CRISTIAN PERSPECTIVES

Blessed Joseph Vaz, Apostle of Sri Lanka

January 16, 2011 is the commemorative date of the tercentenary of the heavenly birth of Blessed Joseph Vaz through whom God Almighty showered many blessings on our land. The national celebration of the tercentenary will be held on 15th January 2011 at the National Basilica, Tewatta.

Blessed Joseph Vaz

When Fr. Joseph Vaz was gasping his last breath his young priests had asked for an advice before he closed his eyes forever. ‘Remember that one cannot easily do at the time of death what one has neglected to do all his life.’ Last parting words of Fr. Joseph Vaz are a kind of a warning for us all - He did everything he could before he received his heavenly birth.

Genuine Catholic

Fr. Joseph Vaz who had the undying spirit of a genuine Catholic decided firmly to accomplish the divine task assigned from heaven.

He knew that the way of life would decide his death and also the heavenly reward. Therefore, he initiated his mission keeping everything in the hands of God. When his obligation was over he closed his life on earth, went to the eternal rest happily being sure of the heavenly welcome.

Arrived in Ceylon

Blessed Joseph Vaz, set foot on our island when all the priests had been expelled and no single priest dared to shepherd the abandoned flock in 1687. He, who was a young and dynamic priest, inspired by God Almighty arrived in Mannar as a coolie without a cent in his hand. His fervent faith in God and His providence guided Him towards success. He being an itinerary preacher like Jesus, reached Jaffna while seeking Catholics who needed a spiritual leader.

He explored Jaffna, Puttalam and from there He walked down to Catholic strong holds like Wennappuwa, Bolawatta and Sindathri Kammala, a village in the coastal belt. Fr. Joseph Vaz, a man with a vision wandered in his mission to bring the shepherd less flock closer to God. His burning zeal, tireless labours enkindled the faith of our forefathers at a time of bitter persecution.

At that time, there was brisk trade in tusks and spices, the traders taking the rout from Kandy to Puttalam. Fr. Joseph Vaz decided to go to Kandy with the traders and came up to Weuda between Kegalle and Kandy.

There was an anti-Catholic who was highly mistaken by the appearance of Fr. Joseph Vaz and his helper John as spies, instigated King Wimaladarmasuriya to arrest them. Both of them were taken captives. That was a great opportunity to Fr. Joseph Vaz to learn Sinhala language without which his mission would not have been a success.

Genuine Apostle

His Holiness Pope Paul VI in his Apostolic Exhortation ‘Evangelii Nuntiandi’ had mentioned that the Church does not need preachers and teachers but the real witnesses. Blessed Joseph Vaz is one such and we can be proud. Though he was a born Indian, he came to Sri Lanka as a missionary for proclamation of religion, bear witness to what he proclaimed and to incarnate Jesus in our land by enculturation.

He had no prejudices and was more or less a Sri Lankan. He spoke our language, ate our food, associated with our people, worked for the good of our people and died for our people. Therefore He was a true missionary.

Miraculous Intervention

During the period of the imprisonment of Fr. Joseph Vaz, people in Kandy area suffered a severe drought and nothing could bring them rain. All the religious and traditional acts like ‘pooja’ and ‘shanthikarma’ met with failure.

By this time the king had witnessed the righteous behaviour of this pious man in the prison praying and meditating. The king through a servant requested Fr. Joseph Vaz to help bring down rain. He humbly accepted the challenge. He fervently believed in God’s providence he began to pray.

Blessed Joseph Vaz, the Apostle of Sri Lanka, his mission and his stay at Galgamuwa comes in the latest life story authored by Wattala E Weerapperuma. The book Juse Vas Muni Sirthai- Galgamuwai gives a vivid description of the Blessed , his mission and the times he lived in this land, the Peral of the Indian Oceasn. The book will be out on January 15 to mark the 300 death anniversary of the Blessed Jose Vaz, the pioneer missionary produced by the Oratorian Congregation of Goa that served Sri Lanka over 150 years. The book will be on sale at the Catholic Book Shop in Colombo

His prayer was miraculously answered in no time. Except the place where Blessed Joseph Vaz was praying the whole area was inundated with the shower of water dashing down from heaven. This unbelievable miracle opened the eyes of the king and he was very much grateful to Fr. Joseph Vaz who was set free with His helper with dignity. King Wimaladharmasuriya’s reign was disturbed by many hardships. Small pox, a deadly plague, broke out in 1697 and 98 in Kandy and the people of Kandy including the king ran away for life leaving the innocent helpless people behind. Fr. Joseph Vaz was the only person who looked after and nursed the sick irrespective of their colour, caste or creed. He even buried the dead. That deepened the faith of the king in this foreigner and by and large He won the goodwill of the king.

Supreme Qualities

As a genuine Catholic He had complete trust in God. He did not trust in wealth, His knowledge or abilities. He took all His steps forward with God and the steps were meaningful and fruitful. He was a committed priest who lived his vocation. He had a vision in his mission. One of the best characteristics of Fr. Joseph Vaz was availability to people. He kept everything aside when He saw the necessity of His people.

His boundless charity to all, especially the poor and the suffering should be a characteristic of the Church. This should be a call to all who are still in deep slumber before the poor and the needy. In line with the jubilee celebrations of the tercentenary of heavenly birth of Blessed Joseph Vaz, charity to the poor and the needy should be given a prominent place in the agenda. Fr. Joseph Vaz had a child-like devotion to Mary.

He called himself ‘a slave of Mary.’ He wrote a letter of bondage by which He offered himself totally to Mary. He lived that. He wore a rosary. The rosary was the symbol that made the Catholics of Jaffna who were in hiding discovered that Fr. Joseph Vaz was a Catholic and a priest. The rosary is powerful and is an assurance of Marian love and intercession before Jesus in our difficulty. That was visible in the life of Fr. Joseph Vaz.

Gratitude

We are indebted to Blessed Joseph Vaz for his selfless commitment and yeoman service to the Church in Sri Lanka. If not for Him there would not have been Catholics and the Church would have been wiped out. Venerable Fr. Joseph Vaz was beatified on 21st January 1995 by His Holiness Pope John Paul II. ‘Let us deepen our faith, strengthen our hope and enkindle our love, so that we may become Spirit filled witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.’

Almighty and Eternal Father, please listen to our prayers and deign to glorify Blessed Joseph Vaz by inspiring the Church to honour him among Your Saints.

Ajith Perera – Wennappuwa

Rev Earnest Poruthota hands over gifts to students. Principal Wasanthi Gunawardhana was also present. Picture: Mahanama Vithanage, Malwana group correspondent

Gifts to poor

Mahanama Vithanage - Malwana group correspondent

Kirimetiyagara Roman Catholic Boys School’s 2010 Christmas festival was held at the Kirimetiyagara St Anthony’s Church, recently.

This was organized by the Principal Wasanthi Gunawardhana and staff.

Kirimetiyagara St Anthony’s Church parish priest Rev Earnest Poruthota was the chief guest. Kirimetiyagara Holy Family Balika Maha Vidyalaya former Principal Sister Helen Fernando, Holy Family Convent Sister Ferleviya Perera, Mahara Divisional Education Director S A B Karunaratne and Japan Road and Runner private company Managing Director Frank P Bopearachchi were also present.

During the festival special gifts were made to a student Thiwanka Mushan who has obtained 167 points at the Grade five scholarship examination and other students of the school. Rev Earnest Poruthota said the children should uphold Christian values always.

Principal Wasanthi Gunawardhana also spoke.

Daham Pasal prize giving

St Lawrence’s Wellawatte:

During the tenure of Parish Priest Rev Fr Joseph Benedict Fernando built an extension to the existing Community Hall with spacious accommodation to conduct the Daham Pasal - (Sunday School Classes) every Sunday for the students both boys and girls in all three language streams.

By the untiring efforts and supervision of St Lawrence’s Co-Pastor Rev Fr Leon Babapulle OMI the Administrator of Daham Pasal along with the dedicated Teachers the Principal Ms Denisha Kenny with 18 Teachers in the Sinhalese Stream and with Head Teacher Ms Florida Athanasiyar with 8 Teachers in the English Stream and with Head Teacher Ms Vathsala Roshini Vincent with 13 Teachers in Tamil Stream the standard of studies and the discipline improved tremendously and attracted more students from the Parish and the present attendance increased over 300 in all streams Opportunities are created for children to learn and understand their religion and absorb meaningful views of life which awaken the mind of children to the values of Christian life which are more practical and fruitful for their formation.

Importance

Realizing the importance of teaching Catechism and the need to evaluate the children’s talents and aptitude Rev Fr Leon Babapulle has introduced competitive exams at different levels and encouraged the students to study more in details the commandments, the church sacraments, the prayers and the value of devotions to Blessed Virgin Mary and the Saints The best students are awarded with prizes and souvenirs at the end of the year.

Catholic children in the International schools who do not learn religion are the most benefited in the English stream. It is a positive encouragement for the Management to learn that Parents show keen interest in sending their children to attend Sunday School The parents have realized the importance of forming their children in their tender age to have a sound foundation in their faith Many children from different schools attend the Sunday School.

Garland

Chief Guest Rev Fr Gabriel Alfred SJ Superior, ‘Nirmala’ Jesuit House and Director for Peace arrived on Saturday December 18 at 9 am and was garlanded and along with Guests of Honour Rev Sr Antonette Mother Superior of St Lawrence’s Convent and Community and Rev Sr Chandrika Perera Principal St Lawrence’s Convent were accorded by Rev.Fr Leon Babapulle with the Prefects and Teachers to the Community Hall.

Florida Athanasiyar delivered the well-come speech Prizes were awarded for best application, attendance and also for special competitions conducted in Singing, Essay writing, Speech, Dancing, Handwork, The Prizes were distributed by the Chief Guest Rev Fr Gabriel Alfred SJ and by the Guests of Honour.

The Nativity play staged by the English stream grade 2 to 9 students wearing beautifully designed costumes by the respective artist enabled to experience the birth of Jesus of Nazareth in reality, received the appreciations and applause of the audience for their talented performances Directed by Ms Florida Athanasiyar and assisted by the English medium Teachers and Music by student Thanukshe Seneviratne.

The services rendered by the Administrator Fr. Leon Babpulle OMI and by the devoted Teachers are commendable.

S B David

Free will and suffering

Human being has faculties both mental and physical.

The organs, the senses, the intellect that makes all that is social.

Imagine the man with no free will to make choices in life.

It will be a vegetable or robot with no responsibility and spice.

The thrill of life is being able to make choices.

Unknown to many the will it is that makes all choices.

Use free will and then reap what you sow with clarity

Then will you know that what happened is not fatality.

It is the free willed choice that earns your due reward.

For if it wasn’t willed with sacrifice, what use of that award

Use your will righteously at all times

For your reward awaits you when the last bell chimes

To the individual using free will in accordance with that of the Maker

Suffering is minimal and with good conscience life is made easier.

Where-they ask is the Maker’s justice when the world is full of suffering.

The free will collectively misplaced brings universal misery unending.

Why blame the Maker if free will is not righteous on every choice?

Suffering will follow each decision adding to the woes of the vice.

Take the child in the womb willed to distort and end life,

But struggles to survive-be born deformed-continue to pass on in style.

The mothers had free will to choose and avoid the debacle

And even before that-to avoid pleasure beyond rhythmic cycle.

Suffering will continue with free will not righteously used.

Don’t blame the Maker-with no free will the final reward cannot be abused.

Collective free will shouted crucify-crucify to Christ

This collective psyche with un-righteous will paid a future price

For Christ said-weep not for me but for generations to come,

Implying wrong use of will has collective repercussions as humanity is one.

Oscar E V Fernando

Pope prays for ‘tested’ Christians

Pope Benedict XVI Thursday said Christian communities were being “tested,” as Coptic Christians prepared to celebrate Christmas after a bomb attack in Egypt that killed 21 people.

“I send my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to our brothers and sisters of the Eastern Churches who will celebrate Christmas tomorrow,” the pope said in his weekly address to thousands of pilgrims in Saint Peter’s Square.

“May the goodness of God strengthen the faith, hope and charity of everyone and give comfort to the communities that are being tested,” he said.

Egyptian security forces have thrown up a cordon of steel to secure Coptic churches ahead of the Christmas celebrations after a New Year’s Day church bombing.

AFP

True spirit...

Continued from last week

W T A Leslie Fernando - Former High Court Judge

Soon Christmas card wishes for Christmas and the New Year that followed became a popular feature at Christmas, all over the world. As time went on they took a religious outlook with the Crib, the visit of the Three Wise men to the cowshed and other Christmas scenes.

During Christmas season nativity plays depicting the birth of Christ and incidents connected with it began to be enacted all over the world. There have been nativity plays in Sri Lanka from the times of the Portuguese. It is on record that in 1613 a nativity play on the incarnation of Christ was enacted at Kammala in 1615.

It was Christmas that gave birth to the Nadagam the earliest form of recognized drama in Sri Lanka. Dr Edmund Peiris who had done much research on the origins and development of Nadagam has shown that the first Nadagam was presented by Mihindukulasuriya Gabriel Fernando of Chilaw.

Raja Tunkattuwa

Raja Tunkattuwa was a success and a Gabriel Fernando produced another Nadagam on the life of St Margareeta called Marigida Nadagama.

Before long Nadagams began to be enacted on secular themes all over the country and nadagam became a recognized form of drama. Nadagams that originated as a nativity play is a classic contribution made by Catholics to arts and culture.

However, the times have changed. Special features of Christmas that highlight the birth of Christ are being fast eroded by secularisation, commercialisation and consumerism.

Christmas Carols are performed in most of the places in a sophisticated manner and the simple and serene outlook in them are fast disappearing.

In some places like super class hotels much noise is made with background music drowning the spiritual outlook in Christmas Carols.

The symbol of Santa Claus who is benefactor of the poor is derogated for advertising purposes. In one year there was an advertisement with a bottle of arrack on the hand of Santa Claus. In some places you could see Santa Claus getting drunk and dancing to Baila tunes to collect money.

Entertainment

In some Santa Claus distribute few gifts from the Christmas tree and much more is spent on entertainment for others and for the advertisement for the event.

Some present expensive Christmas hampers to higher ups to get special favours and for business gains. The Crib is displayed in many houses in a glittering manner diluting its serenity. Nativity plays are fast being relegated by the musical shows, at Christmas season.

Foreign countries

Some undermine the fact that whatever the card it is a Christmas wish and waste money on expensive and glittering cards. Others exhibit Christmas cards in prominent places to impress others that there are many to wish them.

In foreign countries there is a recent development to send their own photographs in place of Christmas scenes in Christmas cards and this practice might spread to Sri Lanka too.

Many celebrate Christmas with so much glamour and splendour in contrast to the humble birth of Christ in a cowshed. Most of the Christmas parties, Christmas ‘nites’ and dances with abundant liquor seem to be contrary to the theme of Christmas.

Liquor is a taboo at other religious festivals but eating and drinking are part and parcel of Christian celebrations specially at Christmas.

Humility

It is time for us to appreciate the real significance of the birth of Christ in a cowshed and incorporate his message of humility and a austerity not only for our lives at Christmas but also for all our Catholic religious forms, practices and institutions in accordance with the true spirit of the life and teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. Concluded

(The writer is a former President of the Newman Society Alumni Association)