SINCE Feb 11,1869 The Catholic weekly o f Sri Lanka

Most solemn From God’s Do parents and sudden point of deserve departure 4Pg view Pg9 to suffer 14Pg February 22 C h a i r o f

"Registered in the Department of Posts of Sri Lanka under No. QD / 50 / News / 2013" St. Peter the Sunday February 17, 2013 Vol 144 No 07 16 Pages Rs: 25.00 Registered as a newspaper Apostle Pope Benedict XVI hands in his resignation n a move that shocked the Catholic Church and the and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life world, Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation of faith, in order to govern the Bark of Saint Peter and I after just eight short years of service, as the head proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are of the Holy Catholic Church and leader of over one billion necessary, strength which in the last few months, has Roman Catholics worldwide. deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognise His Holiness Benedict XVI, made headlines my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me. Pope John Paul II, and surprisingly, many of them were For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness whenattributed he took to his office strong on Aprilpro-environmental 19, 2005, after stance. the death In manyof of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce instances, he used traditional Catholic principles to advance the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, progressive causes, including the pressing need to address entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such climate change. a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a recognised politically as Head of the State of Vatican, set a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be At the age of 85, the German-born Pontiff, also convoked by those whose competence it is. by opening a Twitter account last year and gaining more Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all precedent by being the first pope to join the social media, the love and work with which you have supported me in my We give below the full text of the Holy Father’s ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let declarationthan 1.5 million taken followers from the in less Vatican than Radiothree months. website us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore His Holy Dear Brothers, Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing the three canonisations, but also to communicate to you a a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have Church of God in the future through a life come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced dedicated to prayer. age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine Ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. From the Vatican, However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes 10 February 2013 “Spiritual warfare in our Church and Society” Prayers for the Holy Father ational Director for passionate, enduring faith Excerpts of the Homily follow: and the Catholic Church the Commission many of us received from For some time now, e request the Catholic public to kindly pray for the N for Social our parents. there has been a secular Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI and for the Church. Communication, Rev. Decribing it Catholicism which has been W We would also like to bring to the notice of the Fr. Benedict Joseph as “social religion,” Fr. slowly replacing the passionate, faithful that news items have been broadcast, or have presiding at High Mass Benedict, who was also strong and enduring faith that appeared in Sri Lanka, mentioning names of possible on the occasion of the the former Parish Priest many of us received from our Cardinal candidates for the Papacy in the announced 177th anniversary of St. of St. Mary’s Church, parents. Secular Catholicism forthcoming Conclave and these seem to have been Mary’s Church, Dehiwela Dehiwela noted that it is more a social religion than drawn from some international media sources. observed that a secular invites people to have a a religion that comes from a form of Catholicism was casual relationship with deeply seated Pope is always the responsibility of the College of Rev. Fr. Benedict Joseph slowly replacing the the Catholic Church. (Contd on Pg. 2) Cardinals It only,is to and be it clarifiedtakes place that within the theelection four wallsof a of the Conclave. There is no possibility for any prior nomination of candidates. As such, what has appeared is National Seminary Philosophate Launches Website pure speculation, and has no basis of truth whatsoever. The new website of the the Solemn Eucharistic Celebration. Rev. Fr. Benedict Joseph Department of Philosophy of the The National Seminary T National Seminary, Kandy was Philosophate was set up in the year Spokesperson, Archdiocese of Colombo launched recently by His Lordship Rt. 2000 to emphasise the need for a Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Fernando, Auxiliary more personalized formation to the A Thought - Year of Faith Bishop of Colombo, prior to the feast of priesthood. According to the 2012/13 Our Lady of Lanka, the Patroness of the Academic Calendar of the Seminary, the “Repent and Believe in the Gospel!” Seminary. Department of Philosophy has a total of These were words expressed on Ash Wednesday. His Lordship Bishop 123 students. You can visit us on www. When the sign of the cross was marked on you Emmanuel presided over the Solemn philosophatekandy.org If you said - “yes” Vespers Service and His Lordship Then start this Lenten period Raymond Wickramasinghe, Bishop of Bro. Shalindra Kotikawatte With a genuine confession. Galle presided as the Chief Celebrant at 2nd Year Philosophy That is the best start towards preparation. 2 The Messenger 17th Novenber 2012 New Rector for St. Anthony's Program for Young Religious "To maintain peace one College, Kandy needs clean heart" - Bishop of Ratnapura The premier Catholic Scholastic Citadel in the Central Province St. Anthony's College, Kandy was blessed with a new Rector recently. A prominent Catholic School for boys in the island St. Anthony's College installed Rev. Fr. Henry Wi- jeratne OSB who took over from Rev. Fr. Titus Rodrigo who retired this year. St Anthony's College takes pride in having a long succession of eminent and renowned OSB priests as Rectors who took the College to greater A program for simple professed young religious heights in education. Brothers and Nuns took place at Eymard Campbell Re- Undoubtedly all those who love and cherish treat House in Hanwella. This program was organised this illustrious school wish the new Rector a successful by the Conference of Major Religious Superiors of Sri and peaceful tenure. Lanka. Miran Perera Rev. Fr. Emmanual Fernando OMI conducted "The ethnicity of a child comes into focus only after his birth. A child is labelled into an ethnic group Newly appointed Daham on the theme" Revisiting Vatican II." and he/she grows in the ethnic identify of his/her par- the program and he Rev.presented Bro. Priyanjana an inspiring Perera reflection TOR ents. This ethnicity of a child is what creates divisions Pasal Prefects in society and which becomes an impediment to ethnic Praesidium of Our Lady Queen harmony." So said the Bishop of Ratnapura, His Lord- ship Cletus Chandrasiri Perera OSB, addressing an in- of Universe, Wattala celebrates ter-religious meeting held at Caritas Sethmini Centre at 3000th Novena Eheliyagoda. Referring to the 30-year war that took many lives and made a large number disabled, His Lordship said that though we try to avoid war, sometimes it is - ons but to maintain peace you need a clean heart," he saidinevitable. Moulavi "To Farook fight a of war the you Eheliyagoda need destructive Mosque, weap Ven. Rangegama Wimalasiri Thero and Shri Arun Sharma of the Hindu Kovil were among the other religious digni- Newly appointed Prefects of St. Sebastian's Da- taries who spoke. ham Pasala Diyalagoda, took oaths for the Year 2013 re- J. Anthony cently. The celebrant on this occasion was Rev. Fr. Thus- ith Pradeep Fernando, Parish Priest of Diyalagoda. sisters, in a world which is oscillating, we celebrate the Picture shows, the Prefects with Rev. Fr. Thus- ith and Daham Pasal Principal, Rev. Sr. Mary Preethika - Family together with Simeon and Anna stand against in a group photograph. sidium of Our Lady Queen of the Universe in the Wattala thisFeast disturbing of Purification. background We need of modern to be cautious. society. TheWhat Holy we D. Anselm Fernando Parish was The held 3000th recently. meeting A special (1945-2013) thanksgiving of the Mass Prae to mark this great moment was held at St. Anne's Church, our lives in the world around us. Their simplicity, their Centenary Year in readloyalty in tothe God, Bible their reflects faithfulness the true to vibrations their vocation that standaffect the Praesidium are seen with the Parish Priest of the so strong amidst all, in this turbulent world. Pitipana Parish WattalaChurch Rev.on Saturday Fr. Basil February Wickramasinghe 9. Here the and members Assistant of If we are caught up in turbulance in midair, Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Krishan Jayashantha. what we need to do is to absorb all the tremors in quiet Nimal Perera and solitude. We will be able to attain the right vibra- tions for our well being. Here the presence of God is the solution against all these odds. "Spiritual warfare.... A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was Contd. from Pg. 1 a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his back- faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. It invites people pack with sandwiches and a six-pack of lemonades and to have a casual relationship with the Catholic Church. A started his journey. Church, Jesus founded for us as a gift for all ages. When he had gone about three blocks, he met Secular Catholics are casual about many things. an old man sitting on a bench in the park staring at some They are casual about Church attendance, casual about pigeons. The boy sat down next to him and opened his the importance of a prayer life, casual about the com- backpack. He was about to take a drink from his lemon- mandments, casual about authentic church teaching ade when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so and casual in the ways they pass faith on to their chil- he offered him a sandwich. dren. The old man gratefully accepted it and smiled The Centenary Jubilee Year of St Mary’s Church, It doesn’t seem to be so bad when we hear the at the little boy. His smile was so pretty that the boy Pitipana, Negombo was declared at the recent church word casual. Yet, it is bad because when one generation wanted to see it again. So he offered him a lemonade. feast held on February 3, ahead of the grand jubilee to falls in the trap, the generations that follow have even Again, the old man smiled at him. The boy was be celebrated in February 2014. less faith or no faith at all and the Church is diminished. delighted! According to the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Sarath So why is this important enough to take time and space They sat there all afternoon eating, drinking Nimal Abeysiriwardene, a programme of activities has in my homily today? and smiling and they never said a word. As it grew dark, been drawn up for the Jubilee Year, including family visi- The answer is simple. There is spiritual warfare the little boy realised how tired he was and he got up to leave. But before he had gone more than a few steps, he tations and spiritual exercises such as retreats. Renova- going on in our Church and in our society and as faithful Catholics, you and I ought to know about it. turned around, and ran back to the old man and gave him a hug. The old man gave the little boy his biggest parapet wall around the cemetery are among the plans There is a violent tendency in certain quarters smile ever. astion well. work on the church edifice and construction of a of society to belittle the true relevance of religion, rel- When the boy opened the door to his house a Way back in the 17th century, the Portuguese evance of faith, belief in God and the traditional way of short time later, his mother was surprised by the look had built a small church in Pitipana. In later years, a the- Christian living. As one instance, a question is posed what is so great about Christianity? In his book, Dinesh of joy on his face. She asked him, what did you do today atre for the Passion Play (‘Pascu Mandapaya’) had also that made you so happy? He replied, I had lunch with been constructed. In fact, it is believed that Pitipana was De Souza warns about a new aetheism that is infecting our society as a whole. He says the aetheist strategy can God. But before his mother could respond, he added, be described in this way. Let the religious people breed You know what? He has the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen. andone ofconsecrated the first places by Archbishop in Sri Lanka Christopher to stage Passion Bonjean. Plays. them and we will educate them to despise their parents' beliefs. When we were studying for our priesthood yes- Meanwhile, the old man, also radiant with joy, The present Church was built between 1885 andA. Joseph 1914 teryear the aethists were just a handful . Today’s aethe- returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look ists are a legion and they have an agenda. They even go of peace on his face and asked, Dad, what did you do Hearty Congratulations! to the extent of raising the question how much do we today that made you so happy? regard children as being the property of their parents. He replied. I ate sandwiches in the park with The All-Island singing competition in three It is one thing to say people should be free to believe God. Before his son responded, he added, You know, categories, organised by the Royal Institute of West- whatever they like but should they be free to impose God’s much younger than I expected. ern Music and Speech was held at the Auditorium their beliefs on their children? Also some of them say Too often we undermine the power of a touch, of Bishop's College, Colombo, recently. St. Joseph's parents don’t own their children the way slave owners a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compli- Oblate Junior Seminary, 26, Green Path, Kohuwala, own slaves but are rather their stewards and guardians ment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the and ought to be held accountable by outsiders. In all potential to turn a life around. Senior Category. this, what has been said essentially is that outsiders do Remember, we don’t know what God looks like. Nugegoda was adjudged the first runner up from the have a right to interfere over the right of parents. Indeed People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a Rev. Fr. Maximus Fernando a dangerous proposition. Therefore dear brothers and lifetime. Embrace all equally. 3 The Messenger 17th November 2012 A global cultural ecumenism is taking Church in the World place, says Rev. Fr. Mervyn Fernando “As population and impacts on our hu- learn to be a human on a Pope: Youth condition and culture, density increases, peo- man consciousness,” Fr. larger scale than ever be- inescapable point of reference for ple are coming closer Mervyn said and asked: Is fore? The answer is to em- and closer to each other. this new situation threat- pathise with people be- Pastoral Outreach Communication, too, has ening and are we suspi- cause people are different. Vatican City, (VIS) – Pope Benedict XVI last brought us closer. There- cious of what will hap- In so doing so, I enrich my- week received participants in the plenary assem- fore, we are exposed to pen? self. I have to reach out to each other and forced Answering the others, even in the midst the theme of "Emerging Youth Cultures". The Pope expressed his hopes that their work will be fruitful to interact,” said Rev. Dr. question himself, Fr of fears of loss of identity. bly of the Pontifical Council for Culture, which has and contribute to "the Church's work in the lives of Mervyn Fernando, Direc- Mervyn said that the For instance, I have to un- young people, which is a complex and articulated re- tor of Subodhi Institute, new situation actually derstand Buddhism from ality that can no longer be understood from within a Piliyandala in a talk he demands us to dialogue, a Buddhist’s point of view. homogeneous cultural basis but only in a horizon … recently delivered titled not because we want to In fact, by studying Bud- must be promoted even that is made up of a plurality of viewpoints, perspec- ‘Dialogue among religions but because we have to. dhism I understand my through the arts, the sci- tives, and strategies." – a challenge of our times’ Catholicism better. Push- ences, culture, dancing, The Pope then spoke of the "widespread cli- at a meeting organized by because people are dif- ing for such cross-cultural music, philosophy and so mate of instability" that is affecting the cultural, po- the Christian Alliance for “Thisferent can and result the in ‘other’ conflict is and cross-religious empa- on, Fr Mervyn said that “in litical, and economic areas, noting in the latter, the Social Action (CASA) and unknown. Yet, it is a chal- thy does not mean I have this way, we can try to en- held at the SEDEC Audito- lenge to rise to a greater to lose my identity. Con- ter into the contemporary which has psychological and relational repercus- rium in Borella. humanity. How do I learn trarily, my own identity richness of our human ex- difficultysions. Even of youngthe religious persons dimension, to find employment the experience and “The new situ- to look at myself through gets enriched.” perience.” of faith and membership in the Church are often lived ation makes a huge dif- the eyes of the other? In Pointing out from an individualistic and emotional perspective." ference in our mentality other words, how do I that ecumenism can and Ainslie Joseph 'Helping vocations to grow' Rev. Fr. Eymard Dalpatadu OMI, releases "Sevane Kurusiye" Vatican City, 7 (VIS) – "Education is always fundamental for the truth to grow," the Pope said to Rev. Fr. Eymard Bishop of of Colombo, as Anton Jayananda added members of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Charles Bor- Dalpatadu OMI, who is the chief guest and Very an extra lustre to this romeo during an audience that took place in the Vati- well-known as a versatile Rev. Fr. Rohan Silva OMI, evening with their me- can. - the Provincial of the Ob- lodious voices. The Fraternity is a Society of Apostolic Life tions translated into lyrics late Province of Colombo, This CD created born from the Communion and Liberation movement. preacher, got his reflec as the guest of honour. platform for some of "I knew the faith, the joy, the strength and wealth of CD under the title "Sevane Mr. Mahinda Na- the seminarians of St. ideas, and the creativity of the faith" of the founder of Kurusiye"to produce (In his the first shade music of mal, the guest speaker, Joseph's Juniorate, very Communion and Liberation, Don Luigi Giussani," the specially the talented the Cross). appreciated Fr. Eymard Holy Father said. singer Alanka Bandara, shas done a great job as an educator. Today, educa- The CD was launched for basing his lyrics on the to make their debut in in a ceremony held at Word of God, for making a tion is always fundamental for the truth to grow, so the St. Joseph's Juniorate clear distinction between composition of hymns that our being as children of God and brothers and Auditorium, Kohuwala, hymns and songs and for thebased field on of the music. Scripture This sisters of Jesus Christ might grow." on February 3, 2013, in the thoughtful and clinical is sure to be a support- the graceful presence of selection of words. Profes- ive accompaniment in Feast of Our Lady of Velankanni His Lordship, Rt. Rev. Dr. sional singers in the stat- Wikramasinghe, Rodney the sacred liturgy. Maxwell Silva, Auxiliary ure of Ivor Denis, Neela Warnakula and Rev. Fr Rev. Fr. Roshan Fernando celebrated at Maggona Importance of family in the 'Year of Faith' In keeping with the 'Year of low the path of truth. They should Faith' a Family Day was conducted be an example to their neigbours, recently at St. Mary's Church, Yati- and not forget that their children yantota, after Holy Mass. will imitate their life style, one The programme was or- day. ganised by Parish Priest of Yatiyan- The love and affection tota Rev. Fr. K. Devaraja along with the members of the Parish Council. marriage should be continued and The chief guest on the occasion was shownall problems in the shouldfirst year be resolvedof their former Director of the Catechetical with love, Catholic families should Centre Rev. Fr. Paul Fernando. the audience stressed the impor- help the parishes and the diocese tance of living in love and in peace. After the singing of the to make the 'Year of Faith' a year of Catholic families should be able to National Anthem in Sinhalese and victory, he said. Tamil, Fr. Paul Fernando addressing surrender the life of illusion and fol- J. A. The third anniversary of Our Lady of Velank- anni was celebrated at "Gladys Watta" Munhena Road, Maggona on February 4. Picture shows Rev. Fr. Jude Asanka TOR being accompanied to the Novena by Rev. Fr. Ishan Prameena, Parish Priest, Maggona. D.A. Fernando Catechist Training Programme (English Medium) A Training programme for English Cate- chists of the Archdiocese will commence in March 2013 under the auspices of the Apostolate for Cat- echetics of the Archdiocese of Colombo. Lectures will be held at the Jubilee Hall, Archbishop’s House

noon.Colombo The and course an outstation will be for venue a duration to be of confirmed approxi- matelyin due course, 10 months on Saturdays at the end from of which9.00 a.m. a Catechist to 12.00 - didates. English Catechists of the Archdiocese are kindlyCertificate requested would tobe contact awarded their to Parishsuccessful Priests can to obtain the Application Form. Duly completed Ap- plication Forms should be forwarded to the regional coordinators of the Sunday School in their respec- tive regions. Entries close on March 2, 2013. Rev.Fr. Indra Fernando Catechetical Director, Archdiocese of Colombo 4 The Messenger 17th Novenber 2012

pathy are as counter-culture as Christ was in his 16,000-word Deus Caritas Est (God is Love) – will day. Here was a pontiff who did not wish to ap- Editorial nofamiliarise doubt appreciate with his first his encyclical colossal contribution as pope – the to pease the whims of a whimsical world; nay, here February 17, 2013 the Church and the betterment of humanity. As with the announcement of his resignation a few through the vagaries of a cynical era. A most solemn and days ago, he surprised the world with Deus Caritas was a shepherd who guided his flock superbly Est several years ago. Whilst many ‘experts’ pre- For us Sri Lankans, Pope Benedict XVI is a dear dicted a dry work of archaic theology, he produced friend and keen supporter. He has publicly sudden departure a masterpiece, a rich tapestry of theosophical and wished for peace in our island and has taken a literary brilliance. That was an early glimpse of this keen interest in its spiritual and socio-economic -Pope Benedict XVI most beautiful man who would lead our Church wellbeing. As Catholics the best we can do to and its one billion or more brothers and sisters for honour him is to pray for his constant wellbe- the better part of a decade. ing. It may also hold us in good-stead if each of Primus inter pares us could endeavour to read the many brilliant - First amongst equals works of his and his sublime homilies, which times stands as a testament to his greatness. With In a world that is often caught up in personal hisThe trademark fact that he humility presided and as completepontiff during dedication difficult to the Lord into our lives. Christ, he has bravely guided the “Bark of Peter” can open floodgates of grace and mercy from our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI’s sudden res- As Pope Benedict XVI retires into a world of rel- gratification and furthering one’s own interests,- crusade against secularism, materialism and con- ative obscurity and contemplative prayer, let us age. As with the manner in which he assumed throughsumerism tumultuous is the foundation torrents of inflicted his papacy. upon We, it. His as all keep him in our hearts and prayers. Let us ignation is a mark of selfless humility and cour Catholics, have been blessed to have a pontiff as always remember the quiet, gentle and humble his deep commitment to God’s will and love of him in these dark nights of the Church, where sec- manner in which this most wonderful of senior Christ.the See of Saint Peter, his departure, too, reflects ularism and atheism have often bared their snarl- pastors in our Church so courageously and self- ing teeth against the teachings of Christ. lessly led us through troubled times. He deserves Despite the sense of shock and disbelief, which nothing but the best, for he gave the very best of the Pontiff’s announcement of resignation has Such is the greatness of Pope Benedict XVI that himself. With the grace and blessings from God created worldwide, many of his well wishers even British Prime Minister David Cameron has our Father, Pope Benedict XVI helped keep our commend him for his heroic gesture. Many more on more than one occasion praised the Pontiff for Church safe from the myriad attacks she faced people praise his untiring efforts over many reintroducing some sense of the spiritual and di- both internally and externally. decades in furthering God’s kingdom on earth, vine back to his country; a country in the depths of through the Catholic Church. moral and spiritual dissolution. Such is the great- Let us take his constant message of the eight - The age-old aphorism, “Cometh the hour, cometh ular world leader as Julia Gillard, Prime Minister message that forms the fundamental truth of the man,” rings true for our Holy Father. For in ofness Australia, of his office has andgiven person honour that to evenhim bya highly citing sec his ouryears existence: of his pontificate The love of to Christ the wholeand His world. Mother A his sixty or more years of unfailing service to Christ-like humility and grace. for all God’s creation. Let us honour Pope Bene- the Lord, he has helped unify and strengthen the dict XVI’s work and ministry by seeking to evan- Catholic Church worldwide. He gave the correct Amongst the many world leaders who have ex- gelise and bring the Good News of God to those perspective to the Second Vatican Council and pressed their gratitude, the Jewish Chief Rabbi who need to hear it. Let us, as with Pope Bene- carried forward the vision of his predecessor, stated that Pope Benedict XVI had worked tireless- dict XVI, be Christ unto the world. Pope John Paul II. His uncompromising respect ly towards establishing good relations between and adherence to the true Christian virtues are Catholics and the Jews. A few beautiful words from Pope Benedict XVI, shining examples of his integrity. Pope Benedict XVI was the perfect person for the "Are we not perhaps all afraid in some way? If we By any standards, Pope Benedict XVI will be papacy at the right time. In a world seemingly gone letreflecting Christ enter our relationship fully into our with lives, Christ: if we open our- remembered as a man of great genius and un- insane, where nations spend disproportionately selves totally to Him, are we not afraid that He might take something away from us? No! If we let writings, which embody remarkable wisdom and Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing, ab- insightflinching that dedication. is nothing Whether short of it the is for Divine, his erudite to his on weapons of war ($1,500 billion on arms and solutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful passion for playing the piano or propagating the less than $15 billion on charity), where unbridled and great. No! Only in this friendship do we expe- true values of our faith, he will be sorely missed Hiseconomic humility. and The financial Pontiff’s greed love are for encouraged his Church, and his rience beauty and liberation....When we give our- by his Christian fraternity worldwide. deepglorified, desire the to Holy engender Father internal personified reforms, Christ his in tire all- selves to Him, we receive a hundredfold in return. less efforts to strengthen the faith of his followers, Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ – and you Anyone who has had the opportunity to read and and his constant messages of love, charity and em- will find true life."

By decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary Indulgences for the 21st World Day of the Sick

DECREE: Special Indulgences for the also to the performance of these works In order that the World Day of the Sick so that the faithful may learn from child- faithful might prepare hood on to have compassion for their themselves spiritually Redemption was brought about brethren and to be generous in helping in the best way possible through the Holy Cross of Christ, that is, those in need" (Decree Apostolicam for the event, His Holi- through his Passion. All human suffer- Actuositatem, n. 31 c). ness Benedict xvi, at the ing, in truth, can share in the redemp- Thus, motivated by the desire Audience granted to the tive suffering of the Lord. In fact, St. that the annual celebration of the World Cardinal Major Peniten- Paul the Apostle said: "I complete what Day of the Sick, this year particularly tiary and the Regent of solemn, is proving to be an ever more the Apostolic Penitentia- sake of His body, that is, the Church" - ry on January 18, gra- (Colis lacking 1:24). in Christ's afflictions for the ing of suffering and further sensitizes ciously offered the gift of In this 'Year of Faith', dedicated thoseeffective who, catechesis in various on capacities, the salvific work mean Indulgences in accordance to God with humble trust and offering especially to the profession of the true to serve people who are suffering in with the following disposition, so that a visible witness of faith through the faith and to its correct interpretation, body and soul. The Holy Father chose members of the faithful who are truly Gospel of suffering: it is worth remembering the luminous the Good Samaritan as the theme for the repentant and motivated by love, fol- A. The Plenary Indulgence, which a teaching of the Second Vatican Council 21st World Day of the Sick celebrated lowing the example of the Good Samari- member of the faithful with a truly on the Christian idea of suffering and from February 7-11 2013: "Go and do tan, may put themselves at the service repentant and contrite heart will be the brethren's participation in it: "Since likewise" (Lk. 10:37), which teaches of the brethren with a spirit of faith and able to obtain once a day, on the usual the works of charity and mercy express doing good for those suffering and do- a merciful heart, and, if they in turn fall conditions (Sacramental Confession, the most striking testimony of the Chris- ing good with one's own suffering (cf. ill, that they may endure the suffering Eucharistic Communion, prayers for the tian life, apostolic formation should lead Ap.Letter Salvifici Doloris, 30) and adversity of life, raising their soul Holy Father's intentions). (Contd. on Pg. 9) 5 The Messenger 17th November 2012 'Our Lady of Lourdes' -Mary is truly Our Mother We commemorated once again Gave to gather wood. They had to cross your limbs regain vigour like the grass. the apparition of our Lady at Lourdes a canal of cold water. Fearing that she Bernadette's mother allowed her to re- To his servants Yahweh will reveal his on February 11. Barely four years had would have an asthma attack, Berna- turn to the On grotto. Sunday, The February Blessed 14, appeared 1858 hand. dette stayed on the bank, and the other for the second time. The three little girls Devotion to our Lady has grown of the Immaculate Conception of Our two girls crossed the stream and picked started out, armed with a vial of holy among faithful Christians for ages and Ladypassed appeared since the to definition a pious young of the girl dogma up wood under the grotto until they water. If what their elders said was true, has taken the form of many old and new named Bernadette, who was gathering disappeared along the Gave. they might need this to ward off malign customs practised with great love. We wood by the shores of the Gave River. Suddenly, out of the blue, must love Our Lady more than we love Our Lady would manifest once more Bernadette heard a great noise like water at the Lady, Bernadette poured our earthly mothers. Let us treat her than she is really our Mother who cares the sound of a storm, but nothing was theinfluences. water quietly Instead on of the throwing ground. the Then as someone who is alive because she is for us and watches over us from Heaven. moving. She was frightened and stood she turned and told her companion that, truly alive and watches over each one of Lourdes is a village in France straight up, loosing all power of speech judging by the Beautiful Lady's smile, us from heaven as if each were her only where Our Blessed Mother appeared and thought. She turned her head She was pleased by this action. child. Christians must act as 'domestici eighteen times to Bernadette Soubirous towards the Grotto of Massabieille and The Beautiful Lady asked Dei' saw in the opening of the rock a rose- Bernadette to pray for the conversion household. are ageless and relevant even to this bush, one only, moving as if it were very of sinners repeatedly on her appari- (EphWe 2:19), are God'sas members family becauseof God's veryin 1858. day. Her messages to Bernadette windy. Bernadette Soubirous was born Almost at the same time, there with longing for all men to be saved and and because, while hanging on the came out of the interior of the Grotto reachtions. Hereternal motherly happiness heart in overflows heaven. Cross,Christ Hewon willed our filiation to make to us the children Father, child of Francois Soubirous and Louise a golden-coloured cloud, and soon During the sixteenth appari- of His mother as well. He gave us His Soubirouson January (Casterot). 7, 1844. She Her was father the firstwas afterwards, a Lady, young and beauti- tion, which occurred on the Feast of the Mother to be ours: “Woman, behold, a miller who provided a comfortable ful exceedingly beautiful, the likes of Annunciation, the Beautiful Lady re- your son. Then He said to the disciple, living for his family. Bernadette had six whom she had never seen, came and vealed her identity to Bernadette: "Que “Behold, your mother!” And from that brothers and two sisters. Only three of placed herself at the entrance of the soy era Immaculado Conception," I am hour the disciple took her to his own her siblings lived beyond the age of ten. opening above the rosebush. She looked the Immaculate Conception. Bernadette These losses bonded the family to- at Bernadette and immediately smiled was not sure what this name meant, the divine purpose for which she was gether in strength and love. Bernadette and signaled her to advance, in a way but people who needed no explanation born,home Mary(Jn 19:26).” continues Since to then,spend faithful herself to once said that she had never heard her that a mother motions her child to come in the service of men, who are all called parents quarrel. The family was always near. Bernadette took out her Rosary than ever before. Baron Massy, a local to be brothers of her Son Jesus. The at peace. This solid family foundation and knelt before the Lady, who also flocked to Lourdes in greater numbers- Mother of God is also truly the Mother left Bernadette emotionally balanced in had a Rosary on her right arm. When amined by three more physicians. They of men. times of trouble and when faced with Bernadette tried to begin saying the foundofficial, her ordered to be physically Bernadette and to mentallybe ex The Virgin Mary's motherhood poverty and illnesses which were to Rosary by making the sign of the cross, sound (ibid.) come. her arm was paralyzed. It was only after We, Christians, celebrate the devotion. By appearing at Lourdes, our Apparently, a series of events the Lady had made the sign of the cross feasts of Mother Mary since children re- Ladyis the wanted basis for to our show love how and much our filial she herself that Bernadette was able to do joice together with their earthly moth- loves us. She reminds us that she lives proportions that they radically changed the same. As Bernadette prayed the ers. But feeling the joy on Mary’s feasts close to each of us, and that we have theirwhich lives. began To in begin 1854 with, were Bernadette's of such Rosary, the Lady passed the beads of is not the sole purpose of these com- a wonderful mother in heaven who is father was falsely accused of stealing - memorations. Above all, Marian feasts aware of the slightest gesture and the mained silent. She did recite the Gloria's constitute a calling for us to respond to smallest need or request of her children. for many days. There was a drought withher Rosary her, however. between When her fingers, the recitation but re her motherly care and love for each one Nothing moves us to love as whichtwo sacks lasted of flourfor two and years was andimprisoned drasti- of us, as well as, to imitate her virtues. much as the awareness of being loved. cally affected the wheat harvest and returned to the interior of the rock and Her only concern is to bring us closer Today, in a very special way, we experi- theof the golden Rosary cloud was disappeared finished, the with Lady her. to her Son, Jesus Christ. Thus, there ence the meaning of this. If we look at mills that resulted from the Industrial Unable to contain her joy, Ber- are lots of lessons we could learn from our own life and see how God's mercy Revolutionwork at the put mill. Francois' And finally, mill the out steam of nadette told her sister of the extraordi- meditation on the events surrounding business, and he was out of work. The nary things that had happened to her her apparitions. reasons for feeling that Mary is our family was reduced to living in a one- at the Grotto, asking her to keep it a motherhas shown in a itself, very specialwe can way.each Considerfind many- room dwelling called the Cachot, which secret. Throughout the day the image of The Humble of Heart ing the great love that the Virgin Mary was formerly used as a jail. the Lady remained in her mind. In the Our Lady chooses those who has shown in blessings she showers on To top it all, during this same evening at the family prayer Bernadette are humble in the eyes of men as vi- us, we want to ask the Lord to teach us period Bernadette contracted cholera. was troubled and began to cry. When sionaries of her apparitions. Notice that to deal with Mary as He Himself did, The high fevers caused her to suffer her mother asked what was the matter, Mary didn't appear to a community of with the same affection and with the physically for the rest of her life. She her sister told her everything. Berna- monks in a monastery. Nor did she ask a suffered emotionally also. She felt the dette's mother told her that these were group of priests and bishops to do sacri- increases day by day. heart ache of being excluded as people illusions, and forbade her to return to same attention,Mary wants with usa filial to talk piety to her,that to pointed to her family as the ones who Massabieille. her Immaculate Heart. Instead, she gave come to her, to let ourselves be consoled live in the Cachot. Her physical illnesses Bernadette’s extraordinary herfices heavenly in reparation message for sinto an and uneducated to console and cared for. She wants us to ask her prevented her from going to school. experience that day was so overwhelm- peasant girl. for a thousand things each day, just as At age 14 she spoke only the ing that she could not sleep that night. This was the unlikely and small children do. She told the shepherd dialect of Lourdes. She was unable to The face of the Lady, so good and so unexpected way God in His Providence girl at Lourdes to say the Rosary for sev- read or write or speak French, and the gracious, returned incessantly to her reminded humanity of the importance eral weeks, and all the people who came Catechism was taught in French only. memory. It was useless to recall what of praying for the conversion of sinners. to the Grotto were to pray it with her. She went to Mass, but she was not al- her mother had said because she did We, too, should have an authentic con- Our Lady expects this sign of affection. lowed to receive Holy Communion with not believe that she had been deceived. cern to lead souls to conversion from It is the conversation of small children her friends. Sometimes Bernadette's Her conviction of this was unshakable. who repeat the same words tirelessly to only comfort was her mother's love. She went on to describe the Beautiful their mother, because they love her. Later, Fr. Pomian prepared Bernadette Lady in detail: ourselves.sin. The first There sinner can we be need no closeness to convert How generous are we in honor- for First Holy Communion. There was "She has the appearance of a tois definitelyMary and notJesus somebody unless one else makes but we an ing our Mother in Heaven with details of something about Bernadette that moved young girl of sixteen or seventeen. She act of reparation and penances for one’s devotion? Let us overcome our stingi- the Hosts of Heavenly Hearts. She was is dressed in a white robe, girdled at the sins and faults. ness and calculating attitude, loving blessed with eighteen divine appari- waist with a blue ribbon which flows In her apparition at Lourdes, our Lady with all our heart’s capacity tions, that changed the world forever down all around it. A yoke closes it in the Immaculate Virgin wanted to shine for loving. Perhaps, we could pray the and ensured that Bernadttte will never graceful pleats at the base of the neck. forth to show once again her motherly Holy Rosary with more frequency if we be forgotten (Victor Cembellin , Story of “The sleeves are long and tight- love. In our prayer, therefore, we ask are not praying it daily yet. And if we Saint Bernadette & Our Lady of Lourdes). fitting. She wears upon her head a veil ourselves as did the inspired author, already do, maybe, we could meditate which is also white. This veil gives just a Who is this that comes like the breaking more deeply into the mysteries of the First Appearance glimpse of her hair and then falls down of the dawn, beautiful like the moon, Rosary as we pray on them. Since love - at the back below her waist. splendid like the sun, formidable as an demands expressing it with deeds, do “Her feet are bare but covered army in array? Our hearts, full of faith, we try to offer short prayers to Mother After dinner The onBlessed the Thursday Virgin’s first before ap by the last folds of her robe except at the convince us that this Lady is our Moth- Mary, making use of her images as re- Ashparition Wednesday, occurred Bernadette's on February mother 11, 1858. point where a yellow rose shines upon er; such a tremendous gift to us in God's minders. told her children that there was no each of them. She holds on her right arm mercy. This is what the Church tells us Our Lady of Lourdes, the more wood in the house. Bernadette a rosary of white beads with a chain of using the words of Isaiah: As a mother Mother of Jesus and our Mother, pray and her sister, Toinette, and a neighbour gold shinning like the two roses on her comforts a child, so I shall comfort you... for us! friend, Jeanne Abadie, went to the River feet." At the sight your heart will rejoice, and Rev. Fr. Daniel Icatlo 6 The Messenger 17th Novenber 2012 The Temptations of Jesus OUR LADY OF LOURDES Today’s Gospel account Thoughts At Lourdes you appeared to a deals with the temptations that haunt me young rustic maid of Jesus in the desert. It is She gazed on your beauty and the spirit who leads Jesus homage she paid into the wilderness to be be able to say that food or Enraptured she fell on her drink given or refused to a knees at your feet sight, this appears strange. hungry person is given or Pure lmmaculate Virgin temptedGod exposing by the devil. His Son At first to refused to Him. Most gentle and sweet the blows of Satan. But is it The second temp- Chorus not to battle the one whom tation reminds us that Ave Maria, Ave Maria John calls ‘the prince of the scripture, depending on Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria world’ that the Son of Man how one uses it, may be ei- came to earth? ther the instrument of God Attired in white gown and Satan attempts or the instrument of the white veil there you stood to tie the noose around devil. To try to force God In Massabielle in a cave in the wood Jesus with a catchy condi- to reveal Himself by some A rosary hung on your slender white hand tional. “If you are the Son of spectacular act, is not the On each foot was a rose, God…..” Satan was saying, language of faith, but of round your waist a blue band “Will God permit you, His unbelief and impatience. To Bernadette gently a message you gave Son, to suffer hunger? Has This is to “tempt God.” The Rosary-prayer has the power to save not all power been given to When the Pharisees later Do penance and say this dear Rosary-prayer you? How will men believe demand signs from Jesus I will bless you and keep you in my loving care you if you do not show which would be proof of them the signs from heav- for all of us. Jesus was so the Son of Man ‘who had His Messiah-ship, they will You caused limpid water to flow from a spring en which are supposed to nourished by this word that nowhere to lay His head.’ be refused. (Matt. 16: 1-4) You said, “Use this water great cures it will bring” signal your coming? Do you in the hour of temptation, it The third tempta- Through ages your blessings for us ne’er did cease. not know that this world sprang naturally to His lips. save Himself and later be tion was to attract the peo- Dearest Lady of Lourdes give us healing and peace. (Lk. 9: 58). He refused to belongs to me and that I do How much more necessary submitted to the mockery ple through sensations. Je- what I want with it? With- this is for us! To every “If of those who watched Him sus says, “No, the power of Rita Irene Fernando out compromise with me, you….,” Jesus replied, “God die. His total commitment God is not for cheap, theat- you know well that all your says…” into the hands of His Father rical performances.” see in Him only a healer efforts are doomed to - will be considered only Bread, miracles, ministry which is to follow. failure! tation shows Jesus being weakness and defeat in the power - are not these what want to make Him king Oneit were cannot the first “Enter stage a strongof the The first temp Jesus did not ar- weakened by hunger, that eyes of the world. But in false messiahs in every age (Mk.1:35-39); when they man’s house and plunder his gue or discuss with the basic urge of every human this way He became the au- own disciples reject with goods,” said Jesus, “unless he adversary. Jesus attacked being. He truly embraced thentic brother of all those of the crowds? The temp- (Johnhorror 6:14-15); the prediction when of Histhe him with the all-powerful our condition. He knew who are deprived of the ba- tationsoffer to win Jesus the was confidence tested death on a cross. (Matt.16: weapon of the Word of God. hunger and poverty as he sic necessities of life, of all with, will be met by Him 21-23) first binds the strong man” There is here a basic lesson was born with it. He was the rejected of the world. throughout His earthly This initial encoun- (Mt. 12-29).Ananda Perera Thus truly, will He one day mission: When the crowds ter with the adversary is as

Healing Power of the Lemon Fruit The water added to the lemon juice should be luke- are, therefore, released at a faster rate which helps keep warm, or as hot as you can tolerate. your urinary tract healthy. m Boosts your immune system: Lemons are high in m Clears skin: The vitamin C component helps decrease When we are reminded wrinkles and blemishes. Lemon water purges toxins Of God’s saving grace are high in potassium, which stimulates brain and from the blood which helps keep skin clear as well. It vitamin C, which is great for fighting colds. They can actually be applied directly to scars to help reduce With ash on our nerve function. Potassium also helps control blood their appearance. foreheads, pressure. m Balances pH: Drink lemon water everyday. It will m Freshens breath: Not only this, but it can help relieve We bow down our heads reduce your body’s overall acidity. Lemon is one tooth pain and gingivitis. The citric acid can erode Dear Lord forgive us. of the most alkaline foods around. Yes, lemon has tooth enamel, so you should monitor this. By the Blood that citric acid but it does not create acidity in the body m Relieves respiratory problems: Warm lemon water You shed. once metabolized. helps get rid of chest infections and halts those pesky To open for us heaven’s closed door m Helps with weight loss: Lemons are high in pec- coughs. It is thought to be helpful to people with asth- To teach us to love all men ma and allergies too. As you do. has been shown that people who maintain a more m Keeps you zen: tin fibre, which helps fight hunger cravings. It also To teach us forgiveness, to teach us to pray alkaline diet lose weight faster. when you subject your mind and body to stress. As men- For charity and unity at the foot of the cross. m Aids digestion: - tioned previously,Vitamin lemons C is are one chock of the full first of things vitamin depleted C. wanted materials. It encourages the liver to pro- When the priest signs your forehead m Helps kick the coffee habit: After I have a glass of hot duce bile which isLemon an acid juice re- helps flush out un With ashes today. lemon water, I actually don’t have a craving for coffee in the morning. Remember your beginning remember your end. digestion reduces heartburn Tip: Drink your warm lemon water in coffee cups that has cof- Ashes to ash, dust to dust. andquired constipation. for digestion. Efficient fee or tea stains. The lemon water will help remove them. There only remains love m Is a diuretic: Lemons increase Tip: Grind the used lemon rinds in your garbage disposal Of the Lord whom we trust. the rate of urination in the body, to help deodorize it. which helps purify it. Toxins Cliveee Taylor The car screeched to a halt and Asela the driv- pavement and said gently, “You must be more careful er yelled in exasperation, “Can’t you look where you especially when you are crossing the road. Do you have are going? to carry so many parcels? Perhaps you should do two Irma, the middle-aged woman was carrying trips if you don’t live too far away.” two parcels and looked all hot and bothered. She stood Irma responded to the kind note in his voice

1 104 stock still in the middle of the road. A policeman walked and said, “I am sorry. Sometimes I forget that I am no By Sirohmi Gunesekera longer young and sprightly. Maybe I should think of of the road. She scurried along clutching her parcels. how much I can carry and do more than one trip. It’s up to herAsela and firmlymeanwhile helped had her restarted along to histhe car other but side the policeman came up to him and blocked him. “I under- Seeing “You should go in search of a Pedestrian Cross- stand that you are in a hurry but you must learn to be man, adding, “Would you have been so impatient then?” ingjust if that you I wantam scared to cross of the the traffic.” road. Even then, you must patient on the highway,” he told Asela. “I suppose not,” retorted Asela in a surly voice. wait for the cars to stop before you cross,” he told her. “But there was no pedestrian crossing and “Can I go now,” he asked. Maybe you and I too should be kind like the she was going so slowly,” protested Asela. The policeman waved him on and then went in thoughtful policeman for, “There is none so blind as he “What if she was your mother?” said the police- search of Irma. He found her wending her way along the who will not see ...” 7 The Messenger 17th November 2012

The Story behindH the National Basilica of Lanka Chilaw, Galle, Jaffna, Kandy and Trincomalee are said to in Our Lady’s arms with Our Lady pointing to Jesus and have sponsored the cost of each pillar. Jesus pointing to Our Lady, a meaning interpreted to read Over the front porch and inside the main oriental “to Jesus through Mary.” Also Jesus holds the Rosary in arch a large circular glass window forms the backdrop for one hand. This Rosary was replaced by the golden Rosary Compiled by: Kishani S. Fernando the cross with the bronze Christ. The figure of Christ was gifted by Pope Paul VI, on his visit to Lanka in 1970. A sculptured by renowned bronze artist Mrs. Leila Peiris, after star on the breast of the infant Jesus is symbolic of the star With its distinguished pillared portico, impressive façade much study of the anatomy of Christ crucified. It is said that of the Orient. window, characteristic towers, vaulted ceilings, domes, the features of the face of the Christ was taken from the There is branch of a Na tree or local iron wood granite walls pediments and floors, the National Basilica in famous shroud of Turin which Christians believe to be the with three flowers at the base of the statue to give it a Sri Tewatte Ragama is Sri Lanka’s only Basilica and the largest original Shroud in which the Body of Christ was wrapped. Lankan touch, even though at that time the Na had not been and most popular Catholic Church. An ariel view of the Basilica shows the building to declared the national tree of Lanka. A birth of a Basilica be constructed in the shape of a cross with vaulted rooflines History in Bronze The idea of a National Basilica for Sri Lanka was conceived spreading in four directions and the main dome at its centre. Recently a series of large bronze tablets have been fixed to fulfill a vow invoking the protection of the Blessed Virgin The huge main dome is hidden from the front view and on the outer wall of the Basilica, recording the beginning Mary on Sri Lanka during World War II. The vow was can only be admired from the sides. An aluminum cross, of Christianity, how it spread to Sri Lanka and the made on 26 May 1940, by the Archbishop of Colombo at designed according to the Greek oriental cross having three subsequent history of the Catholic Church of Sri Lanka. that time Most Rev. Dr. Jean-Marie The tablets were sculptured by Masson OMI, who prayed that if Sri Dr. Sarath Chandrajeewa under Lanka was spared from the ravages the guidance of Archbishop of World War II, a Basilica would be Emeritus His Grace, Oswald built and dedicated to the title of “Our Gomis. Lady of Lanka.” After the War, in thanksgiving The Gardens for the protection received, Around the Basilica Archbishop Masson obtained the there are many buildings and requisite approval from Pope Pius land marks which have an XII for the construction of a Basilica interesting story. in honour of Our Lady of Lanka. The T h e g r o t t o w a s vow was carried to its completion originally the site of a large by Cardinal Thomas Cooray who rock and it is from here that succeeded Archbishop Masson as the the granite for the construction Archbishop of Colombo. of the Basilica was quarried. The site identified for the This rock was then blasted and construction of the Basilica in Tewatte, hewn to its present replica of Ragama, was a land called Orange the grotto of Lourdes. Near Hill Estate which was purchased by the altar is enshrined a piece of the Church when the rubber plantation rock from the original grotto there was affected by disease and the in Lourdes. The new grotto estate was put up for sale. It was was completed and blessed in adjoining an already existing popular 1959. shrine with a small church, a holy well The lake in the premises and a grotto dedicated to Our Lady was built after the Cardinal of Lourdes, which is now part of the who was a water diviner found Basilica premises and is referred to as the spring which began under the old Church and grotto. the main altar of the Basilica There were two architectural plans considered for horizontal bars and resting on a triple pedestal crowns the and ended at the far end of the grotto. This was made into the construction of the National Basilica. One was presented main dome. the lake, with the assistance of Mr. Kahawita and Rev. Fr. by the Sri Lankan architect Valentine Gunasekera in the lines Lofty interiors Anselm Croos who was also a water diviner. of the Santa Sophia in Istanbul as this was thought to be the The vaulted ceilings, pillared halls and lofty interiors The Cardinal who was also a botanist and a lover of closest to oriental architecture. The other was a plan sent in stretch generously on four sides from the altar in the centre. trees planted the land with a variety of rare and useful trees by one Fr. Heras, who proposed the architectural elements The main altar comprises of a beautiful block of undressed including Na, Kohomba, Maruta, Kumbuk, Kattakumanjal, of an Indian Temple. This latter plan was accepted and white stone brought from a quarry in Kirimetiyagara. This Amherstia Nobilis a tree named after the lady Amherst wife construction began. was thought to contrast with the dressed stone that formed the of the Governor of Burma, varieties of Cassia and varieties On February 6, 1974 the Basilica was completed, pediments and walls around. Unfortunately the natural rough of Mahogany. dedicated and the statue of Our Lady crowned as “Our Lady edges of the altar have been smoothened by an inexperienced of Lanka”. Heritage Centre hand. The Heritage Centre or Museum was designed by Fr. Anselm What is a Basilica Behind the main altar is the Sanctuary containing Croos with a mix and blend of several local architectural The term ‘basilica’ was originally used to describe the Holy of Holies containing a tabernacle with two angels features. It houses an extensive collection of Church art and a Roman public building, usually a court of justice. After on either side. This was made according to a picture taken artifacts that tells the story of Church history in Sri Lanka. the Roman Empire became officially Christian, the term from the Bible depicting the perfect replica of the Jewish referred specifically to a large or important church given Ark of the Covenant symbolizing the presence of God. The Power houses of prayer special ceremonial rites by the Pope. By the end of 2008 there Ivory Cross that hangs over the tabernacle is a gift from the Cardinal Cooray was keen to build a spiritual environ were 1,584 basilicas worldwide (four classified as “major,” Parish of Puttalam believed to have been hand carved locally around the Basilica and for this reason he invited Religious the remainder as “minor”). during the time of Fr. Joseph Vaz. (17th century) On either Congregations of contemplative life and other to make their side of the tabernacle are two large elephant tusks. homes around the Basilica. The grand entrance The door to this sanctuary is of the ceremonial The Poor Clare’s Convent came in 1955 initially occupying The grand entrance or the gate-way to the Basilica Kandyan period design made out of rosewood felled from an old railway compartment for their dormitory. is through a series of wide steps descending then ascending a trees that grew in the National Seminary in Ampitiya. The The Rosarians Convent followed in 1957 occupying an old which has to be experienced by foot. A separate road for initial curtains that were hung here were made from the first house that had originally been a dispensary. vehicles, circle this main entrance. At the top of the steps on silk produced by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd at Maha The Providence Sisters were given the original mission house either side are two statues of Archbishop Masson and Thomas Halpe, who were famous for their silk farm. and they took care of the Retreat House in the premises. Cardinal Cooray, the two men responsible for the Basilica. The altar railing here is symbolic of the arboric The Sisters of Mary Immaculate were the last to establish This main entrance is positioned in such a way as to give the culture of Sri Lanka, including a variety of timber in different themselves in 2003. They occupy the former rubber factory pilgrim his first peek of the grandeur of the Basilica framed shades and colors i.e. teak, mahogany, iron wood, jak, white which has now been refurbished. through the trees and foliage that surround it. As the pilgrim and red sandal wood etc. In addition to these are the residences of Archbishop keeps walking forward the building gradually reveals itself in The Blessed Sacrament Chapel is situated in the Emeritus Most Rev. Dr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando and its full majesty, till the pilgrim stands beneath its vast edifice crypt underground. It is also here in the silence of this large Archbishop Emeritus Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis, and at its main entrance, and once again climbs a series of steps hall that Cardinal Cooray lies buried and in whose honor a Piya Sevana Home for the retired priests. leading into the Basilica. statue stands. Feasts Symbolic architecture Our Lady of Lanka On February 4, on Sri Lanka’s Independence Day the The Basilica’s architectural details are not without The statue of “Our Lady of Lanka” designed for Basilica celebrates the feast of “Our Lady of Lanka” to meaning. The twin towers on either side of the front porch the Basilica takes the lineaments of the statue of “Our Lady whose honour the National Basilica, is dedicated. The stands for the two great commandments of Christianity: The of Fatima” from Portugal. It was carved by one Thedim of annual Blessing of the Sick draws vast crowds and many love of God and the love of our neighbour. Fatima the same sculptor who carved the statue of “Our miraculous cures are reported. Other feasts and ceremonies The six granite pillars of the front porch, represented Lady of Fatima” that toured Sri Lanka during that time. include Children’s day, Youth rallies and the usual Liturgical the six dioceses of the Catholic Church at that time divided However the statue differed in that it had the Infant Jesus Church feasts like Christmas and Easter. for administrative purposes. The six diocese of Colombo, 8 The Messenger 17th Novenber 2012 God Comes to Meet Man

Tradition, since it is distinct from Sacred abandoned under the guidance of the standing and handing on revealed truth. Scripture, though closely connected to Church's magisterium. They have received the anointing of it. Through Tradition, "the Church, in the Holy Spirit, who instructs them and her doctrine, life and worship perpetu- III. The Interpretation of the guides them into all truth. ates and transmits to every generation Heritage of Faith all that she herself is, all that she be- 92. "The whole body of the faith- lieves." "The sayings of the holy Fathers The heritage of faith entrusted to the ful... cannot err in matters of belief. This are a witness to the life-giving presence whole of the Church characteristic is shown in the supernat- of this Tradition, showing how its riches ural appreciation of faith (sensus fidei) are poured out in the practice and life 84. The apostles entrusted the on the part of the whole people, when, of the Church, in her belief and her "Sacred deposit" of the faith (the deposi- 'from the bishops to the last of the faith- prayer." tum fidei), contained in Sacred Scrip- ful', they manifest universal consent in ture and Tradition, to the whole of the matters of faith and morals." 79. The Father's self-communi- Church. "By adhering to [this heritage] cation made through his Word in the the entire holy people, united to its 93. "By this appreciation of the Holy Spirit, remains present and active pastors, remains always faithful to the faith, aroused and sustained by the in the Church: "God, who spoke in the teaching of the apostles, to the brother- Spirit of truth, the People of God, guided past, continues to converse with the hood, to the breaking of bread and the by the sacred teaching authority (Mag- Spouse of his beloved Son. And the Holy prayers. So, in maintaining, practising isterium)... receives...the faith, once for Spirit, through whom the living voice and professing the faith that has been all delivered to the saints.... The People of the Gospel rings out in the Church handed on, there should be a remark- unfailingly to this faith, penetrates it - and through her in the world - leads able harmony between the bishops and more deeply with right judgment, and ARTICLE 2 believers to the full truth, and makes the the faithful." applies it more fully in daily life." Word of Christ dwell in them in all its The Transmission of richness." The Magisterium of the Church Growth in understanding the faith

Divine Revelation 85. "The task of giving an authen- 94 Thanks to the assistance of the II. The Relationship between tic interpretation of the Word of God, Holy Spirit, the understanding of both 74 God "desires all men to be saved Tradition and Sacred Scripture whether in its written form or in the the realities and the words of the heri- and to come to the knowledge of the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to tage of faith is able to grow in the life of truth": That is, of Christ Jesus. Christ One common source... the Church: must be proclaimed to all nations and alone. Its authority in this matter is — "through the contemplation and individuals, so that this revelation may 80. "Sacred Tradition and Sacred exercisedthe living, inteaching the name office of Jesus of the Christ." Church study of believers who ponder these reach to the ends of the earth: Scripture, then, are bound closely together and communicate one with This means that the task of interpreta- things in their hearts"; it is in particular tion has been entrusted to the bishops "theological research [which] deepens God graciously arranged that the things he had once from the same divine well-spring, come in communion with the successor of knowledge of revealed truth." revealed for the salvation of togetherthe other. in For some both fashion of them, to flowingform one out Peter, the Bishop of Rome. — "from the intimate sense of spiritual all peoples should remain in thing and move towards the same goal." realities which [believers] experience," their entirety, throughout the Each of them makes present and fruitful 86. "Yet this Magisterium is not the Sacred Scriptures "grow with the ages, and be transmitted to all in the Church the Mystery of Christ, superior to the Word of God, but is its one who reads them." generations. who promised to remain with His own servant. It teaches only what has been — "from the preaching of those who

"always, to the close of the age." handed on to it. At the divine command have received, along with their right of I. The Apostolic Tradition and with the help of the Holy Spirit, it succession in the episcopate, the sure ....two distinct modes of transmission listens to this devotedly, guards it with charism of truth." 75. "Christ the Lord, in whom the dedication and expounds it faithfully. entire Revelation of the Most High God 81. "Sacred Scripture is the speech All that it proposes for belief as being 95. "It is clear therefore that, in the is summed up, commanded the apostles of God as it is put down in writing under divinely revealed is drawn from this supremely wise arrangement of God, to preach the Gospel, which had been the breath of the Holy Spirit." single deposit of faith." Sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture and promised beforehand by the prophets, "And [Holy] Tradition transmits the Magisterium of the Church are so - in its entirety the Word of God which 87. Mindful of Christ's words to his connected and associated that one of son and promulgated with His own lips. has been entrusted to the apostles by apostles: "He who hears you, hears me," them cannot stand without the others. Inand preaching which He the fulfilled Gospel, in theyHis own were per to Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit. It the faithful receive with docility the Working together, each in its own way, communicate the gifts of God to all men. transmits it to the successors of the teachings and directives that their pas- under the action of the one Holy Spirit, This Gospel was to be the source of all apostles so that, enlightened by the tors give them in different forms. they all contribute effectively to the saving truth and moral discipline." Spirit of truth, they may faithfully pre- salvation of souls." serve, expound and spread it abroad by The dogmas of the Faith In the apostolic preaching... their preaching." IN BRIEF 76. In keeping with the Lord's com- 88. The Church's Magisterium 96 What Christ entrusted to the exercises the authority it holds from mand, the Gospel was handed on in 82. As a result the Church, to whom apostles, they in turn handed on by their two ways: orally "by the apostles who Christ to the fullest extent when it de- the transmission and interpretation preaching and writing, under the inspira- handed on, by the spoken word of their of Revelation is entrusted, "does not tion of the Holy Spirit, to all generations, preaching, by the example they gave, by derive her certainty about all revealed truths contained in divine Revelation fines dogmas, that is, when it proposes the institutions they established, what truths from the Holy Scriptures alone. or having a necessary connection with until Christ returns in glory. they themselves had received — wheth- Both Scripture and Tradition must be them, in a form obliging the Christian 97 "Sacred Tradition and Sacred er from the lips of Christ, from His accepted and honoured with equal sen- people to an irrevocable adherence of Scripture make up a single sacred deposit faith. way of life and His works, or whether timents of devotion and reverence." of the Word of God" (DV10) in which, as they had learned it at the prompting in a mirror, the pilgrim Church contem- of the Holy Spirit"; in writing "by those Apostolic Tradition and Ecclesial 89. There is an organic connec- plates God, the source of all her riches. apostles and other men associated with Traditions tion between our spiritual life and the the apostles who, under the inspiration dogmas. Dogmas are lights along the 98 "The Church, in her doctrine, life of the same Holy Spirit, committed the 83. The Tradition here in question path of faith; they illuminate it and and worship, perpetuates and transmits message of salvation to writing." comes from the apostles and hands on make it secure. Conversely, if our life is to every generation all that she herself is, upright, our intellect and heart will be what they received from Jesus' teach- all that she believes" (DV8/1)...... continued in apostolic succession open to welcome the light shed by the ing and example and what they learned 99 Thanks to its supernatural sense - dogmas of faith. of faith, the People of God as a whole 77. "In order that the full and living tion of Christians did not yet have a Gospel might always be preserved in writtenfrom the New Holy Testament, Spirit. The and first the genera New 90. The mutual connections never ceases to welcome, to penetrate the Church the apostles left bishops as Testament itself demonstrates the pro- between dogmas, and their coher- more deeply and to live more fully from their successors. They gave them 'their cess of living Tradition. ence, can be found in the whole of the the gift of Divine Revelation. Revelation of the Mystery of Christ.' "In own position of teaching authority.'" Tradition is to be distinguished 100 The task of interpreting the Indeed, "the apostolic preaching, which Catholic doctrine there exists an order from the various theological, disciplin- Word of God authentically has been is expressed in a special way in the ary, liturgical or devotional traditions, or 'hierarchy' of truths, since they vary entrusted solely to the Magisterium of inspired books, was to be preserved in born in the local churches over time. in their relation to the foundation of the a continuous line of succession until the These are the particular forms, adapted Christian Faith." the Church, that is, to the Pope and to the end of time." to different places and times, in which Bishops in communion with him. the great Tradition is expressed. In The supernatural sense of faith 78. This living transmission, ac- the light of Tradition, these traditions (Excerpts from Catechism of the complished in the Holy Spirit, is called 91. All the faithful share in under- Catholic Church)

can be retained, modified or even 9 The Messenger 17th November 2012 To the Pontifical Council 'Cor Unum' on the occasion of their Plenary Meeting From God's point of view

Christians who work in chari- point of view,” to his plan for each one of table institutions must adhere “to us (cf. Cantas in Veritate, n. I). This new God’s point of view”, to his plan for man, outlook on the world and on man of- without letting themselves be enmeshed fered by faith also provides the correct by the negative trends caused by manipu- criterion for evaluating for expressions lative ideologies that tend to affirm “the of charity in today’s context. absolutization of man,” the Holy Father In every age, when man has not said. He was speaking to participants sought such a plan he has fallen prey in the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifi- to cultural temptations that have in the cal Council ‘Cor Unum’ last month in the end enslaved him. In recent centuries, Vatican’s Clementine Hall. The following ideologies that praised the cult of na- is a translation of Pope Benedict XVI's tion, race and social class have proved Discourse, which was given in Italian. to be real idolatries; and the same could be said of reckless capitalism with its I welcome you with affection and with joy on the occasion of the Ple- inequality and poverty. People today shareworship more of profit and more that aresults common in crisis, feeling “Cor Unum.” I thank the President, Rob- about the inalienable dignity of every naryert Cardinal Meeting Sarah,’ of the forPontifical his words Council and I human being and about our reciprocal offer my cordial greeting to each one of and interdependent responsibility for it; you, extending it in spirit to everyone and this is to the advantage of true civi- working in the service of the Church’s lization, the civilization of love. How- charity. With my recent Motu Proprio ever, unfortunately, our time also knows course to the Roman Curia, December positively to the advancement of human Intima Ecclesiae Natura I wanted to the shadows that hide God’s plan. 21, 2012; ORE January 3, 2013, beings according to God’s design, in the I am referring above all to the p. 6). This is a radical denial of the integrity of their dignity, with respect your work.’ Your witness can open the tragic anthropological reduction that nature of the creature and child in man, for their two-fold - vertical and horizon- doorreassert of faith the ecclesialto many significancepersons who of seek reproposes the age-old hedonistic which ends in tragic loneliness. tal - dimensions. The action for devel- the love of Christ. In this way, during materialism, but to which a “technologi- Faith and healthy Christian opment of Church bodies also strives the 'Year of Faith' the theme “Charity, cal Prometheanism” is added. From this discernment therefore lead us to pay for this. The Christian vision of man is, new ethics and Christian anthropol- union of the materialistic vision of man prophetic attention to this ethical prob- in fact, a great “yes” to the dignity of and the great development of technol- lem and to its underlying mentality. The persons calle - the strong connection between love and ogy a fundamentally atheist anthropol- just collaboration with international munion of humility and faithfulness. truth,ogy," which or, if one you prefers, are examing, between reflects faith ogy emerges. It presupposes that man d to an intimate filial com and charity. The entire Christian ethos is reduced to autonomous functions, human advancement must not make us individual nor an anonymous element receives its meaning from faith as an the mind to the brain, human history closebodies our in eyesthe field to these of development grave ideologies. and inThe the human group. being Rather is nothe is a aself-sufficient unique "encounter" with, the love of Christ, to a destiny of self-realization. All this It is the duty of pastors of the Church to and unrepeatable person, intrinsically who offers a new horizon and impresses disregards God, His properly spiri- be “pillar and bulwark of the truth” (1 ordered to relationships and sociabil- on life its decisive direction’, (cf. Encycli- tual dimension and the horizon of the cal Deus Cantas Est, n· I). Christian love afterlife. In the perspective of a human and every person of good will and right “yes” to the dignity and beauty of mar- ity. Thus the Church reaffirms her great being deprived of his soul and conse- reasonTim 3:15) on guard- to put against the Catholic the trend faithful of riage as an expression of the faithful By encountering God and experiencing quently of a personal relationship with these ideologies. It is a negative trend and generous bond between man and woman, and her no to “gender” philoso- hisfinds love its wefoundation learn “to and live formno longer’ in faith. for his Creator, what is technically possible for humankind, although it may be phies’, because the reciprocity between ourselves but for him, and, with him, for becomes morally licit, every experiment disguised by good feelings in the name male and female is an expression of the others” (ibid., n. 33)· is acceptable, every demographic policy of alleged progress, alleged rights, or beauty of nature willed by the Creator. Starting from this dynamic permitted, every manipulation legiti- an alleged humanism. In the face of this Dear friends, I thank you for relationship between faith and charity, mised. The most dangerous snare of this anthropological reduction, what is the your commitment to promote human- current of thought is in fact the absoluti- task expected of every Christian and recalls the prophetic dimension that zation of man: Man wants to be ab- especially of you who are engaged in face of the challenge of the times, we faithI would instils like in to charity. reflect onBelieving one point adher that- solutus, freed from every bond and from charitable activities. and therefore, in knowity, in fidelitythat the to answer their true is the dignity. encounter In the ence to the Gospel impresses on charity every natural constitution. He claims to direct contact with many other social with Christ. In Him men and women - be independent and thinks that his hap- agents? We must of course exercise stitutes the principle of its discernment. critical vigilance and, at times, refuse and the common good. I encourage you Christians,its specifically, in particular Christian thoseform andwho con work “Man calls his nature into ques- funding and partnerships that, directly tocan continue totally fulfil with their joy and personal generosity, good as in charities, must allow themselves to tion....piness Fromlies in now his ownon there self-affirmation. is only the or indirectly, foster actions and projects I warmly impart to you my Apostolic be guided by the principles of faith, abstract human being, who chooses for that are contrary to Christian anthropol- Blessing. through which we adhere to “God’s himself what his nature is to be” (Dis- ogy. But the Church is always committed (L'Osservatore Romano)

Indulgences for.... the usual conditions as soon as possible, they Contd. from Pg. 4 takeinclination part in to spirit sin, within the the sacred intention functions of fulfilling on the The faithful in public hospitals or in any private home who charitably assist and care celebrations and the Message of the Supreme for the sick, like the Good Samaritan, who Pontiffspecific are days being particularly broadcast while via televisionthe liturgical and ra- O Deus Ego Amo Te are prevented by their service from partici- dio, devoutly pray for all the sick and offer their O God, I love thee, I love thee - pating in the ceremonies mentioned above, will physical and spiritual suffering to God through Not out of hope of heaven for me obtain the same gift of a Plenary Indulgence, if, the Virgin Mary, Salus Infirmorum. Nor fearing not to love and be on those days, they generously devote their In the everlasting burning. B. The Partial Indulgence for all the faithful Thou, thou, my Jesus, after me charitable assistance to the sick for at least a Didst reach thine arms out dying, few hours, as if they were tending Christ the every time they address the merciful God with For my sake sufferedst nails and lance, a contrite heart on the above-mentioned days, Mocked and marred countenance, devout prayers for the sick in spirit during the Sorrows passing number, Our Father, the Creed and a pious invocation to Year of Faith. Sweat and care and cumber, theLord Blessed Himself Virgin (cf. Mary, Mt. 25:40); in a spirit and of recite total the This Decree is effective for this occa- Yea and death, and this for me, detachment from any inclination to sin and with And thou couldst see me sinning: sion. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary. Then I, why should not I love thee, Given in Rome at the offices of the Ap- Jesus, so much in love with me? the conditions required for obtaining the Ple- ostolic Penitentiary on January 25, 2013, on the Not for heaven's sake; not to be the determination to fulfil as soon as possible nary Indulgence. Feast of the Conversion of the Apostle St Paul, day Out of hell by loving thee; Finally, the members of the faithful who closing the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Not for any gains I see; But just the way that thou didst me due to sickness, advanced I do love and I will love thee; age or other such reasons, are prevented from Cardinal MANUEL MONTEIRO DE What must I love thee, Lord, for then? taking part in the above-mentioned ceremonies, CASTRO Major Penitentiary For being my king and God. Amen. will obtain the Plenary Indulgence provided Mons. KRZYSZTOF NYKIEL Regent Gerard Manley Hopkins that, in a spirit of total detachment from any (Courtesy: L'Osservatore Romano) 10 The Messenger 17th Novenber 2012 Tribute to Rev. Sr. Margaret Mary Fernando scjm General Directory for Rev. Sr. Margaret courage and deep commit- “you are called not to do Catechesis ment. Her untiring service great things but to disap- The General Directory for Catechesis (GDC) has a devout Catholic family. will be remembered by pear.” She tried to live this been gifted in order to re-establish and revitalise the SheMary entered was born religious in 1927 life to the province with grateful and impart it to all the sis- goals of Evangelization and the process of Catechesis. - hearts. As the directress ters. GDC further embraces its goals for the active participa- of the recruitment team Sr. Margaret Mary tion of every Catholic. Shein 1947 was andone madeof those her who re she worked hard and dili- having completed her mis- The following guidelines are fully developed in ligiouswere blessed profession to celebrate in 1951. gently to call the disciples sion returns now to the the GDC and Catechists are encouraged to be fruitful in the diamond jubilee of to follow the Lord. She or- giver of life. The Gospel the mission entrusted to them. her religious profession in ganized the team in such a passage, vine and braches, 1. Catechesis is an essential moment in the process of 2011. way that they were able to being her favorite passage evangelization. It is a gradual process, it is the task She was a perfect work throughout the year reminds us that if we con- of the catechist to lead the people to a greater un- and accurate mathematics stantly remain united to Rev. Sr. Margaret Mary derstanding that they are a part of the believing and teacher. She formed the She was a person the great vine, the giver of students in the way of dis- councilor, junior mistress, whowithout found much her difficulty. satiation in life; we will have life with- directress of recruitment cipline. She taught at the God. Her deep union with in and bear much fruit; 2. Theworshiping sole aim communityof the process (GDC of catechesis 47,63,146,156). is to encour - convent of Child Jesus for team and head of the prov- God inspired her to engage fruits that will last. Those age a living, explicit and fruitful expression within long years. ince retreat team. herself in many chari- of us who shared life with Sr. Margaret was As provincial bur- table works. As she was a Sr. Margaret Mary have sar she served for twelve the context of the culture and faith-filled expression appointed as superior God seeker the province witnessed that this is true 3. The task of the process of catechesis could be listed long years and assisted the of the local Christian community (GDC 63,65,66). at Ratnapura Convent in chose her and appointed As we wish good- as follows provincial bursar for an- her to be the head of the bye to her, we rejoice with served as superior in dif- other twelve years direct- retreat team. She formed her in her union with the ferent1972. communitiesThere after untilshe ing the province towards the province retreat team giver of life and ask Sr. Mar- • Promoting knowledge of the faith. her retirement and then and was responsible for garet Mary, all the faithful • Educating for an active liturgical participation. she requested to come had the modern technol- giving the annual retreats departed and saints to in- • Helping people to be morally sound. self sufficiency. She never - to the Home for Elders in ogy that we have today, but on charism. In fact she tercede for us who are left • Teaching prayer. Kegalle. She was a caring she was perfect and accu- was heavily involved in behind, so that we may be • Providing with some kind of understanding of com superior and animated the rate in her calculations. faithful to the command- 4. Themunity Primary life and source missionary for the activity teaching (GDC of the85-87). Church communities toward its vi- As the provincial the congregation. She was ment of the giver of life to is the Scripture together with the Tradition as pre- sion. councilor she played a alsodefining one ofthe the charismsisters who of remain united to Him. sented in the Teaching of the Magisterium (GDC 120- She has served great role in assisting the loved the Message given to 128). the province in many dif- provincial. the congregation through Sr.Sandamalie Kurera scjm - ferent capacities. As pro- She was a very Mother Hostia. Her favor- St. Mary’s Convent, vincial bursar, provincial valiant woman of great ite line in the message was Matara 5. Catechesis is taking a place in the Christian commu 6. Thenity baptismal (GDC 20, catechumenate158, 159. 168). is the model for all cat- To my mother on her birthday echesis, liturgical catechesis is an essential part of 7. Catechesis incorporates Faith sharing in the fam- On March 1, last like you. You were my only Heavenly Choirs will sing the catechetical process (GDC 68, 71, 90). year, I lost the most cheer- consolation and the great- “Happy Birthday” to you. ful and lovable lady in my est blessing in my life. We all send our birthday ily and encourages reflections on Sunday Readings life, my dearest mother, When I needed hope and wishes through the Lord 8. The(GDC Gospel, 226,255). proclaimed in the catechetical process, Esme Abeyaratne. She inspiration you were al- in prayer. could be perceived as Good News which, embodies was a very kind, honest ways there for me. Thank O Merciful Jesus, and caring lady, dearly you for the wonderful and look with compassion on loved and highly respect- the soul of your daughter, the message of Salvation (GDC 30, 95-97). ed by all her relatives and made for me. These are whom you called from this 9. Theof communicating Divine Design theis revealed Word of Godthrough in various numerous cir- friends. generousour loving sacrifices greetings you to life so suddenly, a captive eventscumstances and words. related Catechesis to the life-situation finds language of the capable people When I was in- you, Amma, on your birth- soul in purgatory, have formed by the medical day which falls on Febru- mercy on the soul of thy specialist towards the end ary 20. Esme Abeyratne servant Esme. Bring her 10. (GDCThe formation 38, 109, 146). of catechists is a process of empow- ering catechists to communicate the Gospel Mes- of August 2012 that there “Dearest Lord, life. You gave us a sturdy from the shadows of evil sage, hence, the role of the catechist may become was no hope of a recov- put your arms around hand to hold in times of to the bright throne of an effective witness, a credible teacher and skillful ery, I watched her day- her and grant her the stress and strife. You had Heaven. Lord, you know after-day slipping away fullness of life and joy in the gentlest touch that that she loved you in this heaven and keep her with life and was faithful to you soothed our wounds and Faith-Educator (GDC 235-237). death. That experience is - ailments. You were sent till the end. Take her Lord, into the final darkness of engraved in my memory. day away from home. A to us as a special gift into your Heavenly King- you as it is her first birth St. Mary’s College, Negombo I was shaken and begged birthday spent in heaven from above. The warmth dom and grant her the the Lord to cure her. Why means, a birthday spent of your hug is a memory eternal life that you prom- pays tribute to Past Pupils this nasty sickness? When with the Lord.” that will last forever with ised to your faithful ones. she could have done so We miss you in us. We cannot send you a Heavenly Father, let our much more to our family, so many ways. We miss birthday card; we cannot love and prayers open unto for whom she was a rock. your immense love, so touch your hand; but God her the gates of your Eter- Dearest Amma, much. You will be in our will take our greetings to nal Home where we shall you were the most ador- hearts as long as we live. the one we love so much. love her forever. O God in able, precious, sweet and We thank you for sharing No day dawns, no day your kindness have mercy loving mother a daughter your life with us and for ends without a thought of on the soul of our Esme, could ever have. You are all the guidance, love, care you. forgive her sins and grant the best gift I ever got in and comforts you gave us I wish you eter- her to see the brightness my life. I am always thank- and for all that you left nal happiness with Jesus. of your everlasting Glory. ful to God for making me behind to make our lives May Angels, Saints and Amen. the luckiest child by giv- beautiful. You were there all in heaven celebrate From your ever loving ing me an awesome mom through all the storms of your birthday and the daughter, Shivoli Lent - A Season to Repent

The season of Lent brings back to mind, St. Mary’s College - Negombo paid tribute to Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the past students, who are Rev. Priests, Brothers and who came to free us from our sins, retired teachers. Archbishop Emeritus, Rt. Rev. Dr. and live a life that’s right. God sent His only Son to us Nicholas Marcus a distinguished Old Boy presided at Life has its ups and downs, we know, to lead us on life’s way the Eucharistic Celebration, which was concelebrated yet we trust Him, and move along When our life on earth is over, by many priests who passed through the portals of St. Mary’s College. To assemble at St. Mary’s Church once to guide us, and live a pleasing life We must strive to meet Him one day and refrain from doing wrong, more, was an enriching experience, which brought a lot Shirani David of nostaligic memories. 1311 The Messenger 17th November 2012 Do parents deserve to suffer? The A/L results have Every parent without the parents. Although children lead to arguments heart is what is needed the just been released and it also exception persuades and en- are in no way pronounced as a and could make most. It could be bought releases the tension of many courages their child to study. burden, the struggle in life to them adamant. To about only through the students, who were in anticipa- Thus they do their best in pro- make ends meet make it obvi- pray for a change viding them every possible facil- ous, that it is so. An unemployed of heart would be Pray to God, that your or more. It also soothes the ity to do so. The child's academ- youth at home, weighs heavy the best choice influenceson or daughter of the would Creator. be anxietytion for ofa periodmany of of their five parentsmonths ic achievements are obviously a responsibility on parents. The available. Thus a child of God and remain too. All students who had tasted preconceived victory for many unoccupied child making no the ones who suf- the same throughout. May success give credit to their Alma a parent. Similarly the child's effort to seek employment and fer the most are the ones who have gone Mater and more so to their par- failure or academic downfall, the ones not being committed the parents. astray come back to God ents as well. The teachers have is a disappointment to them as to their place of work, jeopar- When the child's and to you. As in the par- been the guiding force towards well. Yet these parents strive to dize the parents, who suffer the attitude changes, able of the 'prodigal son', their success, while the parents do the very best in catalyzing most. movements seem the father waited patient- have been the propelling force their children to do better, in- secretive and the company of ly till his son came back. All par- behind their achievements. stead of condemning them. The friends unknown, parents fore- ents should pray without ceas- end result would be either a It raises a see danger. The shady behav- ing, and wait patiently till they triumphant entry to the univer- question that every come back to you and to God, as sity or a defeated withdrawal the parents, which make them Monica did in the case of Augus- from studies, to seek employ- child should answer. nervousioral pattern and is worried. sniffed fishy To con by- tine. ment. In both instances the front and to make an inquiry At the outset most par- parents are made to keep their Do your parents could cause unpleasantness. ents pray to conceive. Then deserve to suffer Mother Mary too experienced from the time of conception, - the same in the life of Jesus. His - fingers crossed, till such time because of you? movements were so unpredict- ment. As and when the child theiremployment. child qualifies as a gradu able, but she knew for sure, that fallsthey sick,pray they for resorta safe to confine prayer. ate or tillThe the parents child finds who gainful were it was to do the will of the Fa- At the age of four they pray for delighted to have their children It is a period during ther that Jesus strived for. Our school admission. From then gaining entrance to the universi- which a child is vulnerable to be parents do not have that con- onwards the child prays with For every parent, the ties, subsequently tend to panic, solation. Many debate within them. birth of their child brings happi- when ever interruptions occur atheistic attitude of inquiry of At decisive turning ness and also a promise for the during their university career. theinflicted existence with of a God faith and crisis. contest The- respond to their unanswered points in life, like O/L and A/L future. The anticipated promise The brainy ones at times tend ing one's dependency on Him, questions.themselves Where to find has reasons he gone? to examinations, the parents pray of success in the future, largely to act irrationally, letting emo- may cause a worry to the par- What is he doing? This delema on behalf of their children and depends on the child's academ- tions get the better of their intel- ents. The child distancing from makes parents suffer. this continues till the end. At ic performance. It is for this rea- ligence. The herd instinct, could religious activity and spiritual The parents cannot the end of the day, only the son, that parents clamour to get force many into the misguided devotion, would be a cause of detach themselves from the re- their child admitted to the most fold and even the innocent fall contention.This possibly would sponsibility by saying, I have prayerful parents have the con- prestigious school in town and - bring about disharmony and provided them with education, provide the best possible edu- justice is enough cause to take unpleasantness at home. The I have found them a job and I children. If it does not happen cation. Rational and sensible awayprey totheir it. focusA flimsy on studies.issue of The in child who rejects God, without have propped them up to stand accordingsolation and to plan,benefit the ofones gainful who parent consider their child's ones who suffer the most are discrimination could reject par- on their own feet, should I do suffer the most are the parents. education as an investment. A the parents of these students. ents as well. This would be the more? Whether or not your son It raises a question that every treasure which brings stability The children who bow or daughter is a God fearing, child should answer. Do your and a ray of hope to them, dur- out from their academic career - loving and caring gentleman or parents deserve to suffer be- ing the twilight stages of their and whileaway time unem- edyworry to it.that Attempting ruffles the to parents. contest lady, matters m cause of you? lives. ployed, are a cause of worry for andHow best convince could childrenthey find a would rem analysis. If it is not, a change of RodeZo uch in the final (Q12N7466) (Q12N5956) 1412 The Messenger 17th Novenber 2012 Under the caring wings they came for shelter Rodrigo, the Parish Priest of St. Lawrence's Church. Rizana The programme Don't cry for me Sri Lanka consisted of music and We never meant to let each other drama, which was thor- down oughly enjoyed by the I paid the dear price of my life little ones. Rev. Fr. Bob Blunder and ignorance cost my blessed the new students young life. and addressed the par- My execution would not be in vain ents with an inspirational If saner views prevail. speech. Rev. Sr. Principal If the travails too voiced her sincere Of other migrant workers are appeased wishes towards the new If the exodus ceased. members. My family's retrieved After the batch From its wallowing poverty relieved photograph with the Chief My purpose achieved. Guest, Rev. Sr. Principal, A warm welcome ceremo- ing parents, who symbolically gave Rev. Sr. Superior, President Don't weep for me my countrymen ny had been organized at St. Law- their little children into the loving of the PTA and their class teachers, Wanton tears of regret rence's Convent in order to greet the care of the Lawrentian School Family. the new comers were blessed and The deed's done, but all's not lost. new batch of Grade one students, The ceremony was con- Let me be the timely reminder. who came under her wings for the ducted following a spiritual ser- Grade Two students. Desist from this craving, year 2013. They entered the school vice which was offered by the Chief other gifted with flowersSherline by the For pasturing on greener soil gates hand in hand with their lov- Guest of the occasion, Rev. Fr. Bob For the dazzling shackless, For the illusory pot of gold. May stringent remedial measures immediately operate A students view Spare! Oh spare! Other migrant workers My Fate! Jeannette Cabraal

What Lent really means to me...... 83rd Birthday Remembrance

my pain and sorrow. I also me through my ups and want to be with the people downs. Therefore I have who are in need of some many things to thank God kind of sympathy; not only for. In a way I can think like sympathize but also DO Jesus and forgive my ene- something for them that mies like He forgave them, will make both me and love my companions like them happy. For example He loved his disciples. It I will forego a meal or two is not wrong to imitate Je- to feed a hungry person, I sus cause only then can we will use my clothes care- Mrs. Rita Perera fully so that I can give it in become holy and peace- Given to us: 22.02.1930 a good condition after my ful. We have to help oth- Entered into Eternal Glory: 30.01.2013 using to somebody who ers and commit ourselves has no proper clothes to to the needy and still not "Our thoughts are with you always... - forget that all these should No one can ever take your place... nitely pray to Jesus to take be done willingly and in Rest in Almighty God's loving care.... wear.care of And all the I will poor most and defi suf- secret; not for the sake of Till in Heaven we meet someday." fering. I'm also very thank- showing people and gain- ful to Ggod for all the good ing credit. Therefore by A Memorial Service to celebrate the life things He has bestowed following Jesus and your "Lent" as we all in doing so but think about of Mrs. Rita Perera will be held on Thursdays upon me. heart as I have, we can know is a period of Forty people who have nothing 21.02.2013 at Holy Family Convent, Chapel, Galle days before EASTER. And at all.... Knowing the fact I am attending a all celebrate EASTER in a really good Catholic Con- more meaningful manner. EASTER is the biggest plus that it's hard to do much friends and relations will be very much appreciated. vent which has many good most important feast for and still you willingly wan- Road, BambalapitiyaWilfred, his at children 5.30 p.m. Susith The presence & Kshama, of Rev. Sister's and teachers. I Nimasha Fernando all Christian's around the tingto help, that right there Sidath & Sandra, Sampatha & Naomal and grand have very good friends too Grade 10 world. The period of Lent is what Lent really means. children Tehasha, Sadhani, Sarath, Sahan, Shaluki, and most of all I have been St. Lawrence's Convent is a good preparation for It is not just show- Naveen & Eranga. blessed with an amazing Colombo 06 it. It's a time of prayer, pen- ing other people what you 11, Bambalapitiya Terrace, Colombo 4. family who have been with ance and charity. During can do, or what you do for (N 5976) Lent we should pray that others, it's what you do we may become faithful secretly and humbly that followers of Jesus Christ. counts the most! We must Penance plays a major role also try our very best to during the period of Llent. become holy, and to be You may drink from this fount of love That is repairing the dam- holy one must follow the O come to the fountain of Love, Come to My Most Sacred Heart, age we have done to others path of Jesus; thinking To My Holy Wounds. They are truly the pledge of My Love for you, and especially to ourselves and this Love never ceases. Just as in My by doing wrong. We have praying for others, helping Godhead I will always be, to repent for sin. We must others,of others caring and andsacrificing, sharing so too My Love exists from eternity to eternity. be sorry for what we have with others. I have offered up this Love for you with My life, done wrong and not only I myself have gone so that it might belong forever to you. In My that but we must also make through pain but I am re- Sacred Wounds it is the a determined decision not ally happy to offer it all to treasury of graces with which I communicate myself, to commit sin again, and Jesus with a widely open drop by drop, through My Precious Blood, must make a good confes- heart, especially during in order to strengthen, heal and sanctify you. sion. this Lent season. My yearning is so immense that it would We must give alms I am also very gladly give even the last drop and do other charitable happy to have known at of life to you, so as to rescue even the very last sinner. work; like looking after least the slightest bit of You may drink deeply from this Fountain of Love. You may ask for and share with others the sick beeding the poor what kind of pain that Je- My precious Gifts of Love; who have no food to eat at sus went through, but un- for I want the whole world to experience healing all and providing clothes like me He went through from the Ocean of Mercy that is My Love, to people who have almost loads of tragic pain to save and Rredemption through My Holy Wounds. nothing to wear. You too the sinners. I can feel close Rienzie Ivan Perera to Him by gladly offering may face many difficulties 1513 The Messenger 17th November 2012 What it says ..... in the Readings First Sunday of Lent to satisfy His own hunger Man does not live on bread alone but on First Reading: is at work all day long to our to quite often read the Deut. 26:4-10 snatch us away from the and need. The evil one Scriptures so that we will every word that comes from the mouth Moses tells his Lord. will tempt all of us too to of God. (Mt. 4:4) people to offer thanksgiv- The Lord is fully use our power to satisfy reminded in the Second aware of this and besides our hunger and needs. Reading.find refuge in it as we are for the great works he had He knows that we need Next it is the world. Jesus Liturgical Calendar Year C doneing sacrifices to them toin theEgypt. Lord He is shown the whole world Aid Story. 17th Feb. - 24th Feb. 2013 shows them how God had is aware of this because and the devil wants the In the olden days answered their prayer HeHis too grace was to tempted fight evil. by He the Lord to worship him. But of bitter struggle between Sun: First Sunday of Lent and rescued them from devil. Therefore through Jesus says, “It is written, Scotland and England Deut. 26:4-10; Rom. 10:8-13; bondage in Egypt and today’s liturgy He reminds you shall worship the Robert Bruce was a heroic Lord your God, and Him leader among the Scottish Lk. 4:1-13 gave them the Promised us that in our life’s strug- Land. gle against evil, God and only shall you serve.” We soldiers. A price was on Mon: Lev. 19:1-2,11-18; Mt. 25:31-46 His Scriptures are there must realise that we wor- his head. While pursu- Tue: Is. 55:10-11; Mt. 6: 7-15 to guide, help and protect ship the devil whenever ing Bruce, the English hit Second Reading: upon the plan of tracking Wed: Jona 3:1-10; Lk. 11:29-32 Rom.10: 8-13. us and it also wants us to we make use of his power to gain the things of the him down with blood- Thu: Est. 4:17n. Vul 14:3-5,12-14; St. Paul reminds constantly seek their help hounds. Soon Bruce and world. Mt. 7:7-12 the Jews of the deep union to save ourselves from the his companion heard the Fri: Feast of Chair of St. Peter, the they should have with the evil one. This has to be a deep baying of the hounds Word and the Scriptures. life-long process. One is temptations Jesus was and guessed what it Apostle It should be their very life not saved, or protected quoting scripture In these first and two meant. “We are lost.” Com- 1 Pet. 5: 1-4; Mt. 16: 13-19 if they are to be saved. merely through Baptism. panion exclaimed. “The Sat: Deut. 26:16-19; Mt. 5: 43-48 This is very clear But in the third the devil English have unlashed the Sun: Second Sunday of Lent Gospel: Lk. 4:1-13. in the temptation story himselfwas finding quotes refuge scripture in it. hounds, and they are on our trail.” Gen. 15:5-12,17,18; The Gospel of Jesus. As soon as Jesus to tempt Jesus. Even devil was baptized He was led quotes Scripture; the devil “We are not lost Phil 3: 17 4:1 (or 3:20-4:1); Lk. 9:28b-36 relates the Temptations yet,” replied Bruce. “They to the wilderness by the of Jesus. Soon after His will not catch us. There is Spirit to be tempted by to tempt Jesus, to test the Baptism, Jesus was taken a river not far from here. the devil. He lived there promisesquotes Psalm and 91:the 11-12power Prayer of the Faithful to the wilderness to be We will swim it and the for forty days and then of God. We also test the tempted by the devil. He dogs will lose the scent.” was tempted by the devil. power and promise of Response: Put a steadfast spirit within us, O Lord was tempted in three As Bruce had planned, If Jesus allowed Himself God when we present our ways. when the dogs came to to be tempted soon after intentions and then begin That we may be delivered from the worship the water’s edge they His baptism it is quite to question whether there of material things which swallow up all thought of Reflection. lost the trail. The Scottish evident that the evil one is a God simply because God and spiritual things. Let us pray to the Lord. hero and his companion will tempt each and every we have not got what Response: Put a steadfast spirit within us, O Lord Sunday in Lent. During escaped. Today is the first one of us too. We see Jesus we have asked. The Lord this season we are being Sin and tempta- tempted in three impor- overcomes these tempta- That we may not hunger after popularity prepared in a very special tion pursues us like dogs tant but weak aspects in tions because of the deep and our own glory. Let us pray to the Lord. way to repent for our of the enemy. There is one the life of man. The devil union he has with the Response: Put a steadfast spirit within us, O Lord sins and to believe in the sure means of escape and used all means to put Him Father and the Scriptures. Lord in order that we may that is Christ. We should down. First we have Jesus He was united with them That we may have a spirit of self-denial, to experience and share in plunge into the stream starved for forty days in through constant prayer be faithful in what we have decided to give up this the Suffering, Death and of Prayer, Scripture, Holy the wilderness. Therefore Lent. Let us pray to the Lord. Resurrection of the Lord. Communion and the Grace He is hungry. He also has Therefore let us Response: Put a steadfast spirit within us, O Lord There has to be a constant struggle in our day to day the power to create things tooand seekreflection. the Lord’s help. In the First Reading we means of the Seven Sacra- life, to experience the sal- out of nothing. But in the of Christ flowing to us by That we may seek reconciliation with any- saw that God answered ments. By these we can one from whom we are presently estranged. Let us vation which Jesus gained overcome and escape even create out of something. the prayers of the Isra- pray to the Lord. for us through His suf- the worst temptations. Breadfirst temptation out of stone. it is It to is elites and rescued them Response: Put a steadfast spirit within us, O Lord fering, Death and Resur- to make use of His power from Egypt. Let us endeav- rection because the devil Rev. Fr. Ciswan De Croos Blessed Francisco and to learn to read and write; they were Jacinta were taken from the fam- also asked to pray the rosary for ily tomb of Baron Alvaiarezere in Jacinta Marto -February 20 peace in the world and the end of - SUNDAY- RHYTHM the war that was raging then, as well placed near those of Francisco in FIRST WEEK IN LENT SEASON The Seers of Fatima (1908-1919, as to pray for the Pope, for sinners Ouremthe parish on Septembercemetery. Later, 12, 1935 on andMay 1910-1920) and for the conversion of Russia. It was Mary herself who had assured specially prepared tomb in the side Devil- "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to them of heaven, with the warning It was the 13th of May in chapel1, 1951, to they the left were of thetransferred main altar to of a turn into a loaf." that they would each have to suffer the Basilica at the Cova da Iria. The much. She asked that the Rosary be Jesus - ".. .Man does not live on bread alone." regions of Fatima, a village some mortal remains of Francisco were Devil - "....Worship me, then it shall be yours." recited regularly and that the world solemnly transferred on March 13, the110 year miles 1917. north Away of the from city the offertile Lis- be consecrated to her Immaculate Jesus - "You must worship the Lord your God, and bon, the capital of Portugal, stood Heart. And, as promised by her, they the main altar in the same Basilica. serve Him alone." the little known Cova da Iria where did indeed experience the strength- 1952 to Thethe Chapel process on forthe theright be of- Devil - "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself there took place an event that was ening power of God's grace in their down from here..." to change forever the lives of three lives until the end, enabling them to con- Jesus - "You must not put the Lord your God to the youngsters from Aljustrel who were by Mary. atificationclude of Francisco and Jacinta- test." satiated their hunger, they had just fulfil all Doubtthat was and expected suspicion, of thembeat- whichtation havingcommenced been presented in 1952, to the shepherdingabout concluded their flock. the recitation Having first of ings and imprisonment were their Holy d Father, in 1979. Pope The John final Paul documen II and Richest blessing - Filled with the Holy Spirit, and ... the rosary when, of a sudden that lot until, eventually, no less than the Congregation for the Causes of Jesus was led by the Spirit bright sunny morning a powerful - through the wilderness. the miracle of the sun and all else cisco and Jacinta were declared sky, bathing them in an astonish- 90,000that accompanied people virtually the last witnessed appari- Saints on February 15, 1988, Fran- Richest result - Having exhausted all these ways of inglyflash of dazzling lightning glow tore and through revealing the tion of Mary at Fatima. A remark- tempting Jesus, the devil left Him. able change came over the children. "Venerabi To on the May glory 13, of1989 God, and while be young maiden, the Virgin Mother of They became kinder in their atti- atifieddevotion in the to Jubilee Our Lady Year of2000. Fatima God! to them a resplendent figure — a tude towards all they came in con- registers a steady increase in every To Think - When you are in God, He always Ten-year-old Lucia de Jesus tact with and were easily moved by respect, thanks to the unwavering guards and guides you. Are you in and her two cousins, Francisco and the sufferings of their their visits to Jacinta Marto were the three seers faith of the three children, Lucy, God or somebody else...? the Eucharistic Lord increased in Francisco and Jacinta, her Shrine at frequency and fervour, paving the the Cova da Iria continues to draw To Act - Face the temptations with the Holy be recipients of the same for the way for their much-awaited union of that beatific vision and were to people by the million, year after Spirit and Return to God. with Him, the Lord of their life, of year, into the healing embrace of the maintained uninterruptedly, except all life. Francisco, who was born on nextfor August five months, 13 when a rendezvous they were taken they - To Pray - Dear Lord, my Strength, help me away for cross-questioning by the Reflection: "Having been to choose your Way and encourage Mayor of Villa Nova de Ourem, un- Lonficrowned love. by the Most Holy Trin- June 11, 1908, was called to his re der whose jurisdiction Fatima fell. ity from heaven, Mary fulfils for us me to preach your Way through my wardpassed on away April to 4, hers1919 on at FebruaryAljustrel; An unexpected apparition, however, Christians the roles of Mother Teach- words and deeds. Amen. Jacinta, born on March 11, 1910, er and Queen. On our part, we want lives on today as Sr. Maria Lucia of Rev. Fr. Randil Fernando OMI - to be good children diligent disciples 20,1920the Immaculate at Lisbon. Heart. Lucia de Jesus and docile subjects " (Blessed James followedhos." on August 19 while they The mortal remains of grazed theirThe trioflock was in theasked "dos by Valin Mary Alberione)