It all began with an Irish mission
Saturday August 2 was a special day for the Redemptorists Fathers and Brothers, when they celebrated 75 years of the Redemptorist Congregation ministry in Sri Lanka. Several visiting Redemptorists from Asia-Oceania, including Fr. Michael Brehl, Superior General of the Congregation from Rome, graced the occasion which though initially threatened with rain, fortunately could be held as planned. The statue of St. Joseph with an umbrella over it, a common practice among Catholics as an invocation for good weather, was seen in the premises.
Fr. Juvy Andrade, Superior General Rev. Michel Brehl and Fr. Juvencio (Ben) Ma celebrating Holy Mass at St. Theresa’s
The visiting Redemptorists were welcomed at St. Theresa’s Church, Thimbirigasaya with garlands in typical Sri Lankan style, and escorted in by Kandyan dancers and drummers, receiving a ‘pottu’ on their foreheads too. The harmonious voices of the choir then took over, as the procession proceeded down the aisle.After lighting the traditional oil lamp the solemn celebration of the Holy Mass began. The Most Rev. Michel Brehl, Superior General was the principal celebrant, assisted by Fr. Juvy Andrade and Fr. Juvencio (Ben) Ma.
In his homily, Fr. Brehl traced the history of the Redemptorist mission in Sri Lanka, since the three pioneers from Ireland, Frs. Mathew Hickey, Gerry McDonnell and Leo O’Halloran set foot on the island on January 5, 1939, and travelled up to Kandy where it had been decided to establish a missionary foundation. The mission began in February 1939. In his address, Fr. Brehl thanked Fr. Shiran Fonseka, the Regional Superior in Sri Lanka, for inviting them and made particular mention of Fr. Neil Dias Karunaratne, who had served as a Redemptorists for 60 years of the 75 years.
A traditional welcome for the visitors
Before the final blessing, mementoes were presented by Fr. Shiran to all the visiting priests and brothers. Finally the Jubilee scroll was ceremoniously carried out of the church to accompaniment of a hymn.
In the fellowship that followed in the marquees set up outside the church, the Jubilee Souvenir was launched and the first copy presented to Fr. Brehl. A highlight to mark the Jubilee year was the presentation of savings accounts with Rs. 60,000 
each, to 75 deserving, needy students selected from all 12 dioceses in the country.
Fr. Shiran Fonseka and the Jubilee Committee, headed by Fr. Neil Dias Karunaratne had worked throughout the year, since the Jubilee Year was inaugurated last August, to put out the souvenir and make all arrangements to ensure a successful celebration. A parishioner mourned the absence of the late Fr. Glen Fernando, a former parish priest of St. Theresa’s, who had rendered immense service during his tenure.
“It was a wonderful occasion,” commented the Superior General Fr. Michael Brehl expressing great admiration for the Redemptorists in Sri Lanka and their service. “It is always a joy for me to come to Sri Lanka. I particularly appreciated the celebration with the Seminarians.”
| Back to the beginnings in 1938
It was in 1938, that Fr. Hugo Kerr, the Irish Redemptorist Provincial sought the approval of the Superior General in Rome to explore the possibilities for a missionary foundation in Ceylon. With approval granted, Fr. Kerr arrived in Colombo the same year and decided Kandy would be a better option. Bishop of Kandy, Bernard Regno, was delighted to give his consent and a formal agreement was signed on August 29, 1938. The next step was to find a suitable place for the new community. Fr. John McDonnell, the Vice-Provincial from the Philippines came to Sri Lanka for this purpose. After much searching he finally discovered a small rubber estate ‘Glen Helen’ with a suitable bungalow. The airy, spacious bungalow was located on a slight elevation overlooking the Mahaweli Ganga. The Redemptorists rented it at Rs. 75 per month. And so the mission began. The three pioneer Irish missionaries, Fr. Mathew Hickey, Fr. Gerry McDonell and Fr. Leo O’Halloran arrived in Kandy on January 6, 1939. In February 1939 the mission began at St. Anthony’s Cathedral, Kandy. This mission inspired the first Sri Lankan Redemptorist vocation, Bernard Anthony who later took the name of Alphonsus. As they continued, there were changes of missionaries and residences. Finally, in 1946, the Redemptorists acquired their permanent home – Mount School on a hill overlooking the Mahaweli. It was converted to suit their needs as a community residence and named ‘Sancta Maria’. Fr. Arthur Maloney who joined the mission in 1941, was a skilled carpenter and it was he who designed the altar and sanctuary in Sancta Maria and did all the wood carvings. From the early years, the missionaries learnt Sinhala and Tamil and conducted missions in the local languages as well. In 1962, Fr. Marcus Manatunga was appointed the first Sri Lankan superior at ‘Sancta Maria’. The parish of St. Theresa’s was offered to the Redemptorists when the Dominicans decided to leave Sri Lanka in 1963. With the approval of the Redemptorist Superiors and Archbishop Cooray of Colombo, the Redemptorists took over the St. Theresa’s Parish at Thimbirigasyaya. Fr. Manatunga was appointed the first Redemptorist parish priest in 1964. Since then a number of Redemptorists have served at St. Theresa’s in different capacities, including Frs. Anthony Malaviaratchi, Gerard Campos, late Glen Fernando, Neil Dias Karunaratne, Ignatius Thambuswamy, Nihal Abeyasingha, Bernard Steinwall, Rex Pillai and currently Rohan Perera. |
