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The most venerated shrine and popular pilgrim centre of the Catholics in Sri Lanka is the Church of Our Lady of Rosary in Madhu. There are feasts in this hallowed shrine almost every month. However, the feasts on July 02, August 15 and October 01 are outstanding and draw large crowds. Among them too the largest number attend the August 15 festival as it is held during the school vacation.

For the last two decades or so the Madhu shrine was occupied by the LTTE terrorists and devotees were not free to attend the feasts with all the solemnity. As the terrorists have now been subjugated by the Government, arrangements have been made to celebrate the August festival this year on a grand scale from August 06 to August 15 with the State patronage as well.

Fransican missionaries

During the Portuguese times, the Fransican missionaries were in charge of the island of Mannar, Mantota in the mainland and other missions close to the coast there. They did not penetrate into Vanni jungles where there were small scattered villages. Maruda Madhu was such a remote village in Vanni.

The statue of Our Lady of Rosary in Madhu was originally found in a church in Mantota. During the Dutch times there was a store house in Silena Maruda Madhu that belonged to the Kingdom of Kandy. During the Dutch persecution by about 1,670 some Catholics from Mantota had fled to Maruda Madhu with the statue of Our Lady of Rosary. The Buddhists in Maruda Madhu have welcomed the fleeing Catholics and provided them shelter in the village.

As Silena Maruda Madhu was outside the jurisdiction of the Dutch, Catholics were safe there. As it was not too far from Mantota the persecuted Catholics there could take refuge in Maruda Madhu. They placed the statue of Our Lady of Rosary in a hut under a tree and paid their homage. Later some other Catholics from Jaffna persecuted by the Dutch too settled down in Maruda Madhu.

According to legend, among the Catholics that came from Jaffna, there was a beautiful lady called Helena. The person in charge of the store house in Maruda Madhu had fallen in love with her and married her. Helena with the blessings of her husband and others in the village has built a wattle and daub chapel for Our Lady of Rosary.

Whatever the legends concerning the statue of Our Lady of Rosary, it is on record that there had been a Catholic community in Silena Maruda Madhu during the times of the Oratorian priests in the Dutch period. According to a report in 1701 it is expressly stated that Fr. Pedro Ferrao has built a church in Silena Maruda Madhu as distinct from a chapel. Probably the new church had been built to replace the existing wattle and daub church.

Oratorian chronicle

It is said that Blessed Joseph Vaz has visited Fr. Pedro Ferrao at Maruda Madhu.

The Oratorian chronicle of 1705 giving a list of missionary assignments says Fr. Ferrao has been appointed to the district of Silena-Madhu. This shows that Madhu had come into prominence during the times of the Oratorian priests.

The Madhu Church came to be well looked after by later oratorians. It is reported that the original church was rebuilt by Fr. Antonio de Tavora. With the restoration of religious freedom by the British Madhu Church became a pilgrim centre. At that time the migrant fisherfolk from Negombo used to go to fishing expeditions to Mannar in April, May and June. They went upto Vavuniya by train and had to go through Maruda Madhu to reach Mannar.

The fishermen from Negombo on their way to Mannar paid homage to Our Lady of Rosary at Madhu and made vows for the success of their fishing expeditions. On their way back they stayed about a week at Maruda Madhu, fulfilled their vows and performed religious exercises. Till recently the July feast of Madhu was conducted by the people from Sea Street, Negombo.

Madhu further developed as a popular shrine when Oblate Mary Immaculate priests (OMI fathers) took charge of the vicariate of Jaffna. When the train service was extended upto Mannar Madhu developed into a popular shrine drawing pilgrims from far and wide. Bishop Christopher Bonjean inaugurated the July 02 feast in 1870. It was he who planned the present church and laid the foundation for it on August 08, 1872. The building work continued under his successor Andrew Melizan and was completed under Bishop Joulain.

Crowning the statue

On July 02, 1924, after a solemn High Mass celebrated by Bishop Guyomar of Jaffna, Archbishop Anthony Coudert of Colombo officiating as the Papal Legate for the occasion crowned the statue of Our Lady of Madhu. The crowning is the official Church recognition of shrine. Thus the Madhu shrine which had humble beginnings as a wattle and daub structure in an insignificant village in a jungle has become the greatest Marian shrine in Sri Lanka. According to Fr. W.L.A. Don Peter Madhu is one of the greatest blessings that the Dutch persecution has brought to Sri Lanka.

In the past the devotees before going on pilgrimage to Madhu, prayed in churches close to their homes, made vows and reconciliated with the enemies. On the trip to Madhu they recited the Rosary, litanies to the Blessed Virgin Mary chanted prayers and sang hymns. In the Madhu camp they wore simple cloths even without shoes. They lied down in the silvery sands in the vicinity of the Madhu church and listened to sermons, religious discussions, chanted prayers, recited hymns and achieved religious fulfilment. Pilgrimage to Madhu was a spiritual exercise.

However from the recent past the pilgrimage to Madhu has taken a different turn. The youngsters instead of chanting prayers and reciting hymns sing Baila during the trip to Madhu. In the Madhu camp they exhibit latest fashions. For some pilgrimage to Madhu is a bonanza for eating, drinking and merry-making. Many take liquor to Madhu and engage in various entertainments playing musical instruments. On several occasions the administrators of the Madhu Church had to prohibit the use of musical instruments and radios in the Madhu camp.

For the deterioration of the religious atmosphere in the Madhu camp, the sole blame could not be placed on the youngsters. What is seen in Madhu camps is a repercussion of overall degeneration of standards.

Religious doctrine

Since the August Madhu feast is to be held after freeing the Madhu camp from the terrorist menace, elaborate arrangements are being made by both the Church authorities and the Government to celebrate the feast.

We all could be happy about it. Nevertheless we Catholics must make it a point to maintain the religious atmosphere and spiritual fulfilment of the Madhu feast.

(The writer is a former High Court Judge and Vice-President of the Newman Society Alumni Association)

Seminary lauds new Archbishop

Giving glory and praise to Almighty God, the Rector, the staff and the students of St. Aloysius seminary warmly welcome the newly appointed Archbishop, the 9th custodian and the shepherd of the flock for the Archdiocese of Colombo, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Bishop Malcolm Ranjith. 'Your Grace, accept our joyful greetings and felicitations that flow from our hearts with much love and affection.'

Though you lived a smaller portion of your life as a student in the 'Tiny home of God' in our seminary (from 15th March 1965 to 4th June 1966) as a priest, you were seen moving in various directions to gather children for priestly vocations, saw God's calling in them, especially the Holy Childhood Society, where you were instrumental in sending them to various seminaries, which was the love you had for the church and the vocations.

We do remember, you, as the Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese, the effort you put in, especially for Rectors, in bringing various ideas for improvement, how to implement them, how to work in teams to bring much fruits.

You took much interest in participating in functions at the seminary, strengthened the students each time you visited, gave them various new inspirational ideas for the upbringing of their vocations, looked into the needs and the requirements of the seminary.

You are truly aware that St. Aloysius Seminary is the 'Seed Bed' that releases 'God's dew drops', the new Diocesan priests to the Archdiocese.

May the precious Lord, through the power of the Holy Spirit, guide and inspire you with greater wisdom and knowledge to serve the flock entrusted to you and may be give you peace, joy and happiness in all your future endeavours.

World's oldest Jesuit dies at 104

A few days after becoming the oldest Jesuit in the world, retired US St Louis University professor, Fr Raymond H. Reis, has died aged 104.

His death came a few days after the word arrived from Rome advising of the death of the previous oldest Jesuit, in Mexico. Fr Reis had two careers with the Jesuits. After retiring from teaching, he returned to school to become a registered nurse.

He was born in St Louis on March 25, 1905, attended Kenrick High School and graduated from Quincy Academy in Illinois in 1923.

He joined the Jesuit order at St Stanislaus Seminary in Florissant in 1926. He returned to St Louis University and earned a doctorate in biology in 1940.

He taught at Marquette University in Milwaukee and Rockhurst College (now Rockhurst University) in Kansas City and was a visiting researcher at the University of Milan.

He returned to St Louis University, where he taught biology from 1961 until he retired for the first time in 1973. Courtesy: Cathnews

'You will be judged'

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7 : 1 - 5.

Most of us fall a prey to the sin of judging others. We set real high standards to be achieved when it concerns others. But somehow when we ourselves commit sins we expect Jesus to be merciful.

Jesus clearly says here if you do not want to be judged then you too must not judge others.

Most Christians are not guilty of sins such as murder, stealing or adultery but when it comes to judging others 99% of us are guilty of this offence.

We somehow, have got the wrong idea into our heads that by judging others, by standards we ourselves cannot keep, we are raising our own standards and giving the world the impression that we ourselves keep high standards. Alas, foolish believer, what you are really doing is condemning your self!

God, who would have been merciful to you, the moment you judge another person has to judge you by the same standard that you are judging people with.

God is the only fair judge. He takes all circumstances into consideration, and He alone has the power and what it takes to be a fair judge.

The moment you judge others, you are raising yourself to being in this elevated position that belongs to God alone. You are in other words, equalling yourself with God!

If you do this, God has no choice other than to judge you with a higher standard than us mortal sinners, who are covered by the blood of Christ, and you end up being judged by God severely. Take heed therefore, not to judge others - however, if you are guilty of this offence, ask Jesus to forgive you and help you love others as your self.

Prayer

Just as I am I come to you Jesus, please help me overcome this problem of judging others and instead love them as you have taught - give me this love that only comes by knowing you more and more. In Jesus name I ask. Amen.

Anglican churches to stop sharing wine over flu fears

The Church of England urged bishops Thursday to stop sharing wine at communion services, because of the risk of spreading swine flu.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and Archbishop of York John Sentamu have written to Anglican bishops to recommend they stop the congregation sipping from the same chalice until the pandemic is passed.

As an alternative, they suggest bishops dip the communion wafer into the wine and give that to followers as a hygienic alternative.

In Holy Communion, or the Eucharist, Christians remember the sacrifice of Jesus for mankind by consuming consecretated bread and wine, which represent his body and blood.

"We recommend those presiding at Holy Communion suspend the administration of the chalice during this wave of pandemic flu," said the letter.

"For those who still wish to offer in both kinds, we recommend the practice whereby the presiding minister, whose hands should have been washed with the appropriate alcohol based rub before handling the elements and the vessels, personally intincts all wafers before placing them in the hands of communicants.

The recommendation follows new advice from the Department of Health that people should avoid sharing food and drink vessels during the flu outbreak, which has so far infected tens of thousands of people in Britain.

At least 31 people suffering from the virus have died here, although the vast majority of these have had underlying health conditions.

Churches around the world are taking similar measures to combat swine flu. In Portugal, churchgoers have been advised to take communion by having the host placed in their hands, not their mouth.

Pope celebrates mass with wrist in plaster

Pope Benedict XVI slept well and celebrated his regular daily mass Saturday with his wrist in plaster, the day after his operation on the fracture, his spokesman said.

"He is learning to live with a right wrist in plaster," Federico Lombardi told AFP. "The most difficult thing for him is having to give up writing."

Lombardi said the 82-year-old pontiff, who is on a two-week holiday in northern Italy, would fly by helicopter on Sunday as planned to Romano Canavese, in the neighbouring Piedmont region, to recite the evening Angelus prayer. Some 10,000 people are expected at the ceremony in the town, the birthplace of Vatican number two Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. Lombardi said the rest of the pope's programme during his vacation, which is due to end on July 29, was also unchanged. The German-born pope, head of the Roman Catholic Church since April 2005, had two metal pins inserted into the broken bone in a "routine" operation under local anaesthetic at Aosta hospital on Friday.

He had slipped and fallen in his bedroom during the night, a Vatican statement said. Benedict's personal physician, cardiologist Patrizio Polisca, said routine tests found that the pontiff's general health was good. Aosta, Thursday, AFP

The whole Armour of God

It says build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power. Put on all the armour that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the devils, evil tricks.

For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rules, authorities, and cosmic powers of the dark age.

So put on God's armour now, when the evil days comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks, and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.

So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breast plate, and as your shoes the readiness to announce the good news of peace. At all times carry faith as a shield, for with it, you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the evil one, and accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the sprit gives you. Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help. Pray on every occasion as the spirit leads. For this reason keep alert never give up. Pray for God's people. This is exactly God's word.

A ceremony was held at the YWCA hall, Moratuwa on July 12 chaired by the ex-National President, YWCA, Indraneela Fernando, the present President, Gillian de Silva (extreme right) and the Board Members of the YWCA Moratuwa for handing over of deed for the ownership of 10 perch of land in Milledeniya to each six victimised tsunami families. It is a charitable monetary project organised by the YWCA, Moratuwa.

Christian Perspectives

Revival of the Feast of Our Lady of Madhu