Christian Perspectives

Feast of St. Anthony - June 13:

Kandy's feast and devotion to St. Anthony

Miran Perera

The beginning of the devotion to St. Anthony in Kandy is a fascinating tale. Even before the Kandy diocese was formed the Catholics in Kandy had been very much aware of this Saint who had made miracles and was known worldwide.

The premier church for Catholics in Kandy is dedicated to this wonder worker of Padua, St. Anthony. Yet even before this church was built the name of St. Anthony was close to the hearts of Catholics in Kandy because of the beginning of a legendry Catholic school much renowned throughout the length and breadth of this country.

The propagation of the name of St. Anthony in Kandy began in 1843 after 30 years since the deportation of the last King Shri Wickrama Rajasinghe to India. In September that year an Italian oratorian Fr. Orazio Bettacchini was sent to the Kandyan mission and he pioneered the opening of the Catholic school in 1844 on the same premises where St. Anthony's Cathedral stands today.

This was the very beginning of St. Anthony's College, Kandy. Yet sadly in August 1844 Fr. Reinand the successor to Fr. Bettacchini who continued as missionary until 1848 began his missionary career by pulling down the school.

It was not until November 1853 that one father Felice Alexander Zoppi a Franciscan priest from the Chinese missionary field was sent to Kandy to rekindle and repropagate the devotion to St. Anthony and to restart the school dedicated to this glorious saint. Fr. Zoppi restarted the school on the present St. Anthony's church premises where he was residing.

On 12th March 1854 the school was officially acknowledged by Fr. Zoppi's Superior in Colombo, Monsignor Joseph Maria Bravi OSB the great pioneer for the devotion of St. Anthony in Kandy and thus was the birth of a legendary school in Kandy. Yet it was 32 years later after this school began that the Cathedral of St. Anthony in Kandy was built in the same premises.

As St. Anthony belonged to the Franciscan order it is conjecture to assume it as a reason why Fr. Bettacchini began the propagation of St. Anthony in Kandy, for the very first time. In 1876 the church was constructed by Monsignor Leo Singolani OSB heralding the entry of the great Benedictine monks following that of Monsignor Bravi.

Exactly a year later in 1877 the St. Anthony's Cathedral in Kandy was declared open by Rt. Rev. Monsignor Clement Pagnani OSB the first Bishop of Kandy.

This year Kandy will celebrate the 132nd annual feast of St. Anthony the patron saint of the Kandy diocese and the guiding saint of St. Anthony's College which will renew its devotionalties for the 164th time.

Since the inception of the Cathedral and the devotion to St. Anthony in Kandy six Bishops have guided the faith of the followers of this great Saint. The first Bishop of Kandy was Monsignor Dr. Clement Pagnani OSB then came Bishop Bede Beekmeyer Bishop Regno, Bishop Leo Nanayakkara, Bishop Paul Perera and the present Shepherd of the faithful the gentle giant of Kandy Bishop Vianney Fernando.

This year's feast of St. Anthony in Kandy will be celebrated amidst the presence of many religious dignitaries and the parish priest of Kandy Rev. Fr. Prasanna Warnakulasooriya a distinguished Old Antonian. Vespers will be sung and on the day of the feast Pontifical high mass will be held by Rt. Rev. Dr. Vianney Fernando, Bishop of Kandy. After the mass the statue of St. Anthony will be taken in procession along the streets of Kandy.

Brother Baptist Croos - A God's gift to mankind

"As is a tale, so is life, not how long it is, but how good it is," wrote Seneca. One may grow old by the years that one has lived, but one keeps young by the events and achievements of enduring value that are packed into one's life.

Brother Baptist Croos FSC completed his 69th year on June 1 and 50 years of treasured religious life as a De Lasalle Brother last year is a multifaceted and multi-dimensional personality, whose name will be written large in the annals of Lasallian spiritual history.

His profound knowledge in English, Tamil language and Tamil literature, his brilliance as Director of Lasallian English Academy and his significant service in the field of religion and above all his high moral character marks him out as one of the greater Lankans of modern times.

As a De La Salle Brother for the last 50 years he has discharged his responsibilities with unsurpassed distinction and unsullied honour. It is very often said that "great men whether great social or religious workers differ from common man only in one thing. They give life a meaning, a purpose and dedicate themselves to that purpose.

Indeed, Brother Baptist Croos is an exceptional human being with exemplary character who translates thoughts and intentions into action, passion with reality and every minute with valuable moments.

In fact, Brother Baptist Croos is a God's gift to mankind. Further, while being highly disciplined and remaining very religious, traditionally and culturally rich he has an open mind and is receptive to contemporary ideas for the sake of his cause.

Brother Baptist Croos possesses in full measure the learning ability, the quickness of thought and the capacity for hard work which enabled him to attain eminence as an internationally recognised Lasallian Brother.

He was born on June 1, 1939 at Vankalai in Mannar. On completion of his secondary education he followed a Diploma course in Journalism in Colombo on February 1965. Thereafter, he proceeded to France and obtained a Diploma in Catechesis on May 1969.

Thereafter he joined the University of Punjab, Pakistan and got a Bachelor of Arts Degree (B.A) in English, French and German. He followed a special course in Lasallian spiritually in Rome, Italy and three months' course in Theology in Bangalore, India. In December 1991, he got a Master's Degree (MA) in Religious Education from ISFA, Colombo and Doctorate in Education on September 1993 from DLSU, Manila, Philippines.

Further, he has functioned as Director of Catechists' training centre in Faisalabad, Pakistan for 8 years, Auxiliary Visitor for Pakistan for 6 years, member of the Lasallian International Catechetical Commission in Rome for 4 years, Provincial Visitor for the District of Colombo, India, Pakistan for 6 years, President of the Conference of the Major Religious Superiors (CMRS) of Sri Lanka for 4 years, Co-Director of ISFA (Institute of Spiritual Formation for Asia) Colombo affiliated to the De La Salle University of Manila, Philippines for 2 years, Provincial Visitor for Sri Lanka and Pakistan in 1997, Director Lasallian English Academy, Colombo for 7 years, Founder President of SUNFO (Sri Lanka United Nations Friendship Organisation) from 1999 onwards, Director De Lasalle House, Mannar from 2005 and Director Lasallian English Academy, Mannar from 2005 onwards.

Brother Baptist Croos is a scholar of exceptional breadth and depth, a prolific writer, author of several books, musician, a wise and generous friend.

Undoubtedly Brother Baptist Croos's unparalleled enthusiasm and humanitarian gesture are highly commendable and an inspiration to everyone around him. May God bless him abundantly and grant him long life, excellent health and strength to continue with the marvellous work he is doing so.

- 'Kalabhooshanam' Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar

Pope prays for disaster victims in China and Myanmar

VATICAN CITY: Pope Benedict XVI called on the Virgin Mary to help people from the regions of China and Myanmar that were devastated by natural disasters in May, as part of his Angelus prayers on Sunday.

"I want to invoke once again the intercession of the Virgin for those populations of China and Myanmar hit by natural disasters and for all those who are going through situations of pain, illness, and material and spiritual poverty that obstructs the path of humanity," he said.

The head of the Roman Catholic Church has already called on his followers to pray for the people of China and Myanmar on several occasions and expressed hope that international aid would reach survivors in time.

Cyclone Nargis pummelled impoverished Myanmar on May 2-3, leaving 133,000 people dead or missing.

An earthquake shook China's Sichuan province on May 12 and left a death toll of over 69,000, with another 18,830 still missing and 15 million people left homeless.

Wednesday, AFP

Lasallian awards ceremony

Sarath Malalasekera

The Lasallian award ceremony was held at the St. Joseph's Novitiate, Colombo recently with Very Rev. Bro Thomas Jahnson FSC, Vicar General as the Chief Guest.

The Lasallian award ceremony was held in appreciation for the services rendered to the poor and marginalized through Education.

Guests of Honour Rev. Bro. David Hawke FSC, General Councillor for the PARC Region and Rev. Bro. Jorge Gallardo de Alba, FSC General Councillor. Provincial Visitor Rev. Bro. Henry Dissanayake also participated. Prayer Service was conducted by Bro. Christy Croos.

One minute silence was observed for the deceased Lasallians. Welcome address was made by Very Rev. Bro. Visitor.

Attorney-at-Law N. E. Vernon Cooray - Rev. Sr. Felicita de Silva were among the Distinguished Lasallians of De Mazenod College, Kandana who received awards.

Vernon Cooray is a very loyal pupil of De Mazenod College who during his school days, as the President of National Catholic Students Federation participated at several work and study camps around the country. Late Vernon taught for a number of years at De Mazenod College and joined the legal profession.

Vernon functions as the Vice President of the College Old Boys' Union. He played a major role as the mediator in purchase and annexation of land of the College. Vernon Cooray, the unofficial Magistrate at the Legal Courts, is also the legal consultant of the De Mazenod College.

Vernon offered all service free of charge to the College. Vernon Cooray is very loyal old Mazenodian. Rev. Sr. Felicita de Silva is a vigorous and vibrant forward looking Sister with a missionary vision had toiled at De Mazenod College, Kandana for more than 25 years, worked as the Principal of the Primary Department, the student councillor and in-charge of spiritual welfare of the students.

Rev. Sister Felicita was loyal to the Brothers and very supportive. She has contributed generously to the prosperity of De Mazenod College.

Rev. Sister Felicita is dynamic, enthusiastiic and an energetic human being.

The social doctrine of the church and environmental issues

Continued from last week

Rev. Fr. Leopold Ratnasekera

Environment and the sharing of goods, a common responsibility

Care for the environment, states the Compendium, represents a challenge for all of humanity. It is a matter of a common and universal duty that of respecting a common good, destined for all, by preventing anyone from using with impunity different categories of beings, living or inanimate, simply as one wishes, according to one's own economic needs.

We must bear in mind the nature of each being and of its mutual connection in an ordered system, which is precisely the 'cosmos'. The Compendium adverts that the environmental value of biodiversity must be handled with a sense of responsibility since it constitutes an extraordinary richness for all humanity.

It should not only be for the present, but also in the interest of the future and future generations. This devolves on individual States and the international community. The Compendium singles out three more important points: namely, juridical measures, economic activities and the rights of indigenous peoples.

The latter deserves particular attention since it is a fundamental expression of their identity. We need a juridical framework for the exercise of more effective control and protection of the ecosystems.

The right to a safe and healthy natural environment can be ensured only by a disciplined use of created goods in the interest of the common good. Juridical measures however are not enough without change of mentality and lifestyle.

An important guideline is offered by the Compendium when it states that: "Programs of economic development must carefully consider the need to respect the integrity and the cycles of nature because natural resources are limited and some are not renewable" (n.470).

A precautionary word is also said about energy resources. The passage is worth quoting in full: "Non-renewable resources, which highly-industrialized and recently-industrialized countries draw from, must be put at the service of all humanity.

From a moral perspective based on equity an inter-generational solidarity, it will also be necessary to continue, through the contribution of the scientific community, to identify new sources of energy, develop alternative sources and increase the security levels of nuclear energy.

The use of energy, in the context of its relationship to development and the environment, calls for the political responsibility of States, the internal community and economic actors. Such responsibility must be enlightened and guided by continual reference to the universal common good" (n.471).

In relation to the use of biotechnology, the following two observations are made: 1) The new possibilities of biological and biogenetic techniques have raised hopes and enthusiasm, but also alarm and hostility.

The Church is aware that the application of these, their acceptability from a moral point of view, their consequences for human health as well as their impact on the environment and the economy, are highly controversial and are subjects of heated debate. What Christians are concerned is with the values at stake in this research.

Their real benefits and risks have to be evaluated. The Compendium says however, that it would be unacceptable to act lightly and irresponsibly in procedures, that have forceful and widespread impact on living organisms with the possibility of significant long-term repercussions. 2) Modern techniques have to be evaluated according to the ethical criteria that must always guide human activities and relations in the socio-economic and political spheres.

Above all, the criteria of justice and solidarity must be taken into account. While scientists and technicians are called upon to intelligently finding the best solutions to urgent problems such as food supply and health care, entrepreneurs must not only look for legitimate profits but also the Common Good.

Ending the chapter on Environmental issues and the ecological question, the Church once again recalls three basic principles: 1) Creation is to be accepted as God's gift and as mystery that reveals his providence. When God is displaced, nature is stripped of its profound meaning and impoverished.

If the creature-liness of nature is recognized, then it helps us to enter into the realm of mystery, which opens the path of man to God. 2) Church's Social Doctrine insists on equitable sharing meaning that the goods of the earth were created by God to be used wisely by all in compliance with complying demands of justice and charity.

Collaborating in projects that help exercising our responsibilities in this regard will be an expression of stewardship.

It will be a contribution towards fostering goodwill and promoting cordial relations among peoples, making Christians and Buddhists harbingers of hope for a clean, safe and harmonious world.

Assistant Secretary General, Catholic Bishops' Conference of Sri Lanka

New Sri Lankan Ambassador to Holy See

Pope Benedict XVI received the letter of credence from Sri Lanka's new Ambassador to the Holy See Tikiri Bandara Madduwegedara recently.

Addressing the Sri Lanka Envoy, the Holy Father mentioned how "Catholics in Sri Lanka, together with other Christians are united with many Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims in the ardent longing for lasting peace in the country and a definitive end to long-standing grievances.