master.” While there were many encomiums of appreciation, encouragement and thanks for his services, there were also criticisms and rejection of his good efforts. There were very discouraging moments in his life experiences which made his disappointed and disheartened. As a consequence he fell mentally and physically sick. But somehow or other he braved these storms of life in peaceful resignation.

It was on 14 March 2002, Fr. Sarath complained of a chest pain and he was rushed from Ja-Ela to Ragama Teaching Hospital. But to the great shock of everyone, within few hours, he was declared dead of Cardiac failure. He was 57 years of age. His funeral took place at Kanuwana, Ja-Ela on the following day in the presence of many priests, religious, nuns, relatives and friends.

17 REV. FR. JOSEPH MERVYN LOWE OMI
(1948-2003)

Birth : 03 May 1948 at Sea Street, Chilaw.
First Vows : 08 September 1975 at Sidupiyanila, Bandarawela.
Final vows : 01 December 1978 at the Oblate Scholasticate, Ampitya
Oblation No. : 12322
Ordination : 04 August 1979 at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Maradana
Death : 12 April 2003 in Canada

Father Warunakulasuriya Joseph Mervyn Lowe was born on 03 May 1948 at Sea Street, Chilaw, in the diocese of Chilaw. He was the son of Warunakulasuriya Michael Lowe and Rose Mary Fernando of Sea Street, Chilaw. He had his education at St. Mary’s College, Chilaw, and successfully completed his General School Certificate examination. Having brought up by his Catholic and devout parents as a religious, pious and active young man, he wanted to dedicate his life for the service of God and his people. He joined the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and entered their Novitiate at Sidupiyanila, Bandarawela on 01 September 1974. When he completed his year of probation successfully, he made his first profession of vows as an Oblate on 08 September 1975. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Ampitiya to pursue his philosophical and theological studies at the National Seminary, Ampitiya. He made his final profession of vows on 01 December 1978 at Ampitiya. Having completed his ecclesiastical studies successfully, he was ordained a priest of God by Bishop Edmund Fernando OMI, the Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo, on 04 August 1979 at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Maradana.

The first assignment which Fr. Mervyn Lowe received just after his Ordination was to the Oblate mission of Nilaveli, in the diocese of Trinco-Batticaloa, as Assistant Pastor. He took up his duties on 11 August 1979 and worked there for seven years. Of course, in 1980, he was made the Parish Priest of the mission. It was a difficult, but nice and healthy mission with many outstations. He enjoyed his stay at Nilaveli and carried out his responsibilities to the satisfaction of all. He was a tri-lingual man, and knew his Sinhalese, Tamil and English well. In 1986, he was transferred from Nilaveli and sent as Socius and Bursar to the Oblate Novitiate at Sidupiyanila, Bandarawela. In the following year, in May 1987, he was taken from the Novitiate and sent to the Cathedral mission of Kotehena as Assistant Pastor. He stayed there only for four months and then he was transferred to the Archbishop’s House, Colombo in September 1987, as Chaplain to the General Hospital of Colombo. He served there for two years and in February 1991, he was made the Parish Priest of the mission of Palaguthurai in Negombo.

But on 15 August 1991, he was removed from there and sent to Dev Arana, the Oblate Prechers’ House at Polwatte, Minuwangoda. He was an asset to the community there, knowing his Sinhalese and Tamil very well. He served at Dev Arana for six years and then was transferred to the city Oblate parish of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Maradana as Co-pastor in 1997. He served at Maradana for four years, and then in 2001, Fr. Mervyn was given a break to go to Aix en Provence in France to follow a renewal programme. He was supposed to proceed from there to the United States of America to work in a parish for a couple of years. But his papers were not ready to proceed to America, and so he returned to Maradana in April 2002. He got his papers ready, and left for Canada in June 2002 for his parish work.

In Canada, Fr. Mervyn was happy to be away from Sri Lanka and all his problems here. He had been a committed person and carried out faithfully whatever work was entrusted to him. He was a very generous person and always had a love and sympathy for the poor and the oppressed. He was a gentleman in every aspect, and was very hospitable to anyone who went to see him at any time. All his peers were very happy that he got a chance he deserved very much to go on a holiday cum work in Canada. But the plan of God was different. He wanted to have him with Him soon. It was a shock to everyone when we were informed that Fr. Mervyn Lowe has had a massive heart attack and passed away to his eternal reward on 12 April 2003.

Fr. Mervyn had a younger brother, Fr. Austin Lowe, who was a Franciscan Missionary in Italy. He made all the arrangements to bring down his mortal remains to Sri Lanka for burial. Accordingly his mortal remains were brought to Our Lady of Fatima Church, Maradana on Saturday, 26 April 2003. The following day after Holy Mass at 9.30 a.m., the remains were removed to Sea Street, Chilaw, his home parish. The funeral took place at St. Bernadette’s Church, Sea Street, Chilaw on 28 April 2003 at 2.00 p.m. The panegyric was preached by Fr. Hilary Pieris, his friend and companion. The mortal remains of Fr. Mervyn Lowe were laid to rest in the General Cemetary, Chilaw. May he rest in peace.

18 REV. FR. EUGENE ELOI LEPELTIER OMI
(1920-2003)

Birth : 01 December 1920 at St. George de Lisoye, Coutances
First Vows : 17 February 1947 at Pontmain
Final vows : 17 February 1950 at Solignac
Oblation No. : 8270
Ordination : 01 July 1951 at Solignac
Arrival in SL : 28 October 1952
Departure SL.: 1988 to France
Death : 09 December 2003 in Lyon, France

Father Eugene Victor Eloi Lepeltier was born on 01 December 1920 at St. George de Lesoye in Countances, France. He was the son of Victor Lepeltier and Eugenie Lecourtois of Countances, France. He had his education in Pontmain, and entered the Novitiate of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate at Pontmain in February 1946. On successful completion of his year of probation at the novitiate, he made his first profession of vows as an Oblate on 17 February 1947. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Solignac where he pursued his philosophical and theological studies. He made his final profession of vows on 17 February 1950 at Solignac. On his successful completion of his ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest of God on 01 July 1951 at Solignac.

The first obedience he received was to be a missionary to the Oblate Province of Sri Lanka. He arrived in Colombo on 28 October 1952. In Colombo, his first assignment was to St. Vincent’s Home, Maggona in October 1952. After studying his Sinhalese for a year, he was sent as Assistant pastor to the mission of Nagoda. The following year he was transferred to the mission of Pamunugama in the same capacity. Having mastered his Sinhalese, he was made parish priest and sent to the mission of Katuwapitiya on 30 January 1956. He successfully served in that mission for five years and he was then transferred to the mission of Nagoda in 06 May 1961. In the following year, in 1962 he went to Europe on his vacation.

When Fr. Lepeltier returned to the country after his vacation, he was sent to the mission of Beruwela in 1962. In the following year, on 04 May 1963, he was sent to the mission of Weligampitiya. After serving in that mission for three years, he was sent to the mission of Ja-Ela in May 1966. After a year at Ja-ela, he was transferred to the mission of Mutwal in June 1967. When he finished his term at Mutwal, it was time for him to his next home vacation. He went to Europe in 1970 and on his return he was asked to go to the mission of Pitipana in May 1974. The last mission he served in Sri Lanka was the mission of Pallensena.

Fr. Lepeltier, because of his illness and old age, retired and returned to France in 1988. He arrived in France with a severe heart ailment which required many surgical operations. Towards the end of 1988, he was feeling better and accepted to be the chaplain of one private medical clinic – Manoir Notre Dame de Maffliers, in the diocese of Pontoise in the suburb of Paris. He remained as the chaplain to that clinic till September 2003, nearly 15 years. He was very much appreciated by the inmates and other personnel on account of his kind presence, availability and concern for the poor and the needy.

While doing his ministry at the clinic, he was helpful to the Sri Lankan migrants in France. Though he was not the official chaplain, he was always available to them, sharing their sufferings, helping the very poor ones financially, helping them to get their papers arranged and to find employment, In fact many of them were very appreciative of his help in the foreign land.

As his health was deteriorating day by day, the doctors advised him to retire and look after his own health. Further his eye sight too was getting poorer, and he was becoming almost blind. On account of this, to his regrets, he was obliged to retire from the chaplaincy of the clinic, and take up residence at the Home for the elderly Oblates in Lyon in October 2003. He was too feeble. But still he wanted to take part in the traditional grand procession on the great feast of Lyon on 8th of December. It was also a very cold evening. On the following morning, the Superior of the house found him dead on his bed with a calm and smiling face. He has gone to meet his Master in his sleep. The funeral service took place on Friday, the 12th of December in the presence of a good number of Oblates and of Sri Lankans who had come from the vicinity of Paris. His mortal remains were laid to rest in the tomb of the Oblates at Lyon . May good Father Lepeltier rest in peace.

19 REV. FR. JEAN LOUIS MIQUEU OMI
(1922-2004)

Birth : 13 June 1922 at Julos, Tarbes & Lourdes, France
First Vows : 29 September 1940 at N.D. Bon Secours
Final vows : 16 June 1944 at N. D. de Lumieres
Oblation No. : 7261
Ordination : 24 February 1946 at N.D. Lumieres
Arrival in SL : 04 January 1947
Death : 20 January 2004 at Marian Grove, Kohuwala

Father Jean Louis Miqueu was born on 13 June 1922 at Julos (Hautes Pyrenees), in Tarbes & Lourdes, France. He was the son of Francois Miqueu and Lucie Magenties. He had three brothers and two sisters. His elder brother, Roger Miqueu, became a priest. When Louis was five years old, he was down with Bronchitis, cataplasm. Doctor tried his best but was unsuccessful. No one had any hope of his survival. But not the Parish Priest, Fr. Ducasse. He knelt before Our Lady of Lourdes and prayed for his recovery, and made a vow. Louis regained strength and recovered, but not completely. Later on he asked the Parish Priest what the vow was, but he refused to tell him. He joined the altar servers of his little parish and regularly served at Mass. Louis had his education at the village school, Maitrice of Our Lady of Lourdes (1932-1933) and at the Little Seminary of St. Pe de Bigorre from 1934 to 1939. He was born and bred at Hautes Pyrenees, near Lourdes, where the world renowned grotto was close to his home. That environment created in him a great devotion to our Lady of Lourdes. At the tender age, he decided to dedicate his life to the service of God and his people in the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He entered their Novitiate at Notre Dame de Bon Secours on 29 September 1939. On completion of his year of probation, he made his first profession of vows as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate on 29 September 1940 at N.D. Bon Secours. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Notre Dame de Lumieres for his philosophical and theological studies. During his Scholasticate, he had to go for military service. After the military service, he was assigned to go to Germany for duty. On his way to Germany, at Paris he had to go for a medical check up where he was found to be unfit Thank God, he was asked to go back to the Scholasticate. He made his final profession of vows on 16 June 1945 at N.D. de Lumieres. When he completed successfully his ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest of God by Mgr. Liobert, the Archbishop of Avignon, on 24 February 1946.

When Fr. Louis Miqueu left the Oblate Scholasticate as a young energetic priest on 1946, he was given his first obedience to the foreign mission of Sri Lanka. He embarked on 17 December 1946 from his motherland, in the company of Rt. Rev. Dr. J. M. Masson, the Archbishop of Colombo, to serve in a land which he has never seen. They arrived in Colombo on 4 January 1947. On his arrival Fr. Miqueu received his obedience to the mission of Welligampitiya as Assistant Parish Priest in April 1947. Here he started his study of Sinhalese in earnest. In January 1949, he was transferred to the mission of Weliveriya again as Assistant parish Priest. By August 1949, he had mastered the Sinhala language somewhat fluently, and he was made a Parish Priest and sent to the mission of Uswettakeyawa. In the following year, in April 1950, he was transferred to the mission of Paiyagala. Here he served for two years and in March 1952, he was sent to the mission Burulapitiya. After serving for three years at Burulapitiya, his next move was to the mission of Gampaha on 19 April 1955. Here he served for six long years and in April 1961, he was transferred to the mission of Nayakakanda. Here he served for nearly eight years and on 1 January 1969 he was sent to the mission of Bolawalana where his stay was relatively short, six years. Here he celebrated his Silver Jubilee of his priesthood on 24 February 1971. His next mission was Hanwella from November 1975 to 1982. When he was at Hanwella, he was also made the Vicar Forane of the district.

Fr. Miqueu went on furlough in 1982, and on his return in 1983, he continued his stay at Hanwella till May 1987. In May 1987, he again went to Europe on his vacation and when returned in October 1987 he was sent to the mission of Maggona. The following year, in August 1988, he was transferred to the mission of Galkissa-Mount Lavania. He went to Europe on his vacation in 1992 and returned to Galkissa and continued as Parish Priest there till 1996. Here he inaugurated the Sodality of the Sacred Heart and the Legion of Mary for men, and revived many other pious associations which were dying. When he was at Mount Lavania, Fr. Miqueu celebrated his Golden Jubilee of Priesthood on the 24 February 1996. It was a historic occasion for the parish. All the parishioners rallied round with warm and generous hearts to make that occasion a colourful and significant event. The numbers that thronged from the parishes where he had served was ample proof of the yeoman service he had rendered wherever he had been. The last mission he served was Pannipitiya where he went in October 1996.

Fr. Miqueu was declining in health towards the end of 1997. In October 1997, he was appointed the Chaplain of the Rosarian Convent and the Hospital at Ragama. In the year 2000, he went to Europe for his last vacation, and when he returned he was appointed Chaplain to the Poor Clares’ Convent with residence at Emmaus, Tewatte. In the following year he retired to Marian Grove, the Home for the Retired Priests of the Oblate Fathers at Kohuwala. Fr. Miqueu had been a dynamic character whose outstanding qualities were punctuality, impartiality and transparency. He was a genial person who had a good rapport with everyone, particularly the children. He was a very human and holy priest, faithful and loyal to his Master. He was always Christ-like in his actions. He always extended a helping hand to the poor and the needy. He identified himself with the people he served, and became a Sri Lankan like one of them, except for his colour.

Fr. Miqueu was ailing for some time at Marian Grove, and finally passed away peacefully to his eternal reward on 15 January 2994, the feast day of the Apostle of Ceylon, Blessed Joseph Vaz. The funeral took place at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Maradana. The Requiem High Mass was concelebrated by numerous priests, presided over by Archbishop Oswald Gomis, Archbishop emeritus Nicholas Marcus Fernando and Auxiliary Bishop Marius Peiris. The homily was delivered by Fr. Hilary Peiris OMI. Very Rev. Fr. Oswald Firth OMI, the Oblate Provincial, conducted the Final Obsequies. The mortal remains were taken to Kanatte and laid to rest in the priests’ section of the cemetary. May he rest in peace.

20 REV. FR. ALBERT PLEIBER OMI
(1923-2004)

Birth : 28 August 1923 at Plouescat, Quimper, France
First Vows : 11 October 1942 at Notre Dame de Pontmain
Final vows : 11 October 1947 at Solignac
Oblation No. : 7791
Ordination : 03 July 1949 at Solignac
Arrival in SL : 21 October 1949
Death : 22 March 2004 at Marian Grove, Kohuwala

Father Albert Pleiber was born on 28 August 1923 at Plouescat, in the diocese of Quimper, France. His parents were Paul Pleiber and Ana Le Bras of Pluescat. He had his education at Notre Dame du Kreisker College, St. Pol De Leon. He joined the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 1941 and entered their Novitiate at Notre Dame de Pontmain on 11 October 1942. At the successful completion of his year of probation he made his first profession of vows as an Oblate on 11 October 1942 at Pontmain. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Solignac where he pursued his philosophical and theological studies. He made his final profession of vows on 11 October 1947 at Solignac. At the successful completion of his ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest of God by the Bishop of Limoges on 3 July 1949 at Solignac.

When Fr. Albert Pleiber left the Scholasticate on 5 July 1949, he received his first obedience to the foreign mission of Sri Lanka. He arrived in Colombo on 21 October 1949. In Colombo, his first assignment was to the staff of St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya, to study English on 27 October 1949. In the following year, on 28 February 1950, he was transferred to the mission of Bambalapitiya as Assistant Parish Priest. After studying his English, he was transferred to the mission of Bolawalana to study Sinhalese on 28 June 1950. From there he was transferred to the academic staff of the Oblate Scholasticate, Woodlands, Nugegoda on 25 July 1950. In 1951, he moved to the staff of the newly opened Oblate Juniorate at Kohuwala, adjoining the Scholasticate, and later became its first Rector. But Fr. Pleiber’s heart was always on the missions. Accordingly he was assigned to work in the parish of Wellawatte as Assistant Parish Priest from 26 August 1953 to 12 September 1954, when he was transferred to the mission of Hanwella as Assistant Parish Priest. On 29 September 1955, he was appointed Parish Priest and sent to the mission of Avissawela. Here he had to work also among the Tamils of the rubber estates. He made use of this opportunity to study the Tamil language. He served in that mission for three years, and then he was transferred to the mission of Kongodamulla on 24 January 1958. By then he was fluent in English, Sinhalese and Tamil languages.

In 1960, Fr. Pleiber went for his holidays to Europe, and returned to Kongodamulla on 31 May 1960. In the following year, 1961, he was transferred to the mission of Tarala, where he remained for seven years. He was transferred from Tarala in September 1968, and sent to the mission of Nittambuwa. Here too he remained for six years till December 1974, when he was transferred to the mission of Horana. The mission of Horana too had a population of Indian Tamils in the rubber plantation. In August 1976, he was given to the diocese of Chilaw, and he was sent to the difficult mission of Nikeweratiya. In 1980, he was transferred to the mission of Galgamuwa, also in the diocese of Chilaw. He worked in that bi-lingual mission (Sinhalese and Tamil) for eleven years.

In the year 1991, the Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka was looking for a missionary who knows Sinhala and Tamil, to be sent to Lebanon in the Middle East, to look after the Sri Lankan migrants who had found employment there. Fr. Pleiber, though he was seventy years old, volunteered, and he was sent to Lebanon in October 1991. He stayed in Lebanon for seven years, helping the Sri Lankan migrants in their spiritual needs. He returned to Sri Lanka in February 1998, and was sent as Assistant to the mission of Kamaragoda. In 1999, he went on his last holiday to Europe, and returned to Sri Lanka in the same year, and went into retirement at Marian Grove, Kohuwala. Fr. Pleiber was a true missionary, burning with zeal for souls. He was an Oblate of Mary Immaculate to the core. He was a quiet and conscientious worker, who led a very simple and frugal life. In all the parishes he served, he remained long, and he was very much appreciated and loved by the parishioners. He was very kind and generous towards the poor. Fr. Pleiber celebrated his diamond jubilee of Religious life on 11 October 2002.

Fr. Pleiber was slowly going down in his health, without giving any trouble to anyone. Finally he passed away quietly to his eternal reward on 22 March 2004 at Marian Grove, Kohuwala. The mortal remains were kept in the Chapel of St. Joseph’s Juniorate for the people to pay their last respects. The funeral took place at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Maradana on 24 March 2004. Rt. Rev. Dr. Norbert Andradi OMI, the Bishop of Anuradhapura, was the Chief Celebrant at the Funeral Liturgy. Rt. Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis, the Archbishop of Colombo, Rt. Rev. Dr. Frank Marcus Fernando, the Bishop of Chilaw, Rt. Rev. Dr. Raymond Peiris, the Bishop of Kurunegala, Rt. Rev. Dr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando, the Archbishop Emeritus, and Rt. Rev. Dr. Marius Peiris, the Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo, many priests, religious, nuns and laity were present at the service. Bishop Frank Marcus Fernando preached the homily. Very Rev. Fr. Oswald Firth OMI, the Oblate Provincial, conducted the Final Obsequies. Then the mortal remains were removed to Kanatte, where they were laid to rest. May he rest in peace.

21 REV. FR. AUGUSTINO GALLO BALMA OMI
(1922-2004)

Birth : 25 March 1922 at Port Canavese, Ivrea, Italy
First Vows : 15 August 1944 at Ripalimosomi
Final vows : 15 August 1947 at San Giorgio
Oblation No. : 7823
Ordination : 10 February 1948 at San Giorgio
Arrival in SL : 21 September 1949
Left Sri Lanka : 1983
Death : 07 April 2004 in San Giorgio Canavese, Italy

Father Augostino Gallo Balma was born on 25 March 1922 at Port Canavese, Turin, in the diocese of Ivrea in Italy. Later the family moved to another part of Turin, namely, Saint Anna in Rivarolo. His parents were Antonio and Lucia Gallo Balma. He had his education at the College in Ivrea. From his childhood, Augostino felt the call to the priesthood. He entered the Seminary in Ivrea and continued his studies. In the Seminary, as he progressed in his studies, he developed a desire to be a missionary one day. He met Fr. Liuzzo Gaetano who invited him to enter the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, where there was possibility of being sent as a missionary to different parts of the world, from North Pole to South Africa, to Latin America and to the Indian Ocean islands like Ceylon. So, on completion of his College education, he joined the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, to dedicate his life to the service of God and His people. He entered their Novitiate at Ripalimosomi on 14 August 1943. When he successfully completed his year of probation at the novitiate, he made his first profession of vows as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate on 15 August 1944. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Sam Giorgio, where he pursued his philosophical and theological studies. He made his final profession of vows on 15 August 1947 at San Giorgio. When he completed his ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest of God by His Excellency Mons. Ristagno, Bishop of Ivrea, on 10 February 1948 at San Giorgio.

When Fr. Augustino left the Scholasticate in April 1949, he requested Father General to send him to work in foreign missions. But his ill health did not permit him to go to foreign missions immediately. So he was given Obedience to work among the immigrant Italian families in Aosta. Having recovered his health, once again he requested from Father General to be sent to foreign missions. This time he was given Obedience to go to the Oblate mission of Sri Lanka, as a foreign missionary. He left Italy on 26 June 1949, and arrived in Colombo on 21 September 1949. In Colombo he was sent to St. Joseph’s College, Maradana on 1 October 1949 to study English and Sinhala. After acquiring sufficient knowledge of English and Sinhala, his first missionary appointment was to the mission of Wellawatte on 13 March 1950 as Assistant Parish Priest. In the same year, in July 1950, he was transferred to the mission of St. James, Mutwal as Assistant. Then again on 2 April 1951 he was transferred to the mission of Kalamulla in Kalutara in the same capacity. In the same year in December 1951, he was sent to the mission of Weligampitiya. He spent two years there, and then on 10 August 1953, he was transferred to the Cathedral mission of Kotehena. His next move was to the mission of Hanwella on 27 April 1954. After being moved to so many places in such a short time, he was appointed Parish Priest and sent to the mission of Beruwala on 12 September 1954. He had his residence at St. Anne’s Church by the sea side, from where he looked after the spiritual needs of the fishermen. He also took keen interest in the youth of the place, providing them with sports materials and initiating them into games. He wanted to give them a holistic formation. This also attracted the Buddhist youths of the area and they started to come to the mission house to meet Father. They held him in high esteem and they felt they were welcome. Father had a vast area to look after, and he made use of the Vespa Scooter, which was presented to him by his Italian well-wishers, to visit all those areas. He went from village to village, visiting the Catholics in the many small sub-stations, attending to their needs. He formed lay leaders who looked after the needs of the villagers when he was unable to visit them.

In 1958, Fr. Gallo Balma went on his vacation to Europe, and then returned to Beruwala in the same year. His next transfer was to the mission of Midellawita on 6 December 1961. In 1965, he went again on his holidays to Europe, and returned to Midellawita in the same year. He was at Midellawita till his next vacation in 1971. On his return from Europe in 1975, he was assigned to the mission of Nagoda. Fr. Gallo could not stick a custom prevalent among the Sri Lankans, viz., to borrow things, even of a personal nature. One evening he had a visit of a certain parishioner. He had come to borrow the scooter of the priest. He was a teacher and being a person of some standing, Fr. Gallo wanted to teach him a lesson. He quickly thought of a device and came out with a request of his own from the teacher, a sort of tit for tat. “Can I borrow your wife for tonight” he asked. The teacher never expected to be asked for such a request. In fact he was so unnerved that he left the place immediately. The following day, Fr. Gallo cancelled all his appointments and made a bee line to the Archbishop’s House, Colombo, to report the matter to the authorities concerned. His next mission was Duwa, where he installed a grand new bell donated by his Italian benefactors on the occasion of their patronal feast in 1982.

In 1983, Fr. Gallo retired from active ministry due to old age and ill health. As his health was deteriorating, he was sent back to Italy where he served as Hospital Chaplain at Camerata in Florence. In 1987, he was working in Naples where there was a group of Sri Lankan immigrants. He attended not only to their spiritual life, but also to their other needs like resident visas and work permits. In 1990, he returned to Sri Lanka and took up duties as Chaplain to the Good Shepherd Convent in Bolawalana in Negombo. Since his health was deteriorating, he decided to get back to Italy in 1993 for good, where he joined the Oblate community at St. Giorgio, Canavese, Turin, where the old and sick Oblates were being looked after. He spent the last ten year of his life there, sharing his life with his brother Oblates, offering up his sufferings for his beloved people in Sri Lanka. He wrote to them during his last days, “I am not feeling at home in my own place anymore. During the nights I think of my missionary life, dreaming in Sinhalese and English, thinking of Ceylon where I had arrived in 1949. I spent memorable happy times there until my health began to deteriorate”.

It was 7 April 2004. At 3.00 p.m., Fr. Superior, as usual, gave Holy Communion to Fr. Gallo-Balma. No one thought that it would be the lat time. At 8.00 p.m., he had a heart attack while trying to lie down on his bed. Resuscitation attempts failed, and he breathed his last of heart failure at 8.40 p.m. at San Giorgio, Canavese, Italy. On 9th of April many of his relatives, friends and acquaintances came to pay their last homage to him. On 10 April 2008, Holy Saturday morning, the funeral took place in the chapel of the Oblate community, presided over by Mgr. Arrigo Miglio, Bishop of Ivrea. The bishop in his homily highlighted the missionary charism of Fr. Agostino. His mortal remains were entombed in the chapel of the Oblates in the cemetery of St. Giorgio. May he rest in peace!

22 REV. FR. ANTHONY DHARMARATNE OMI
(1916-2004)

Birth : 08 September 1916 in Colombo 7
First Vows : 01 August 1935 at Bambalapitiya
Final Vows : 01 August 1938 at Borella
Oblation No. : 6096
Ordination : 06 August 1940 at Kotehena
Death : 19 May 2004 at Maradana

Fr. Anthony Shelton Dharmaratne was born in Colombo on 08 September 1916, the feast of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is no wonder that he was a great devotee of the Blessed Virgin Mary. His parents were M.A.P Dharmaratne and Ellen Agnes Peiris. He had his early education at. St. Bridget’s Convent (1926-1927), and his secondary education at St. Joseph’s College, Colombo (1927-1934). After completing his College education, he decided to dedicate his whole life to the service of God and His people. Hence he joined the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and entered their St. Francis Xavier’s novitiate at Bambalapitiya on 31 July 1934. At the successful completion of his year of probation, he made his first profession of Vows as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate on 01 August 1935. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Kynsey Road, Borella, from where he pursued his philosophical and theological studies at St. Bernard’s Seminary at Kynsey Road, Borella. He made his final profession of vows on 01 August 1938 at the Oblate Scholasticate, Borella. On his completion of his ecclesiastical studies and priestly formation, he was ordained a priest of God by Mgr. J. Masson OMI on 6 August 1940 at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena.

Leaving the Scholasticate in 1941, Father Dharmaratne began his priestly ministry with lot of apostolic zeal and enthusiasm as assistant parish priest of the mission of Pamunugama on 02 August 1941. After being initiated into parish ministry, he was transferred from Pamunugama and sent to St. Peter’s College, Bamabalapitiya as professor on 11 September 1042. In the following year, on 01 March 1943, he was transferred from the College and sent again as assistant parish priest to the mission of Seeduwa. On 17 September 1944, he was sent to St. Joseph’s College, Maradana, as bursar, which post he held for three years. During this period he had the good fortune of associating with the renowned social apostle and intellectual, Fr. Peter Pillai OMI, whose direction and blessing endowed him with the power of analyzing intricate problems of finance. In January 1947, he was made a parish priest, and sent in charge of the mission of Nayakakande, but on 17 December 1947, he was again transferred to St.Peter’s College, this time as its bursar and principal of the primary department. In 1956, he was also the religious Superior of the Oblate Fathers of the College. In addition, he served also at the same time as Provincial Councilor under Fr. G. Fortin OMI (1956-1959), and as confessor of the Oblate Juniorate at Kohuwala. In 1958, he was transferred to Kandy, and appointed bursar of the National Seminary at Ampitiya on 30 October 1958. On 2 November 1959, Fr.Dharmaratne was appointed also the Provincial Bursar of the Oblate Province of Sri Lanka under Fr. Alexis Serru OMI, in addition to his work as the bursar of the National Seminary. It should be noted that he was the first Sri Lankan to be appointed provincial bursar of the Oblate province of Sri Lanka. He was reappointed to the same post in 1962, and again in 1966 under Fr. Anthony Fernando. On 27 May 1959, in addition to his work as the provincial Bursar, he was also appointed the Acting Superior of the newly built Oblate Scholasticate at Ampitiya. He held this post till 7 March 1960, when Fr. S. N. Arulnesan took charge of the Scholasticate. But during his short stay at the Scholasticate he did his best to furnish the new house, satisfying every need of the community. The Scholasticate, who were famous in giving names, called him “Thalaguli Mama”, for whenever he went to Colombo, he never returned to the house without bringing some Jinadasa’s thalakuli for them.

Fr. Dharmaratne was transferred from the National Seminary in March 1963, and appointed Superior of St. Vincent’s Home, Maggona, in addition to his work as the Provincial Bursa.r. From the very inception, it was always the foreign Fathers who had been the Manager of St. Vincent’s Home. Fr.Dharmaratne was the first Sri Lankan to assume this post. During his stay at Maggona, he did his utmost for the welfare of the inmates of the institution. He performed miracles transforming the orphans and the delinquent youths into good and useful citizens of the country. The development work he initiated there were great. He was very considerate to the staff and workers of the institute. He got a thirty acre piece of land belonging to the institute, and partitioned the same into small plots, and distributed them among the poor of the area to build houses for them. He even provided facilities for them to put up the houses in these plots. This colony of houses was later officially opened by the Hon. M.D.H.Jayawardence, then Minister of Housing. In honor of the donor of the land, the colony is named “Dharmaratne Colony”. For a short while Fr. Anthony Dharmaratne was away in Europe, accompanying Fr. Anthony Fernando, the Provincial of the Oblates, to Rome on a special invitation from Father General.

After very successfully completing two terms of Superiorship at Maggona, Fr.Dharamaratne was at the Oblate Novitiate at Kalutara as socius from July 1969 to October 1970, when he was appointed chaplain to the Poor Clares’ Covent at Tewatte, with residence at the retreat house. In May 1975, he was transferred to Our Lady of Fatima Church, Maradana, where he served as the bursar and Superior of the ecclesiastical district of Colombo Central. In August 1976, Fr. Dharmaratne took up residence at the Elders’ Home at Darley Road, Maradana as chaplain to the inmates of the institute. In 1978, he himself retired from all active ministries and shifted his residence to the section in the Home reserved for elderly priests.

Though most of Fr. Dharmaratne’s priestly life was spent on looking after and administering the material affairs of the Congregation, he was a man of God to the core. Thousands and thousands of religious men and women who often sought spiritual help and advice from him bear witness to this fact. The spiritual guidance and direction he had been giving to hundreds of youths, seminarians, religious and priests in silence were tremendous. He celebrated his Diamond Jubilee of priesthood on 6 August 2000.

During the last few years of his earthly life, Fr. Dharmaratne was not in the best of health. Right through his life he has been an asthmatic patient. Finally he succumbed to his illness on 19 May 2004 at the Elders’ Home, Darley Road, Maradana. He was 90 years old. The funeral service which was conducted at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Mardana, was well attended by many bishops, priests, religious and nuns, not to mention the laity. The main celebrant of the Solemn Pontifical Requiem Eucharist was Rt. Rev. Dr. Norbert Andradi OMI, the Oblate Bishop of Anuradhapura. After the final obsequies, the mortal remains were taken to Kanatte in a motorcade and laid to rest at the General Cemetery. May his soul rest in peace!

23 BISHOP EDMUND JOSEPH FERNANDO OMI
(1921-2004)

Birth : 25 March 1921 at Pitipana, Colombo
First Vow : 8 September 1944 at Bambalapitiya
Final Vows : 8 September 1947 at Borella
Oblation No : 7862
Consecration : 17 July 1968 at Kotehena
Death : 16 July 2004 in Colombo

Bishop Edmund Joseph Fernando was born at Pitipana, Negombo, in the Archdiocese of Colombo, on 25 March 1921. His parents were Naidappulage John Fernando and Harriet Margaret Fernando. He had his early education at the Roman Catholic Boys’ School at Pitipana, and then moved on for his secondary education to Maris Stella College, Negombo, from where he completed successfully his London Matriculation Examination. Even more than the academic qualification he obtained in his studies, his devout Catholic parents and the Catholic environment of the village and the College helped him to grow into a holy, pious and simple young man, not attracted by luxury and worldly allurements. In that way he ideally prepared himself for the religious and priestly life.

After his London Matriculation, young Edmund was employed for three years at Titus Stores, Colombo in its accounts’ branch. Later, preferring to dedicate his life for the service of God and His people, he decided to join the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He entered their Novitiate at Bambalapitiya on 30 August 1943. Completing the year of probation successfully, he made his first commitment to Oblate way of life on 8 September 1944. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholaticate at Borella to pursue his philosophical and theological studies. He made his final commitment on 8 September 1947 at Borella. At the completion of his ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest of God on 6 August 1949 at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena, by Archbishop Thomas Cooray OMI. When he came out of the Scholasticate on 29 July 1950, he was assigned to work in the Archdiocese of Colombo. His first appointment as a priest was to be Assistant Pastor at All Saints’ parish in Borella. He was a man of prayer who loved solitude and contemplation but now he had to extend his life of prayer as religious into active ministry. “Orare et Laborare” became his motto in life. After an year at All Saints’, he was transferred to St Aloysius’ Seminary as bursar on 29 August 1951. At the seminary, Fr. Edmund won over the hearts, love and respect of the seminarians in no time. It was his sheer personality, the disarming smile on his face, glowed with live goodness. As one of them said, “Fr. Edmund, not only inspired in us a deep respect and obedience, but his kind and amiable ways won for him an abiding affection from every seminarian.” Though Fr. Edmund was kind and affectionate, he was also a disciplinarian and a man of principles. During the seven years of his stay at the seminary, the service he rendered was tremendous.

In February 1958, he was transferred to the mission of Moratuwa as Assistant Pastor. Six months later, on 28 August 1958, he was made the Parish Priest of the same mission. And on 9 May 1960, he was appointed the Vicar Forane of the ecclesiastical district of Moratuwa. Fr. Lucian Dep, one of Fr. Edmund’s assistant at Moratuwa, stated that Fr. Edmund’s fatherly concern, his gentleness and loving spirituality was as inspiration to him. Fr. Edmund did not believe in giving lectures or exhortations. His life pattern was an example by itself. He would get up at 4.00 in the morning and be in the chapel for morning prayers. After breakfast too he would visit the chapel and recite Prime and Terce. Sharp at 8.00 a.m. he would be in office till 11.45, when he would close the windows and go again to the chapel for the noon prayer. In the afternoon, after his rest, he would again go to the chapel for prayers. Fr. Edmund’s example of prayer life was such that it impressed and left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him. It was the time of the crisis of schools’ take over, Fr. Edmund actively involved himself leading the Catholic community to run St. Sebastian’s College as a private school. He also initiated the perpetual novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in the parish which is still being continued after fifty years.

His Religious Superiors seeing in him an ideal Novice Master, appointed him Novice Master and Director of Residence of the Oblate Novitiate at Mont Eden, Kalutara on 1 May 1962. It should be mentioned here that Fr. Edmund was the first local Oblate priest to be appointed to such a responsible position. He carried out the responsibility faithfully according to the expectations of his Superiors. He formed the novices according to the mind and charism of the Oblate Founder, St. Eugene de Mazenod. His ambition was to make his novices perfect models of religious life. Except for a short interruption (1964-1966) when he went to Rome to do a diploma on spiritual theology, he continued as novice master until the Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka wanted his help in the formation of priests at the National Seminary, Ampitiya. Fr. Edmund was transferred to the National Seminary as Spiritual Director in November 1967.

All the time Father Edmund was under-study of His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Cooray, the late Archbishop of Colombo, who wanted to make him his auxiliary. Finally Fr. Edmund, together with Fr. Oswald Gomis (the present Archbishop of Colombo) was nominated auxiliary bishop to His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Cooray on 9 April 1968. Their Episcopal ordination took place at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena, on 17 July 1968. Bishop Edmund fulfilled his responsibilities as auxiliary with his unassuming and service oriented pattern of government. He was the administrator of the Archdiocese in the absence of His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Cooray on many occasions. When His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Cooray retired as Archbishop of Colombo, Bishop Edmund continued to serve as auxiliary to the new Archbishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando, his onetime young seminarian. He continued his service to the Archdiocese with his simple and gentle ways until Rome found him the ideal successor to late Bishop Leo Nanayakkara OSB and appointed him Bishop of Badulla. He was installed as the Bishop of Badulla on 30 January 1978.

Bishop Edmund took charge of this rural and missionary diocese of Badulla at a period of political turmoil. His flock was mostly simple, ordinary, estate folks. The number of priests was also limited. But he managed to steer the diocese amidst various challenges, and was well accepted both by the Christians and non-Christians alike. His service was always in dialogue with his priests, religious and lay leaders. In the midst of all the missionary activities, Bishop Edmund remained a man of prayer. So he invited the Poor Clare contemplatives to open a foundation in his diocese, so that a dynamo of prayer would be there to help him and his priests in their apostolic endeavors. He invited also a few other orders of priests, like the Oblates, Claritians, and nuns like the Sisters of Charity, Holy Cross Sisters, to help in the pastoral work of the diocese.

At the beginning he did not have a proper house for him to live in. He was residing in a room at the Cathedral mission house. Therefore he put up a Bishop’s House at Rock Hill with residential facilities for the Fathers to come together for their monthly recollections and other seminars and meetings. For this he obtained financial help from Father General of the Oblate Fathers and other benefactors. When a private hospital was on offer in the early 1990, Bishop Edmund was at first reluctant to venture into the apostolate of caring the sick, but later, after much prayer and discussion with the presbyterium, he decided to venture forth in to the field of this apostolate as well. With the help of the Italian Bishops’ Conference he was able to acquire the hospital, provide medical care, and extend, with the help of doctors, nurses and other volunteers, medical facilities to the poor in far off places in the diocese, where even the basic health care facilities were hard to come by. Later on he entrusted the running of the hospital to the Holy Cross Sisters.

It was during his Episcopate that Bishop Edmund’s real personality with its hidden qualities came to the lime light. He was a man of many gifts, but his most striking gift was that of being profoundly human. In many ways, he had put on all those qualities that characterized the “father” in the parable of the prodigal son. To him everyone was either a ‘son’ or a ‘daughter’ whatever be their age, status or standing in society. From all those who came to him loaded with a burden, no questions were asked and no inquiries were made as to the person’s race, religion or origins. These were of no consequence to Bishop Edmund. All that was important was that the visitor had come heavily laden with burden and that the person could leave his presence having laid his or her burden behind. When people encountered him, all their tensions were eased, nerves were calmed, and blood pressure lowered to normal level. His speech had that magnetic effect of making people feel at home. His words were simple, but penetrating down to earth, but spiritually uplifting. He never revealed how much he helped people, but everyone knew by instinct that no priest, religious or lay person, with whatever problem, ever left his room without having their needs satisfied.

Bishop Edmund was a priest who knew what it meant to sacrifice himself for others. There were no special times when one could meet him. People could meet him at any time, and everyone was special to him. Sacrificing his time and energies to others are factors that were ingrained in his life. His demeanour was never pompous which made him approachable to all. He listened a lot and talked only when it was essential to communicate what was relevant to his visitor. He hardly every spoke of himself, but was always alert to what others were going through in their lives. Their problems were his problems. Only those who received his help would know how much they were helped when in difficulty. His left hand was never aware of what his right hand was doing to ease the worries that often overwhelmed people.

Bishop Edmund was a man of reconciliation. Even before peace activists began popularizing the concept of Reconciliation, he was actively involved in the work of reconciliation on practice. Tamil plantation workers and Sinhala rural folk knew by instinct that he would never make any distinctions of race, creed or culture. People of all races and religions were close to his heart. Being poor and powerless were the only qualifications to earn his attention. The natural outflow of a spirit of “reconciliation’ is the spirit of respect for other religions and cultures. In fact his knee trouble was a result of hours of squatting on the floor in a meditative position with Buddhist monks. In fact the late Venerable Seelaratne Thero of the Oodoowerre, the Chief Priest of the Polwatte Temple, Most Venerable Mahanayake of the Udarata Amarapura Nikaya and Kohane Pagnasara Thero were his close friends and regular visitors.

Bishop Edmund was a man of the Church. As a shepherded he knew his sheep, and they recognized his voice. He took stock of Vatican II, and implemented the revival of the Church by removing barriers between hierarchy and people in his own unassuming and simple way. People could approach him directly as their Chief pastor and father. He transformed the Church from being a mere institution into becoming a living community of faithful. Bishop Edmund was a missionary to the core. In this sense, he was a true son of St. Eugene de Mazenod. Even though he was never a missionary in a foreign land in the formal sense of the word, he infused the spirit of the missionary into his novices. The diocese of Badulla contained a very small enclave of Christians, perhaps less than 2%. But in between every couple of kilometers, there was a Christian presence, through a few communities he planted at intervals, and provided for pre-schools for the tots, and a meeting place for the adults.

Bishop Edmund Fernando ministered to the people of the Uva, province for 13 years. During this period he also had his share in the sufferings of Jesus, the Master he served so well. He had to undergo many mental and physical pains. Sickness was part and parcel of his day to day living. His knee was always giving him problem, but he never complained about this cross, but carried it right through his life. Whenever faced with problems, either in administration or pastoral ministry or in his personal life, he accepted them with equanimity with his characteristic “What to do?”. When he reached the retiring age of 75, he offered his resignation as Bishop of Badulla to his Holiness the Pope. Though it was accepted, he was asked to continue to govern the diocese till the appointment of a new bishop. Finally Rt. Rev. Dr. Winston Fernando SSS, who as a young lad had been sent to the Minor seminary in Borella by Bishop Edmund when he was the parish priest of Moratuwa. Bishop Edmund was very happy to hand over the reign of the diocese to him and he retired to “Emmaus” house in Tewatte, Ragama on 3 March 1997. He was now back to his favorite life of prayer and contemplation in the prayerful atmosphere at Tewatte. However he was still available to others who came to see him. His friendly and unassuming ways still attracted people to him.

As his illness needed more and more medical attention, he shifted his residence to “Evening Star,” the home for priests in Havelock Town, Colombo. He was now closer to the nursing homes. Towards the end of his life, Bishop Edmund had to enter Durdans Nursing Home on several occasions. It was during one of such visits to Durdans Nursing Home that he quietly passed away to his Eternal Home in the early hours of the morning on Friday, 16 July 2004. The mortal remains were removed to Pitipana, his home parish, at 3.00 p.m. On the following day, they were brought back to Colombo, to St. Lucia’s Cathedral. Kotehena where it lay in state till 4.00 p.m. Then they were transferred to the Bishop’s House chapel, Badulla. On Sunday 18 July, the mortal remains were taken in procession from the Bishop’s House chapel to the St. Mary’s Cathedral, Badulla where they lay in state till 11.00 a.m. of the following morning. The Pontifical Solemn Requiem High Mass and the final obsequies took at 3.00 p.m.

The funeral Mass which was presided over by Rt. Rev. Dr. Winston Fernando, the Bishop of Badulla, was attended by his Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio, His Grace the Archbishop Oswald Gomis, Archbishop emeritus, Rt. Rev. Dr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando, Bishop Vianney Fernando, Bishop Frank Marcus Fernando, Bishop Elmo Perera, Bishop Raymond Pieris, Bishop Kingsley Swampillai, Bishop Harold Anthony Perera, Bishop Norbert Andradi and Bishop Marius Pieris. A very large gathering of clergy, religious and lay faithful from all over the country were present. Many Anglican pastors, Venerable Prelates of the Maha Sangha, Muslim Moulavis, Hon Minister of Christian affairs, Hon Governor of Uva Province, His Worship the Mayor of Badulla and other Governemnt and Provincial Council Officers graced the occasion. The message of condolence from the Holy Father was read out by His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio. The panegyric was preached by Archbishop Oswald Gomis in Sinhala, in which he underlined Bishop Edmund as a man of God, a true son of Mary and the Church. Bishop Kingsley Swampillai gave a sermon in Tamil. A prelate, representing the Maha Sangha, gave a funeral oration. The final rites were conducted by the Apostolic Nuncio. Finally the mortal remains of Bishop Edmund were laid to rest in a tomb prepared inside the Cathedral, while the faithful were throwing flowers over the casket. May he rest in peace.

24 REV. FR. MICHAEL CROOS OMI
(1927-2004)

Birth : 29 May 1927 at Palagathurai, Negombo, Colombo
First Vows : 08 September 1947 at Bambalapitiya
Final vows : 08 September 1950 at Oblate Scholasticate, Nugegoda
Oblation No. : 8384
Ordination : 03 October 1952 at Oblate Scholasticate, Nugegoda
Death : 01 September 2004 at Kohuwala

Father Warnakulasuriya Michael Croos was born on 29 May 1927 at Palagathurai, Negombo, in the Archdiocese of Colombo. He was the son of Warnakulasuriya Santiago Jacob Croos and K. Scholastica Fernando of Palagathurai, Negombo. He had his early education at R.C. Boys’ School, Palagathurai, and then at Maris Stella College, Negombo, and finally at St. Aloysius’ Minor Seminary, Borella, Colombo. He successfully completed his Senior School Certificate Examination at the Minor seminary. Then he decided to join the Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and entered their Novitiate at Bambalapitiya on 30 August 1946. When he completed his year of probation successfully, he made his first profession of vows as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate on 08 September 1947 at St. Francis Xavier’s Novitiate, Bambalapitiya. Then he moved on to the Oblate Scholasticate at Woodlands, Nugegoda, to pursue his philosophical and theological studies. He made his final profession of vows at the Oblate Scholasticate, Nugegoda on 08 September 1950. At the completion of his ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest of God by Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Cooray OMI, the Archbishop of Colombo, on 03 October 1952 at the Oblate Scholasticate, Nugegoda.

When Fr. Michael left the Scholasticate as a young, energetic, new priest on 31 July 1953, his motto was “Oblati parati”. He was prepared to accept any work assigned to him anywhere by his Superiors. He received his first obedience to the Oblate Preachers’ Band at Nazareth, Wennapuwa. He assumed his duties at the Preachers’ Band on 01 August 1953. He remained there for ten years at a stretch, till September 1963, when he was transferred to the mission of Allegollawa as Parish Priest. He was also appointed the Administrator of the ecclesiastical district of Anuradhapura with the idea of raising it to the status of an Apostolic Prefecture first and then a diocese. It was the time when the old town of Anuradhapura was declared a sacred area, and the church, presbytery, college and convent within that area were taken over by the state, and instead, bare land was given to the Catholic Church in the new town to put up the necessary buildings and shift the church, the presbytery, the college and the convent to the new town. Fr. Michael had to start from the scratch, building a new church, a new mission house, a new college and a new convent. He had to find the necessary funds etc. to complete his work. Anyhow he carried out the responsibilities laid on him to the satisfaction of all.

Fr. Michael’s next appointment was Spiritual Director to the National Seminary, Ampitiya on 01 December 1970. In April 1972, he was taken back to the Congregation, and sent to St. Vincent’s Home, Maggona as its Superior and Manager. When he finished his term of Superiorship there, he was transferred again to the Preachers’ Band at Nazereth, Wennappuwa as its Superior in May 1975. The following year, he was given a break, and sent to Ireland to do a course in Communication. He returned to Wennappuwa, and continued his responsibility there till 1979. In 1978, he was elected as a member of the Provincial Council. He was also appointed as the Vocation Director and the Director of MAMI, both responsibilities he carried out to the satisfaction of all. As the Vocation Director, he did a tremendous work to foster vocations and today there are hundreds of priests, both diocesan and Oblate, who owe their vocation to him. In 1979, when a Pre-Novitiate was newly started at Maggona, he was appointed the first Director of the Pre-Novitiate. In 1982, he was again brought back to Nazareth, Wennappuwa to help in the Preaching Band. In 1984 he was sent to the mission of Horana, and in 1987, he was transferred to the mission of Our Lady of Fatima, Maradana. Then in 1988 Fr. Michael was again wanted at Nazareth, Wennappuwa, and he obliged his Superiors. In 1991, when the Oblates opened a centre for Communication at Polwatte, Minuwangoda, Fr. Michael was appointed its first Superior.

After holding all types of responsible positions in the Congregation, he was now old and feeble. He spent the latter part of his life mostly in the missions which he loved very much.. In 1992, he was appointed as Assistant Parish Priest of the mission of All Saints, Borella. He was then sent to the mission of Delatura for a year in 1996, and then after a short period of stay at St. Anthony’s Church, Kochchikade and at Our Lady of Fatima’s Church, Maradana, he retired from active ministry and took up residence at Marian Grove, Kohuwala.

Fr.Michael Croos had been a dedicated and model religious priest right through his life. He understood the charism of St. Eugene de Mazenod, and was ever ready to spread the Good News of Salvation won by Our Lord Jesus Christ to the poor. He was very enthusiastic about this calling, and offered his services in humble obedience to his Superiors. He was first and foremost a good and faithful Oblate, who knew that his religious life of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience was the source of spiritual energy to fulfill such a noble calling. So he always remained a faithful religious, who gave primary place to prayer and total surrender to the will of his Superiors. He had been called upon by his Superiors to take up practically all the ministries available at that time in the Province, and Fr. Michael always obliged. Above everything Fr. Michael was well appreciated and known as a preacher. The pilgrims who went to Madhu for the major festivals will never forget his sermons, the final prayer to our Lady, especially the dialogue sermons which always attracted everyone.

The last days of Fr. Michael were very pathetic. He lost his mind completely, and behaved like a baby. Though he was looked after well, he succumbed to his illness quietly at Durdan’s Hospital on 01 September 2004. His funeral took place at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Maradana on 03 September 2004. After the concelebrated Requiem Mass and the Final Obsequies, the mortal remains were removed to Kanatte Burial Ground, Borella.

25 FR. AROCHIASAMY MICHAELSAMY OMI
(1919-2004)

Birth : 08 May 1919 at Mathagal, Jaffna
First Vows : 15 August 1939 at Bambalapitiya
Final Vows : 08 September 1934 at Borella
Oblation No : 6975
Ordination : 10 August 1944 at St. Thomas’ Church, Mathagal
Death : 23 October 2004 in Jaffna

Father Sebastianpillai Arochiasamy Michaelsamy was born on 08 May 1919 at Mathagal in the diocese of Jaffna. His parents were Sebastiampillai Arochiasamy and Sebastianpillai Mariamma. He lost his mother when he was two years of age, and then he was brought up as a child by one Sister Stephen and his step mother Victoria. He had an elder sister and a younger brother. Michaelsamy had his early education at St Joseph’s English School in Mathagal. His father was keen that he should join the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. So Michael joined St. Martin’s Minor Seminary in 1932, and from then on he had his education at St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna. He passed his London Matriculation Examination. During his stay at the College, Fr; Timothy Long OMI took much interest in him, and it was he who encouraged and nurtured Michael’s vocation. He entered the Novitiate of the Oblates at Bambalapitiya on 01 August 1938. After completing his year of probation successfully, he made his first profession of vows as an Oblate on 15 August 1939 at Bambalapitiya. From there he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Borella, and pursued his philosophical and theological studies at St. Bernard’s Seminary, Borella. He made his final profession of vows on 08 September 1943, and was ordained a priest of God by Bishop Guyomar OMI on 10 August 1944 at St.Thoma’s Church, Mathagal.

Fr. Michaelsamy’s first assignment as a priest was Assistant Pastor in the mission of Mannar from August 1945 to October 1946. Then he was sent to the difficult mission of Arippu as Pastor in October 1946. He served very successfully in that mission for three years, and than he was transferred to St. Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna as Assistant in March 1950. Observing his talents and abilities, his Superiors decided to send him to Rome to follow a one year programme in Social Sciences at the prestigious Gregorian University. When he returned from Rome, he was immediately made the Secretary of the new bishop of Jaffna, Rt. Rev. Dr. Emilianuspillai, and Chaplain to the Comitium of Legion of Mary from August 1953 to September 1956. Then he was sent as Pastor to the mission of Anuradhapura in the North Central Province in October 1956. In the following year, in July 1957, he was transferred to the mission of Vankalai. After successfully serving at Vankalai for three years, he was taken to Jaffna and sent to St. James’ Church, Jaffna as Acting Parish Priest of Gurunagar.

After serving as Acting Pariah Priest for nine months at Karaiyoor, he was transferred as Pastor of the mission of Mullaitivu in the Vanni region in April 1961, and then to the mission of Murunkan where he was also made the District Superior in September 1963. In May 1965, he was made the Vicar Forane of the district, and sent to the mission of Mannar as Pastor. After severing for six years in Mannar, he was brought back to Jaffna, and sent to the mission of Passaiyoor in March 1970, and then to the mission of Point Pedro in May 1971. In October 1972, he was transferred to the mission of Pandianthalvu. It was while he was serving as pastor of Pandianthalvu, he was appointed by Rt. Rev. Dr. Deogupillai, the new Bishop of Jaffna, as his Vicar General in February 1973.

Fr. Michaelsamy was a short but well-built man, full of vitality and energy. He was a dynamic person with charm and urbanity of manners. Thought he had served in all the difficult and malaria infested missions of the diocese, he always maintained a perfect health. It was one of the many gifts God had endowed him with. He served for about twenty long years as the Vicar General of the diocese, and a few times administered the diocese in the absence of the bishop. The time he was the Vicar General was the darkest and the most difficult period in the history of the Church in Jaffna. It was the time of racial riots, influx of refugees, IPKF’s occupation, ethnic war, displacements, scarcity of food, shortage of fuel, lack of transport facilities, military atrocities, lack of security, relief work, rehabilitation and resettlement. But it was during these difficult times, a time of terror and tension that Fr. Michaelsamy’s ebullient qualities, and the caliber of his courageous and daring leadership, came to the lime light. Any trouble anywhere, or any problem in any parish, or a military confrontation, as soon as he came to know of it, he would immediately personally go to the spot and be of assistance to the affected party. The priests regarded him not merely as the Vicar General, but more as a father, a guide and a friend in need. If he could not travel in his vehicle because of the war situation or shortage of fuel, he would be there on his push cycle. The distance was no problem for him, for he had the will power and the determination. He stayed with them as long as it was required, encouraged them, guided them and gave them all the assistance he could give. He was fully involved with the relief, rehabilitation and resettlement work of the displaced people in the diocese. Further he was an important member of the Citizen’s Committee, who helped the committee to plan out their activities and to carry them out.

As Vicar General, he looked after the interest and welfare of the religious in the diocese. Every one of them appreciated and were grateful to him for the kindness, care and concern shown to them, especially during the time of difficulties. Particularly the Rosarian Sisters to whom he severed as the Spiritual Director, were much indebted to him for the love and concern he showed them, especially during army’s cordon and search operations, and other military activities. He remained with them as a source of strength and courage. Fr. Michaelsamy also served as the custodian of the diocesan Major Seminarians during their major vacations. He took much interest in their formation, growth and achievements. He directed and guided them during this period, and most of the young priests today are very grateful to him for his contribution in their formation.

Thought he was the Vicar General of the diocese, he remained a loyal son of St. Eugene de Mazenod, and a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate to the core. He was a man filled with the spirit and charism of our Founder, burning with zeal for the salvation of the poor and the oppressed. He loved his Oblate community, and remained faithful to the Province and the Congregation. He was very regular and punctual at all their meetings, seminars, retreats and Congresses, and contributed very much from the abundance of his knowledge and experience to the growth and development of the Province. He had a special love and tender devotion to our Blessed Mother, Mary Immaculate, the Queen of the Oblates. His love and affection for Mary came out very clearly on several occasions: as a young priest, the contribution he made for the successful completion of the Marian Exhibition held in 1954 was tremendous. Again he was the one who was mainly responsible for the pilgrim tour of Lady of Madhu through out the diocese of Jaffna in 1975. He meticulously planned the whole pilgrimage, and wonderfully carried it out to the satisfaction of all.

In 1993, with the installation of Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Savundaranayagam as the new Bishop of Jaffna, Fr.Michaelsamy relinquished his office as the Vicar General, and went to Amala Annai Anpaham, an orphanage run by the Oblates at Arialai, Jaffna, as its director. After relaxing with the orphaned children for three years, he was appointed Chaplain to the Holy Family Sisters at Parapankandal, Uylankulam in 1996. As he was getting old, he was brought back to Jaffna, and sent to the Scholasticate of De Mazenod, Colombuthurai, to help in the formation of the Oblate Scholastics. Yet he continued to be the Cardinal protector and guardian of the Rosarian Sisters, and the Sisters of Mother Theresa, who had come by then to serve in diocese of Jaffna.

Fr.Michaelsamy celebrated his diamond jubilee of priesthood on 10 August 2004 at St. Joseph’s Chapel, Colombuthurai, in a very grand scale, surround by the Bishop, priests, religious, relatives, friends and the laity. Many tributes were paid to him for his wonderful life and work on this occasion. According to divine plan, this happened to be the grand send off to a great veteran missionary, leader and friend. For, though he was enjoying a comparatively good health right through his life, all of a sudden he found it difficult to take in any solid food. Gradually he found difficult even to swallow anything at all, neither solid nor liquid. On 2 October 2004, he was taken to the Holy Cross Nursing Home. As the doctors found it necessary to have a surgical operation, he was taken to the General Hospital, Jaffna on October 5. When the surgeons opened up his throat and chest, they found it was cancer in its final stage. Without any hope of any medication, he lingered on for a few days in suffering and pain. Finally he succumbed to his illness on 23 October 2004 in Jaffna.

The mortal remains of Fr. Michaelsamy were removed to Amala Utpavam, where they were kept till the following day. After the morning Mass, they were shifted to St. Joseph,s Chapel, where they lay in state till the following day . On the following morning, they were removed to Mathagal for a short while for the benefit of his relatives, and then brought to St. Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna for the final rites. The funeral took place in the evening on 25 October 2005 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna with a Holy Mass attended by numerous priest, religious and presided over by Bishop Thomas Savundranayagam. Fr. Selvarajah delivered the panegyric. After the final obsequies, the mortal remains were taken in procession to St. Mary’s Burial Ground where they were laid to rest. May he rest in peace.

26 REV. FR. SHIRLEY FERDINANDO OMI
(1932-2005)

Birth : 20 Septemer 1932 at Nawala, Colombo
First Vows : 15 August 1958 at Mont Eden Kalutara
Final vows : 15 August 1961 at Oblate Scholasticate, Ampitiya.
Oblation No. : 10465
Ordination : 21 December 1965 at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena
Death : 01 April 2005 at Kohuwala

Father Eustace Anthony Shirley Ferdinando was born on 20 September 1932 at Nawala, in the Archdiocese of Colombo. He was the son of Francis Sylvester Ferdinando and Louvie Perera of Nawala, Colombo. He had his education at St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya, Colombo and passed his General School Certificate Examination. After his College studies, he taught for a few years as a school teacher in the Primary Department of St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya. It was while he was teaching at St. Peter’s College, he came into contact with Fr. Anthony Dharmaratne OMI, who influenced his vocation. Fr. Dharmaratne remained his vocation promoter and spiritual director till the end. Deciding to dedicate his life to the service of God and His people, he joined the Oblate Juniorate at Kohuwala on 15 January 1957. After studying Latin for seven months, he entered the Oblate Novitiate at Mont Eden, Kalutara on 7 August 1957. On his successful completion of his year of probation, he made his first profession of Vows on 15 August 1958 at Kalutara. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate in Ampitiya to pursue his philosophical and theological studies at the National Seminary, Ampitiya. He made his final profession of Vows on 15 August 1961 in the Oblate Scholasticate, Ampitiya. On completion of his ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest by Rt. Rev. Dr. Frank Marcus Fernando, the Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo, on 21 December 1965, at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena.

When Fr. Shirley came out of the Scholasticate in June 1966, he received his first obedience to St. Vincent’s Home, Maggona to be in charge of the Children’s Home. In April 1967, he was appointed Bursar of the National Seminary, Ampitiya. He remained there for five years, and then in April 1972, he was transferred as Paris Priest to the mission of Nikeweratiya in the North Central Province. It was the time of JVP revolt in the South of Sri Lanka. When he was at Nikeweratiya, Fr, Shirley had some frightening confrontation with the guerillas, which affected his life very badly. He never got over it completely. As a result he fell ill with some heart ailments. Anyhow he continud to work but at a slow space. His next move was to the Archbishop’s House, Colombo as Chaplain to the Hospitals in Colombo, in September 1973. He was regular at his visit to the patients in the hospital and attended to their needs. In February 1977, he was sent as Parish Priest to the mission of Hinguragoda. Five years later, in February 1982, he was transferred to the mission of Nochchiyagama in the North Central Province. Then he was sent to the mission of Grand Pass in Colombo in August 1984 as the Parish Priest. Two years later, in August 1984, he was sent as the Parish Priest of the mission of St. John at Mutwal, Colombo 15. That was the last mission he served. In May 1987, he was transferred to the St. Vincent’s Home, Maggona to be the house bursar.

Fr. Shirley did not stay long at Maggona this time. He was very much worried about his heart ailment, and wanted to retire from active ministry. He was a soft spoken man with certain principles in life. His relationship with outsiders was very limited. His way of dealing with people was like a school teacher. Whatever work was entrusted to him, he just stuck to it. He shunned the glamour of publicity and went about his work without any fuss or noise.. He retired to Marian Grove at Kohuwala in August 1993, in fact it was very early in life. He was just sixty one years of age, though his peers called him endearingly “Papa” from his Scholasticate days, because he was the senior-most among them at that time. Anyhow during his retirement, he used to help in the neighbouring parishes in whatever way he could. He was regular for confessions during the novenas at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, and at All Saints’ Church. He was keeping in good health. But one day, all of a sudden, he fell ill. He was rushed to the hospital, where he it was diagnosed that he was suffering of Leukemia, the cancer of the blood. He dragged on for a few days more, and finally he succumbed to his sickness on 01 April 2005 at Marian Grove, Kohuwala.

The funeral took place at the church of Our Lady of Fatima, Maradana, on the following day. After the concelebrated Requiem Mass and the final obsequies, the mortal remains were removed to the Kanatte Burial Ground where they were laid to rest. May he rest in peace!

27 REV. FR. FREDERICK SACKETT OMI
(1916-2005)

Birth : 05 December 1916 in Detroit, Michigan
First Vows : 15 August 1936 in Mission, Texas
Final vows : 08 September 1939 at De Mazenod Scholasticate, San Antonio
Oblation No. : 6389
Ordination : 07 June 1941 at St. Mary’s, San Antonio
Arrival in SL : June 1955
Departure SL : July 1964 to Texas
Death : 27 June 2005 in San Antonio, Texas

Father Frederick Sackett hailed from Detroit, U.S.A., where he was born on 05 December 1916. His parents were Earl and Alice Herman Sackett. It was a simple family whose financial means often were stretched. As a boy, he rose early in the morning to deliver news papers before going off to school. He joined St. Anthony’s Junior Seminary in San Antonio in 1930, Besides his academic achievements at St. Anthony’s as an excellent student, he was named to the all-city football team. After his secondary studies, he entered the Oblate Novitiate in Mission, Texas on 14 August 1935. On his successful completion of the year of probation, he made his first profession of Vows as an Oblate on 15 August 1936. He then proceeded to the De Mazenod Scholasticate in San Antonio, Texas, where he pursued his philosophical and theological studies. He made his final profession of Vows on 08 September 1939. At the end of his ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest of God by Archbishop Robert Lucey at St. Mary’s Church, San Antonio, Texas, on 07 June 1941.

After his ordination to the priesthood, in 1942, Fr. Sackett proceeded to the University of Ottawa in Canada, where he pursued his post graduate studies, and obtained a Doctorate in Canon Law. In 1945 he returned to San Antonio, and was appointed professor of Canon Law at the De Mazenod Scholasticate from 1945-1955. In San Antonio, he became active in many fields, and was well known in the local community, including his participation with the Catholic Lawyers’ Guild, as well as with other lay groups, where he had willingly organized days of prayer and recollection. He was moderator of a family guild for many years. During summers, he enrolled at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where in 1950 he received his M.A. in Education. Throughout his long career as an Oblate, Fr. Sackett developed proficiency in the ministry of seminary education, and in the study and application of Canon Law. He became a master scholar and teacher in both areas, and was widely recognized for his many accomplishments and talents. He was motivated by a desire to assist those in crises, and he did so with the compassion that comes from prayer and his relationship with God. In the spirit of an Oblate missionary, he accepted the tasks presented to him for the good of the mission, and he excelled in them all.

In 1955, the Papal Seminary at Ampitiya, Sri Lanka, was shifted to Poona, India, and the buildings so vacated became the home of a new Regional (National) Seminary for Sri Lanka. The teaching and the administration of the seminary were entrusted to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate by the Holy See. Fr. Frederick Sackett was appointed by Very Rev. Father Leo Deschatelets, the Superior General of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, to be the Rector of the National Seminary. Fr. Sackett arrived in Kandy in June 1955. He immediately set about making all the necessary arrangements to get the Seminary start function from 01 September 1955.

The diocesan St. Bernard Major Seminary at Borella, Colombo, was shifted to Ampitiya to the Regional Seminary. The Oblate Scholasticate at Woodlands, Kohuwla, too was shifted to Ampitiya and amalgamated into the Regional Seminary. Fr. Sackett had the difficult task of welding together the seminarians from the Oblate and the diocesan seminaries to form the National Seminary. His staff consisted not only of Sri Lankan Oblates, but also of overseas Professors from several Oblate Provinces. Of these diverse material, he had to build one community and this he did with much success.

On the material side, he set about modernizing the old seminary buildings. The buildings were refurbished and repaired. Water service was installed, and surrounding landscape beautified. He will be specially remembered for the new Theology Block he had built with spacious halls and rooms for eighty students. The auditorium is a standing memorial to his architectural genius. On the intellectual side he worked to ensure a high standard of excellence. The library was modernized. He began negotiating to equip the Seminary with the B.Th. Degree.

On the spiritual side, he firmly maintained the traditional Seminary formation patterns. His period of office was before Vatican II, but he moved in the direction of new reforms. Fr. Sackett was a great liturgist. He directed the Choir with skill and brio. He introduced polyphony singing into the seminary. The chapel was equipped with new vestments and ornaments in modern style. He began a movement for turning out new liturgical vestments and décor, which is now the reigning style in this country. Both in the chapel and elsewhere, he brought in statues and paintings by local artists in Sri Lankan style.

Fr. Sackett adapted himself to the life style of this country. He had many friends both in Kandy and elsewhere. He joined in the reform of the Church in the nation, and played his role. When he left the Seminary in July 1964, he had established the main lines of formation in the Seminary, and given it shape and form to “prepare a perfect people” for Sri Lanka. It was left to his successors to follow in the path he had worked out. His seminarians will always remember him as the first Rector of Our Lady of Lanka National Seminary, Ampitiya, with thankfulness and love. Many of the present bishops and priests of Sri Lanka today were students during his tenure of office.

Having completed his term as Rector, in 1964, Fr. Sackett returned to De Mazenod Scholasticate, San Antonio, where he resumed his role as professor of Canon Law. However, his time in San Antonio would be brief, for in 1966, he was chosen to serve the Oblate Congregation as General Secretary for Studies at the Curia in Rome for six years. During this time, he coordinated the many Oblate houses of formation throughout the world for the General Administration. He was also a member of a Commission that prepared a presentation and a commentary on the Oblate Constitutions voted by the 1966 General Chapter, and entitled “The Congregation Renewed’. In 1972, he returned to San Antonio, and continued to teach Canon Law at what was called the Oblate College of the Southwest. In 1978, he was recalled to Rome to serve on the Commission for the Revision of the Constitutions and Rules and the Pre-Capitular Commission.

Once more he returned to San Antonio in 1980, to join the faculty of the newly named Oblate School of Theology. Besides teaching Canon Law, Fr. Sackett served as community superior and assisted with the administration of the School of Theology, and in the development of its board of trustees. As a canonist, he ministered in the marriage tribunals of the Dioceses of San Antonio (1945-1972), and Austin (1975-1982). In 1983, he was appointed Judicial Vicar for the Apellate Court of the Catholic Dioceses for the state of Texas, and he served until his retirement in January 2004. His finesse at sometimes difficult situations was widely appreciated and respected. As a professional canonist with a wide range of experience and expertise, Fr. Sackett had been a member of the Canon Law Society of America since 1972, and contributed articles, seminars and book reviews in various publications, especially in the area of religious law. Because of his intellectual prowess and wide experience, his advice and counsel were sought by many religious, priests and bishops. His pastoral sensitivity made him a kind listener whose advice was widely appreciated.

Fr, Sackett passed away to his eternal reward quietly after a short illness on 27 June 2005 in San Antonio, Texas. He was 89 years old. His funeral took place on 01 July 2005 at the Immaculate Conception Memorial Chapel at the Oblate School of Theology, with interment following at the Oblate cemetery there. His life was a “life well lived,” and he was a true son of Saint Eugene de Mazenod. May he rest in peace!

28 REV. ER. NICHOLAPILLAI S. ARULNESAN
(1912-2006)

Birth : 18 September 1912 at Sillalai in Jaffna
First Vows : 01 August 1935 at Bambalapitiya, Colombo
Final Vows : 01 August 1938 at Piltown, Ireland
Oblation No. : 6106
Ordination : 06 August 1940 in Colombo
Death : 03 February 2006 at Battaramulla in Colombo

Father Santhiapillai Nicholapillai Arulnesan was born on 18 September 1912 at Sillali, in the diocese of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. He had his education at St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna, where he successfully completed the Inter Arts Examination with flying colours. As a young boy he was already burning with love for God and zeal for souls. After his studies at the College, he wanted to join the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and serve God and His people. So he joined the Oblate Novitiate at Bambalapitiya on 15 August 1934. His companion at the Novitiate was late Fr. Martin Gunaratne. At the Novitiate his spirit of faith, great love for God and his confreres, modesty, high sense of duty, and love for hard work were his remarkable qualities. After successfully completing his year of probation, he made his first profession of vows on 15 August 1935. Thus he began his Oblate way of life with sincere dedication and commitment.

After his first Oblation, he was sent to the International Scholasticate in Rome to pursue his Ecclesiastical studies. With the outbreak of World War II, he could not stay in Rome and so had to proceed to the Oblate Scholasticate at Piltown in Ireland, where he continued his studies. He made his final profession of Vows on 15 August 1938 at Piltown. On successfully completing all his ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a Priest of God on 12 June 1941. After his ordination, he left Piltown, and proceeded to England, where he enrolled himself in a prestigious University, and obtained a B.A.degree.

Fr. Arulnesan returned to Sri Lanka on 11 December 1944 to begin his priestly ministry. He was assigned to work in the diocese of Jaffna, where most of his priestly life was spent among the youths. In 1945, he was appointed professor at St. Patrick’s College, where he served also as the assistant warden of the Hindu hostel. At the College, Fr. Arulnesan, with his flair for friendship, his boyish humor, and great understanding, won all hearts in no time. But his stay at the College was short, as he had to proceed to Colombo to do his Diploma in Education. On his return after his Diploma, Fr. Arulnesan was assigned to the staff of the Teaches Training College at Colombuthurai, in December 1947. On 3 September 1948, he was appointed Rector of St. Anthony’s College, Kayts. In 1953, he returned to St. Patrick’s as the Prefect of Studies. On 12 February 1954, he succeeded Fr. Timothy Long as the Rector of St. Patrick’s College.

Fr. Arulnesan was the first son of the soil, first native, to succeed a distinguished array of eminent Rectors, men like Fr. Dunne, Fr. Matthews, Fr. Lyton, Fr.Guyomar and Fr.Long, whose high ideals had inspired the traditions of the College. Fr. Arulnesan proved a no less illustrious heir in office by keeping alive these cherished traditions during a difficult phase in the history of the College. Under the European Rectors, St. Patrick’s College had earned eminence in a pattern of education essentially colonial and foreign. But with the dawn of independence, a new pattern emerged to suit the needs of young and resurgent Sri Lanka. As a result many structural changes appeared, and difficult problems had to be encountered. The medium of instruction in the school changed from English to the Swabhasha. Learning became job motivated with science studies highly pedastalled, displacing the Humanities. Thus education as a whole took on a technological bias. At St. Patrick’s College, there was also the overcrowding of class rooms, and the increasing need to strengthen the religious fervor of the students.

Since Fr. Arulnesan was the first Tamil who was promoted to the exalted office of Rector of St. Patrick’s College, the helps and benefits received by the foreign principals were not readily available to him. Yet he did not allow the standard of the College to go down. With his will power and the helps and cooperation he received from his teachers and well wishers, he was able to maintain the traditions and standard of the College in the different fields. The College Exhibition which he organized in 1958 was a great success. Though Fr .Arulnesan appeared severe and stern, it was only a mask demanded by the cares and responsibilities of his office. He is remembered even today for his large heartedness and sympathy for the poor and lowly.

In 1960, Fr. Arulnesan was transferred from the College to Kandy where he was appointed Superior of the newly built Oblate Scholasticate at Ampitya on 7 March 1960. His stay at the Scholasticate was remarkable. The Scholastics who were privileged to be formed by him will never forget their days in the Scholasticate under the leadership of Fr; Arulnesan. Of course, there was something of St; Patrick’s Rector in him, disciplinarian, task master, sense of duty and simplicity etc. His main priorities at the Scholasticate were study, discipline, simplicity of life, regularity and hard work He wanted the future priests to be learned men, able to lead a serious conversation with anyone in the world on any matter. He wanted them to learn to live a simple, frugal, disciplined life, and to be hardy men able to adapt and accommodate themselves to any difficult milieu. Thought he was strict and a stern task master during class days, he was just the opposite during the vacations, when he became one with the Scholastics in his blue running short. The picnics and other outings which he organized were wonderful. He loved to bathe in the open air – in sea, river and tanks. His spiritual conferences were simple, lively and very practical. During his stay at Ampitiya, he taught rhetoric at the National Seminary. He was also a Provincial Councilor.

At the end of his term as the Superior of the Scholasticate, Fr. Arulnesan was sent as a missionary to the Oblate mission in Malaysia, where he served in the far away mission of Batang Berjuntai. It was a mission of more than 95 rubber estates, where 2200 Catholics were living scattered all over. It was a lonely life, and he had to travel long distances to look after his flock. Fr. Arulnesan found it too much at his age. After living in communities right through his life, he found it impossible to live alone in an isolated place. So he returned to Sri Lanka after six months, and for a while served in the Archdiocese of Colombo, in the parishes of Maradana and Sea Street, Negombo. In August 1968, he was appointed Novice Master at the Oblate Novitiate at Mont Eden, Kalutara.

Fr. Arulnesan’s next move was to the Oblate Delegation of India, where he was appointed as the Director of the newly opened Juniorate in Bangalore in 1970. After finishing his term of office, Fr. Arulnesan returned to Sri Lanka in 1975, with the idea of spending the evening of his life in the service of the youth of his country. As an educator for many years, he was aware that out of the 100,000 Sri Lankan students leaving the secondary schools every year, except for a paltry 5% who manage to enter the Universities, the others become disillusioned and embittered, because of the scarcity of jobs. Unemployment was very high among the Tamil youth. Fr. Arulnesan was more than convinced that the only way our youths can help themselves is by starting small farms or cottage industries of their own. It, of course, needed training and initial capital. Hearing there was plenty of scope for our unemployed youths in the Arabian Gulf countries, he decided to go and see for himself what conditions were like. He therefore volunteered to work for a time in the Vicariate Apostolic of Arabia, which included all of Saudi Arabia, north and south Yemen, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and United Arab Emirates. That was a territory of 17 million people of whom 13,000 were Catholics, all foreigners, who come there to work. There were 20 priests to serve them.

Fr. Arulnesan landed in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, 26 June 1975, and Bishop Bernardo Gremoli, OFM Cap., who was alone at that time, was happy to appoint him immediately to work in the Cathedral. Within a short time, he was able to study the situation and the problems the Church and our youths were facing in the Middle East, namely, language barrier, barrier of distances, scarcity of Church personnel, exploitation by unscrupulous employers, and lack of proper social organizations. During his short stay there, he did his best to ameliorate the situation, and find short term employment for the Sri Lankan youths.

Fr. Arulnesan returned to Sri Lanka in 1980 with the idea starting in Jaffna an industrial training school in the line of Fr. Flanagan’s Boys’ Town. In fact he acquired an extensive property of land at Yakkachchi near Pallai, where he put up a shed and started a small farm. He was slowly trying to give flesh and blood to his idea. But unfortunately the recurring ethnic riots and the on-going military operations in the country did not permit him to carry on his plans. So, disappointed, he went back to the Middle East to continue his service to the neglected Sri Lankan youths, while serving in the parish at Bahrain. He was in his eighties at the time, and it was his sheer will power, dedication and zeal for souls which gave him the courage, strength and stamina to carry on his work.

In 1997, Fr.Arulnesan, aged, exhausted and feeble, returned to Sri Lanka for a well deserved rest and retirement. He settled down in an annex attached to his niece’s house at Battaramulla. He spent his retirement in reading novels and other history books. He made it a point to be present at all the important Oblate gatherings and celebrations in Colombo, which gave him an opportunity to meet his old friends and renew his friendship with his Oblate confreres and students. His boyish humor, anecdotes and jokes could be seen still in him. In 2004, he was 92 years old, and yet went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and returned safe and sound.

Fr.Arulnesan had been an asthmatic patient right through his life, but it never bothered him too much. On 03 February 2006, he had a severe attack of Asthma, and he was rushed to the hospital. At the hospital, he had a massive heart attack. Fr. Arulnesan succumbed to his illness. The funeral took place in Colombo on 06 February 2006. It was his wish that he should be buried next to his younger brother’s tomb at Kanatte. The cortege left his niece’s residence at Battaramulla at 9.15 a.m., and the mortal remains were taken to the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Maradana, for the funeral service. There was a concelebrated Solemn Requiem Mass presided over by Very Rev. Fr. S. M. Selvaratnam, the Provincial Superior of the Oblate Province of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. There were more than thirty priests, both Oblates and diocesan, besides many religious men and women, present at the Holy Mass. Many old boys of St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna, and St. Anthony’s College, Kayts, too, were there. The panegyric was delivered by Fr. Anselm Silva OMI, who brought out the significant qualities of Fr. Arulnesan. He was a strict disciplinarian, but at the same time very humane. His life style was always simple and always had a special love and preference for the poor.

After the Holy Mass, the final obsequies were said by very Rev. Fr. Clement Waidyasekera, OMI, Provincial Superior of the Oblate Province of Colombo, Sri Lanka. After the service at the church, the mortal remains of Fr. Arulnesan were taken to the cemetery at Kanatte and laid to rest next to the tomb of his brother. May his soul rest in peace!

29 REV. BRO. MAURICE GAVEAU OMI
(1925-2006)

Birth : 28 April 1925 in Lille, France
First Vows : 29 September 1944 in Pontmain as a scholastic. (in1948 as a Co-adjutor Brother)
Final vows : 08 December 1951 at Maggona, Sri Lanka
Oblation No. : 8597
Arrival in SL : 19 March 1949
Departure from SL: 08 August 1959 to Chad, Central Africa
Death : 03 March 2006 in Marseilles, France

Bro. Maurice Paul Raymond Gaveau was born on 28 April 1925 in Lille, in the diocese of Lille, France. His parents were Maurice Gaveau and Emilie Colas. He had his education at the St. Joseph’s Little Seminary of Hazebrouk. In 1943, when he was a young lad of 18 years of age, he heard the call from God and decided to dedicate his life as a priest in the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He entered the Oblate Novitiate at Pontmain as a scholastic in 1943. After successfully completing his year of probation, he made his first profession of Vows as an Oblate Scholastic on 29 September 1944. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate in Solignac to pursue his philosophical and theological studies. After three years of studies at the Scholasticate, Bro. Gaveau found his studies very hard and difficult. With the advice of his formators, he decided to become a Co-adjutor Brother in the same Congregation. As it was the rule at that time, he had to do a second Novitiate as a Co-adjutor Brother. He did his second Novitiate from 1947-1948 at the Oblate Novitiate at La Brosse-Montceaux in France. He made his first profession of Vows (for the second time) as an Oblate Co-adjutor Brother on 08 December 1948.

The First Obedience Bro. Gaveau received after his First Profession was to the Oblate Province of Ceylon (Sri Lanka). He arrived in Colombo on 19 March 1949, and he was assigned to work at St. Vincent’s Home. Maggona. At St. Vincent’s, he was put in charge of the orphanage. A new country, a new language, a new place, a new culture and a new work. Bro. Gaveau was thrilled and for a time he was excited. After a few months he accepted his new situation and tried his best to adapt and accommodate himself to it. He dedicated himself to the welfare of the children entrusted to his care. He loved them and gradually learnt their Sinhala language and was able to converse with them. He had much impact on the life of the children by the good example he set before them in his own life. He was a sincere, God-fearing religious who was very faithful to his community prayers and spiritual exercises. He led a very simple life, obedient to his Superiors. He was very kind and helpful to the children and they loved him very much. His service at Maggona, really in Sri Lanka, came to an abrupt end when he was given obedience by the General Administration to go to the Oblate mission in Chad, Central Africa, where his services were urgently needed. Thus after serving the orphan children with much love and affection for ten years, Bro. Gaveau left Maggona on 03 April 1959.

Bro. Maurice arrived in Chad in November 1959. In Chad, he was assigned to work in the Oblate House at Pala as a mechanic. He was a Jack of all trade and did the work given to him to the satisfaction of all. But his stay in Chad was very short. In September 1960, he was transferred to Cameroun in Africa where he served for the next 41 years without any break. First he served at the Oblate House in N’Gaoundere from September 1960 to March 1968. Then he was transferred to Bankim where he served from April 1968 to March 1993. Finally he served in Alme from March 1993 to February 2002. Though he worked in Cameroun for 41 years, his longest stay was in Bankim, for nearly 25 years. He was a witness of Jesus Christ by his simplicity of life, by announcing the Good News among the people whom he served. He was much involved in clearing jungle lands to turn them into new paddy fields and to look after the cultivation and improve their production. In that region of the country, the name of Bro. Maurice was associated with the cultivation of paddy. Most probably he had got that knack and ability from Maggona, Sri Lanka.

Bro. Maurice loved his work so much that he voluntarily sacrificed all his personal comforts, pleasures, relaxation and recreation. After missionary witnessing and working in the paddy fields at Bankim for 25 years, Bro. Maurice was transferred to Alme in March 1993. There he was in charge of the garden from he provided not only vegetables and salads to the kitchen, but also beautiful flowers to the chapel. He also served in the formation team of the Pre-Novitiate at N’Gaoundere for two years, which he enjoyed very much. In the meantime he was getting old and sick, and his missionary work in Africa came to an end. On 14 February 2002, he received his Obedience from Rome to his home Province in France. Accordingly, he returned to France 21 May 2002, where he was assigned to serve at the house for the Foreign Missionaries in Marseilles. During his stay at Marseilles, he helped the Superior in the household work and in whatever way possible. He passed away to his eternal reward after a short illness on 3 March 2006 in Marseilles. May his soul rest in peace.

30 REV. FR. JOSEPH PULLE OMI
(1945-2006)

Birth : 02 March 1945 at Walpitagama, Chilaw
First Vows : 15 October 1969 at Mont Eden, Kalutara
Final vows : 11 August 1977 at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Maradana
Oblation No. : 12244
Ordination : 30 September 1977 at Holy Rosary Church, Walpitagama
Death : 10 April 2006 at Ja-Ela

Reverend Father Bastian Mellawalage Joseph Pulle was born on 02 March 1945 at Walpitagama, in the diocese of Chilaw. He parents were Nicholas Pulle and Ana Fernando Gabriel Pulle of Kuliyapitiya. He had his early education at the Roman Catholic School of Walpitagama and then in the Buddhist Privena at Nadalagamuwa. He entered the Oblate Minor Seminary at Kohuwala on 09 January 1967. After completing his secondary education, he proceeded to the Oblate Novitiate at Kalutara in October 1968. At his successful completion of his year of probation, he made his first profession of Vows as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate on 15 October 1969. After his first vows he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Ampitiya where he pursued his philosophical and theological studies at the National Seminary. He made his final profession of Vows on 11 August 1977 at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Maradana. On completion of his ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest of God by Bishop Frank Marcus Fernando of Chilaw on 30 September 1977 at the Holy Rosary Church, Walpitagama.

Father Joseph Pulle’s first assignment as an Oblate priest was to the Preachers’ Band at Nazareth, Wennappuwa, where he served energetically with much apostolic zeal and enthusiasm for ten years. He knew his Sinhala very well. In addition, he had a good sense of humour. He made ample use of these talents in his sermons which were lively and light. In September 1987, he was transferred to the Oblate Scholasticate, Ampitiya, as the Bursar of the house. He was very careful and responsible in the use of common funds and finances. He was kind and generous with the scholastics and the labourers, but never was he extraordinarily generous with the common finances. His next move was to the parish of Yatiyana as parish priest on 07 February 1991. His stay at Yatiyana was very short, for he was called again to help in the preaching band, this time at Dev Arana, Polwatta on 15 September 1991. After serving at Polwatta for two years, in September 1993, he was appointed the bursar of St. Joseph’s Oblate Minor Seminary at Kohuwela, where he remained for six years. On 01 January 1999, he was sent as parish priest of the mission of Pitipana, Negombo. The last place he served was Weligampitiya, where he was sent as parish priest on 01 October 2000.

Father Pulle was a good pastor who genuinely loved his flock. He always remained close to his parishioners. He had a sensitive heart for the problems and sufferings of the poor of the parish. He was an asthmatic and heart patient, which did not often permit him to do what he wanted to do for his people. He could identify himself with the learned and the not-so-learned with the same openness and warmth. He was well informed of the political affairs of the country. One of the great qualities of Fr. Joseph Pulle was his ability to live in the midst of problems, conflicts, and frustrations, with a cool head, unperturbed. He loved peace everywhere. He had a good sense of humour and loved to share and enjoy his jokes and pranks with others. He loved to be with his friends and relax, and his company was always very lively and entertaining. He was so simple and humble, that he never preferred at all to hear anyone giving introduction about himself at any functions or festivals. He found ways to avoid all these public admirations still without the awareness of the gathering.

The end of Fr. Pulle’s life was very tragic and sad. It was a Monday, the off-day for the priests. In the morning, before he left his main Church, Fr. Pulle, very unusually called for his sacristan and told him in prophetic manner: “Michael, I do not know how long I will be here in the parish; you have to look after very well”. Then Fr. Pulle went to one of his out-stations where he did some work with the youth of the parish. At noon, he decided to go home to have his lunch and rest for a while, before getting back to his mission in the evening. While he was driving his vehicle on his way on the Airport-Minuwangoda road, very probably he had dozed off at the wheel. Close to Nai junction, van had been heading down the road in the wrong direction at full speed towards a bowser which was coming up in the opposite direction. The driver of the bowser said that he had no chance and time to take his vehicle anywhere, since the bowser was climbing up on the road. When the van crashed on to the bowser, it was almost at the edge of the fence. Fr. Pulle was crushed to death on the spot. It was 10 April 2006.

The sudden tragic death of Fr. Joseph Pulle was great shock for the parishioners of Weligampitiya and the priests of the surrounding area. They all gathered at St. Anne’s Church, Weligampitiya, to pray and to pay their last respect to their dearly beloved Father and friend. They did not have the words to express their feelings. One of the Fathers of the Kandana district said, ‘for every confession, Fr. Pulle was present; whether any parish priest asked for 4 priests, or 6 or 8 priests, Fr. Pulle was there to hear confession”. Another said, “He has been always present at every church Vespers, Deanery meetings and functions’. Another said, “It was not necessary for Fr. Pulle to send invitations to the Vespers in his parish church, priests came from far and near, simply because of the joyful pleasant character Fr. Pulle had”. One of the parishioners said, “Fr. Joseph Pulle never knew how to get angry or hurt someone or annoy anyone. . . . he was ever smiling…that’s all we saw in his face everyday”.

The funeral took place at St. Anne’s church, Weligampitiya on 12 April 2006. All together five bishops, a large number of priests, religious and nuns from all over Sri Lanka, and a very big crowd of people flocked together for the final send off. The concelebrated Pontifical Requiem High Mass was presided over by Rt. Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis, the Archbishop of Colombo. The panegyric was delivered by Fr. Hilary Pieris. After the final obsequies, the mortal remains of Fr. Joseph Pulle were laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery of Weligampitiya. May he rest in peace. …

31 REV. FR. JOSEPH PERERA OMI
(1936-2006)

Birth : 27 December 1936 at Mabula, Waga
First Vows : 31 May 1962 at Mont Eden, Kalutara
Final vows : 31 May 1966 at Ampitiya
Oblation No. : 11400
Ordination : 19 December 1970 at Kotehena
Death : 04 June 2006 at Nawaloka Hospital, Colombo

Reverend Father Koswattage Joseph Perera was born on 27 December 1936 at Mabula, Waga, in the Archdiocese of Colombo. He was the son of Koswattage Jusey Perera and Kekulthotuwage Dona Christina of Mabula, Waga. He had his early education at St. Sebastian’s School, Mawalgama and at St. Mary’s School, Welivita. He joined St. Aloysius’ Minor Seminary, Borella on 15 January 1952. There was no separate Oblate Minor Seminary at that time, and the Oblate Seminarians too had their education at St. Aloysius’ Seminary till they went to the Novitiate. When the Oblates started their own Juniorate at Kohuwala in 1955, Joseph Perera was enrolled in the new Juniorate and continued his studies. After completing his College education, he entered the Oblate Novitiate at Kalutara on 22 April 1961, and at the successful completion of his year of probation, he made his first profession of Vows as an Oblate on 31 May 1962. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Ampitiya, where he pursued his philosophical and theological studies at the National Seminary, Ampitiya. He made his Final Profession of Vows on 31 May 1966 at Ampitiya. At the completion of his Ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest on 19 December 1970 by Thomas Cardinal Cooray OMI, the Archbishop of Colombo, at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena. He left the Scholasticate for the missions on 04 April 1971.

The first assignment Fr. Joseph Perera received as a new, young, energetic priest was to the Oblate mission of Ragama as Assistant pastor on 19 April 1971. In the following year, August 1972, he was transferred to the Oblate Preaching Band at Nazareth, Wennappuwa. In September 1974, he reverted back to parish ministry and was appointed Assistant parish priest of Bollatha, and in 1974 he was made the Parish priest of the same mission. In August 1980, he was given a break and sent to follow a renewal programme at E.A.P.I. in Manila, Philippines. On his return from Manila, he was made Acting Parish Priest of Tillanduwa on 04 May 1981. His stay at Tillanduwa was very short, for soon he was sent as Parish Priest to the mission of Pitipana on 03 August 1981. In the following year, on 20 June 1982, he was transferred to the mission of Kotugoda, where he served as parish priest for six years. He had to look after also the churches at Ekala and Optha. He was also appointed as the Diocesan Co-ordinator of the Family Apostolate on 20 June 1982. On 10 August 1988, he was sent as parish priest of the mission of Burullapitiya, and in the following year, he was transferred to the new mission of Yatiyana in the same capacity on 15 August 1989. He was also appointed as Advocate of the Archdiocesan Marriage Tribunal on 21 August 1989, His next move was to the mission of Batagama on 30 January 1991. In addition, he was also appointed the Chaplain of the Christian Family Movement on 15 August 1992. In 1995, he had a short holiday in Rome, and then, on his return, he was appointed Acting Parish priest of Galkissa on 25 May 1996, and on 01 October 1996 he was made the Parish priest. He also served as parish priest of Kanuwana from 01 October 1997 to 6 October 2002, and at Thibbotugoda from 7 October 2002. In 2003, he acted for the Parish priest at Kalutara for a short time and on 6 April 2003, Fr. Joseph was transferred to the Oblate preachers’ house at Dev Arana, Polwatta. During his last years, he was serving as parish priest also at Avissawela (2003), Andiambalama (2004), and Enderamulla (2005).

Fr. Joseph Perera was a soft spoken person, endowed with a benign character. He was very much interested in learning and took pleasure in imparting that knowledge to others. He was never a high minded person, but always remained an ordinary person who lived his day to day life. He was very kind and compassionate towards the poor and suffering masses, and went out of his way to help them in the way he could. He had many friends, not only among priests, but also among the laity, who appreciated his dedication, kindness and simplicity. This was proved when he was appointed to be in charge of the Christian Family Apostolate of the Archdiocese, which was founded by a lay person. Fr. Joseph Perera undertook to look after the family affairs of the Christians in the Archdiocese at a time when it was going through certain crises. He was a man of prayer and God granted him the necessary graces to pull through successfully those difficult times. He was very generous to those who came to him for help, especially his parishioners. He was meticulously scrupulous about keeping accounts of money matters. The people who worked with him will bear testimony to it. He was a man of God, and his only desire was bring the people entrusted to his care closer to God.

Fr. Joseph Perera was serving in the parish of Enderamulla, when he fell sick suddenly and was admitted to Nawaloka Nursing Home in Colombo. Doctors diagnosed several complications in his body. At one stage he was losing his memory. During his last days, he was afflicted by a brain virus and suffered immensely. He was given every possible treatment, but he never recovered. The doctors gave up all hope, and wanted him to be shifted from the hospital. Little Sisters of the Poor at Darley Road, Maradana, readily accepted to look after him during his last days. Fr. Joseph Perera passed away to his eternal reward on 24 June 2006. His mortal remains were removed to Enderamulla where they lay in state till 26 Morning, when they were taken to the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Maradana for the funeral service. There was a concelebrated Requiem High Mass in the afternoon, and after the Final Obsequies, the mortal remains were laid to rest at the General Cemetary, Kanatte, Borella. May he rest in peace!

32 REV. FR. STANISLAUS FERNANDOPULLE
(1918-2007)

Birth : 24 March 1918 at Kotehena, Colombo
First Vows : 08 September 1941 at Bambalapitiya
Final Vows : 08 September 1944 at Kynsey Road, Borella
Oblation No. : 7336
Ordination : 19 March 1947 at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena
Death : 05 January 2007 at Kohuwala

Reverend Father Stanislaus Dominic John Fernandopulle was born on 24 March 1918 at Kotehena, in the Archdiocese of Colombo. He was the son of Cajetan Nahvelar and Mary Fernandopulle of Kotehena. He had his education under the De la Salle Brothers, at St. Benedict’s College, Kotehena. After successfully completing his London Matriculation Examination, he wanted to dedicate his life at the service of God and His people. So he joined the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and entered their Sacred Heart Novitiate at Bambalapitiya on 30 August 1940. When he completed his year of probation, he made first profession of Vows as an Oblate on 08 September 1941. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate on Kynsey Road, Borella, from where he pursued his philosophical and theological studies at St. Bernanrd’s Seminary, Borella. He made his final commitment in the Congregation of the Oblates on 08 September 1944. At the successful completion of his Ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest of God on 19 March 1947 at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena.

When Fr. Fernandopulle left the Scholasticate after his first formation, he was assigned to work in the Archdiiocese of Colombo. His first appointment in the Archdiocese of Colombo was assistant Parish Priest to the the mission of Wattala in July 1947. He served in that mission for two years and on 30 January 1949, he was transferred to the mission of Dehiwala in the same capacity. On 24 August 1950, he was made a Parish Priest and was sent to the mission of Slave Island, in the heart of Colombo. It was a trilingual parish, and Fr. Fernandopulle, who was fluent in Emglish, Sinhalese and Tamil, was able to handle the situation quite efficiently. After serving in that mission for six years, he was transferred to the mission of Grand Street, Negombo on 29 May 1956. It was a crowded and difficult parish, and most of the parishioners were rough and illiterate fishermen. Fr. Fernandopulle, with his haughty laugh, tactics and diplomacy was able to win over the confidence and obedience of the people in no time. He was quite a successful Parish Priest at Grand Street, Negombo, and the parishioners appreciated very much his services. He was made the District Superior of Negombo in November 1962. He served in that difficult mission for almost 10 years, before he was transferred to the mission of Mattakkuliya on 12 November 1966. His stay at Mattakuliya was rather short, and in January 1967, he was sent to the mission of Dehiwala as Parish Priest. In the following year, in March 1970, he was made also the Superior of the Moratuwa District. Fr. Fernandopulle celebrated his Sacredotal Silver Jubilee on 19 March 1972 at Dehiwala.

In June 1974, Fr. Pulle had a change of ministry. He was taken out of the parochial ministry and sent to St. Joseph’s College as its Bursar. At St. Joseph’s, he served not only as its bursar, but also as teacher of religion, warden of the boarders, prefect of games. Scout master and chaplain to the home for the elders at Darley Road. He reverted back to parish ministry after five years, and in 1979, went as Parish Priest to the mission of Colpetty. He was also appointed as the district Superior of Colombo Central and Vicar Forane of Colombo South. In 1986, he reverted back to school ministry and sent to St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya as spiritual director and confessor of the students, and group scout leader. In 1990, he was sent to St. Mary’s Church Bambalapitiya as resident priest. That happened to be the last parish he served. Fr. Stany had been the Patron of the Colombo Chetty Association for over 10 years. In January 1997, he received an award from Her Excellency Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranayake Kumaratunge, Executive President of Sri Lanka, for services rendered for scouting in Sri Lanka. He was also given an award for his loyal and dedicated service to St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya.

Fr. Fernandopulle celebrated his Golden Jubilee of Priesthood on 05 April 1997 at St. Mary’s Church, Bambalapitiya. He retired from active ministry and went to the Oblate Juniorate at Kohuwala in 2000 to spend the “summer time” of his life. His choice to spend his last days of his life among the noisy Juniorists was quite unusual for a person of his age. But that speaks a volume of his “top of the world” personality. He was a man who always remained young at heart and spirit. He was always immaculately dressed in his priestly garb, with his Oblate Cross around his neck. He enjoyed a good health right through his life. He always liked to remain close to people and relate to them in a friendly manner. He was witty and humorous, with a positive attitude towards life. He enjoyed company, and found pleasure in entertaining people with his jokes and pranks. His manner of speaking was distinct and attractive with an element of guiltless elegance. He had a good memory power. His reminiscences of the days of the active ministry, which he shared with others quite freely, were always grand and tidy, hinting innocently of himself as the best of the best. Perhaps Fr. Stany wished his attitude of positive-ness of life, based on the abundant grace of God, would be radiated to young minds at the very inception of their formation process. It might have been the reason why he chose Juniorate as the place of his retirement. He was convinced that the young ones should be shown the brighter side of the religious and priestly vocation, namely, the inner fulfillment and joy, to create a breeding ground for the seed of vocation. His strategy worked, and the Juniorists were attracted towards him, and they enjoyed his company, humour and jokes, and gradually imbibed his positive attitude in life.

Fr. Stan’s Diamond Jubilee of Priesthood was round the corner. It was supposed to be on 19 March 2007. Planning and preparations had already begun, but suddenly he fell ill, and had to be rushed to the hospital, where he was warded. While others were busy preparing for his diamond jubilee, Fr. Stan was making his preparations for his final journey to the Creator. Void of fear and anxieties, void of regrets for the unfinished agendas of life, void of remorse and agitation, and with an expression of ‘ready to go’ feeling, the undergoing experience was truly an inner calmness. One of the priests standing at his bedside murmured to his vigilant ear, “Fr. Stany, you should stay with us to celebrate your Diamond Jubilee of priesthood”. “None sense, go to hell!” Fr. Stan retorted in his usual wit, “I will celebrate my jubilee in heaven with the Lord”. That is how Fr. Stan looked at his death, with a positive attitude. Finally he succumbed to his illness and breathed his last on 05 January 2007. .

The funeral took place on the 7th at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Maradana. Very Rev. Fr. Clement Waidyasekara presided over the concelebrated Requiem Mass at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Maradana. Many priests, religious, relatives and friends were there in numbers to bid farewell to their beloved priest. After the Requiem Mass and the final obsequies, the mortal remains were laid to rest at the General Cemetery, Kanatte.

33 REV. FR. HENRI FARINELLE OMI
(1922-2007)

Birth : 14 November 1922, Rosignol, Belgium.
First Vows : 08 September 1943 in Corbeek-Lo
Final Vows : 08 September 1946 in Velaines
Oblation No. : 7709
Ordination : 12 December 1948 at Seroule in Heusy
Arrival in SL : 21 October 1949
Departure SL: 1965
Death : 12 January 2007 in Tournai, Belgium

Father Henri Farinelle was born on 14 November 1922 at Rosignol in Belgium . His parents were Joseph Farinelle and Victoria Strasser. It was a God-fearing family and Henri was brought up by his parents in a very good Catholic atmosphere. He was very regular for daily Mass in his parish church and served at the altar frequently. He had his early education at the Juniorate, Dampicourt, and was appreciated very much by his teachers for his commitment to his work and the sense of responsibility in which he went about the work assigned to him. When he was completing his College education, he felt that he was being called by God to be a missionary in a foreign country where he could proclaim Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world. With the approval of his parents and the blessings of the parish priest, he joined the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and entered their Novitiate in Corbeek-Lo on 07 September 1942. After completing his year of probation successfully, he made his first profession of Vows as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate on 08 September 1943. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate in Velaines where he pursued his Philosophical and Theological studies. He made his final profession of Vows as an Oblate on 08 September 1946 in Velaines. When he successfully completed his ecclesiastical studies and Oblate first formation, he was ordained a priest of God on 12 December 1948 at Seroule in Heusy. He left the Scholasticate for the missions on 15 July 1949.

As a young energetic zealous priest, according his cherished desire, he received his first Obedience to serve as a missionary in the Oblate Province of Sri Lanka. He was very happy to go as missionary to a foreign country, and he was in Colombo on 21 October 1949. In Sri Lanka, he was assigned to serve in the Archdiocese of Colombo. He took some time to learn the culture and life-style of the people in Sri Lanka and to adapt and accommodate himself accordingly. For the first few years he was sent to different missions as Assistant parish priest to help and to come to know the language of the people, and thus to prepare himself to take responsibility of a mission. His first appointment was Assistant Parish priest of the mission of Weligampitiya on 27 October 1949. Then on 21 February 1950, he was sent to the mission of Ragama in the same capacity. In the following year, on 29 March 1951, he was transferred to the mission of Pamunugama as Assistant. Finally he was appointed parish priest and sent to the mission of Katuwapitiya on 25 August 1952. He served in that mission for two years and then he was transferred as Parish priest to the mission of Seeduwa on 09 April 1954. He was the Parish priest of the mission of Grand Pass from 1955 to 1959. Then he went for his holidays in Europe on 18 April 1959. He returned to Colombo in May 1960 and was appointed Parish priest of the mission of Pallensena. His stay at Pallensena was very short, and he was sent to the mission of Paiyagala as Parish Priest on 27 September 1960. The last mission he served in the Archdiocese of Colombo was Kadalana where he was transferred on 02 April 1964.

In 1960 there was a change in the policy of the Sri Lankan Government not to renew anymore the Visas of the foreign missionaries. This also affected the stay of Fr. Farinelle in the country and so he decided to look for another mission country where he would be accepted. Accordingly he was given Obedience to the Oblate Mission in Haiti. He left Sri Lanka in 1965 for his holiday in Europe and then proceeded to Haiti, where he served in a parish for two years from 1966 to 1967. But the climatic conditions in Haiti did not agree with him, and on account of his health problems he had to return to his Home Province in South Belgium in 1967. In Belgium he was attached to the Oblate community of Velaines and served in the parish of Mourcourt et Melles in the diocese of Tounai.

During the last days of his life, Fr. Farinelle was afflicted with some heart ailments which gave him lots of pain and anxiety. Finally he succumbed to his illness on 12 January 2007 at Tournai. His funeral took place on 16 January 2007 at Mourcourt in the Province of Luxembourg, Belgium. May his soul rest in peace.

34 REV. FR. MARC BERARD
(1923-2007)

Birth : 25 April 1923 at Joyeuse, Ardeche, France
First Vows : 15 August 1942 at Notre Dame de Bon Secours
Final Vows : 11 June 1947 at Notre Dame de Lumieres
Oblation No. : 7625
Ordination : 28 February 1949 at Notre Dame de Lumieres
Arrival in SL : 21 October 1949
Death : 05 January 2007 at Maradana

Rev. Fr. Marc Berard was born on 25 April 1923 at Joyeuse, Ardeche, in France. His parents were Sylvain Berards and Mariette of Joyeuse, Ardeche. He had his early education at Joyeuse, Ardeche and at Boucieu – le Roi, Ardeche. He entered the Oblate Juniorate at Ste. Foy – Les Lyons in 1934. After completing his secondary education, he entered the Oblate Novitiate at Notre Dame de Bon Secours on 1 August 1941. At the successful completion of his year of probation, he made his first profession of Vows as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate on 15 August 1942. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Notre Dame de Lumieres where he pursued his philosophical and theological studies. When he successfully completed his Ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest of God by Mgr. Vauclaux, the Archbishop of Avignon, on 28 February 1949 at Notre Dame de Lumieres.

Immediately after his ordination, Fr. Berard received his first obedience to the Oblate Mission in Sri Lanka. He hardly knew anything about this tiny island in the Indian Ocean, anything about its people, their language, their culture, the climatic conditions etc. Inspired by the charism of the Founder, Bishop de Mazenod, and burning with the Oblate zeal for the salvation of souls, Fr. Berard was proud to be sent as a missionary to the Gentile world to bring the pagans to Christ. He accepted the obedience given by his Superiors with joy, and leaving behind his parents, his dear and near ones, his land and country, and putting his trust and confidence only on God and His plan for him, embarked for Colombo from Marseilles in the beginning of October 1949. When he set foot in the island of Sri Lanka on 21 October 1949, he was a young missionary of 26 years of age, full of apostolic zeal and enthusiasm, with great dreams of his future missionary endeavours. In Sri Lanka, Fr. Berard was assigned to work in the Archdiocese of Colombo. His first assignment in the Archdiocese of Colombo was to the tutorial staff of St. Joseph’s College, Maradana. He was fortunate to have had the well renowned educationist and social worker, Fr. Peter Pillai, as his Rector and Religious Superior, under whose guidance and direction, he was introduced into his missionary career. He served in the College not only as a member of the tutorial staff, but also as the Choir Master, the Organist, training the young Josephians for liturgical singing, as a lovable spiritual director, and as the well accepted warden of the College hostel. Some of those Josephians who valued his guidance and direction, remembered and revered him paying frequent visits until his last days.

Fr. Berard made use of his stay in the College to study English and a little of Sinhala and Tamil, the local languages. He found the study of the vernacular languages rather difficult, and he was never able to master them properly. After spending 4 years at the College, Fr. Berard was removed from the College, and on 10 August 1953, sent as Assistant Parish Priest to St. James’ church, Mutwal, a very difficult and populous mission in the city of Colombo. Most of the parishioners were of the fishing community, and Fr. Berard found it to difficult to communicate with them in Sinhalese. So, in November of the same year, he was transferred in the same capacity to the mission of Wattala, a parish in the outskirts of Colombo. The parishioners were simple and God-fearing people, and he successfully served in that mission for two years. In the mean time, he studied a little more Sinhalese. In November 1955, Fr. Berard was transferred to the parish of Hanwella, a mission in the outskirts of Colombo as Assistant. His stay at Hanwella was very short, as it was time for him to go to Europe on his first home-holidays.

On his return from Europe, Fr. Berard was appointed Acting Parish Priest of Nugegoda in 1959. But soon, for some reason or other, he was removed from that post, and sent again as Assistant to the mission of Nagoda, from where he also served as the Chaplain to the T.B. hospital at Welisara. His next move was to the mission of Pallensena in Negombo in the same capacity in May 1960. The following year, he was brought back to Colombo to the mission of Wellawatte on 6 May 1961. Since it was an English parish, he was able to serve there for two years. Then he was moved to the mission of Dehiwala in May 1963. In May 1966, Fr. Berard went to Europe for his home holidays, and on his return, he was appointed Assistant Parish Priest at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena, in January 1967. In 1969, he was called upon to act for the Parish Priest of Kamaragoda for about six months. In February 1970, he went back to Nugegoda, but this time as Assistant. Fr. Berard celebrated the Silver Juubilee of his Priestly Ordination on 28 February 1974.

In 1976, Fr. Berard went again for his home holidays, and on his return, in July 1976, he was assigned to St.Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena, as Assistant Parish Priest. In January 1980, he was transferred to the parish of Dehiwala in the same capacity. He was moved from Dehiwala to the parish of Wellawatte in August 1982. In September 1983, he was transferred again to Kotehena, where he remained this time for nearly 10 years. Fr. Berard’s last appointment was Assistant at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Maradana, where he remained till his death in 2007. Fr. Berard served for nearly 59 years (1949-2007) in the Archdiocese of Colombo, mostly in the city parishes, and that too always as Assistant. He used to tell that he has worked under 25 parish priests, and never was a parish priest himself, except for a shortwhile at Nugegoda, where he acted for the Parish Priest. He was never ambitious of positions or promotions, and never complained about it. He cheerfully accepted the work given to him by the Archbishop or his religious Superiors, acknowledging his weakness, i.e., lack of knowledge of the vernacular languages. He found satisfaction being at the service of the people; the status did not matter for him. But he had lot of friends and admirers among the rich and the poor, Sinhalese and Tamils, sinners and saints. It is a wonder how he communicated with them all and won over their love and affection.

Though Fr. Berard came from an affluent country like France, and had enough money to live a comfortable, luxurious life, he opted to live a poor, frugal, simple life. He was simple in his dress, simple in his meals, simple in his life-style. All what he had and what he received from his benefactors, he distributed and shared them generously with the poor and the needy. That was his greatness. Always he had some money in his valet to give to the beggars who approached him. He found joy and happiness in giving to the poor. He made himself poor in order to make the poor rich and happy. At the time of his death, his living room had nothing except for a broken wardrobe with some old clothes, a table and a chair. Although in his physical stature, he looked big, tall and hefty, he had a very kind and tender heart towards the poor. From morning till evening, he received number of telephone calls, but they were mostly from his poor clients requesting for help. Whenever he stepped out of the mission house to go anywhere, his hands were in his pockets, and his eyes used to search for someone, saying to himself, “Where are my poor people?”. The more he gave to the poor and needy, the more he became happy and content. That was Fr. Berard.

Fr. Berard was not only a friend of the poor and the needy, he had a very good rapport with his fellow priests, both religious and diocesan. Good many of them sought his help for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and for spiritual advice and guidance. They joined him every Monday for a social get-together, for a game of Bridge and a fellowship meal. So much so, “Monday with Fr. Berard” became a household word among the priests, and it was well patronized, not only by the priests serving in the Archdiocese, but also by many priests visiting Colombo from other dioceses. This was a great service rendered by Fr. Berard to his fellow priests, giving them a place and opportunity to relax, and get over their problems, worries, anxieties and tensions. It also helped, in a way, to establish and maintain unity and good relationship among priests.

Fr. Berard contributed his service to the Archdiocese in many other ways. He was a musician and a reputed mechanic and repairer of electric harmoniums, pipe organs and chiming clocks. His room was always full of old electric organs and chiming clocks which were brought to him for repairs. He was always available for the Fathers to invite him to attend to the pipe organs and chiming clocks in their churches and schools. He also trained a good number of lay people in this art, and they were capable of attending to such works even in his absence. Thereby Fr. Berard helped not only the churches and schools, but also the unemployed youth to earn their livelihood.

Fr. Berard’s biggest contribution to the Church in the Archdiocese was his apostolate at the confessional. Many, clergy as well as the laity, considered him as their spiritual director and confessor, and he was always available to them whenever they approached him. His clients were from various parishes and shrines. During the course of the week, he was available for confession in different parishes on different days, and the penitents made use of that opportunity to seek his help in the Sacrament of Reconciliation for his precious advice and absolution regularly. On Mondays he remained at home to play host and entertain his priest friends who come to relax and enjoy the “Monday with Fr. Berard”. On Tuesdays, he was available at St. Anthony’s Shrine at Kochchikade. On Wednesdays, he was available at the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in All Saints’ Church, Borella. On Thursdays, he was at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Maradana, for the novena of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. On Fridays, he was available at the novena of the Infant Jesus at the Church of the Holy Rosary, Slave Island. On Saturdays and Sundays, he kept himself free so as to be available to play the harmonium for the liturgical services at Maradana or any other parishes as the need arose.

Fr. Berard enjoyed a fairly good health right through his life, without any serious maladies. He had a very positive outlook of life, and always appeared to be a very happy person. He did not have any grudge against any one. He was a person always with a smiling face, with nothing to complain, and made the community happy with his jokes and pranks. Though he had celebrated his diamond jubilee of priesthood, he never wanted to retire at a Home for the Elders. He was young at heart, and preferred to remain in a mission and be of little service to others in whatever way he could. He was a man who could adapt and adjust himself to any situation. His one and only ambition in life was to die in harness. God graciously granted him his wish. His death was a sudden one. It was on 5 January 2007. About midday, he had a pain in the chest, and the doctor was summoned. But before the doctor could come to attend on him, he had gone quietly for his eternal reward.

The funeral of Fr. Berard took place on the following day at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima.The panegyric was delivered by Fr. Hilary Pieris OMI

35 REV. FR. JOHN BAPTIST CLINTON ANANDAPPA
(1922-2007)

Birth : 29 July 1922 at Kotehena, Colombo
First Vows : 08 September 1044 at Bambalapitiya
Final Vows : 08 September 1947 at Borella.
Oblation No. : 7865
Ordination : 06 August 1949 at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena
Death : 18 May 2007 at Marian Grove, Kohuwala

Rev. Fr. John Baptist Clinton Anandappa hailed from the staunch Catholic parish of Kotehena, in the city of Colombo. He was born on 29 July 1922 to John Edmund Anandappa and Lucy Agnes Ramanaden. He was the eldest in a large family of six children which was religiously brought up by the God-fearing parents. He had his education at St. Benedict’s College, Kotehena, under the care and guidance of the De la Salle Brothers. As a little boy, he enrolled himself in the Confraternity of the Altar Servers and served regularly at the altar of St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena. This inculcated into him a desire to be at the service of God all through his life. He was always under the scrutinizing eyes of Fr. Alexis Serru OMI, the parish priest, and of Fr. J. B. Gregory OMI, his Assistant.

Soon after he completed his college education, Fr. Serru allured him to the activities of the Legion of Mary (1940-1943) which conducted a weekly prayer meeting, accompanied by a couple of hours of apostolic work, bringing back the wayward to the fold. The seed of his priestly vocation to minister to the poor and abandoned were sown during this period. It was about this time, in 1940, that Bro. James FSC helped him to find employment as an account clerk in the Clerical Staff of the Times of Ceylon Ltd. In the meantime, he got through the General Clerical Examination, and was taken into the clerical staff of the Court of Criminal Appeal and Supreme Court at Hulftsdorf, Colombo, in 1941. Still the urge to dedicate his life to the service of God in the poor was burning in his heart, and he applied himself to the study of Latin under Mr. Horace Perera. Three years later, in 1943, being unable to resist the call of the Divine Master, he resigned his job, and enrolled himself in the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. In his application letter to the Oblate Provincial, he wrote: “I am unworthy to be a Religious and a Priest; but I trust in God’s mercy to make me in time a holy priest and an Oblate”. He entered their Sacred Heart Novitiate at Bambalapitiya on 30 August 1943. Having successfully completed his year of probation, he made his first profession of Vows as an Oblate on 08 September 1944. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Kynsey road, Borella, and pursued his philosophical and theological studies at St. Bernard’s Seminary. When he completed his Ecclesiastical studies and religious formation, he was ordained a priest of God together with Bro. Edmund Fernando (later bishop), by Mgr. Thomas Cooray OMI, the Archbishop of Colombo, on 06 August 1949 at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena.

A year later, at the end of his pastoral formation, he received his first obedience to serve in the Archdiocese of Colombo. Fr. Clinton’s great desire had been to serve the poor in the mission field, but God willed otherwise. Archbishop Thomas Cooray appointed him as the Secretary to the Archbishop of Colombo. He assumed duties as the personal secretary of Archbishop Thomas Cooray on 01 August 1950. He was expected to hold this post for only a couple of years while its permanent incumbent Fr. Nereus was away in Rome. But it happened to be the one and only appointment he received during his life time. From 1950 to 1988, for 38 long years, he dedicated his life to serve the Archbishop, the priests, religious and people of God of the Archdiocese of Colombo.

In 1951, Fr. Clinton was named Secretary of Colombo Matrimonial Tribunal. In 1952, he was entrusted with the organization of National Pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Francis Xavier in Goa, India. More than 1100 pilgrims took part in that pilgrimage. Again in 1958, he was called upon to be the Organizing Secretary of the National Pilgrimage to Lourdes and Rome, in which 72 pilgrims participated. Whenever the Archbishop went on his “Ad Limina“ visit to Rome and afterwards visited the Oblate provinces in Europe, Fr. Clinton accompanied him. In 1958, Archbishop named him as the General Secretary of the Archdiocese (Chancellor). As the Archbishop’s personal secretary and the General Secretary of the Archdiocese, Fr. Clinton was in constant touch with most of the priests and religious, not only of the Archdiocese, but of whole of Sri Lanka, as they needed letters, certificates and other testimonials for various purposes.

As the personal secretary of the Archbishop, he had to accompany him on his Pastoral visits to almost all the parishes of the Archdiocese. The Archbishop visited each parish five times during his period of office, at the rate of 14 to 16 parishes a year. That gave Fr. Clinton ample opportunities to come to know all the parishes with its people, and to experience the life and its problems, which was a great help for him in his work On 25 February 1965, Pope Pius VI elevated Archbishop Thomas Cooray to the College of Cardinals. Fr. Clinton accompanied him to Rome for the consistory. In August of the same year, Thomas Cardinal Cooray traveled again to Rome for the concluding sessions of Vatican II and Fr. Clinton accompanied him. But in September, Cardinal Cooray fell seriously ill and had to be hospitalized at Salvator Mundi. Though he recovered after recuperation in Switzerland, he fell ill again on his return to Rome in December 1965, and had to undergo an investigative operation as a result of which he was on the point of death. But Fr. Clinton refused to accept what everyone thought was inevitable. He got the assistance of the best physician in Rome – Dr. Frugoni, a medical professor of international fame, and succeeded to avert and overcome the crisis. Again he spent sometime in Switzerland, recuperating under the care of the Sisters of the Holy Cross of Menzingen, and returned to Sri Lanka to complete his recovery. From that time on, Cardinal needed the special tender loving care of Fr. Clinton to remain healthy.

In 1967, Fr. Clinton was appointed the General Secretary of the Bishop’s Conference of Sri Lanka. He held that post till 1976. Fr. Clinton celebrated his Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee on 06 August 1974 at Kotehena. In 1975, at the request of the Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka, he compiled the Catholic Directory of the Church of Sri Lanka (520 pages), and in 1990, he published an updated edition of the Catholic Directory, with an alphabetical index of places, names and churches. He brought his vast knowledge, expertise, competence and patient attention to bear on his work. His work was a perfect emblem of accuracy, orderliness and precision.

When His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Cooray opted to retire from the office of Archbishop of Colombo and chose Tewatte as his place of retirement in 1976, he suggested to Fr. Clinton that he might go into missionary work which he had always had in his heart. His answer was that he had found his mission in life, and that unless His Eminence said that he wanted him no more, he was ready to continue as his secretary and companion – which he did. In 1978, Fr. Clinton was appointed by the Sri Lanka Government a Justice of Peace for the whole island. When Cardinal Cooray died in 1988, Fr. Clinton broke down loud in tears like a child. He made all the necessary arrangements to give the Cardinal a fitting funeral. The mortal remains were laid to rest in the crypt at the Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka, Tewatte. Fr. Clinton took some months to recuperate from the great loss he had incurred in his life.

The new Archbishop of Colombo, Mgr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando, appointed Fr. Clinton as Parish Priest of All Saints’ Parish, Borella in 1992, and also nominated him to the Council of Priests (Senate) and College of Consultors, for five years. In 1997, when his term as the Parish Priest of All Saints Parish came to an end, he was appointed as the Archdiocesan Archivist with residence at Pius VI Centre in Fort. He was also made the Chaplain of Apostolatus Maris. During his stay at Paul VI centre, Fr. Clinton had the privilege of celebrating Holy Mass at mid-day for the Catholic workers in Fort and surrounding areas from Monday to Friday. Daily from 9 in the morning till 12 noon, he worked in the archive in the Archbishop’s House, Borella. The classification of documents, history of churches and institutions, assessment of specific events and epochs were meticulously done. He was the right man for the right job. The service he had rendered to the archive of the Archdiocese would be very valuable for those who go to do any research there. Fr. Clinton celebrated his Golden Jubilee of Priesthood with a Thanksgiving High Mass on 06 August 1999 at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena. He retired from all active ministries and took up residence at Marian Grove, Kohuwala, where he spent his last days in preparing himself for his homeward journey.

Fr. Clinton’s immersion in the Archdiocese did not deter him from his concerns issuing from his Oblate identity. He had often been corresponding with his religious superiors. He had been helping the provincials in collecting bursaries to finance the formation of Scholastics, for he felt as he wrote once, “this is in order to gradually do away with foreign aid and educate and maintain the Scholastics with bursaries that could be invested”. He expressed his hopes once to a newly appointed Provincial: “May you inspire the Oblates to have a deep and profound love for the Holy Father; that evidently includes our Father General and the Local Ordinary”. When he was residing at Emmaus, Tewatte, as companion to the retired Cardinal, he served also as the Oblate Superior of the district of Ragama. It was during that time he expressed his concern about the Oblate communities: “Gradually we must build up communities of that type around a leader who is accepted and who promotes and nurtures a group of unity and brotherhood. I know it is an ideal towards which we are striving, but it is possible to reach it, if we are serious about building up such a family”. Very often he wrote to the Provincials to keep him abreast of documentation that came from the General House in Rome. He did not fail to post to the Superiors his statement of accounts regularly. He had made great many donations to the Oblate Province, all from his savings and that of the Cardinal, for the benefit of the Congregation.

Fr. Clinton was a man of brisk-walking, quick gestures, and one capable of long and hearty laughter. He was always immaculately dressed in clean white cassock, and carried the Oblate cross around his neck. He was a deeply human person and no stranger to human emotions. After several deaths in his family, he wrote once to the Provincial, “I have lost all, my father and my mother, my brothers and sisters, my brothers-in-law and two nephews. I am only left with two sisters-in-law and the children of my brothers and sisters. I am beset with a loneliness that no one can fill”. He would always call Oblates close to him by their first names, and inquire about how they were doing. Fr. Clinton never got tired of work, and to the end he was seated at his desk at Marian Grove, Kohuwala, browsing over documents and musing over the great events of his beloved Archdiocese and the Oblate Province.

Fr. Clinton was called to his Eternal Rest in the Lord on 18 May 2007. His mortal remains were kept at Marian Grove, Kohuwala, and brought to the Chapel of the Archbishop’s House, Borella, on Monday, 21 May 2007 for the Final Rites. His Grace the Archbishop Oswald Gomis presided at the funeral Requiem High Mass together with His Grace the Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Marcus Fernando and His Lordship Bishop Frank Marcus, Bishop Emeritus of Chilaw, Very Rev. Fr. Clement Waidyasekara, the Provincial of the Oblates, Priests, Religious and relatives and faithful. The panegyric was delivered by Fr. Leopold Ratnasekara OMI. After the final obsequies, the mortal remains were removed to Kanatte where they were laid to rest. May he rest in peace!

36 REV. FR. LUCIEN SCHMITT OMI
(1921-2007)

Birth : 08 April 1921 at Hertzvillee, Metz, France
First Vows : 31 October 1941 at Notre Dame de Bon Secours
Final Vows : 08 June 1945 at Lumieres
Oblation No. : 7445
Ordination : 01 March 1947 at Lumieres
Arrival in SL :18 May 1948
Departure SL: 08 February 1974
Death : 10 July 2007 at Aachen, Germany

Father Lucien Leopold Schmitt was born on 08 April 1921 at Hertzvilles, in the diocese of Metz, France. His parents were Eugene Schmitt and Leonie Firtion of Hertzvilles. He had his education at Augny, Strasbourg. As a young man he had a passionate love for Jesus Christ and for the Catholic Church. He must have received it from his devout parents. After his College education, he decided to dedicate his life to Jesus Christ and for the service of His Church. He entered the novitiate of the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate at Notre Dame de Bon Secours on 31 October 1940. On his successful completion of his year of probation, he made his first profession of Vows as an Oblate on 31 October 1941. He proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Lumieres, where he pursued his philosophical and theological studies. He made of his Perpetual Vows on 08 June 1945 at Lumieres. At the successful completion of his Ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest of God on March 01, 1947.

The young and energetic Father Schmitt, finishing his religious formation, left the Oblate Scholasticate, on 22 February 1948. He was a tall and hefty man, full of apostolic zeal and missionsry enthusiasm. As a young Oblate priest, it was his dream to go to the Arctic North as a missionary and to work among the Eskimos. It was about the time when the newly appointed Archbishop of Colombo, Mgr. Thomas Cooray, went to the Oblate Scholasticate at Lumieres in France, in search of some good missionaries to work in his Archdiocese of Colombo, Sri Lanka. The young Fr. Schmitt drew the attention of the Prelate, who felt that he might be the right man to carry out his plans for the Archdiocese. So the Prelate approached him and asked whether he would be willing to come to work in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Young Fr. Schmitt wondered whether it was the plan of God for him. After little hesitation, he expressed his willingness to come as a missionary to Colombo. With the necessary permissions and blessings from his Superiors, he bid good-bye to his parents, brothers and sisters, his homeland and dear ones, and embarked from Marseilles to Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Fr. Schmitt arrived in Colombo on 18 May 1948. His first assignment in the Archdiocese of Colombo was Assistant Parish Priest to the parish of Pamunugama on 27 May 1948. It was at Pamunugama that he had his first taste of mission life and of the nature, culture and life of the people of Sri Lanka. On 06 January 1949, he was transferred to St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10, as the Bursar of the College. At the College, he had the privilege of coming to know and serve under Fr. Peter Pillai OMI, the great intellectual genius and social worker. He served in the College for two years, and on 23 December 1951, Fr. Schmitt was appointed the Parish Priest of the mission of Hanwella, in the outskirts of Colombo.

As priest fully in charge of a mission, Fr. Schmitt had the space, freedom and the opportunity to organize his own work, bringing out his talents, abilities and personality. He wanted to work for the betterment of the people who were entrusted to his care. He thought of making available a quality education for the children and young people of that area. With that end in view, he put up a college and named it Don Bosco College, which, in due time, was able to produce some men and women of quality for the Church and the country. Being encouraged by the success, he wanted to begin a Boys’ Town” in the model of Fr. Flanagan’s Boys’ Town in America. During his home holidays in 1958, he made it a point to travel to America, visit Fr. Flanagan’s Boys’ Town, and gain first hand knowledge and experience of how that was functioning and being run. On his return to Hanwella in the same year, he ventured out on his own Boys’ Town. It was a mighty task which he took upon himself, almost single handed. He had the encouragement and support of his superiors, and got the necessary funds from his friends and benefactors abroad. His dream was soon a reality. Gradually it has grown into a mighty tree set in broad acres. In 1967, with the collaboration of Mother Good Counsel, the then Provincial Superior of the Sisters of Good Shepherd in Sri Lanka, he was able to bring the boys and also the girls who were cared by the Sisters together and establish the “Lama Gramaya,” the Children’s Village at Hanwella. Fr. Schmitt’s Boys’ Town, Lama Gramaya as it is called today, at Hanwella is something of a show-piece in Sri Lanka today, and is second to none in the field of Children’s Homes. Fr. Schmitt will go down in history as the founder of the Boys’ Town of Hanwella, whose lead has been followed by many others who have founded similar home for children.

Fr. Schmitt’s socio-pastoral leadership capabilities were soon recognized by Archbishop Cooray. In April 1959, Fr. Schmitt was appointed the Vicar Forane of the Nugegoda Region, and in April 1961, he was made a member of the Archiepiscopal Council. In May 1962, Fr. Schmitt was transferred from Hanwella and appointed Parish Priest of St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena, and the Vicar Forane of Colombo North region. It did not take much time for him to realize the urgent need of a decent mission house for the priests working in the Metropolitan parish. Without taking any cent from the parish money, with the help of his friends and benefactors, he met this long felt need by constructing a compact and comfortable but not cosy presbytery for the Cathedral mission.If Fr. Schmitt’s Boys’ Town is a memorial to his initiative and vision, the Cathedral presbytery stands as a pointer to his building ability. In his Cathedral mission, in the heart of the city of Colombo, Fr. Schmitt saw a category of people, invisible in many ways to many pastors, namely people who were not receiving the needed pastoral care and attention due to their poverty, lack of education and social recognition. The great enthusiasm and commitment to the poor of Fr. Michael Saverimutthu OMI, one of Fr. Schmitt’s assistants, attracted the attention of Fr. Schmitt, who spared no efforts to guide Fr. Saverimutthu to do everything possible to bring dignity, equality and recognition to the so called neglected and invisible Catholic Christians. Using his prophetic imagination, Fr. Schmitt convinced Archbishop Cooray and paved the way for a structural change in the Cathedral parish and carve out that area into a separate new parish with the name ‘Chekku Street” parish, and name Fr. Saverimutthu its first parish priest and apostle of the slum dwellers.

Not only the poor and the needy in the geographical area of Sitawaka and of Colombo benefited from the socio-pastoral care of Fr. Schmitt, but also those not touched sufficiently by the Church’s social concern due to the dualistic and dichotomized theological/spiritual outlook of the Catholic Church at that time. However in 1968, there was Fr. Schmitt who convinced the Archbishop Cooray OMI, the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka, of the urgent need to accept for the entire Archdiocese of Colombo the social action programme which was conceived by Fr. Joe Fernando and being tried out efficiently in the Negombo Deanery for nearly ten years by him and his team of priests. Thus was born the Archdiocesan committee of social action, of which Fr. Schmitt was made the Chairman and Fr. Joe Fernando, its secretary. The Archdiocesan social action programe soon became the National Social action programme of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, supported very much by Bishop Emilianuspillai OMI of Jaffna and Bishop Anthony de Saram of Galle. The Social and Economic Development Centre (SEDEC-National Caritas) was established as the social arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka to carry out the national social action programme in the dioceses. The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka will always gratefully remember the services SEDEC-National Caritas and its diocesan centres had rendered over the years in Sri Lanka for the victims of disasters, for community development at micro-level, for bringing bargaining power to the powerless vis-à-vis the vested interests, and for the promotion of social animation. Fr. Schmitt took personal interest to visit the poor people in many parts of the country. He even had a boat ride in the choppy sea to the island of Iranaitivu to get first hand information of the living conditions of the people living in that land and encourage development programmes and projects.

In April 1966, Fr. Schmitt was appointed the Vicar General of the Archdiocese. But in 1968, as Fr. Schmitt’s services were required by the General Administration of the Oblates in Rome, he was removed from the Vicar-Generalship, and appointed the Provincial Superior of the Oblates in Sri Lanka on 15 November 1968. The office of the Provincial Superior of a Religious Congregation is, without doubt, the most responsible and most demanding. As Provincial, it fell to his lot to steer the Province through a lean period. His many contacts in the affluent Provinces of the Congregation and Funding Agencies in Europe, came to his rescue. The Province in general, and the Houses of Formation (Sidupiyanila, Bandarawela) in particular, are indebted to him for the happy state in which they find themselves today. During his provincialship, he strove to foster a better spirit of understanding and forge stronger ties of friendship between the Oblates in the north and the south of the country. He initiated annual retreats both in Jaffna and Colombo, leaving the individual Oblate the liberty to choose where to go. The Oblate bulletin, given a new face-lift, was the means he envisaged to inform every Oblate of what was taking place in his Province. He shifted the Provincial’s house and office from a crowded place on Borella Cross Road to a spacious place with enough rooms at Farm Road, Mattakkuliya, where Fathers coming from outstations for any work could find a room to comfortably stay and relax. Fr. Schmitt made an extra effort to improve the quality of the presence of the Oblate missionaries in the North Central province and in Trincomalee-Nilaveli coastal belt, in order to serve better the Catholics who were scattered all over the region. He extended the Oblate Province of Sri Lanka to include countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, and sent his men as missionaries to serve the poor Catholics in those countries. Till his death, he took great interest in the progress the Oblates were making in those countries as well. The crowning of Fr. Schmitt’s Provincialate was, without doubt, the visit of the General’s team from Rome to Sri Lanka in 1973. For the first time in the Congregation’s one hundred and fifty years-old history, a meeting of the General Council was held away from Rome, and the venue was Sri Lanka. It was a great success.

Fr. Schmitt celebrated his Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee on 01 March 1972. When his term of Provincialship was over, in January 1974, he was appointed a member of SEDEC and an Episcopal Vicar. In the same year, he was invited to MISSIO, the Catholic German Bishops’ Organization based in Aachen, Germany, to assist the pastoral work of the Catholic Church in poor countries. Fr. Schmitt left Sri Lanka without anybody’s knowledge in the early hours of 08 February 1974. His friends and well-wishers who were waiting to give him a grand send off were utterly disappointed. It was characteristic of Fr. Schmitt. He was one who never blew his trumpet in his own cause, nor bragged about his achievements, many and varied though they were.

In MISSIO, Fr. Schmitt was assigned to the ASIA DESK, and since then Asia became the area of his pastoral concern. He was sent to China to explore the possibilities of helping the Chinese Catholic Christians. As Director of the Asia Desk, he responded wholeheartedly to the requests of the Catholic Church’s organizations for financial assistance for education, formation and training of personnel, and for the construction and extension of buildings. He paid several visits to Sri Lanka to meet the beneficiaries of his services, inspect the programmes and projects, and was able to continue to reach out to the unreached for their well-being. He had a heart that was burning with compassionate love, a love that was always paying personal attention to the needs and crying pains of the neglected and excluded people.

After twentyfive years of service at MISSIO, Fr. Schmitt retired from active ministry in the year 2000. Yet his concern and love for the poor and the needy continued to compel him to involve himself informally in little little works all over Asia. Fr. Schmitt had been a man of many capabilities and potentialities which were not channeled in one direction. He was a very versatile man. He could grace a Procurator’s desk as elegantly as he could a Pastor’s chair, or an Administrators post, all of which he carried out with great acceptance to Superiors and equals alike. He was a man who possessed the courage of his convictions to a high degree – a courage matched only by his physical frame. He was very intelligent, and so very quick to grasp a situation, how ever tricky or intricate it might be. Once he has given the problem sufficient thought, he would waste no time in implementing his decision without fear or favour. It must be mentioned here, however, that he was not one who stuck to his guns at all costs. He always respected the views of the other and tried to help them. If Fr. Schmitt was a man of courage, he inspired with courage and confidence those by whom he stood, who worked with him, and who took their problems to him. Everyone who came to his room left with a lighter heart and a steadier gait. Fr. Schmitt was cast in a classic mould, and as such, he always rose above pettiness and selfishness and their like. He never harboured a grudge. Revenge or retaliation was something that had no part in his make-ups. It was a characteristic instilled into him and inspired by his good devout parents during his young days. To know and to work with fr. Schmitt was a blessing. He had great qualities of leadership and powerful personality, and one could not reach him without being impressed by his personal charisma. He was a person who could walk with kings, without loosing the common touch. While on the one hand he exuded strength and power, he had a gentle and affectionate and outgoing heart. He was big in every way, and because he was big hearted, he had time for the small man too. He was a missionary priest who committed himself selflessly and generously for the amelioration and enhancement of the various categorie of the poor.

The last years of Fr. Schmitt were not that rosy and pleasant. He became a sick man with so many ailments. First he had a stroke, but due to his will-power he managed to recuperate and was able to live on his own. Then there was the failure of his bladder, on account of which he suffered from severe pain of the stomach. He was taken to the hospital where he underwent a serious surgery. Following the surgery, he was unconscious for a week in the intensive care unit, while his body was fighting with an immense intoxication, which fiinally led to his death. After bearing up patiently all the pains and sufferings, Fr. Schmitt was called to his Eternal Rest in the Lord on Tuesday morning, 10 July 2007 in Aachen, Germany. His funeral took place on Friday, 13 July 2007. After the Requiem High Mass, his mortal remains were laid to rest at Kloster Maria Engelport, Germany.

In Sri Lanka, the Oblates had a Memorial Thanksgiving Mass on Monday, 16 July 2007 at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Maradana. The Presbyterium of the Archdiocese of Colombo organized a Requiem Mass on Monday, 30 July 2007, at the Sacred Heart Chapel, in the Archbishop’s House, Colombo. His Grace the Archbishop Oswald Gomis presided at the Requiem Mass, together with the Auxiliary Bishop Marius Peiris, His Grace the Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Marcus Fernando, and the Oblate Provincial Very Rev. Fr. Clement Waidyasekara OMI. Many priests and religious participated.

Fr. Schmitt is no more with us, but he will always live in our hearts. He will be held with respect and affection by all who know him.

37 REV. FR. HILARION DISSANAYAKE OMI
(1937-2007)

Birth : 20 October 1937 at Kotehena, Colombo
First Vows : 15 August 1957 at Mont Eden, Kalutara
Final Vows : 15 August 1960 at Ampitiya
Oblation No. : 10285
Ordination : 13 September 1963 at the National Seminary Chapel, Ampitiya.
Death : 29 March 2008 at Mattakkuliya

Father Hilarion Cantius Dissanayake was born on 20 October 1937 at Kotehena, in the Archdiocese of Colombo. His parents were Don Sam Leonard Dissanayake and Regina Dissanayake (nee de Silva). He had three brothers, namely, Winstan, Nimal and Sri Lal. Hilarion had his education at St. Benedict’s College, Kotehena, under the able guidance of the Christian Brothers. After completing his College education, he decided to dedicate his life at the service of God and His people in the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. So he entered the Oblate Juniorate at Kohuwala in January 1956. At the Juniorate he spent about seven months studying Latin, and on 07 August 1956, he entered the Oblate Novitiate at “Mont Eden”, Kalutara. After completing successfully his year of probation, he made his first profession of Vows as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate on the 15 of August 1957. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Ampitiya, from where he pursued his philosophical and theological studies at the National Seminary, Kandy. At the end of his ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest of God on 13 September1963 at the National Seminary Chapel, by Bishop Anthony de Saram, the Bishop of Galle. When he completed his first formation at the Scholasticate, in April 1964, he proceeded to the Church of Our Lady of Fatima at Maradana to do his pastoral course under the able direction of Fr. Philip Dissanayake OMI.

At the end of the Pastoral Course, in January 1965, he received his first obedience to the Archdiocese of Colombo where he assumed duties as Assistant Parish Priest of the mission of Moratuwa. In June of the same year, he was taken from parish ministry and sent to the Academic staff of the National Seminary in Kandy where he served also as the secrtary to the Rector. In September 1966, Fr. Hilarion went to Rome where he took up residence at the Studium Generale and followed a post graduate degree course in Sacred Theology at the Angelicum. In June 1970, he returned to the staff of the National Seminary, Kandy where he served as the professor of Sacred Theology. In 1972, he shifted his residence to the Oblate Scholasticate, Ampitiya, but continued as professor of Dogmatic Theology at the National Seminary, while at the same time helped in the formation team of the Scholasticate. In 1977, he went on his Sabbatical to Rome where he followed a course at the Biblicum. He continued his teaching at the Seminary till September 1985, and then again went on his Sabbatical but this time to do a course at MacMaster University in Hamilton, Canada. He returned to the Scholasticate in September 1986 and continued his teaching at the seminary. In September 1988, he had a change in his ministry. He left teaching and went to Oblates’ Preachers House at “Nazareth” Wennapuwa where he served as a retreat master for two years. In September 1990, he returned to the Oblate Scholasticate at Ampitiya and continued his teaching ministry at the national Seminary. In the meantime, he had some misunderstanding with the Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka regarding his teaching, and he was stopped from teaching in the seminary. But he remained at the Scholasticate and attended to his other responsibilities. In July 1997, Fr. Hilarion was transferred to Dev Arana, the Oblate Preachers’ house at Polwatte, Minuwangoda. In October 2005, he was brought back to the Oblate Scholasticate, Ampitiya, where he helped in the formation of the Oblate Scholastics.

Fr. Hilarion was a good Oblate religious priest. He remained creatively faithful till the end to the Oblate charism, the fundamental inspiration of the Oblate Congregation. He loved Jesus Christ, the Church, and the poor. He was a great theologian, a Sri Lankan theologian at that, who through prayer, study and research strove to share his knowledge about the Kingdom of God, the Church and the Holy Spirit. He taught theology at the National Seminary of Sri Lanka for nearly twenty-two years. He was one of best professors the National Seminary has ever known. He was a “ready reference” when one was in need of theological information, reviews and articles. He was a consultant in matters theological. He could present in simple words the official teachings of the Catholic Church, the opinions of the theologians, and also his personal perceptions and opinions in the lecture halls and outside. The students loved to listen to him; they were amazed at his knowledge of theology and appreciated his simple presentation of difficult matters. His theological affirmations and perceptions were not denial of any teachings of the Catholic Church. But unfortunately he was misreported to, and misunderstood by the hierarchy at times. As a human being, Fr. Hilarion experienced pain, though he did not express it openly. If religious life is a prophetic vocation, it calls for creative fidelity to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, lest the Gospel message become fossilized for people of today. Such creative fidelity did cost pain for Fr. Hilarion. But the compassionate understanding and support he received from his Oblate confreres gave him some courage, comfort and energy not only to endure the pain caused by misunderstanding, but also to continue his theological apostolate outside the National Seminary.

It is said that when God closed one door, he will open another. Leaving the National Seminary, Fr. Hilarion continued his theological apostolate by becoming a co-director of SAVANA, a Missiological Institute in Sri Lanka, through which he was able to reach out to so many religious and laity who were much interested in studying their theology. He also got himself involved in preaching retreats, conducting seminars, taking regular religion classes for religious, and in Sister formation programs. His classes and seminars were much appreciated by the participants. To make available theological knowledge and competence especially to the lay faithful and the religious, he published several books in Sinhala.

Fr. Hilarion was not only a theologian, he was also a spiritual director and guide to many in their spiritual journey. He felt that the Catholic lay faithful were hungering for an appropriate spirituality based on the Gospels. He also began to understand Jesus’ spirituality as holistic, directed to meet the needs of the individual person, the society and nature. He believed that a component of Jesus’ spirituality is healing. Hence in the hunger for an appropriate Christian spirituality, Fr. Hilarion saw the Catholics were also hungering for healing. He believed that the Word of God and the Sacraments had the power to forgive sins and heal the wounds caused by sins, and give peace and joy which are gifts of the Kingdom. For Fr. Hilarion, Eucharistic celebration is not a mere pious ritualistic exercise. It is the heart of Christian life and Christian discipleship. Such a Sacrament in its proclamation and celebration embraces also forgiveness and healing.

Fr. Hilarion was one who was sensitive to the way authority is exercised in the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka. For him, a new way of being the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka consisted in a new way of communicating and relating with one another. He was of the opinion that the leadership within the Catholic Church should be more evangelical, more compassionate and Gospel based. Only a collaborative leadership could bring about the desired goal, namely, a participatory Church in Sri Lanka.

Though Fr. Hilarion was a great theologian and an outstanding academic, the quality that which attracted many was his child like simplicity. He was noted for his simplicity of life. He led a simple life so that others may also live simply. He was never interested in power or position, he found his satisfaction in serving the people of God. He was a voracious reader, and remained a student and a learner right through his life. He was a man of few words and spent much of his time in reading, studying and reflecting.

The end of Fr. Hilarion’s life was very abrupt and saddening. In 2008, he went to Canada on his Sabbatical where he fell ill with a chronic fever. So he returned Colombo where he was warded at Ratnam’s hospital, Slave Island. The doctors took time to diagnose his illness and finally found out that he was suffering with deadly Leukemia, the cancer of the blood. The doctors tried all their best to help him to get over the illness, but they could not succeed as it was in its advanced stage. As there was no hope of his recovery, he was removed to De Mazenod House at Mattakkuliya, where he spent his last days. Finally he succumbed to his illness on 29 March 2008. The funeral took place on 31 March 2008 at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Maradana. The Concelebrated Requiem High Mass was presided over by Fr. Provincial, Very Rev. Fr. Clement Waidyasekera OMI. The homily was delivered by Fr. Emmanuel Fernando OMI. The mortal remains were laid to rest at the General Cemetery, Kanatte. May his soul rest in peace!

38 REV. FR. JEAN HABERSTROH OMI
(1921-2008)

Birth : 28 November 1921 at Rennes, France
First Vows : 29 September 1946 at La Brosse, Montceau, France
Final Vows : 29 September 1947, at Solignac
Oblation No. : 7909
Ordination : 19 October 1947 at Solignac
Arrival in SL : 18 September 1948
Departure SL : 1965 to France
Death : 15 July 2008 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Father Jean Haberstroh was born at Renness, in the diocese of Renness, France, on 28 November 1921. His parents were Georges Haberstroh and Lucienne Laigle. When he was 12 years of age, he entered the minor seminary of the diocese of Versailles in 1933. He had his education at Versailles. Then he continued his priestly formation in the major seminary of the same diocese. In 1945, he decided to become a missionary in the Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and entered the Oblate Novitiate at La Brosse, Montceau on 28 September 1945. at the age of 24. At the successful completion of his year of probation, he was accepted into the Congregation, and he made his first profession of Vows on 29 September 1946. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Solignac where he pursued his theological studies. He made his final profession of vows on 29 September 1947. When he successfully completed his ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest of God on 19 October 1947. at Solignac. After his ordination, he taught Liturgy and Church History in the Oblate Scholasticate in Solignac. In 1948, he was given Obedience to go as missionary to the Oblate Province of Sri Lanka, and he arrived in Colombo on 18 September 1948.

In Sri Lanka, Fr. Haberstroh was assigned to work in the Archdiocese of Colombo. His first assignment in the Archdiocese of Colobo was Assistant Parish Priest of the parish of Weligampitiya. As soon as he went to his parish on 20 September 1948, he realized in no time that he had to know the language of the people if he was to be of any use in that mission. So from the very beginning he took a keen interest in studying the language of the people, namely Sinhalese. After four months, on 06 January 1949, he was transferred to the mission of Tudella in the same capacity. Then his Superiors thought it good for him to have some experience in the work of formation. He was enrolled in the formation team of the Oblate Scholasticate at Borella on 31 July 1969, where he had the opportunity to study the language of English. Then he reverted back to parish ministry and was sent as Assistant parish priest to the mission of Ragama on 25 July 1950. Then, on 29 March 1951, he was made the co-pastor of the mission of Enderamulla, with charge of the mission of Kirimetiyagara His next move was to the mission of Pamunugama as Assistant. Thus after having a good experience of the parish ministry for three years, Fr. Haberstroh was made a Parish Priest and sent to the mission of St. Andrew’s, Mutwal on 25 August 1952. He served in that parish for eleven years, with a year break in Europe for his holidays in 1958. It was here that he was able to give free vent to his apostolic zeal and bring out his capabilities. His great contribution to the Church in Sri Lanka was the translation into Sinhalese of the Sunday Missal. It was very much appreciated by the faithful and it is for this pioneering effort that he is remembered in Sri Lanka even today. He was very much interested in bringing in the liturgical changes brought about by Vatican II into the parish community liturgical celebrations. He was transferred from the mission of St. Andrew’s to the mission of Ratmalana on 01 January 1963. Unfortunately, that happened to be his last mission in Sri Lanka. In 1965, the Government of Sri Lanka decided not to renew the Visas of the foreign missionaries, and wanted them to leave the country. Fr. Haberstroh left Sri Lanka for his home holidays in 1965.

Then he received his Obedience to a new Oblate mission in Thailand. He arrived in Bangkok on 25 December 1966, on Christmas day. The loss of Sri Lanka was the gain of Bangkok, Thailand. In the following year, 1967, he was given the opportunity to study the Thai language with residence at St. Francis Xavier’s Church in Samsen, Bangkok. He mastered the language in double quick time and in 1968, he was appointed Parish Priest of the mission of Nong Hin and Nakhorn Pathom. During his stay there he built the new church, which is still used today. In 1976, he was transferred to the parish of Bang Chueak Nang. In 1978, he was made the Assistant parish priest at the Assumption Cathedral in Bangkok. In 1980, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand asked him to take charge of the Catholic Mass Media of Thailand. He carried out this ministry to the satisfaction of one and all for eleven years, having his residence at the Bishop’s House, Bangkok. In 1991, Fr. Haberstroh retired from active ministry and moved back to the Oblate community and took residence at the Delegation House in Rangsit. From there he helped on Sundays with English Masses in the parish of St. John in Bangkok. He helped for four years at the Nunciature in Bangkok for the French translations. He offered his services also to many other Congregations with their translation work.

In 2006, Fr. Haberstroh started to join the Sunday Mass celebrations in Our Lady of Graces in Pakret, Nonthaburi. He celebrated his Diamond Jubilee of Priesthood on October 19, 2007. In June 2008, his health deteriorated, and after a short time in St. Louis’ Hospital, Bangkok, he passed away on 15 July 2008, at the age of 86. The death was caused by various complications started with a cold, complicated by his old age. His mortal remains were laid to rest in the cemetery of St. Peter’s Church in Samphran, Nakhorn Pathom, Thailand, together with the other Oblates who died in Thailand. May he rest in peace.

39 REV. FR. YVES MARIE CAROFF OMI
(1925-2008)

Birth : 06 February 1925 at St. Thegounec, Finistre, France
First Vows : 29 September 1944 at Pontmain.
Final Vows : 29 September 1947 at Solignac
Oblation No. : 7906
Ordination : 19 February 1950 at Solignac, Haut Vienne
Arrival in SL : 01 January 1951
Departure SL: 1965 to Kuala-Lumpur, Malaysia
Death : 12 August 2008 at Cotabato, Philippines.

Rev. Fr. Alain Yves Marie Caroff was born on 06 February 1925 at Saint Theogunec, in the diocese of Finistre, France. His parents were Joseph Caroff and Marie Anna Galloudec, a pious and God-fearing couple. Already when Marie Yves was a young boy, he had the desire to be a missionary in some foreign countries. So he entered the Juniorate of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate at Pontmain where he pursued his College education from 1932 to 1943. In September 1943, he entered the Oblate Novitiate at Pontmain with the intention of dedicating himself to the service of God and His people. After his year of probation at the Novitiate, he made his first profession of Vows as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate on 29 September 1944 at Pontmain. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Solignac where he pursued his philosophical and theological studies from 1944 to 1950. He made his Final Vows on 29 September 1947 at Solignac, and on his completion of his ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a Priest of God on 19 February 1950 at Solignac by Mgr. Thocellier, the Bishop of MacKenzie. When he finished his first formation successfully, he received his first Obedience to the Mission of Ceylon and he arrived in Colombo on 01 January 1951. He was assigned to work in the diocese of Jaffna, where he went on 12 January 1951.

Fr. Caroff was a man with white curly hair, and appearance of a man with a fatherly love that made everyone to approach him without any hesitation. In the diocese of Jaffna, the first assignment Fr. Caroff received was to the mission of Naranthanai in the island of Kayts. He assumed his duties as the Assistant Parish Priest of Naranthanai on 12 January 1951. But on 19 November 1951, he was transferred to the mission of Pesalai in the island of Mannar in the same capacity. In February 1952, he was sent to the mission of Thalvupadu-Pallimunai in the district of Mannar also in the same capacity. But again on 07 November 1952, he was called back to Jaffna and sent to the pagan mission of Nallur, where he served for a year as assistant to Fr. Gnanapragasar. But then on 12 February 1954, he was transferred to the adjoining mission of Manipay. Having acquired a fairly good knowledge of the language of the people and experience of different missions in the diocese for three years, Fr. Caroff was made Parish Priest and sent in charge of the mission of Puthukudiyiruppu on 22 January 1955. But again he was brought back to Jaffna in September of the same year and sent as assistant to the mission of Mandaitivu on 8 September 1955. He served at Mandaitivu for nearly five years, at the end of which, he went to Europe for his home holidays in 1960.

On his return from his holidays in Europe, Fr. Caroff was appointed the Director of the Film Unit of the diocese in 1962, with residence at Navanthurai. In the meantime, some political changes were taking place in the country and the Socialist Government of Mrs. Srimavo Bandaranayake stopped renewing the visas of all the foreign missionaries in Sri Lanka. At the expiry of the visa of Fr. Caroff, he could no longer remain in Sri Lanka. So he opted to go and join the Oblate missionaries in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Fr. Caroff left for Kuala Lumpur with Fr. Florimond, a young Oblate, in 1965. The loss of Sri Lanka was the gain of Kuala Lumpur. When he arrived in Kuala Lumpur, the Archbishop offered him to work in a city parish, at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Brickfield. But he opted to work in a rural area, among the Tamil speaking labourers of the rubber estates. So he was appointed parsh priest of the mission of Bathan Berjundai, a mission which had many rubber estates with Indian labourers. Fr. Caroff was really happy. He was a priest who was very close to the poor. He was also a man with a sense of justice and human rights, and he rightly found a charismatic call to organize these poor oppressed and underpaid labourers. He identified the potential leaders among the youth and trained them to be social workers, organizing co-operatives and credit unions. He also organized many self-help projects for the unemployed. One of the thriving projects he organized was the promotion of cultivation of orchid flowers. Every Saturday he would himself drive taking the orchids grown in their gardens to the city for sale.

Fr. Caroff could become very strict and demanding when it comes to the question of preparation of the people for the reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion and Marriage. He would organize series of classes and seminars to make the people understand the value of Sacraments. His homilies were usually based on issues of social justice and human rights. Though he had worked for many years in Jaffna, Sri Lanka with the Tamils and was able to speak Tamil fluently, he would still sit down for hours to prepare his Sunday homily and write it down word for word what he would preach. He was very much concerned about the education of the children of the poor estate labourers. He opened up many nursery centres and elementary schools in the rubber estates to provide for the education of the little children. He would provide them with nutritious food, acquired from social organizations. He would invite religious nuns from the city to spend week-ends attending to the health care of the poor children in the rubber estates. Really the poor people appreciated his commitment and dedication towards the upliftment of their community.

As in Sri Lanka, in Malaysia too Fr. Caroff had problem with the government regarding the renewal of his Visa, and he had to leave Malaysia very abruptly. He opted to go to the Philippines to continue his missionary work there. The General Administraion obliged him granting him Obedience to the Oblate mission of the Philippines in 1980. Fr. Caroff arrived in Manila in July 1980, where he followed a renewal programme at the East Asian Pastoral Institute, Ateneo de Manila, Quezon city. At the end of the renewal programme, in the following year, he was assigned to serve first in the mission of Timanan (1981) and then of Kaos (1989), South Upi, Maguindanao. Fr. Caroff still remained an active, zealous missionary with a special love for the poor. With all his past experiences in the mission field, it did not take much time for him to realize that purely religious services were not a sufficient answer to the people’s basic needs of food and health services. So soon he facilitated the opening of a dispensary managed by the Missionaries of Christ Jesus sisters and then started a “training center” focused on helping farmers achieve better farm production by preventing soil erosion through the “Sloping Agricultural Land Technology” or SALT. The project was growing well enough until Fr. Caroff was kidnapped by an armed group on 27 March 1991. He was kept in captivity in the forests of South Upi for one month, an experience that did not break his spirit, but steeled him all the more in striving to serve the poor, particularly in rural communities.

After his sad experience in Kaos, Fr. Caroff was transferred to the mission of Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat in March 1992. Then he was asked by the Provincial whether he could start a project similar to the Kaos training center, but in a relatively safer place. He agreed and he was sent to the mission Bugwak, Antipas in April 1993. The result was the birth of the Oblate Galilee Farm in a 9 hectare property in Bugwak, North Cotabato. What was once a barren and unproductive land has now become a “paradise reborn” after 15 years of relentless efforts by Fr. Caroff, his staff, benefactors and friends: a place teeming with trees and plants of various kinds, springs bringing water throughout the property through “hydrams”, and goats and other farm animals providing milk and meat. Various groups and individuals came to visit the farm, discovering what the call to “integrity of creation” truly means. Fr. Caroff himself described the Bugwak project thus: “The establishment of some kind of low-level agricultural center such as the Galilee farm in isolated rural areas can greatly contribute to generate new hope and trigger efforts for development in communities of poor farmers who constitute one of the poorest and most neglected social groups in the country; and thereby contribute also to solve some of the problems of peace and order. This should not be so much a model to be copied but rather a “school” where the farmers could discover, not in a class room, but in the field”.

Fr. Caroff’’s passion for rural development continued well past normal retirement age, and was duly recognized for such. In 2004, he was conferred the title of Knight of the National Order of Merit, in the presence of the French Ambassador to the Philippines. He was 82 years of age, and suffering from polyneuropathy and other health complications, when he accepted to retire at the Oblate Provincial House in Cotabato City, in November 2007. His health condition was gradually getting worse and he was admitted to the Notre Dame Hospital in Cotabato City. Finally Fr. Caroff succumbed to his illnesses at 2.45 a.m. on 11 August 2006 at the age of 83. The wake took place at the Oblate Pre-Novitiate chapel, Broce. The funeral of Fr. Caroff took place on Monday, 18 August 2008 at 8.30 am. The Requiem Holy Mass was offered at the Grotto auditorium. May he rest in peace.

40 REV. FR. GILBERT PERERA OMI
(1929-2008)

Birth : 16 October 1929 at Dippitigoda, Kelaniya.
First Vows : 08 September 1954 at Mont Eden, Kalutara
Final Vows : 08 September 1957 at the Oblate Scholasticate, Ampitiya
Oblation No. : 9767
Ordination : 08 April 1960 at the Oblate Scholasticate, Ampitiya
Death : 26 September 2008 in Colombo

Reverend Father Palihawadana Arachchige John Gilbert Perera was born on 16 October 1929 at Dippitigoda, Kelaniya, in the Archdiocese of Colombo. His parents were Palihawadana Arachchige Vincent Perera and Jayamanne Mohatige Dona Mary Alice de Silva of Deppitigods, Kelaniya. He was the third child in the family of six children, three boys and three girls. He had his education at St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10, under the Oblate Fathers. After his College education, he was employed for a few years. It was during this period, when he was 24 years of age, that he heard the call of God to serve Him and His people as a religious priest in the Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He responded to that call positively and entered the Novitiate of the Oblates at Mont Eden, Kalutara on 7 September 1953. After completing his period of probation to the satisfaction of his Superiors, he made his first profession of Vows as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate on 8 September 1954. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Ampitiya where he pursued his philosophical and theological studiesat the National Seminary, Kandy. On his successful completion of his ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest of God by Bishop Leo Nanayakkara OSB of the diocese of Kandy, on 8 April 1960 in the chapel of the Scholasticate at Ampitiya. It is to be noted that he was the first Oblate to be ordained a priest in the new chapel of the Scholasticate. He continued with his formation program for another year, and when he completed his period of first formation, he left the Scholasticate for the mission field in March 1961.

Fr. Gilbert’s first assignment as a young, energetic priest was to the parish of Ragama as Assistant Parish Priest on 25 March 1961. He was there only for two months, and on 3 May 1961 he was sent to St. Vincent’s Home, Maggona as the Director of the Orphanage. But later he returned to Ragama on 14 March 1962 to continue his parish ministry. He was asked also, at the same, to be chaplain to the Welisara Hospital. Then, on 19 January 1963, he was transferred to the parish of Sea Street, Negombo, in the same capacity. In May that year, Fr. Gilbert was made Parish Priest and sent to the difficult mission of Alagollawa, Kekirawa, in the North Central Province on 6 May 1963, to succeed Fr. Reginald Silva, the veteran Oblate missionary. After three years at Alagollawa, on 6 March 1966, Fr. Gilbert was sent again to St. Vincent’s Home, Maggona, this time as the Bursar of the Institute. After one year, on 31 March 1967, he was transferred to the parish of Katukurunda, Moratuwa, as parish priest. After trying different ministries in different places for a few years, finally he settled down for the ministry and place of his choice – parish ministry, in the most difficult area of Sri Lanka, the North Central Province, where he served till he was forced to retire from active ministry due to ill health, in 2006. He was a zealous and intrepid missionary who spent nearly fortyone years in that difficult area catering to the spiritual and material needs of the poor people. On 23 July 1969, he was appointed parish priest of the mission of Medawachchiya. He served in that mission for nearly nine years, except for a short break of two months at Alagollawa from June 1975 to August 1975. Then he looked after Kekirawa and Alagollawa from February 1978 to 1984. In 1984, he was transferred to the mission of Polonnaruwa where he served for ten long years, from 1984 to 1994. In 1995, Fr. Gilbert was transferred to the mission of Nochchiyagama where he remained for two years. Then he was appointed parish priest of the mission of Padaviya from 1997 to 1999. In 1999, he was appointed director of the diocesan “Seth Saviya”, (SEDEC), with residence at Habarana, where he also looked after the mission as the parish priest. During his stay at Habarana, he started churches at Habarana and Galkiriyagama, and built a new church at Palugasdamana, replacing the old one. In 2005, he was made the parish priest of the Cathedral parish, Anuradhapura. Among his other appointments, he served also as the Dean of the deaneries of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. When Bishop Oswald Gomis was appointed the Bishop of the diocese of Anuradhapura, in 2002, he made Fr. Gilbert his Vicar General. When Bishop Gomis was appointed Archbishop of Colombo, Fr. Gilbert was appointed Administrator of the Anuradhapura diocese (2002-2004) till the appointment of Fr. Norbert Andradi as the new Bishop of Anuradhapura.

Apart from Fr. Gilbert’s pastoral zeal and administrative capabilities, what is noteworthy is the exemplary life he led, and the dedication and commitment he clearly manifested in his service to the people of God. He gave priority to God and his people. He did not seek his personal comforts and easy ways of living. He was ready to rough out for the sake of the people who lacked many amenities. He never went on any pleasure trips. If at all he went somewhere out of the diocese, it was for some meeting or work of his people. Sometimes, after having come back in the morning, he would make another journey to visit some parishioner or to celebrate Holy Mass in an out-station, without taking time for rest. He always made all his long distant journeys by public transport. He was often seen walking in hot sun visiting his parishioners. He had a sharp memory. He would remember the name of someone even after many years. He was really a good shepherd to his people. If he came to know that there was a lapsed Catholic in some corner of the parish, he would not delay, but take the earliest opportunity to meet him, and he would not rest until he had brought him back to the fold.

Fr. Gilbert led a very simple life, keeping to the spirit of the vow of poverty he had pronounced. His meals were frugal and ordinary. He never went for rich and tasty foods. He never tried to show off in his dress, and whatever clothes he received from others, he distributed them to the needy. He was concerned not only with the spiritual welfare of his people, but also with their human development and material needs. This was clearly evident when he was in charge of the Seth Saviya (SEDEC) and living at Habarana. When he was at Polonnaruwa, he organized a medical clinic with the help of the doctors in the neighbouring hospitals. According to Fr. Reginald de Silva, another great pioneer missionary who had laboured in the North Central province for many years, Fr. Gilbert was a great lover of the poor, conscious worker, dedicated to the Church, outspoken and abstemious in his ways. He was a single minded Religious priest who sought the will of God always. He was very sensitive to the sufferings of the people and did not look for a comfortable life style.

When Fr. Gilbert was in Anuradhapura, he developed an illness which the doctors could not diagnose. He almost died of it. However Dr. Mrs. Anula Wijesundera and Dr. Gaminin Goonetilleke at Jayawardnepura Hospital, Colombo, both of whom Fr. Gilbert had known at Polonnaruwa, brought him back to life. Anyhow it brought him to the end of his long years of active ministry in those difficult and jungle areas. He was brought to Colombo in 2006 for treatment and rest in retirement. But Fr. Gilbert was not the man who would like to take a rest even when it was recommended by the doctors. After a few months of treatment and rest, in 2007, he volunteered to work in the Archives of the Archdiocese in Borella. But it was not to be for long. He fell ill again in August 2007, and was taken to Marian Grove, the Elders’ Home of the Oblates at Kohuwala. Finally he succumbed to his illness on 26 September 2008.

Fr. Gilbert’s mortal remains were brought to De Mazenod House, Mattakkuliya where they were laid in state in the chapel for two days to give an opportunity for his relations and friends in Colombo to pay their last respects. Many bishops, priests and religious in Colombo also made use of this opportunity to offer their last respects. On the 28th, at 10.30 a.m.,. there was a concelebrated Requiem High Mass presided over by the Oblate Provincial, Fr. Clement Waidyasekara. A beautiful panegyric was delivered by Fr. Anthony Jayamanne OMI, bringing out the sterling missionary qualities of Fr. Gilbert. After the Mass, the mortal remains were removed to Anuradhapura, accompanied by Mgr. Norbert Andradi OMI, the Bishop of Anuradhapura. The following day the funeral took place at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Anuradhapura, at 2.00 p.m. with a concelebrated Pontifical Requiem High Mass presided over by Bishop Norbert Andradi OMI. There was a good gathering of priests, religious and laity. The homily was preached by Fr. Ranjit de Mel, the Vicar General of the diocese. After the Final Obsequies, the mortal remains were laid to rest in the Cathedral compound.

Fr. Gilbert Perera is no more with us. But his life remains with us as an example of dedication and simplicity of life. Let us thank God for the person of Fr. Gilbert and his life of example. May be rest in peace!

41 REV. FR. PETER STANISLAUS FERNANDO OMI
(1933-2009)

Birth : 13 November 1933 at Dehiyagatha, Tudella
First Vows : 15 August 1958 at Mont Eden, Kalutara
Final Vows : 15 August 1962 at Ampitiya, Kandy
Oblation No. : 10652
Ordination : 21 December 1966 at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Colombo
Death : 30 January 2009 at Marian Grove, Kohuwala

Father Peter Stanislaus Fernando was born on 13 November 1933 at Dehiyagatha, Tudella, in the Archdiocese of Colombo. His parents were D. Juan Fernando and L. Johanna Fernando of the parish of Dehiyagatha, Tudella. He had his education at Christ King College, Tudella, and completed successfully his Senior School Certificate Examination in 1952. After his College education, he was employed as a vernacular teacher in one of the village vernacular schools. He was a good, pious, God-fearing young man who wanted to do more for God and His people. It was when he was 25 years of age, that he heard the voice of God calling him to become an Oblate missionary priest and to dedicate his life at the service of the poor people of the country. He responded to the call of God positively, and leaving behind his kith and kin and even his job, entered the Oblate Juniorate at Kohuwala in January 1958. This was only a minor seminary, but here a well-built, handsome young man of 25 years of age joining the little seminarians to study his English and Latin. Peter had put his hand to the plough and did not want to look back. With humility and patience, he went through his formation programme at the Juniorate, and in August 1958, he was allowed to enter the Oblate Novitiate at Kalutara, from where he could continue his study of English and Latin. Peter arrived at the Sacred Heart Novitiate at Kalutara on the 01 August 1958, and began his years of probation after a week retreat, on 14 August 1958. Fr. Ernest Bourgeois was the Master of Novices at that time. He completed his year of probation to the satisfaction of his Novice Master that he wrote on his final report: “A good and serious religious who will make himself useful one way or another”. He made the first profession of his religious vows as an Oblate Scholastic on 15 August 1959. Then Bro. Peter proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Ampitiya, to pursue his philosophical and theological studies at the National Seminary. He made his profession of Perpetual Vows on 15 August 1962 at the Scholasticate. Fr. S.N.Arulnesan, who was his Superior at that time wrote in his report: “He has a supernatural outlook, solid piety, is obedient and docile”. During his Scholasticate he had been an elder brother to his brother-scholastics, kind, loving, jovial, but serious in his duties and life. He was always ready to help anybody who was in need. His Superior, Fr. Alfonse Margez wrote in his progress report at the end of his Scholasticate formation: “The Congregation can rely on him to be a good priest and devoted to his task and vocation”. Bro. Peter was ordained a priest of God by His Excellency Thomas Cardinal Cooray, the Archbishop of Colombo, at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena, on 21 December 1966.

After his priestly ordination, Fr. Peter Stan, as his brother Obates lovingly called him, continued his first formation at the Scholasticate, and in March 1967, he stepped into the vast missionfield. He was not an intellectual, but a very practical man, who loved the poor, and wanted to live among them, work among them and for them and for their spiritual and material betterment. He spent the next forty years of his life as a proclaimer of the Good News, a community builder and a compassionate servant of the poor in many faces. His first appointment as a young energetic priest was to be the Assistant Parish Priest of the mission of Anuradhapura in the North Central province of Sri Lanka. He served in that mission from March 1967 to August 1968. Then he was sent to St. Vincent’s Home, Maggona in August 1968 as Acting Director of “Susithodaya”, a reformatory for the juvenile delinquents. In December of the same year, he was appointed bursar of St. Vincent’s Home, Maggona. He carried out that work to the satisfaction of one and all in the community for three years. In July 1971, Fr. Peter Stan was transferred to the mission of Batagama, in the Archdiocese of Colombo as Acting Parish Priest for a short period. In October of the same year, he was sent to the parish of Grand Street, Negombo, as Assistant.

Thus serving as Assistant and Acting priest for three years in different places gave him lot of experiences and knowledge in administering a parish of his own. Finally, in February 1972, he was made a Parish Priest and sent to take charge on the mission of Thoduwawa in the diocese of Chilaw. He served in that parish for four years, and in November 1975, he was transferred to the mission of Dunakadeniya, in the same diocese. But again his service was required at Susithodaya, Maggona, and he was appointed its Director in May 1977. Fr. Peter Stan preferred to work in the missions, and so he reverted to parish ministry and was appointed Parsh Priest of the mission of Kongodamulla. After four years he was given a break, and sent to East Asian Pastoral Institute in Manila in August 1982 to follow a renewal programme and a short course on Pastoral Counselling. On his return from Manila in January 1983, he was sent as Parish priest to the mission of Weliweria in the Archdiocese of Colombo. He also served in the missions of Burullapitiya, Wewala, Gampaha, Makevita, Palangathura, Mattukkuliya and Eldeniya.

In the meantime, in November 1999, doctors diagnosed that Fr. Peter Stan was having diabetes which he had neglected for a long time. Consequently he had an infection on one of his toes where gradually gangrene set in. Doctors tried their best to treat him and control his sugar, but without much success. Finally they had to amputate the toe. Yet, Fr. Peter Stan did not take care of his health, nor took his medicine regularly. He was also careless about his diet and exercises. Further he had a watery body. As a result. the wound in the feet did not heal, but the gangrene was spreading further. He had to undergo so many operations and finally his foot had to be removed. This curtailed his movements and he had to retire to Marian Grove, the Home for the Elderly Oblates at Kohuwala, Nugegoda. Then, at his own request, he was shifted to the Home for the Elders at Darley Road run by the Sisters of the Poor. He stayed at Maradana only for a few months under the care of the Sisters, but he was not happy there. So he had to be brought back again to Marian Grove, Kohuwala to live in an Oblate community. In the meantime, gangrene had spread in his leg without any control, and finally to save his life, his leg had to be amputated at the knee. The last few months of his life, Fr. Peter Stan had to undergo excruciating pain and suffering. He was helpless and had to depend on others for everything. Every other day his wound had to be cleaned and dressed. Though he had to suffer much, he kept his composure hoping he would be healed soon before he celebrated his Golden Jubilee of Oblate religious life on 15 August 2009. But the plan of God for him was something else. His diabetes affected his heart and all of a sudden he had a heart failure and passed to his eternal reward on 30 January 2009.

The mortal remains of Fr. Peter Stan were brought to De Mazenod House, Mattakuliya in the following morning and laid in state in the Chapel until 1.00 pm., on Sunday, 1 February 2009. Then the remains were taken to the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Maradana for the funeral service. Solemn Concelebrated Requien Mass was celebrated at 3.00 pm., presided over by Father Clement Waidyasekara, the Provincial. The panegyric was delivered by his co-novice and friend, Fr. Leopold Ratnasekara OMI, in which he focused on his beautiful vocation and then his sharing in the priesthood and victimhood of Christ. After the final Obsequies, the mortal remains were taken to the General Cemetery, Kanatte, and laid to rest. May his soul rest in peace.

42 REV. FR. MARIAMPILLAI EMMANUEL OMI
(1924-2009)

Birth : 27 July 1924 at Karampon, Kayts.
First Vows : 08 September 1945 at St. Francis Xavier’s Novitiate, Bambalapitiya
Final Vows : 08 September 1948 at the Oblate Scholsticate, Kynsey Road, Borella.
Oblation No. : 8021
Ordination : 06 August 1950 at St. Mary’s Church, Kayts.
Death : 27 February 2009 in Chennai, India.

Father Mariampillai Emmanuel, fondly called “Emma”, was born on 27 July 1924 at Karampon, Kayts, in the diocese of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Kayts is a small island, 15 km. off Jaffna, and very popular for its strong Catholic faith and presence. Besides having a very high percentage of Catholics, it boasts of having given many Bishops, Priests, religious Sisters and Brothers to the Church in Sri Lanka. These valiant men and women have certainly contributed very much to the growth and building up of the Kingdom of God in Sri Lanka. The people of Kayts are justifiably very proud of this fact, and it was acknowledged by the others by giving to the island an honorific name “Little Rome”. It was in this Christian village that Fr. Emmanuel was born into a devout Catholic family of Mr. Philippupillai Mariampillai and Mrs. Mary Josephine Mariampillai. It was in this cradle of Christianity that Emmnauel was brought up as a little boy, where he imbibed a strong Christian faith and a desire to dedicate his life to the service of God and His Church. He had a maternal uncle, Fr. Soosaithasan Nallaiah OMI, who nurtured and guided his vocation. Emmanuel had his early education at St. Anthony’s College, Kayts from 1929-1936. In January 1937, he entered St. Martin’s Minor Seminary in Jaffna and continued his studies at St. Patrick’s College till 1944. On 07 September 1944, he entered St. Francis Xavier’s Novitiate of the Oblates in Bambalapitiya, Colombo. After completing his year of probation to the satisfaction of his Superiors, he made his first profession of Vows as an Oblate on 08 September 1945. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Kynsey Road, Borella where he pursued his philosophical and theological studies. In the Scholasticate, he was much involved in organizing the centenary celebration of the Oblate Presence in Sri Lanka in 1948. He made the profession of his Final Vows on 08 September 1948 at Borella. On his completion of the ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained a priest of God by Mgr. Alfred Guyomar OMI on 06 August 1950 at St. Mary’s Church, Kayts. He came out of the scholasticate completing his first formation on 29 July 1951.

When Fr. Emmanuel came out of the Scholasticate, he was given his first obedience to the Archdiocese of Colombo where he was assigned to the mission of Gampaha as Assistant Parish Priest. He served in that parish from August 1951 to August 1953, for two years, which gave him enough time to improve his knowledge of Sinhalese language. In August 1953 he was transferred to the diocese of Jaffna, where he was assigned to the tutorial staff of St. Joseph’s College, Anuradhapura. He served at the College for three years and then reverted back to parish ministry and he was sent as Assistant Parish Priest of the mission of Kilinochchi on 28 August 1956. In the following year he was made Parish Priest and sent to the mission of Murunkan on 20 September 1957. Murunkan was a big parish with so many out-stations, an orphanage and many acres of paddy field attached to it. It was a difficult mission but Fr. Emmanuel liked it. He was a tall, strong, well built person with a majestic look. But at heart he really was a simple and humble person, who was always ready to adapt and accommodate himself to the situation and needs of the people. As an independent Parish Priest, he had the freedom to plan and organize his work and ministry. He was a man of vision, foresight and ideas, with a creative thinking. He made use of his knowledge and experience to take the necessary initiatives for the betterment of the mission and to provide a holistic formation to the people, particularly to the orphans entrusted to his care. He took interest not only in the spiritual growth of the people, but also in their material, economical, hygienic and social life. The mission of Murunkan and the people profited much and prospered very fast during his three years’ stay there.

The Bishop was so pleased with the work of Fr. Emmanuel in the mission of Murunkan, that he transferred him to Kilinochchi in 1960 where he was asked to take charge of rather difficult but bigger mission of Uruthirapuram, which also had many mission stations, an orphanage, a farm school and many acres of paddy land. Fr. Emmanuel’s four years stay at Uruthirapuram was one of hectic activity. He was a dynamic man burning with apostolic zeal. Now he had many fields of apostolate open before him which gave him plenty of opportunities to try out his charisms and creative ideas. He was a dare devil to take risks and try out his new plans and ideas. Though all his adventures were not successful, nor appreciated, but on the whole he was able to bring much benefit to the people.

After serving for ten years (1953-1963) in the diocese of Jaffna, his services were needed in the Oblate Province. He was taken out of the diocese and assigned to the Mission Preachers’ House (Amala Utpavam) at Colombuthurai in July 1964. His four years of stay in the Preaching Band was a period of growth and development of the Preaching ministry in Sri Lanka. Though he was not an eloquent preacher, through his aptitude and knowledge of communication media, he brought in new ways and means of taking the message of the Gospel to the people. He started a film and media unit which he initiated into and utilized in our Mission and Retreat preaching. Beside dialogue sermons, he initiated street dramas, puppet shows, slide shows and panel discussions during the evening services with the help of specialists and experts in different fields. It was the time after Vatican II when vernacular was being introduced into our liturgy. Fr. Emmanuel was in the forefront. He got down cassettes pieces and records of Tamil hymns and bajans from South India and propagated them though out the country. During the mission preaching, before and after the morning and evening services, Tamil hymns were played over the speakers in the churches. Hymn books and leaflets of different liturgical services were printed in Tamil and distributed among the people. In order to create an interest in vernacular singing, he organized singing competitions among the parish and school choirs.

Fr. Emmanuel was a man with a wider outlook of preaching ministry. He did not want to confine himself to preaching retreats and missions only. He wanted to communicate the Gospel message and its values through Mass Media and other means, by contributing articles to the Catholic Guardian, Catholic Messenger and other daily papers. He started the publication of Vocational and Liturgical Calendars with information about the Oblates and other liturgical feasts. He organized vocation camps, youth camps, catechetical camps and revision classes for students of the upper grades. He was very much convinced that the Oblates of Jaffna should have a retreat house and a minor seminary of their own in the Jaffna peninsula, to organize retreats, camps and seminars, and to recruit candidates to the Oblate way of life. He worked hard and did all the spade work to make these two institutes a reality. Though the Oblate authorities were supporting his ideas, there were objections from the Ecclesiastical authorities, and at the end he had to give up. Anyhow they are realities today. Fr. Emmanuel represented the diocese of Jaffna at the Asian Priest Conference held in Hongkong in September 1965.

In the meantime the Oblates were planning to extend their ministries to India and negotiations were going on for quite some time. Fr. Emmanuel was chosen to be the leader of the pioneering team of Oblates. With that in view, he was given the opportunity and facilities to prepare himself for it. In 1967, he was assigned to work among the Indian estate workers in the hill country. He chose to work in Dickoya, an out station mission of the parish of Hatton, in the diocese of Kandy. Fr. Emmanuel preferred to reside among the Indian workers in the Hornsey Estate, an outskirt of Dickoya. It was a very difficult place to live in, without any basic facilities. It was a very cold area. There was a small chapel with a sacristy, which became the bed room of Fr. Emmanuel. He put up a shed adjoining the chapel which served as his kitchen, dining room and office. A section of the shed was used as a hall for his classes, seminars and other programmes. He visited all the lines of the estate labourers in Dickoya and studied their living conditions, problems and needs. After familiarising himself with the people and their needs, he started his work in earnest. His main focus was on catechizing and health education. Very soon Hornsey became a hive of activities, teaching, catechizing, organizing seminars and camps for different groups, health education, healing ministry, social apostolate and others. He was the parish priest, catechist, teacher, counselor, doctor, nurse, in short “all things to all men”. He got the help of his brother Oblates and Scholastics whenever he needed. Very soon he was able to bring about a big change, a transformation in the life, outlook, mentality and values of those poor, ignorant, oppressed estate labourers.

By 1968, the question of Oblate Mission in India had been finalized, and Archbishop R. Arulappa of Madras-Mylapore Diocese was happy to invite the Oblates of Sri Lanka to open their first Mission in India. Accordingly Fr. Emmanuel, with his worthy companion, Fr. Stanislaus Philips, left for India on 28 June 1968 by train from the railway station at Fort in Colombo to Talai-Mannar, and then by ship “Irwin” to Rameshwaram, and set foot in India on 29 June 1968. They continued their journey by train from Rameshwaram to Madras, and arrived in Madras in the morning of 30 June 1968. Archbishop Arulappa was very happy to receive the Oblate pioneers to India, and on following day, he took them personally to Kancheepuram where, during the Eucharistic celebration, he installed Fr. Emmanuel as the Parish Priest of the Kancheepuram mission. That was the beginning of the Oblate Mission in India.

When the Oblates took charge of the mission of Kancheepuram, there were only a very few Catholic families in and around Kancheepuram. But the Catholics were scattered all over in different villages like Vipedu, Muthuvedu etc. Fr. Emmanuel, along with his companion, started visiting every nook and corner of these many villages looking for their sheep. After studying the situation, the needs and problems of these people, Fr. Emmanuel understood that the “Good News” had to be proclaimed to these people through different ways and means. He adapted himself to the tradition of Indian simplicity and inculturation by abandoning the western attire of clerics and donned the attire of Indian multifaceted realities of lifestyle. He felt the need to bring healing to these people through a programme which he envisioned as barefoot doctors or counselors. He enlisted the services of religious nuns, especially the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in Vipedu and the surrounding villages, and Missionaries of Charity of Mother Theresa in Kancheepuram with a mobile health unit to minister to the sick, especially the lepers. Fr. Emmanuel soon started a home for the children (Sishu Bhavan) and a home for the dying and destitutes under the care of the Sisters of Charity. He even began a Dispensary for the poor in the Parish premises. He also started “Girihini Homes” to provide non-formal education to young girls. In these homes the young girls were taught a variety of practical classes, such as health and hygiene, cooking (especially nutritious vegetable meals), home garden, poultry farming, rearing pigs etc. These certainly helped them earn a supplementary income and trained them to be good mothers and house-wives. As the Oblates’ mission in India progressed, more and more Oblates were sent from Sri Lanka to join the Oblate team in India. Thus Fr. Emmanuel was able to open up a few more new missions and even an orphanage in distant places like Nagarkoil, near Kanniyakumari, in the diocese of Kottar. He also opened a poor mission in Meenambakkam, close to the Madras Airport.

About the time the Oblates took charge of the Kancheepuram Mission, there were some political changes taking place in the town of Kancheepuram. It was the birth place of Mr. C. N. Annadurai, a very popular, lovable and able Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu State. After his death, the Chingleput District was renamed Kancheepuram District, and the Collectorate was shifted to Kancheepuram. This change brought in many people from different parts of Tamil Nadu, and quite a few of them were Christians from down South. Fr. Emmanuel, the visionary, saw in this new opportunities opening up for the Church in Kancheepuram. He was quick enough to envision a sizable Christian community emerging in and around the Collectorate. So he went ahead and bought half an acre of land for a future parish there. Today we have there a strong Christian community, a beautiful church, with very good attendance at Liturgical services and an active participation of the faithful.

In November 1974, Fr. Emmanuel participated, as a special invitee of the Superior General, in the Oblate General Chapter held in Rome. During the Chapter he had the occasion to meet Fr. Lucien Schmitt, one of our former Provincials, who had a very soft corner for the Indian Mission, and during his term of office, had made every effort to put it on a strong footing. Fr. Emmanuel discussed with him about ways and means of building the future of the Oblate Indian Mission. This resulted in the flowering of the “partnership” between Aachen Forst Katharina Parish and the Kancheepuram mission which still grows stronger and stronger, and has come to be the mainstay of the Kancheepuram parish, providing many kinds of assistance, including a sponsorship programme for the poor children. After the Chapter, Fr. Emmanuel visited some of the Oblate Units in Europe. Many of them came forward to help the Oblate Indian Mission, especially Fr. Josef Mathuni OMI and his Associate members who from the beginning till now have been the backbone of the Oblate Indian Mission, financing and supporting all its undertakings. Fr. Emmanuel certainly played a big role in all these.

After serving for seven years (1968-1975) as Superior of the Oblate delegation in India and eight years (1968-1976) as parish priest of Kancheepuram, in 1976, Fr. Emmanuel left for Canada and USA to do some special studies in Communication and Mass Media. He was 52 years old at that time. He followed a Diploma Course in Social Communication at St. Paul’s University, Ottawa. Then he went to USA where he did his M.A. in Audio Visual Media and another M.A. in Communication Arts and Science at the Michigan University. Having successfully completed his studies, he returned to India with great enthusiasm and vigour in December 1979, just to be in time to be present at the Priestly Ordination of the first three Oblates, the sons of the soil, whom he himself had recruited. It should be noted here that from the very beginning of the Oblate Mission in India, Fr. Emmanuel focused his attention in recruiting and forming suitable young men of the soil to be the future Oblate missionaries. He was a man of foresight. Readings the signs of the time, he realized that India may not always have its doors open for foreigners to come into the country as missionaries. So he gave first priority to recruiting vocations from the sons of the soil. With this purpose he traveled the length and breadth of Tamil Nadu State on his motor cycle. His labour certainly bore much fruit when three of them were ordained priests in 1979. Thanks to the farsighted vision and action of Fr. Emmnauel now the Oblate Delegation of India has more than 70 Indian Oblate priests, 20 Scholastics and 9 novices. It has even sent seven of its priests as missionaries to foreign countries, such as South Korea, Japan, Australia and USA.

When Fr. Emmanuel returned to India as a well qualified Communication and Mass Media expert, he did not make use of his expertise just for catechetical and evangelizing purposes. But he went beyond that and decided to use it for pre-evangelization, as we call today. He wanted to use his knowledge and skill of Communication and Mass Media to communicate information related to basic hygiene education, health care, family care, child care, home management, education of poor children, empowerment of poor women, rehabilitation of the Sri Lankan repatriate and integral welfare of the tribal communities. That was the ministry to which he committed himself for the rest of his life. He gathered a group of likeminded persons and formed EMMA (Educational Multi-Media Associations) in 1980. The purpose was to meet the need for the formation of health communicators, both formally and informally. EMMA committed itself to the cause of training health communicators and producing effective health learning materials. Fr. Emmanuel, using all his communication skills and expertise, produced a series of posters, slides, films, CDs, and all the possible audio-visual techniques. Further he produced a series of booklets, teaching the pregnant women how they could take care of themselves during their pregnancy period so that that they could have a healthy and peaceful delivery without taking resort to expensive medical care and assistance, conscientizing the poor people the importance of drinking clean water and eating clean, nutritious food, keeping the wells and drainage channels covered. All these were directed to the poor, ignorant masses, to communicate to them, in their own simple language, how each one of them could take care of their own health. His approach was always the preventive method for good health. Fr. Emmanuel took these ideas to every nook and corner of the villages of Tamil Nadu, making use of of the health-workers whom he himself had trained. This was a great revolution, and everyone who came to understand that, had a great appreciation for the project. Many invited him to come to their places and conduct such health programs. He proposed a syllabus for children from the first to the twelfth standard, so that every child could imbibe the very elementaries of health education (Health without Medicine) at an early age. Both the State Government of Tamil Nadu and the Central Government of India appreciated his proposal and encouraged him to go ahead and write a new syllabus on this revolutionary health programme. The Church leaders too encouraged him to go ahead with the programme. Beside establishing the Oblate presence in India and laying a strong and solid foundation for its future, Fr. Emmanuel’s other most important contribution to the Church and the society of India is EMMA and its health education programme.

Fr. Emmanuel spent his last days in retirement at St. Joseph’s Bhavan, St. Thomas Mount. Though once or twice he fell ill, he had a clear mind and was able to guide and direct EMMA till the end. When he fell ill for the last time on 24 Februry 2009, Ash Wednesday, he was taken to the Home for the Elders, run by the Little Sisters of the Poor at Chetput, Chennai, so that he would get the necessary attention and care. But on the morning of 27 February, his health condition became worse and a doctor was called in. As he was struggling with excruciating pain, the Last Sacraments were administered. Finally he succumbed to his illness at 7.15 am., on 27 February 2009. Dr. Pacifica Simon declared him dead due to congestive cardiac failure.

At 10.00 am., his mortal remains were taken to Oblate Delegation Office at St. Thomas Mount. On the following day, 28th February, at 6.30 am it was moved to his maiden /pioneering mission of Kancheepuram, where it was laid in state at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, to give an opportunity for the people to pay their last respects to their beloved Father. A big crowd of people, priests, religious and nuns came to pay their last tribute to the great, valiant and indefatigable missionary, expressing their gratitude and love. At 3.30 pm., a concelebrated Requiem High Mass was celebrated, presided over by Rt Rev Dr. A. Neethinathan DD, Bishop of Chingleput. After the Holy Mass, the mortal remains were removed to Aanmodaya Ashram, Enathur, where they were laid to rest.

Fr. Mariampillai Emmanuel is no more, but his memory will remain with us for many years to come. He has left behind before us certain Oblate values which we will cherish and emulate, namely, his simplicity of life, his fidelity to his daily Eucharist and prayers, he apostolic zeal and commitment to his mission. We inherit from him the heritage of deep love for the poor, and the unquenched fire and unrivalled Spirit of enthusiasm, manifested and translated in concrete and creative ministries. May God bless him and reward him with eternal life!

43 REV. BRO. DON REMIGIUS OMI
(1928-2009)

Birth : 01 October 2009 at Katuwapitiya, Negombo.
First Vows : 06 January 1960 at Mont Eden, Kalutara.
Final Vows : 06 January 1963 at Oblate Scholasticate, Ampitiya.
Oblation No. : 11363
Death : 19 April 2009 at Marian Grove, Kohuwela

Brother Jayalathge Don Remigius was born on 01 October 1928 at Katuwapitiya, in the Archdiocese of Colombo. His parents were Jayalathge Don Juwan and S. D. Michaelia. He had a younger brother. He lost his father early, and he and his brother were brought up by his mother with much courage and dedication in a good Catholic environment from where he imbibed a strong faith, genuine love for Jesus Chrsit and His Mother Mary, a spirit of sacrifice and a life of service to others. The family maintained a very good relationship with everyone in the village, and was very much involved in parish activities. Remigius had his education at the R.C. School at Katuwapitya. As a boy he was in the altar servers association and later became its leader. He was also an active member of the Legion of Mary, and his leadership was well accepted with respect by many of his age, working in the parish. The younger ones looked up to him with love and respect. After his College education Remigius got himself employed in government service, and that went a long way to help in maintaining the family. In the meantime he was hearing within himself a call from God to commit himself fully to the service of the Church. The priest who was looking after the parish of Katuwapitiya at that time, Fr. Eugene Lepeltier OMI, directed and encouraged him to accept the call. Finally when he decided to respond positively to the call of God, he divulged that to his loving mother who was relying very much on him to look after the family in the future. To his surprise his mother was very happy about his decision to become a religious Brother, and blessed him to go ahead with his plan. He handed over the responsibility of looking after the mother to his younger brother and made all the necessary preparations to join the Novitiate of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He was 30 years of age at that time.

Remigius entered the Sacred Heart Novitiate of the the Oblates at Mont Eden, Kalutara on 14 August 1958. The Novice Master was Fr. Ernest Bourgeois OMI, a holy, elderly and fatherly priest. Under his guidance and direction he spent his year of probation which was extended for another six months. Because of his age he found it rather difficult to learn English and to follow the conferences. Finally, on 06 January 1960, Remigius made his First profession of vows as an Oblate Co-adjutor Brother. Bro. Remigius’ first assignment as a Religious Brother was to St. Vincent’s Home, Maggona, where he was asked to look after the orphaned children and the candle workshop. Bro. Remigius was a man of obedience and fidelity. He accepted whatever the ministry assigned to him and did his best to carry out the responsibilities faithfully. Wherever he served, he always remained faithful to his religious duties and regular at the Community spiritual exercises. He was very much interested in the care and formation of the orphaned children. He was like a father and mother to them and they loved him in return and appreciated what he did for their welfare. At the candle workshop, he maintained a good relationship with the workers and kept a faithful account of the business. He worked for two years at St.Vincent’s Home, Maggona to the satisfaction of one and all. In 1962, Bro. Remigius was transferred to the Oblate Scholasticate at Ampitiya to be the assistant bursar and to look after the coconut estate. He made his profession of Perpetual Vows as an Oblate on 06 January 1963. At the Scholasticate too he maintained a good rapport with the Scholastics and his work was appreciated by everyone.

Bro. Remigius’ next assignment was to the Sacred Heart Novitiate at Bandarawela to help in looking after the house and to be the assistant bursar. His next move was to ‘Nazareth’, the Mission Preachers’ House at Wennapuwa, to be the bursar and to look after house. He also helped in the parish in distributing Holy Communion on Sundays and special feast days. Then as his help was again needed at the Novitiate, he was brought back to Bandarawela, where he helped the Novice Master in maintaining and looking after the property. After serving for a couple of years at Bandarawela, he was transferred again to the Oblate Scholasticate, Ampitya to help the bursar and to look after the coconut estate. Then he was transferred to De Mazenod House, the Provincial House of the Oblates at Farm Road, Mattakkuliya where he helped the bursar and looked after the maintenance of the house. During the week-ends, he went to the parish of Wellawatte to help the priest in the distribution of Holy Communion and visiting the families. The last place he served was the mission of Burulapitiya where he was involved in pastoral activities.

Wherever Bro. Remigius served, the remarkable character witnessed by everyone was his very good relationship with whom he came into contact. It was a natural gift he received from God to relate to anyone in a friendly way. He had been always very close to the people whom he served. The people of the places where he served, appreciated this quality of his and valued him very much for his human relationship. He always kept the community lively and happy with his jokes and pranks. His peers and friends liked his company and enjoyed his friendship very much.

In the meantime, Bro. Remigius was getting old, and he was afflicted with diabetes and consequently all sorts of ailments. It all came to a climax when he had a stroke and he was more or less incapacitated and invalid. So he had to retire to Marian Grove, Kohuwela, the House for the aged and retired Oblates. He spent quite a few years at Kohuwela, and finally passed away to his eternal reward on 19 April 2009. He was 80 years of age. His mortal remains were removed to his home parish, Katuwapitiya on the following day. Being away from his village for over fifty years, the younger generation of the village did not know him much. But the elders gratefully remembered the services he had contributed to the parish. In the afternoon, there was a Concelebrated Requiem High Mass, presided over by the provincial, Fr. Clement Waidiyasekara OMI at which Fr. John Camillus OMI, a former Provincial and a son of the soil, delivered the panegyric. After the final Obsequies, the mortal remains of Bro. Remigius were laid to rest at the Katuwapitiya R.C. burial ground on 20 April 2009..

44 REV. FR. MARCUS ANANDANPULLE OMI
(1948-2009)

Birth : 11 April 1948 at Welihena, Negombo
First Vows : 31 May 1967 at Mont Eden Kalutara.
Final vows : 31 May 1971 in the Philippines
Oblation No. : 11933
Ordination : 06 August 1975 at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Maradana
Death : 07 August 2009 in England.

Father Marcus Anandanpulle was born on 11 April 1948 at Welihena in the Archdiocese of Colombo. His parents were Alles Fernando Anandanpulle and Ambrosia Croos Manuelpillai. It was a devout and God-fearing family, and the children were brought up in a Catholic healthy environment. He had an elder sister a Holy Cross nun, Sr. Theresia. Marcus had his early education at the Roman Catholic vernacular School at Welihena. Already as a boy, following his elder sister, he had a desire to dedicate his life to the service of the Church. He entered St. Aloysius’ Seminary, Borella in January 1964 at the age of 16, and continued his education at the Archdiocesan Minor Seminary. Having completed his G.C.E. Ordinary Level, he decided to become a religious priest in the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He entered their Novitiate at Mont Eden, Kalutara on 30 May 1966. He successfully completed his year of probation, and made his first profession of Vows as an Oblate on 31 May 1967. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate, Ampitiya to pursue his Philosophical and Theological studies at the National Seminary. He was an asthmatic patient and the cold climate in Kandy did not suit his health condition. As he was falling sick again and again with breathing problems, in 1971, the Superiors decided to send him to the Philippines to continue his theological studies at the Oblate Scholasticate in Manila. He made his final profession of Vows as an Oblate in the Philippines on 31 May 1971. After finishing his theological studies, he returned to Sri Lanka, and was ordained a Priest of God by Bishop Edmund Fernando OMI, the Bishop of Badulla, at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Maradana on 06 August 1975.

Fr. Marcus began his priestly ministry with lots of enthusiasm, apostolic zeal and dedication. He knew all the three languages spoken in the country viz. Sinhalese, Tamil and English fluently, and as such he was equal to three priests. He could work in any part of the country in any position. His first assignment was to be Assistant Parish Priest in the mission of Ragama, in the Archdiocese of Colombo. He served at Sts. Peter and Paul’s Church, Ragama from August 1975 to December 1975, and thus got initiated into the pastoral ministry. In January 1976, he was appointed Chaplain of the General Hospital, Colombo, with residence at the Archbishop’s House, Colombo 8. It was a ministry which he loved very much and which suited his temperament too. In fact fifteen years of his priestly life were spent as a hospital chaplain. He was faithful and punctual to his work, and kind and understanding towards the patients. He did not limit himself to the General Hospital in Colombo, but also attended to the needs of the patients in the other hospitals of Colombo. In May 1978, he was transferred to St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena where he got the opportunity to make use of his knowledge of the three languages. He was assigned particularly to look after St. Anthony’s Shrine at Kochchikade and the areas surrounding the shrine. After a few years at the Cathedral parish, in January 1982, again he was brought back to the Archbishop’s House to be the Chaplain of the General Hospital, Colombo.

Having observed his commitment and aptitude towards the healing ministry and in appreciation of his services by the patients, in May 1983, his Superiors decided to send him to St. Paul’s University, Ottawa, to follow a course in Pastoral counseling, which would enhance his healing ministry. In September 1983, Fr. Marcus enrolled himself at St. Paul’s University, Ottawa to follow a M.A. course in Pastoral counseling. When he successfully completed his M.A. in Pastoral Counseling, he returned to Colombo in July 1986 when he was asked to continue to be the Hospital Chaplain, but this time chaplain to all the hospitals in Colombo. He worked hard in that capacity for six long years with dedication and commitment. In 1993, he was given a break to recuperate himself in the Philippines, where he served as chaplain at the Notre Dame School in Manila. He returned to Colombo in June 1994, and again he was appointed Hospital Chaplain, but this time to the General Hospital in Ragama, with residence at ‘Emmaus’ at Tewatte. He was also appointed Chaplain of the Rosarian Sisters at Tewatte. In September 1997, Fr. Marcus reverted back to parish ministry and was sent as Parish priest of the mission of St. Sebastian’s, Hultsdorf. It was a trilingual mission and Fr. Marcus was able to handle it with ease. In August 1999, he was again called back to be Hospital Chaplain at Ragama.

In 2001, Fr. Marcus, at his own request, was sent as missionary to the Oblate Province of Australia, where he served for nearly eight years. His first assignment in Australia was to help at Our Lady of Lourdes in Lesmurdie, Western Australia. Then he joined the community at St. Patrick’s Basilica in Fremantle for six months in 2002 before transferring to St. David’s in Tea Tree Gully in South Australia. In 2003, Fr. Marcus moved to Melbourne, Victoria where he ministered at St. John Vianney’s in Mulgrave until 2006, when he returned to St. David’s for another year. In the following year, he was appointed to St. Eugene de Mazenod Parish in Burpengary, Queensland for six months before moving back to Melbourne to work as the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception in Sunshine. He worked practically in all the Oblate parishes in Australia and in one of their Colleges. Fr. Harry Dyer, the Australian Oblate Provincial, was much pleased about the help Fr. Marcus contributed to the Australian Oblate Province. He wrote, “Fr. Marcus provided much needed assistance in his early days in the Australian Province. He was always prepared to pack his bag to go and help in an Oblate parish when one of the local Oblates was on holiday or sick. Fr. Marcus was a community man and enjoyed the discussions that living in different Oblate houses would offer. Although working mainly in the parish scene, Fr. Marcus always had a keen interest in the College system in Australia and would take any chance to go and minister to the boys in the college, especially those from Sri Lanka”.

In the beginning of 2009, Fr. Marcus returned to Sri Lanka, hoping to continue his work in his home province. While waiting for his new assignment in Colombo, he went to England to visit some of his relatives in London. While he was in London, he suddenly he fell ill, and was rushed to Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital in London with suspected Hepatitis A. In the course of two weeks, with liver and kidney failure added to Hepatitis A, it was too much for him, and he succumbed to multiple organs failure, not responding even for daily dialysis and Life Support. He peacefully passed away for his eternal reward on 07 August 2009 in London. The funeral was held on 19 August 2009, Wednesday at 10.00 AM at Sacred Heart Church, Quex Road, Kilburn, London. May he rest in Peace.

45 REV. FR. PHILIPPIAH JESUNESAN OMI
(1939-2009)

Birth : 19 September 1939 at Puloly, Point Pedro
First Vows : 15 August 1959 at Mont Eden, Kalutara
Final vows : 15 August 1962 at the Oblate Scholasticate, Ampitiya
Oblation No. : 10653
Ordination : 21 December 1965 at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena
Death : 13 August 2009 at the Home for the Elders, Darley Road, Maradana

Reverend Father Philippiah Jesunesan was born on 19 September 1939 at Puloly, Point Pedro, in the diocese of Jaffna. His parents were Caitampillai Philippiah and Gnanamma Annamma. He was the last child of nine children, six boys and three girls. He had his early education at the R. C. School, Puloly and then joined St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna in 1949 for his secondary education. At St. Patrick’s, he was in the Football Team (Second Eleven), playing at the Right Extreme position. He successfully completed the General School Certificate Examination in December 1956. Then deciding to be an Oblate Priest, he joined the Oblate Juniorate at Kohuwala, Nugegoda in January 1957. After studying Latin for six months at the Juniorate, he entered the Oblate Novitiate at Mont Eden, Kalutara on 14 August 1958. Having successfully completed his year of probation, he made his first profession of Vows as an Oblate Scholastic on 15 August 1959. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Ampitiya, from where he pursued his philosophical and theological studies at the National Seminary. During his Scholasticate, he maintained a good relationship with his peers. He was very popular among them and he entertained them with his jokes and pranks. He was also a good orator, singer and dramatist. He made his final profession of Vows on 15 August 1962. Then he continued his theological studies and was ordained a priest of God by His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Cooray OMI, the Archbishop of Colombo, on 21 December 1965 at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotehena. He continued his first formation at the Scholasticate till April 1966, and then stepped into the mission field.

Fr. Jesunesan’s first assignment as a new young Oblate priest, full of apostolic zeal and enthusiasm, was to the Oblate Preaching Band at Amala Utpavam, Colombuthurai, Jaffna in May 1966. In October 1996, he went for his Pastoral Course to the Oblate Pastoral Instiute at Our Lady of Fatima’s Church, Maradana, and returned to Amala Utpavam in May 1967. His stay at Amala Utpavam was short, for his help was needed somewhere else. He joined the formation team at the Scholasticate, Ampitiya in June 1969, from where he taught History of Philosophy at the National Seminary. Then he was sent as acting parish priest at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Maradana for a few months, from May to November 1970. In November 1970, he came back to the Preaching Band at Amala Utpavam, Colombuthurai. During his stay at Amala Utpavam, he had the occasion to join a group of senior Oblate preachers to conduct a Grand Mission in India in January 1971. Young Fr. Jesunesan was not second to none in this ministry. He was not at all a budding preacher, but already a preacher par excellence, admired by one and all. He could keep his hearers, young and old, spell bound by his humorous and witty expressions, yet, opening their hearts to truth.

Fr. Jesunesan was a man who loved novelty. He was not satisfied with the normal missionary apostolates of the priests, and wanted to plunge himself into a new field of apostolate. He joined two more Oblates of the same mind and ventured out to be worker priests among the estate laborers in the hill country in May 1971. After an year of experimentation, he returned to the normal ministry, and was sent as a missionary to the Oblate Mission in India in July 1973. In India, he served at an orphanage in Kottar for two years. In July 1975, Fr. Jesunesan obtained a year of leave from the Congregation and went to Canada where he enrolled himself at the University of St. Paul to follow a degree course in Sociology. He also worked in a parish in New Jersey, U.S.A. for about a year, 1977-1978. He returned to Sri Lanka in September 1978, and helped in the mission of Nilaveli, in the diocese of Trincomalee-Batticaloa for a few months. He returned to the Preaching Band at Amala Utpavam, Colombuthurai in April 1979, and was assigned to the staff of St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna in January 1980.

Fr. Jesunesan served St. Patrick’s for twelve years as the Vice Rector of the College. During this period, he exhibited his talents in the field of education. His teaching was always lively and enlivening, and brought light into others’ lives. He disciplined the students with love, corrected wisely and understood each of the students in his uniqueness. He knew how to prod the hesitant, curb the rash ones, and never quench their love for life. He also knew how much to demand and what to overlook. He affirmed their worth, their life’s beauty and their gifts. He handled them understandingly and not feel put out when a youth acted out. Fr. Jero Selvanayagam, the Rector of St. Patrick’s, speaking about Fr. Jesunesan’s contributions to St. Patrick’s said, “He was a fine living example of a true Patrician. Thoroughness being the moving power of his activity, Fr. Jesunesan gave the prime time of his priesthood to St. Patrick’s College. He lived the essence of Priesthood as both priest and victim, and immolated himself on the altar of St. Patrick’s, guided by the ideals of a true Patrician, faithful to its motto: Fide et Labore………. He used his style of eloquence to elucidate the best and to advise, rectify and guide the students at the College. …The eagerness with which he looked after their moral and religious training; his empathy with them and his competence in developing their dormant potentials are the qualities that adorned the personality of Fr. Jesunesan. ….He was a rock of refuge to the teachers, sharing their burdens and sorrows, participating in their joys and anxieties. He used his talents and genius to promote their welfare. His wise guidance, ready sympathy, enlightened outlook and magnetic personality enabled the teachers to maintain an atmosphere of cordiality among them. He identified himself with the Alma Mater and labored strenuously in her interests with that energetic enthusiasm so characteristic of him.”

When Fr. Jesunesan finished his term at St. Patrick’s in 1992, he helped in the parish of Passara, in the diocese of Badulla, and in the parish of Dehiwala in the Archdiocese of Colombo for a short time, till he was appointed Superior of the Preaching Band at Colombuthurai in 1995. It was the time during which the whole of Jaffna was displaced to the Wanni when the Government Security Forces started their fight against the Tamil militants to take control of Jaffna peninsula. On 15 May 1997, Fr. Jesunesan was appointed the Provincial Superior of the Oblate Province of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. He held this office only for one and a half years, as he was elected General Councilor for Asia-Oceania Region at the General Chapter of 1988. He served in that post for full six years, and during this period his commendable contribution to the General Administration towards the welfare of the Congregation was very significant and magnanimous. Father General Very Rev. Fr. Wilhelm Steckling wrote about his services in the General Administration: “It was a privilege to work with him during his six years of service on the General Council. He was appreciated not only for his selfless hard work, being always on the road at the service of the Oblate mission especially in Asia and Oceania, but we were also very happy to have around in our community where he brought about harmony and joy and inspired us by his deep faith. All those who knew him in the General House community speak fondly of him and remember his ready wit and openness to new ideas”.

When his six year term on the General Council was over, Fr. Jesunesan volunteered to be a member of a team of Oblates who ventured out into a new field of apostolate – mission to the secularized world. He worked for a year in the Oblate province of St. Alberta, before returning to his home province in 2006. He was appointed Superior of Father Matthew’s Home, a home for the retired Oblate priests, at Colombuthurai in Jaffna. After a year, he accepted the responsibility entrusted to him as the Superior of the Oblate Scholasticate at Colombuthurai, Jaffna, without any hesitation in October 2008. As a formator, Fr. Jesunesan was a person who expressed willingness to have dialogue with everyone. His concerns for others went beyond the parameters of the institution, so to say, always directed to the welfare of the formandi. Every moment was precious to him in the presence of God. He had a set time-table for each of his duties through proper education and stern discipline. Above all, he had to set an exemplary example and great sense of dedication in the discharge of his duties.

Fr. Jesunesan’s stay at the Scholasticate was very short. He was falling ill quite often and was brought to Colombo for diagnosis and treatment in February 2009. Doctors found that he had a malignant tumor in the brain and operated on him twice to remove the cancerous growth. Fr. Jesunesan crippled with dreaded illness, never overtaken by despair or disillusion. On the contrary, he remained close to his Master, experiencing Him as his lifelong companion. After a brief illness borne patiently in peace with the crucified Saviour, he passed away to his eternal reward at 10.30 p.m. on 13 August 2009, at the Home for the Elders, Darley Road, Maradana. At the time of his death he was one of the Provincial Councilors, the Secretary of the Provincial Council, the Superior of the De Mazenod Scholasticate, the Chairman of the Formation Committee, and the Supervisor of the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation.

There was a Requiem Mass at the Chapel of the Home for the Elders on 14 August 2009 at 4.00 p.m. presided over by Fr. Leopold Ratnasekera OMI, amidst a large gathering of Priests, Religious and laity of Colombo. Very Rev. Fr. Clement Waidyasekera, the Oblate Provincial of Colombo, performed the Oblate funeral rituals, and Fr. Alex Costa OMI recited the final prayers. The mortal remains were flown to Jaffna on the following morning where they were laid in state at St; Joseph’s chapel, Colombuthurai for the convenient of the people to pay their last respects. The funeral and burial took place on 17 August 2009 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna.. There was a Requiem High Mass presided over by Very Rev. Fr. Paul Nadchethiram, OMI, the Oblate Provincial of Jaffna in the presence of great number of priests, religious men and women and laity. The panegyric was delivered by Fr. S.M. Selvaratnam OMI. After the Final Obsequies, the mortal remains were taken in procession to St. Mary’s Burial Ground where they were laid to rest. May he rest in Peace!

46 REV. FR. MARIAMPILLAI PAVILUPILLAI OMI
(1921-2009)

Birth : 19 October 1921 at Sillalai, Pandeterruppu
First Vows : 08 September 1946 at St. Francis Xavier’s Novitiate, Bambalapitiya.
Final vows : 08 September 1949 at Roviano, Rome.
Oblation No. : 8195
Ordination : 16 July 1952 at Roviano, Rome
Death : 08 September 2009 at Matthew’s Memorial Home, Colombuthurai

Father Mariampillai Pavilupillai was born on 19 October 1921 at Sillalai, Pandeterruppu, in the diocese of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. His parents were Sebastiampillai Mariampillai and Soosaipliilai Marcella of Sillalai. The village of Sillalai is popularly known as “Little Rome” on account of its traditional Catholic faith and it has given so many priests, religious and nuns, even bishop, to the Catholic Church at large. It was in such a holy and Catholic environment Fr. Pavilupillai was born and brought up in traditional Christian faith. He had his early education at the Roman Catholic School in Sillalai (1926-1930) and at St. Joseph’s School at Mathagal (1931-1938). Then he entered St. Martin’s Minor Seminary in Jaffna from where he followed his secondary education at St. Patrick’s College (1938-1945) which was administered by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. When he completed successfully his London Matriculation, he continued his secular studies and obtained a Bachelors degree from the University of London.

Then he decided to dedicate his life and his God given talents for the service of God and His people as a religious priest in the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He entered the Novitiate of the Oblates at Bambalapitiya on 7 September 1945. After completing successfully his year of probation, he made his first profession of Vows as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate on 08 September 1946. His Superiors, recognizing his intellectual ability, sharpness of mind and hard working character, sent him to the International Scholasticate in Rome to pursue his Philosophical and Theological studies at the Gregorian University. He mastered the language of Latin in no time, and he was as fluent in Latin as he was in Tamil. He made his Final Profession of Vows at Roviano in Rome on 08 September 1949. After completing his Ecclesiastical studies successfully with a B.D. and L.Ph., he was ordained a Priest of God in Rome on 06 July 1952. He returned to Sri Lanka on 21 April 1953, and was assigned to work in the diocese of Jaffna.

His first assignment as a young energetic and educated priest in the diocese of Jaffna was Assistant Parish Priest of the mission of Ilavalai in May 1953. Though he worked in the diocese, he always maintained his identity as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate. He served in the mission of Ilavalai in that capacity for four years, and in 1957, he was made Parish Priest and sent to the mission of Puthukudiyiruppu. That a was a big, difficult and malaria infested mission where he served for five years with very much success. In 1962, he was transferred to the mission of Arippu, Murunkan, another difficult mission, where he served for another three years. In 1965, he was brought to Jaffna, and appointed Acting Parish Priest of the mission of Vasavilan. He had his residence at the Rosarian Ashram at Tholagatty, and looked after the missions of Vasavilan and Ottahappulam. He was also helping the Rosarian monks and nuns in their spiritual life. It was during this period that he came to know and appreciate the spirituality of Fr. B.A.Thomas, the Founder of the Rosarians. Then, in 1967, he was transferred to the Preaching Band at Colombuthurai where he spent rest of his life, except for a short break in Maggona.

Fr. Pavilupillai was a man with a different charism. Though he was a qualified scholarly priest, he preferred to be a simple, humble and ordinary priest. His was a hidden and silent life. He never looked for popularity or prestige. He went about his work without any show or trumpeting, but left behind an indelible impression on the mind and life of the people he served. His sermons were very practical and down to earth. He had his own crude way of conveying his message, which was not much appreciated by the people at times. His ways of solving problems were very practical, radical and rough which had hurt people many times. But he was sincere and dedicated to proclaiming the word of God. Some of his ideas and philosophies were very different and difficult to understand and to accept but, they revealed his deep insight and wisdom.

Fr. Pavilupillai was one of the priests who worked very closely with Swami Gnanapragasar in the pagan missions, whom he admired very much. He appreciated very much his scholarly knowledge and fluency in so many languages and his contribution to the research and development of Tamil language. He was also very close to Fr. B.A.Thomas, the Founder of the Rosarian Contemplative Congregation, and he worked very much for his Cause towards canonization. Fr. Pavilupillai was working for a few years at Maggona in the Reformatory for the juvenile delinquents and in the orphanage. He was a Jack of many trades, and he was able to train them in many arts like carpentry, clock repairs, making rosaries, repairing chairs etc. He was much appreciated by those youths.

Fr. Pavilupillai was very intelligent and remained a student right through his life. He was a very knowledgeable priest. He made use much of his free time in reading ancient classical books written by famous authors like St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas and others. He had a good knowledge of St. Thomas Aquinas and his Theological works. He also had a thorough knowledge of the Sacred Scriptures, both of the Christians and of the Hindus. He was very keen in finding out where Christian Theology and Hindu Mythology meet or contradict, and to bring about a synthesis. He wrote a couple of books on comparative religion, namely, Hinduism and Christianity, Thirukural and Bible. He has put much of his reflections and thinking on many controversial subjects in writing, but they were not published.

During his retirement from active ministry at Father Matthews’ Memorial Home, Colombuthurai, he served as the chaplain to the Home for the Elders, next door. He also taught Church History at the diocesan St. Francis Xavier’s Major Seminary at Colombuthurai. He also helped in cataloguing the books of the library at Thodarpaham. He was an exemplary religious and Oblate. He was very regular for his religious exercises and faithful to his priestly ministry. He was always satisfied with what was given to him, and never bothered to ask or demand anything extra. He was very concerned about the others, and never wanted to be a burden to anybody in anyway. He looked after his affairs. He was very conscious of the preciousness of time. He would never waste a minute and was always occupied with some work or other, like giving spiritual direction to the seminarians, hearing their confessions, making rosaries, repairing broken furnitures and chairs or repairing clocks or watches. During his last days when he was sick and feeble, and more or less completely deaf and blind, he spent his time in praying, reciting the rosary or listening to news over his transistor radio.

Fr. Pavilupillai quietly passed away to his eternal reward after a short illness on 08 September 2009 at Matthew’s Memorial Home, Colombuthurai. His funeral took place at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna on 10 September 2009. A concelebrated Requiem High Mass was celebrated, presided over by Very Rev. Fr. Paul Natchestram OMI, the Provincial of the Oblates, at 3.30 pm. Many priests, religious and relatives were present. After the Final Obsequies, the mortal remains were taken in procession to St. Mary’s Burial Ground, where they were laid to rest. May he rest in peace!

47 REV. FR. Patrick Gnanapragasam OMI
(1945-2009)

Birth : 16 October 1945 at Delft, Jaffna
First Vows : 31 May 1966 at Mont Eden, Kalutara..
Final vows : 31 May 1969 at the Oblate Scholasticate, Ampitiya.
Oblation No. : 11747
Ordination : 26 April 1972 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna.
Death : 21 December 2009 at Matthew’s Memorial Home, Colombuthurai

Father Patrick Gnanapragasam was born on 16 October 1945 in the island of Delft, in the diocese of Jaffna. His parents were Theogu Patrick and Swakeen Sabinam of Delft. There were five children in the family, and all were males. Delft was a remote and very backward area in the diocese of Jaffna. Patrick had his early education at St. John’s R.C.T.S. school at Delft. From his childhood, he was very much attracted by the way of life of the Oblate missionaries who were his parish priests at Deft. Fr. Louis Joseph who was one of the parish priests, who guided him to consecrate his life to the service of God and His people. He joined the Oblate Juniorate at Kohuwala, Nugegoda in January 1961, and pursued his secondary education at St. Benedict’s College, Kotehena. Having completed his college education, he entered the Sacred Heart Novitiate of the Oblates at Mont Eden, Kalutara on 30 May 1964. When he successfully completed his year of probation, he made his first profession of Vows as an Oblate Scholastic on 31 May 1965. Then he proceeded to the Oblate Scholasticate at Ampitiya, Kandy, from where he pursued his Philosophical and Theological studies at the National Seminary. He made his final profession of Vows on 31 May 1968 at Ampitiya. At the completion of his ecclesiastical studies and first formation, he was ordained a priest of God by His Lordship L. R. Anthony, the Auxiliary Bishop of Jaffna, at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna on 26 April 1972.

The first assignment received by young, energetic and zealous Fr. Patrick in 1972 was to the mission of Anuradhapura, which was a part of the diocese of Jaffna at that time. He was appointed as the Assistant Parish Priest and warden of the hostel of St. Joseph’s College. His superiors recognizing his deep thoughts, his fluency in Tamil and his ability to preach, they transferred him to the Oblate Preaching Band at Amala Utpavam, Colombuthurai in 1973. In 1975, Fr. Patrick was given a year break and sent to India to follow some suitable courses which would enhance his preaching ministry. He returned to the Preaching Band in 1976 and continued his preaching ministry for two years. His simplicity of style and deep insight of his thoughts were very much appreciated by his listeners. In 1979, he reverted to parish ministry and was sent as Assistant Parish priest of the Grand Street mission in Negombo, in the Archdiocese of Colombo. After serving in Negombo for three years, he returned to Jaffna, where he was sent as parish priest of the mission of Puthukudiyiruppu in the district of Mullaitivu in 1982. His next assignment was to the mission of Valaipadu, Iranaitivu in 1985.

In the meantime Fr. Patrick put his thoughts and reflections on the Gospel passages in writing, in book form, so tht it might be useful for others. He wrote three books, Chintaai Thiraddu (Collection of Thoughts), Amaithith Thuli (A drop of Peace), and Arlkadal Muthukkal (Pearls of the Deep Sea) which brought out his philosophical and thelogical reflections. He was anxious to have an experiential knowledge the places and the environment in which Jesus lved and preached. So he was given another break in 1988, and sent to the Holy Land to gain some first hand knowledge and experience of the country and places where Jesus lived. On his return in 1989, he was to the mission of Navanthurai as parish priest. After serving in that mission for three years, in 1993, he was transferred to the mission of Chavakachcheri where he served for four more years. It was the last parish he served, and in 1997 he retired from all ministries and wanted to spend his time in writing. Before he started his witing ministry, he wanted to do some study on journalism and he went to Manila in 1998. He returned from Manila in 1999 and took residence at Amala Utpavam, Colombuthurai.

During the last ten years of his life, he was working on his next book on Mysticism and Contemplation which he was hoping to be a master piece. In the meantime occasionally he took up preaching on request. A few times he fell ill and had to be hospitalized. When he was in the missions earlier, he had to face humiliations and difficulties when he went to meet the Indian Peace Keeping Force to speak on behalf of his parishioners. But the greatest tragedy he experienced was when, in June 2008, four mortar shells fell around the building where he lived and had a narrow escape without any serious injuries. His final illness was very short and he passed away quietly for his eternal reward on 21 December 2009 at Matthew’s Memorial Home.

His funeral took place on 23 December 2009 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna. There was a Concelebrated Requiem High Mass presided over by His Lordship Bishop Thomas Savundranayagam at 3.30 pm., at which Fr. Arul Amalathas delivered the panegyric. There was a good gathering of priests, religious, relatives and some of his former parishioners. After the final obsequies, his mortal remains were laid to rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Jaffna. May he rest in peace.

Deceased Oblates from January 1999 to June 2009

01. Fr. Louis Joseph 14.01.1999
02. Bro. Don Marcelline 16.06.1999
03. Fr. Emmanuel Wijeyaratnam 05.07.1999
04. Fr. Luigi Hettiarachchi 11.11.1999
05. Bro. Neville Fernando 25.01.2000
06. Mgr. Henry Joy Goonewardene 17.04.2000
07. Fr. Michael Saverimuthu 29.05.2000
08. Fr. Emile Perera 25.07.2000
09. Fr. Raphael Aloysius 19.09.2000
10. Fr. Jayantha Pinnawala 31.10.2000
11. Fr. Gaston Alwinus 05.09.2001
12. Fr. Alfred Rayappu 16.01.2002
13. Fr. John Francis 29.01.2002
14. Fr. Adrian Joseph 17.02.2002
15. Fr. Eugene Rinchon 22.10.2002
16. Fr. Sarath Silva 14.03.2003
17. Fr. Mervyn Lowe 12.04.2003
18. Fr. Eugene Lepeltier 09.12.2003
19. Fr. Jan Louis Mique 15.01.2004
20. Fr. Albert Pleiber 22.03.2004
21. Fr. Augustine Gallo Balma 07.04.2004
22. Fr. Anthony Dharmaratne 19.05.2004
23. Mgr. Edmund Fernando 16.07.2004
24. Fr. Michael Croos 31.08.2004
25. Fr. Arokiasamy Michaelsamy 23.10.2004
26. Fr. Shirley Ferdinando 01.04.2005
27. Fr. Frederick Sackett 27.06.2005
28. Fr. Nicholapillai Arulnesan 03.02.2006
29. Bro. Maurice Gaveau 03.03.2006
30. Fr. Joseph Pulle 10.04.2006
31. Fr. Joseph Perera 04.06.2006
32. Fr. Stanislaus Fernandopulle 05.01.2007
33. Fr. Henri Farrinelle 12.01.2007
34. Fr. Marc Berard 18.04.2007
35. Fr. Clinton Anandappa 18.05.2007
36. Fr. Lucien Schmitt 10.07.2007
37. Fr. Hilarian Dissanayake 29.03.2008
38. Fr. Jean Habestroh 15.07.2008
39. Fr. Yvves Caroff 12.08.2008
40. Fr. Gilbert Perera 26.09.2008
41. Fr. Peter Stanislaus Fernando 01.02.2009
42. Fr. Mariampillai Emmanuel 27.02.2009
43. Bro. Don Remigius 09.04.2009
44. Fr. Marcus Anandanpulle 07.08.2009
45. Fr. P. Jesunesan 13.08.2009
46. Fr. Mariampillai Pavilupillai 08.09.2009
47. Fr. Patrick Gnanpragasam 21.12.2009

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