Serving God and motherland for 75 years

Nimal WELGAMA

The Diamond Jubilee of Joseph Vaz College - Wennappuwa was celebrated on October 5. Domino Pro Patria - Serve the Almighty God and Motherland - That motto of Joseph Vaz College says.

Joseph Vaz College Wennappuwa celebrates an unfailing kingly passage of 75 years in 2009, to the Diamond Jubilee. Maintaining and living in human values and Marist traditions, keeping to the moral principles and beliefs, respecting to the motto, vision and mission Joseph Vaz College-Wennappuwa has reached the Diamond Jubilee.

The ideal of the college is to bring out the potential of the young sons, to educate them, to develop the mind and body and spirit in each individual so that one may be able to get the best use to be a good citizen of the motherland and progress through life.

If I go down memory lane, according to Marist Achieves, Joseph Vaz College was founded in 1934 by Marist Brothers, for whom thousands and thousands of sons who have had their education and grown up with that Marist discipline under their guidance to serve the Lord and the Motherland owe an un- repayable debt of gratitude to the pioneers of the Joseph Vaz College the Alma Mater.

It is with great pride I proclaim hundreds and thousands of sons of Joseph Vaz College serve the God and the nation as great scholars as clergy and laymen in various fields and various positions, mainly in the field of education and sports. The gallantry of the sportsmanship was clearly shown to the world when Vazians competed in the Olympics, Asian Games and in many international sports festivals.

Vazians have won many plaudits for their exemplary discipline at many international games held in many countries, and have won laurels in other fields too. So it would not be an exaggeration if I say that Vazians have kept the top name specially in the fields of sports and games internationally too.

When turn to the brave heroic sons of Joseph Vaz College more than hundred valiant heroes have reached the top most levels as heroes in the air, on land and in the sea, defending the Motherland obeying the motto of Alma Mater- Domino Pro Patria- to serve the God and to the Motherland.

From 1934 up to 2009 Rev. Brothers of Marist Order, Rev. Priests and layman as principals and the teachers have rendered a yeoman service through their selfless commitment and dedication to uplift the college.

Today, in this 75th year of Diamond Jubilee, we can see a tremendous development of the college, under the spiritual and clear administrative guidance of Principal Rev. Fr. Sylvester Jayakody and the ever devoted selfless commitment of the teachers, their blood, sweat and labour in moulding real citizens, with the unceasing co-operation, staunch bond and affection of OBA and the school development society.

According to the records of Catholic history a real exception is that this school has been the first and one and only College named after the patron Saint of Sri Lanka Blessed Joseph Vaz.

Producing the spiritual ethical background, with traditions and college spirit the continuation and the progress of reign of Joseph Vaz College - Wennappuwa goes on respecting and honouring Marist traditions- the heritage of Vazians, our priceless legacy.

As sons of Alma Mater Joseph Vaz College, we must be grateful to God, for giving such an opportunity be one of the sons of Joseph Vaz College and for bringing us up to such prominent standards in life and to be real citizens. Hail Joseph Vaz College! Long live Joseph Vaz College, under the golden and blue flag.