REV. FR. JAMES DOMINIC OMI – (1881-1949)

[Webmaster]

REV. FR. JAMES DOMINIC OMI – (1881-1949)

Birth                : 26th Nov., 1881 at Pamunugama, Cbo, Sri Lanka

First Vows      : 6th January, 1904 at Mattakkuliya

Final Vows      : 6th January, 1905 at Borella

Oblation No.   : 2545

Ordination       :30th November, 1907 in Colombo

Death              :5th January, 1949 at Borella

Father P. James Dominic was born at Pamunugama in the Arch diocese of Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 26th November, 1881. He had his early education at St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena. He entered the Jun ior Seminary in 1894 and pursued his secondary education at St. Joseph’s College, Maradana. In 1900, when the Junior Seminary was shifted to Borella, he went to St. Bernard’s Seminary and pursued his ecclesiasti cal studies towards priesthood. Then he joined the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and entered their Novitiate at Mattakkuliya in 1903. On completion of his novitiate formation, he made his first profession of vows as an Oblate on 25th January, 1904. Then he continued his ecclesiastical studies at St. Bernard’s Seminary and was ordained a Priest of God on 30th November, 1907.

He began his priestly ministry as Assistant Parish Priest at Sea Street, Negombo on 5th December, 1907. In September 1909, he was transferred to St. Vincent’s Home, Maggona. After two years, he reverted to parish ministry and went to Wattala as Assistant Parish Priest on 13th August, 1911. He also served as Assistant at Wennappuwa in 1913. Having been gradually introduced into parish ministry, he was made Parish Priest and sent to be the first Parish Priest of the newly erected Parish of Slave Island. Fr. James was not very much keen on the rou tine parish work of administration and developments. Instead he went on the highways and byways helping the poor and most neglected and abandoned souls. He opened for them a small school chapel in the heart of Colpetty’s slum area, which later developed into St. Anthony’s Church, Colpetty..

In September 1917, he was sent to Mattakottuwa as Assistant. He also served in that capacity at Chilaw (1917-1922) and at Wennappuwa (1922). On 22nd of August, 1922, he was appointed Parish Priest of Gampaha-Weliveriya where he served for nine years (1922-1931). Here he opened up an English School for girls and another Mixed School at Narkandapola. He also built the church of St. Therese at Bogamuwa, and took keen interest in the activities of the Mahajana Sabha. In Janu ary 1931, he was transferred to the mission of Maggona where he re mained for six years (1931-1937). At Maggona, he was much involved with the organization of Co-operative Societies and a Young Men Or ganization for the youth of the Parish. His next mission station was St. James’, Mutwal (1937-1939), where he quickly won over the confidence and respect of the parishioners. The last mission Fr. Dominic served was Wadduwa where he worked for ten years (1939-1949). Here too he built a new school at Arukkaduwa, and prepared the ground for another at Wasakaduwa. Fr. Dominic went to Wadduwa in the first week of January 1939 and he died in the first week of January 1949. He died in harness as he had desired. He fell ill and was taken to the General Hospital, Colombo where he passed away to his eternal reward on 5th January, 1949. At the request of the parishioners of Wadduwa, his mor tal remains were laid to rest at Wadduwag n 1021

Father Dominic had a winning personality, untiring zeal for souls and love for work. He was not a learned scholar or a popular orator or a famous writer, though he edited number of works and was often in great demand as a retreat preacher. But wherever he served, he had raised the tone of the spiritual life of the people by his sermons, catechetical instructions and by his example of piety and charity. He had left behind undying memories of his apostolate there. He was a pioneer in his own unobtrusive way. He was endowed with a gift of perennial youth. It is difficult to think of him as an old man. He was always active and full of enthusiasm. He loved the poor and the chil dren. The poor always found in him a helper and a sympathizer. He laboured very hard in the parishes he served to ameliorate their living conditions. He gave away even his last penny for charity, but he was never in want. His childlike trust in Mary, Our Blessed Mother, never went unrewarded.

[Author]

Posts