St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10 Reaches Glorious Milestone
View(s):The most important excellence, dear Fr. Rector, Spiritual Director, Rev. Fathers, Sisters and Brothers and my dear parents and members of the staff, what you can give these children is to assist them to grow into holiness of life in and through the practice of virtuous living, so that society itself can be made a better place tomorrow.
– His Eminence Malcolm
Cardinal Ranjith
15th of June 2022 marked a red-letter day in the annals of this citadel of education at Darley Road, namely St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10 as it concluded ceremonially its quasquicentennial (125th) Jubilee celebrations.
A drizzle bathed the entire college premises just like a shower of blessings from heaven as if it to indicate nature itself is stunned with happiness over the jubilee cerebrations. The statue of St. Joseph kept on a stool under an open umbrella right in front of the college chapel ensured the avoidance of any rain that could sabotage the day’s proceedings. It is customary among Catholic folk to place a statue of St. Joseph in an open space to pray for his intercession for good weather when there is a special event.
Chief Guest of the day His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo and the proprietor of this institution was welcomed by Rev. Fr. Rector, past rectors, Rev. Fathers on the staff, other staff members and distinguished past pupils at about 8.30 a.m. and he was escorted by the college Western band to the venue where the jubilee plaque and monument were unveiled.
Rev. Dr. Stanley Abeysekera sports complex cum auditorium (college main hall) was crammed with students, teachers, past students. Day’s proceedings commenced with offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, His Eminence being the chief celebrant, His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Anton Ranjith and twenty odd other reverend fathers, including past rectors and college fathers concelebrated. In his homily His Eminence emphatically highlighted what should be the mission and task of a Catholic school. He said, “The Catholic school thus would become an academy for life, helping the students to achieve spiritual as well as social excellence and being enabled to serve humanity with evangelical commitment. While the government sponsored schools have as their goal the general social and professional excellence of the children, the Catholic school has to achieve that extra bit for them which would assist them to be not only qualified and generous professionals enlivening society with uprightness and professional perfection but would lead them to be exemplary witnesses to the faith in Christ and to holiness and spiritual fulfilment.” He further went on to say it is particularly the duty of a Catholic college like St. Joseph’s to assist the students to grow into holiness of life in and through the practice of virtuous living, so that society itself can be made a better place tomorrow.
The end of the Holy Mass paved the way for a ceremonial assembly where a number of events highlighting the significance of this historical day was unfolded by hoisting of the national flag and the college flag. Taking the lead college choir presented the Jubilee theme song “go forth in Christ’s Holy Name” , composed by Mr. Francis D’Almeida, veteran choir trainer and music by Mr. Melvyn Francis. Then, a commemorative stamp depicting the iconic clock tower building was issued in the presence of head of the Philatelic Bureau. Then it was the time for another most awaited moment and which was the presentation of college magazine, the Blue and White. Its Editor-in-Chief was senior journalist and newspaper editor and alumnus of SJC, Mr. Lynn Ockersz ably assisted by an editorial board which comprised, a host of assistants from the SJC teaching staff. The 72nd volume of the Blue and White magazine was officially released when Mr. Ockersz presented the first copy of the magazine to Fr. Rector. Rev. Fr. Rector in turn offered the first five copies to His Eminence, Rev. Fr. Gamunu Dias, General Manager of Catholic Schools and some past rectors. This august assembly was brought to a pinnacle point of its entertainment with the famous Battle Hymn of the Republic sung by the college choir and a medley of songs by past choir leaders of the college.
In his second intervention His Eminence explaining the pathetic times country is going through right now owing to the political and economic crisis, pleaded with all the students who were present not to leave this country but to stay back and work for a better Sri Lanka.
Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi, the present rector who took all the trouble from its declaration to its closing ceremony of this jubilee while extending his heartfelt gratitude to many individuals who spearheaded various jubilee projects emphasised the vital importance of following the life qualities of St. Joseph – the patron saint of the college. He said, “Becoming a Josephian is a great honour and a singular blessing from the Lord. It entails a great responsibility on our part to emulate the simple and humble life of St. Joseph, in becoming a true disciple of Lord and Saviour, ably assisted by Blessed Mother. We should never allow the worldly attitudes to carry us away into an ungodly society full of false promises. Ite ad Ioseph!”
His Eminence officially declared closed the 125th jubilee of the founding of this hallowed alma mater. Mast. Janeth Fernandopulle, the head prefect of the college proposed the vote of thanks after which Mario Ananda, past pupil and son of veteran singer Gracian Ananda sang a song titled “it is my school” ; lyrics by Malik Sheriffdeen, music and vocals by Mario himself.
“Fruits of virtue and of knowledge” these first words of the college anthem are emblematic of the Josephian spirit. Josephians young and old, present and past, in country or out of country have not only spelled these words many a time from their mouth yet have they moulded and formed their lives into men of integrity and responsibility. May these flames of virtue and knowledge serve yet generations unborn who will pass through the portals of this much- loved home and transform themselves into young men who will glorify the name of God and serve for the betterment of humanity. Let that be our humble wish and fervent prayer as we terminate this unparalleled and phenomenal chapter in the history of St. joseph’s College, Colombo 10.
Fr. S. Neththasinghe
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