Christian PERSPECTIVES

Devotion of Blessed Virgin

Lenard R Mahaarachchi

The Church celebrates many feasts of the Mother of Jesus almost every month of the year. The conception of Mary sans the stain of original sin in her mother's womb is celebrated December 8 the previous year which is nine months before her Birthday.

Many confuse and mistake the Immaculate conception of Mother Mary, with her virgin birth of Jesus. The virginal conception of Christ is celebrated March 25, which is known as the feast of Mary's Annunciation, which is exactly nine months before Christmas.

However the miraculous conception of Mary is distinctively different to that of the virginal conception of her son Jesus, which has a sound biblical base, whereas the other is based on church tradition.

The honour paid to Virgin Mother Mary in Catholic worship is only second to that of Her son Jesus. However it is different to the honour paid to saints. The devotion to the saints in Catholic liturgy is known as 'dulia' whereas that of Mary is called 'hyper dulia' but neither is greater in any sense to the devotion given to Jesus, the son of God and son of Mary. Worship of Mary is as ancient as the church, specially in the east. Most Marian feasts had their origin in the east and then spread to the west. Mary's Hebrew name is Miriam, meaning princess.

Moses's sister

It was the name given to Moses's sister in the Old Testament. Mary's parents are identified as Joachim and Anne. The former was a shepherd owning a large herd of cattle sheep and goats.

He was rich but gave one third of his income to the temple of Jerusalem, one third he spent on the poor and kept the last third for his upkeep. Since they were childless, neighbors cold shouldered them. It is said that when the couple took an offering to the temple at their 50th wedding anniversary, the high priest refused to accept their offering as they were childless. Back home, the couple prayed and an angel appeared to them to announce that they would be blessed with a daughter.

A strand of legend has it that, when they were at prayer at a subsequent visit to the temple in Jerusalem, Anne conceived Miriam miraculously, without the guilt of the original sin. When she was three, the couple offered her to temple service, and Mary attained womanhood at 12. This resulted in her being asked to leave the temple as was the custom when girls attained puberty.

The following year she conceived Jesus miraculously when angel Gabriel announced to her that God wanted her to be the mother of His Son. Mary then was not married but engaged to Joseph, a widower with children, at the instigation of the high priest.

This explains that Mary remained a virgin after birth of Jesus and did not have children, and the brothers of Jesus referred to in the holy writ, which many misinterpret as hers, may have been the widower's previous to her engagement to Joseph...

Anna, Mary's mother went to the temple after 80 days of Mary's birth as was required by the law. At 3, as said earlier she was offered for service in the temple, which feast is celebrated on 21st November, and which is the feast day of priests and religious. She was in the company of prophetess Hanna and Simeon who lived to see the 40 day old infant Jesus many years later at His presentation or Mary's purification.

Mary's first birthday was celebrated by Joachim of the tribe of Judah, and a descendant of David, to which the high priest, some scribes and neighbours were invited.

Father of John Baptist

The year was 16BC and the high priest was Zachariah the father of John Baptist. That was the time the temple came under repairs on the instructions of Herod. Mary's parents died at the ripe old age of 80 and she became an orphan.

Mary is the new Eve who corrected the disobedience of the first woman with her perfect obedience in the 'Fiat' to the will of God at the Annunciation. She is a picture of Judith of the OT who received all praise and glory. (Judith 13/17-20) "Blessed art thou amongst women "(LK 1/42) So said Elizabeth at her visitation, when the John the Baptiser also conceived without the original sin at Mary's salutation, according to the doctors of the church. Mary's Magnificat was a spontaneous response to the Baptiser's mother's salutation. (Ibid 46-53) God bestowed many privileges on Mary, the chosen mother of Christ.

Among them are the Immaculate conception, the Assumption and Coronation though none of them are scriptural. The exercise of the devotion to Mother Mary, called the Rosary, is an adaptation of the OT Psalter, (150 psalms) the common prayer book of the Jews of the OT. The rosary too has 150 Hail Marys. Though the rosary is a representation of the birth, life and death of Jesus, its first two and last decades relate to Mary, indicative that it is essentially Marian in character.

Many non Catholics are critical of the honour paid by Catholics to Mary. If she was found fitting by God to be the mother of His son, who are we to belittle her? Marian worship will last as the sun and moon light the earth, whatever anti Marians may say. "When wicked men blaspheme her, we will praise and bless her name.

Sermon on the hillock

Gwen Herat

When St Lazures Church in Dematapitiya celebrated its 125th year in God's service, I was one among the thousands of worshippers who thronged the church grounds to hear the Bishop of Chilaw conduct the Holy Mass and deliver the Sermon. Standing in the September scorching sun, no one as much made a movement. There was intensity and ardour in all those faces as they shunned the challenging rays. Listening to His Lordship's sermon, my thoughts raced back to the Holy Bible and the Sermon on The Mount.

The Lord went up to the mount when He saw the people gathered to listen to Him and they had followed Him through the day. Today, at St Lazures Church, we had gathered to listen to the Bishop. The site was right in this beautiful House of God, set on a small elevating hillock in a verdant village with swaying palms against the azure blue heavens, with the Lord looking down at his people.

Sermon on the mount
Jesus saw the crowds and went up a hill, where He sat down. His disciples gathered round Him and He began to teach them.
'Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor.
The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.
Happy are those who mourn, God will comfort them.
Happy are those who are humble, they will receive what God has promised.
Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires.
God will satisfy them fully.
Happy are those who are merciful to others, God will be merciful to them.
Happy are those pure in heart, they will see God.
Happy are those who work for peace, God will call them His children.
Happy are those who are persecuted, because they do what God requires.
The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.

Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers. Be happy and glad for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lives before you were persecuted'............

Mathew (Chapter 5, 1-11) Holy Bible

Rt Rew Valance Mendis, Bishop of Chilaw in his sermon emphasised family values. He stressed the family as an organization and it should operate smoothly. It needs the co-operation of the head of the family. Imperfect men make mistakes and often and often fall short of being the ideal to lead a good family unit. A mother does well to remember that in Christ's view, a quiet and mild spirit is of great value. When such spirit prevails in a family, they will become godly subjects. In fulfilling his role, a father can do much caring as much as a mother and who acts in this way gain the lasting love, respect of the family and great happiness.

Jesus Christ set a very perfect example for parents the way He treated children. He had time for the little ones. So, should you not do the same way for your young ones: But said, His Lordship, the one who wishes to dedicate himself to God must put family behind. To him, his family is the Lord and must sacrifice all worldly desires. He will find true happiness when he gives himself to the Lord.

A man must do good from the beginning. He must make no mistake initially. The Bishop spoke in a simple parable the way Jesus Christ used to as found in the Holy Bible in many places.

The sermon from the hillock
'The man in a hurry
Who buttons his shirt the wrong way
Will find he has started badly.
As he puts the first button in the wrong slot
And ignorantly keeps buttoning all the way down
To find himself his mistake, a little too late.
But the wise man who does right from the start
Will find himself in the righteous place as the Lord commands.

This was a simple message for the simple at heart, God-fearing people who listened to these wise words uttered by their revered Bishop.

The Lord touched the hearts of his chosen people and it was obvious that the Rt Rev Valance Mendis, Bishop of Chilaw is one of them.

He commands much love, respect for his humane simplicity and the caring for his flock like a good shepherd and lead them in the right path. He is truly a people's Bishop and the Diocese of Chilaw is blessed with such a spiritual leader.

I have more often than not, been a dreamer of visions and found some merging into reality. Right at the moment, I am seeing a vision where a long and arduous road from our little island winding its way to the Vatican. And do I see his Lordship, Bishop Mendis taking the first stride on a spiritual journey on it? Yes, I do; because he is Vatican material. There is no doubt about it.

Pope visit to Britain

Vatican hails as success:

The Vatican's official newspaper celebrated Monday the "complete success" of Pope Benedict XVI's historic visit to Britain that defied the pessimistic predictions that had preceded the trip.

This "complete success" had been recognizhe l'Osservatore Romano said about the four-day visit that ended on Sunday.

The Pontiff's "openness" and "simplicity", which were evident "at once in his person and his statements", help the visit defy the pessimistic predictions, the newspaper's director Giovanni Maria Vian said in his editorial.

In particular Vian praised Benedict's "strong words" on the paedophile priest scandals that have rocked the Catholic Church, and his meeting with some victims and a group dedicated to protecting young people.

Among other key moments on the trip according to l'Osservatore Romano, were the pope's meeting with Queen Elizabeth II and with British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told Radio Vatican the pope had been understood by many people, and "English Catholics, but equally English society, know better who the pope really is and so also know him as a friend." There was widespread agreement in British newspapers on Monday that the pope had succeeded on his charm offensive during the vPisit, which took in Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Birmingham.

"This was a much more successful visit than the Roman Catholic hierarchy had dared to hope," the Daily Mail commented.

The man reputed to be "God's Rottweiler" before he touched down in Edinburgh had shown another side, The Times said, with "thoughtful remarks on God and modern society in his softly spoken, German-accentuated English". AFP

UK faithful witness Pontifical mass

Huddled beneath umbrellas, thousands of pilgrims gathered in a park in central England last Sunday to catch a glimpse of Pope Benedict XVI and take part in the beatification of a local Catholic hero.

An estimated 55,000 attended the mass in Cofton Park, Birmingham, for Cardinal John Henry Newman, an Anglican convert whose legacy still has an profound religious impact in Britain's second city.

There were huge cheers as the pontiff's helicopter touched down in the city after his flight from London.

"I'm a practising Catholic. It's fantastic to see our Holy Father visit us in our country. It's an affirmation of how strong the Catholic Church is here," said Rob Lyng, 47, who runs a tour bus company in Birmingham. "John Henry Newman was always a part of our teachings from a very early age. It's central to a lot of people in Birmingham," said Lyng, who watched the mass with a mug of coffee in his hand.

Many of the faithful had travelled through the night and arrived before dawn, braving rain to attend the spiritual highlight of the pope's four-day state visit to Britain.

The mass had a smaller-scale feel than the outdoor events earlier in the visit in Glasgow and London, with pilgrims much closer to the vast, raised, white altar.

The ground was soggy underfoot but the sun broke out through the drizzle as the pontiff arrived in his popemobile, waving to the faithful through the bulletproof windows. AFP

Feast of the triumph:

Holy Cross College Gampaha 82nd Anniversary

J.I. Rosairo

The feast of the triumph of the cross is not to honour the piece of wood that stood on calvary, but the one crucified on it - Jesus Christ and Him alone crucified. This is the good news that we are called upon to proclaim.

Holy Cross College, Gampaha, the premier Catholic Institution in Gampaha, has therefore been blessed and indeed privileged to have taken the name - The Cross of Christ, which is the symbol of God's suffering love towards all mankind.

September 14 this year marked the College's 82nd birth anniversary. Very lovely, vibrant and exhuberent at its best as was on that first birthday way back in the Year 1928.

The Day looked exceptionally calm, composed and the weather subdued, undisturbed and peaceful, making the setting ideal for the celebrations that were to follow. Students neatly and smartly attired had come in their thousands to celebrate what they called 'College Day', but in real terms it was the birthday of their Alma Mater turning 82, that day. In accordance to Catholic tradition, an event of this nature, ought to commence with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and indeed it was.

The Eucharistic Celebrations were held at the College Gymnasium taking centre stage within the College Grounds, encircled by the entire student population. Among the distinguished personalities were the Superior of the Lisieux Convent Rev. Sister Anne Muriel, Rev. Sister Deepani, the incumbent Principal of Holy Cross, members of the teaching staff, present and past, distinguished past students, well wishers and of course not forgetting the doyen of principals, Rev. Sister Nellie Helen, who had come to Gampaha, all the way from far off Chilaw, as on all occasions.

Rev. Sister Carmella, past Principal and presently Head of the Apostolic Carmel Provincialate and Rev. Sister Hiranthi, past vice principal, had thoughtfully sent warm greetings and best wishes for the occasion.

With the conclusion of the religious service, the usual march pasts with the respective house captains marching with their flags to the martial strains of the Senior Band followed. They were preceded by the College, Papal and National Flags.

This was followed by addresses by a distinguished past pupil, and the College Head prefect, while the concluding speech was given by the Principal, Rev. Sister Deepani. With the Singing of the College Anthem, the much awaited College Day came to an end.

Apparition of Mother Mary feast

Blessed Mary Our mother always stood by the principles of humbleness & simplicity during her life. As you celebrate the feast of apparition of our Mother, always remember to live according to God's will. Then all your problems will be solved through the intercession of Mary. Just as she intercede at the wedding in Cana to help those who are needy, she will also intercede before God to grant his blessings upon us so that we would have the strength and courage to face the challenges in our lives", said the Assistant Parish Priest of Queen of Angels Church Rawathawatta, Rev. Fr. Prassana Fernando at the 12th commemorative feast of the apparition.

A huge number of devotees participated at the festive high mass which concluded with the Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Tyronne Perera blessing the faithful from the statue of Mary.

The apparition is quite significant in the sense that the image remains the same even as of today on the wall near the church altar.

Many cancer patients, heart patients, and who were suffering with incurable sicknesses, psychological pressures, and family problems have experienced relief, good health and comfort through having faith in the apparition.

A prayer service is held weekly on every Tuesday morning for this purpose.

The Parish Priest has also appointed a committee to profile the experiences of all those who witnessed the apparition taking place and those who have fulfilled their needs through the apparition.

The committee requests all those who have such experiences to inform to the parish priest of Queen of Angels Church. You can also visit the website www.queenofangels.lk

Edward Arambewela and Douglas Coorary.

Christ Church - Matale 150th Anniversary

The Christ Church, Matale will celebrate the 150th anniversary October 02. A procession will parade along the main road of Matale town starting at 8am, and followed by a Thanksgiving service at 9.30am at the church. The Chief celebrant will be the Lord Bishop, the Bishop of Kurunegala, Church of Ceylon - Diocese of Kurunegala.