Christian Perspectives

Sinthathirai Maatha Annual Feast

Chaddy, Kayts:

The Church of our Lady of Good Voyage Sinthathirai Maatha is situated in a village called Chaddy, Velanai, Kayts. It is said that the Captain of a Portuguese vessel when tossed over by the rough waves in the Indian Ocean and lost its direction prayed to Blessed Mother Mary for protection of the vessel and crew and by her miraculous act reached Chaddy shore safely. In gratitude he built a chapel in honour of our Blessed Virgin Mary at Chaddy and placed the miraculous statue which was with them on board and propagated her faith to the inhabitants of this area.

Portuguese Missionaries came to Jaffna in 1544 to propagate Christianity and built few churches in the peninsula and the church built at Chaddy was dedicated to our Lady of Good Voyage.

Belief and trust

They inspired the faithful in this area to deepen their belief and trust in Blessed Mother Mary and propagated the devotion of Sinthathirai Maatha. Many flocked this church and seeked her favours and thanked her for the blessings they received through her intercession.

History records that the Dutch arrived in Ceylon and they destroyed all the Catholic churches and persecuted the Catholics. When the Dutch vandals burnt this church the Catholics of this area removed the miraculous statue of Blessed Virgin Mary and hid it for safety. After a long period of abandonment a Devotee learnt in her dream the presence of the miraculous statue and by the act of grace found the statue in the well. The Catholics of the area built a cadjan shelter for worship and placed this miraculous statue of Blessed Virgin Mary and venerated her with much piety and devotion. In 1928 a concrete church was built by the then Bishop of Jaffna late Rt.Rev.Dr. Gymour and dedicated this church to our Lady of Good Voyage.

The Present Bishop of Jaffna Rt.Rev.Dr. Thomas Savundranayagam, an ardent believer of Blessed Virgin Mary continued the works of his predecessors and developed the area with welfare facilities with huts, drinking water tanks, toilets, street lights etc for the convenience of the devotees to stay for few days and spend their time in prayer and relaxation. He built an extension in the open area porch with an alter.

This shrine became the attractive pilgrim centre in the north and many flocked throughout the year from different parts of the Island. The present Administrator of this shrine Rev.Fr. Philip Stanislaus OMI since his arrival in 2008 has done marvelous improvements by building cross roads and lit with street lamps, erected Stations of the Cross with coloured life-size statues which are very attractive and meaningful in exposing the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ.

Our Lady of Good Voyage

Our Lady of Good Voyage is called in Tamil Sinthathirai Maatha. The statue portrays Blessed Virgin Mary having child Jesus on one hand and a ship on the other. Mother Mary of Good Voyage is popularly known as the Protector of Navigators and Vessels and many invoke her for their safe voyage.

The miraculous statue which was treasured and venerated by our ancestors can be seen majestically adorned with gold crown and jewels placed on a beautifully designed wooden alter inside the newly renovated church.

Sinthathirai Maatha church feast is celebrated annually in the month of September in a jubilant and glamorous atmosphere. Celebrations commenced with the hoisting of the flag staff on 10th September 2009 and the devotion and novena will continue for nine days.

Eucharistic service

The Eucharistic service will be offered today by the chief celebrant Rt.Rev.Dr. Thomas Savundranayagam assisted by Rev.Fr. Philip OMI and Rev.Fr. Gerard Rosario OMI with the other diocesan Priests.

After the Holy Mass the statue of our Lady of Good Voyage will be placed on a gaily decorated motor chariot and taken along the cross roads around the church singing hymns Viruththam in Tamil and reciting prayers.

On its return to the shrine the final act of prayer will be recited by one and all with love and gratitude for all the blessings received through her intercession.

The feast will end with the final Blessing by the Miraculous statue of our Lady of Good Voyage by the chief celebrant amidst loud applause of the devotees and making it the biggest festival of the parish.

The Catholics of Little Vatican who lived in our Lady of Good Voyage faith and refuge but now scattered all over the world continue to celebrate the feast annually in the places they live and propagate the devotion of Sinthathirai Maatha. S.B.David

Desathiya fetes new Archbishop

The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Most. Rev. Dr. Malcolm Ranjith as the 9th Archbishop of Colombo. He was the third diocesan priest to become the Archbishop of Colombo and is the 16th Bishop of Colombo. The 16 included Dominicans (OP) Benedictines (OSB) and Oblates (OMI). They all belonged to various Religious congregations. The first native Archbishop was most Rev. Dr. Thomas Cooray who was elevated to the position of a "Cardnal" of the catholic church. Archbishop Malcolm is the 4th Sri Lankan Archbishop of Colombo was installed on August 05, 2009.

The Desathiya the Sinhala fortnightly magazine records the story in its 8 pages full of pictures of historical importance .

This is a tribute by the entirely non - catholic staff of "Desathiya". This is the second Archbishop to by featured in Desathiya cover story (2007 Dec. 17 issue was devoted to the retired Archbishop Oswald Gomis.

The Nava Yugaya September issue has carried the story of 16 Bishops of Colombo.

Rev. Fr. Earnest Porutota

Weekly Devotions:

Saviour to redeem world

Acts 1 : 1-9.

When you receive Christ as your personal saviour the Holy Spirit opens the eyes of our heart to accept many spiritual truths. It is made clear that there is a gulf between God and man and that Christ had to act as a mediator to bridge the gap. The necessity for a Saviour to redeem the world is revealed by the Holy Spirit.

At the same time the existence of evil and satan , his schemes to drag us down is also revealed.

It becomes clear that every Christian is in warfare.

We cannot get away from this terrible spiritual battle that we face as children of God.

However, God has not left us without equipping us for this battle.

Jesus very clearly explained to His disciples why He must leave, as the time had come for the Holy Spirit to act closely with the body of Christ.

He is the most important person who can help us in this battle equipping us with power and actually He continues to do so even today.

We see His power when we read the Acts of the Apostles. The whole life of the disciples changed. They became bold and effective.

To carry out our lives duties, we require His power. We must recognize the importance of His presence with us and spend time studying about Him and receiving His power. As we receive His power our lives too can change just like the disciples of old and we too can become effective Christians.

Prayer :

Lord Jesus Christ, I thank you for making it possible for the Holy Spirit to be so close at hand. Oh Father I know that I too can be filled by the Holy Spirit and be used by you to comfort the dying world.

I understand how with your power I can fight Satan and his tricks to keep me from walking victoriously in your presence.

Teach me those spiritual truths oh Father so that I can abide in you and you in me. Amen.

Sunitha Sahayam

Rt. Rev. Dr. Frank Marcus Fernando:

Courageous and inspiring leader

Rt.Rev.Dr. Frank Marcus Fernando, the Bishop Emeritus of Chilaw, bade farewell to his earthly life on August 24.

He was ordained a Bishop in 1965, at the young age of 34 (perhaps one of the youngest in the world to be raised to the episcopate of the Catholic Church in contemparory times)., and was appointed the Bishop of Chilaw in 1972. He retired on 26th October 2006 on reaching the age of 75. He looked forward to his retirement in order to embark on a special mission that was so dear to him. It was the writing of sermon notes for the three year Liturgical Cycle which he strongly felt would bring us closer to Lord Jesus whom he loved so passionately. He wanted to accomplish this task as a sign of his tremendous love and unfailing gratitude to Jesus.

His episcopate of 34 years long as the Bishop of Chilaw was exemplary. He was a holy bishop, an eloquent preacher (aptly referred to as the "Fulton Sheen of Sri Lanka") a courageous and an inspiring leader, protector of the environment, voice of the voiceless, an indefatigable defender of the Church and above all the "good shepherd" (in true biblical sense) of the Catholic community of the diocese of Chilaw. He did not hesitate to call a spade a spade. He was truly a prophetic voice. His leadership was not confined to the diocese of Chilaw. He gave tremendous leadership to the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka serving in various capacities including that of the Presidency of the Catholic Bishops' Conference for many years.

The diocese of Chilaw comprised the Puttalam and Kurunegala districts. His prime concern was neither the prestige of his position nor the geographical size of neither his diocese nor the number of priests working for him, but the spiritual nourishment and welfare of the flocks entrusted to him. Jesus' command "Feed my lambs" (John 21:15-17) was his priority. Having realised the spiritual and material needs of his people scattered throughout the large expanse of land in the two districts of his diocese, he had the courage to propose the creation of a new diocese for the district of Kurunegala. Thus, the diocese of Kurunegala came into being in 1987. The wisdom of this farsighted and unselfish decision is now quite obvious.

He was deeply concerned when the Anti-Conversion Bill was presented in parliament in May 2004. He showed his mettle, leadership qualities and steadfast love for Jesus Christ and His Church when he boldly petitioned the Supreme Court against the draconic provisions of the Bill. The Supreme Court judgement was a vindication of his stand.

He did not cling on to power, prestige or position. He had the foresight to get his successor Rt. Rev. Dr. Valence Mendis appointed the Coadjutor Bishop in April 2005 (well before his date of retirement) thus ensuring a smooth transition on October 28, 2006.

With his demise, the last of the Sri Lankan Bishops who had the privilege of personally attending that epoch making event - the Second Vatican Council, has gone to his eternal reward. "I feel on top of the world, you see, God is so good to me!" This was, the often heard response when anyone inquired about his health and well-being. Bishop Frank Marcus was always positive in his outlook and contended with whatever he had. He was ever grateful to God not only for what he received but also for what he did not receive. I believe he is now truly "on top of the world" enjoying his eternal reward in the company of Jesus in whose Vineyard he laboured so faithfully for more than 50 years as a Priest and Bishop.

Thank you and good-bye dear Bishop Frank Marcus until we meet on that beautiful shore. We know that you will intercede for us from your heavenly abode. We thank God for your exemplary life - a life worthy of being emulated by all - especially by those in authority.

Victor Silva

Feast of St. Lazarus' Church, Kurukulawa

The annual feast of St. Lazarus' Church, Kurukulawa, was celebrated on September 6. The chief celebrant for the festive mass, Rev. Fr. Felix Shantha, was a priest son of the parish. He is seen here lighting the traditional oil lamp.

Priest sons of Kurukulawa, Rev. Fr. Nihal Ranasinghe and Rev. Fr. Tenison Perera also participated the festive mass. Rev. Fr. Prasad Ponnamperuma, parish priest of Kurukulawa made necessary arrangements to prepare parishioners spiritually.

National Bible Sunday

The Ceylon Bible Society (CBS), which has been serving the Nation for 197 years, invites all Christian Churches to celebrate Bible Sunday, joining with thousands of others around the world.

The Bible Sunday is meant to acknowledge the importance of the Bible - the word of God, in our lives by unravelling its hidden treasures and to make Christians more familiar with it.

Christian congregations are encouraged to celebrate Bible Sunday by designating a Sunday that is convenient to them during the period from the last Sunday in September to December. We request Churches to arrange it as they wish by giving special emphasis to the Bible Ministry in our land.

Samoans hold vigil as "Virgin Mary" image appears

Hundreds of Samoan Roman Catholics have held overnight vigils at a building where a mysterious image has appeared which they say represents the Virgin Mary holding rosary beads.

The image caused by weathering on the outside of the six-storey office building in the capital Apia has been the focus of prayer vigils on Monday and Tuesday night.

Although the image has not been officially recognised by the South Pacific nation's Catholic Church, which especially reveres the mother of Jesus Christ, a church spokesman said it represented an important message.

"This is something people should look deeply into," said Father Spatz Silva, spokesman for the Roman Catholic Archbishop.

"Look at yourself and ask if you are still walking the path Jesus wants us to take."

Despite the significance of the Virgin Mary to Catholics, the image has appeared on the outside of a building owned by Samoa's largest Protestant faith, the Congregational Christian Church.

Silva said the site of the image was not important as God could appear anywhere. "The place is not important but the person's belief is," he said.

The image, caused by patches of damp in the tropical climate, has also been interpreted as a Coca-Cola bottle by some onlookers. AFP

Rt. Rev. Dr. Malcom Ranjith Archbishop of Colombo officiated the Confirmation service held at Bolawalana Church, Negombo recently. Here Rt. Rev. Dr. Malcom Ranjith Archbishop of Colombo being conducted to the Bolawalana Church for the Confirmation Service by Rev. Fr. Anton Eumal, Parish Priest, Bolawalana Church, Rev. Fr. Chinthaka Perera, Asst. Parish Priest Bolawalana Church, Rev. Nuns of the Holy Family Order and Parishioners. Picture by H. Fernando, Negombo special corr.

The annual festival of St. John’s Church, Modera, Colombo 15 took place recently. Here the decorated statue of St. John taken in procession along the Modera streets. Picture by A. Maduraveeran