Oblate Province of Jaffna

Who We Are

Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate - a missionary congregation serving the poor, building communities of faith, and proclaiming the Gospel with compassion.

Years of Service

Oblate Members

Parishes and Missions

Our history

History

A focused history of the Province of Jaffna and its mission development.

Brief History

Brief History of the Province of Jaffna

A focused account of the Oblate presence in Jaffna from the early 1960s onward.

The history of the Oblates in Sri Lanka can be traced back to the British colonial period at the end of the 18th century; however, this account focuses mainly on the historical development of the Province of Jaffna beginning from the early 1960s.

011847 – 1883

Beginning of the Oblate tradition in Jaffna

At the request of Mgr. Orazio Bettacchini, an Oratorian from Italy and then Vicar Apostolic of Jaffna, the Oblates were sent to Sri Lanka in 1847. The first group of four Oblates arrived on November 28, 1847. After two years, in 1849, Jaffna was formally erected as an Apostolic Vicariate. From the beginning of the mission, the Oblates worked as a group, and their commitment was commendable in this challenging mission.

Fr. Stephen Semeria, the superior of the first group, was appointed as the secretary to the Vicar Apostolic of Jaffna. Fr. Semeria was still young and had matured dramatically in virtue and religious life. He had learned the country's complexities and the Tamil language. Eventually, Fr. Semeria was appointed Vicar General of the Jaffna Vicariate in August 1849. Mgr. Stephen Semeria OMI became the Vicar Apostolic of Jaffna after the death of Mgr. Orazio Bettacchini on July 26, 1857.

Mgr. Christopher Bonjean, OMI, succeeded Mgr. Semeria OMI as the Vicar Apostolic of the Vicariate of Jaffna in 1868. During this period, the Vicariate of Colombo was given to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and Mgr. Christopher Bonjean OMI was appointed as the Vicar Apostolic of Colombo in 1883. Thus, out of the nine civil districts, the Oblates were to minister in seven districts under the two Vicariates of Colombo and Jaffna. The two remaining civil districts formed the newly created Vicariate of Kandy and were entrusted to the Sylvester-Benedictines.

021907 – 1961

The Oblates in Sri Lanka, under one leadership

The Oblates worked in the two Vicariates of Colombo and Jaffna, and their ultimate authority was the Apostolic Vicar or the Bishop, under whom they served. 1907 was a decisive year in the history of the Church in Sri Lanka and the Oblates in Sri Lanka. The Oblate General Administration wished to segregate and distinguish the authority of the Oblate mission from that of the diocesan.

Thus, the Oblate authorities of Jaffna and Colombo were amalgamated into one under the Vicar of Missions, named the Vicariate of Ceylon, and appointed Fr. Jules Collin OMI as the first Vicar of Missions. In 1967, the Vicariate of Mission of Ceylon became the Province of Ceylon which since 1973 has been renamed as Province of Sri Lanka.

The expanding missionary work of the Oblates and the needs of the time demanded some alternatives in the leadership of the Province of Sri Lanka in 1961. Eventually, a Vicar Provincial was appointed for Jaffna on June 28, 1961. The Provincial of the Oblate Province of Sri Lanka, with the consent of his extraordinary Council and with the approval of Superior General, Rev. Fr. Zacharias Nicholas Croos OMI, was appointed as the Vicar Provincial. He was free to function and take initiatives in the areas of mission and formation in the region of Jaffna. A gradual move followed that paved the path to create the Oblate region of Jaffna into a delegation.

031982 – 1984

Jaffna as an independent Unit

There was a Provincial Congress of the Oblate Province of Sri Lanka on July 18-24, 1982 at the National Seminary, Ampitiya. The proposal came with the majority votes to make the Jaffna Delegation a Vice-Province. This proposal was accepted unanimously in the Provincial Council in September and was sent to Fr. General for approval and implementation.

The General Administration, after a deep study of this proposal under the guidance of Very Rev. Fr. Fernand Jette OMI, the Superior General, organized a written consultation with the members of the entire province and a canonical visit to Jaffna. The Provincial Delegation of Jaffna, in northern Sri Lanka, was made a General Delegation with effect on December 8, 1984, in the Plenary Session of the Oblate General Council, held in Rome in September-October 1984. Rev. Fr. Louis Ponniah OMI was appointed as the Superior of the General Delegation in the same Plenary Session. This General Delegation extends over the territories of Jaffna and Mannar.

041989 – 1999

General Delegation to Vice-Province

The General Delegation of Jaffna was raised to Vice-Province on August 23, 1989. Very Rev. Fr. Marcello Zago OMI, the Superior General, announced it officially during his visit to Sri Lanka in 1989. Rev. Fr. Louis Ponniah OMI, the superior of the General Delegation, became the Provincial of the Vice-Province of Jaffna.

Rev. Fr. P. P. Philip Fernando OMI succeeded him and was installed on June 19, 1991. Rev. Fr. Philippiah Jesunesan OMI was appointed as Provincial Superior and took over on May 15, 1997. At the General Chapter of 1998, Rev. Fr. Philippiah Jesunesan OMI was elected as the General Councillor for Asia-Oceania. Immediately after that, Rev. Fr. A. Jeevendra Paul OMI was appointed as the Vicar Provincial by the Superior General Rev. Fr. Wilhelm Steckling, and then appointed as Provincial Superior in January 1999.

052001 – 2023

A Full-Fledged Province of Jaffna

On his visit, the Superior General declared ceremonially that the Vice-Province of Jaffna had been made a full-fledged Province on July 8, 2001. The Decree of Promulgation was signed on July 12, 2001 in Rome by Very Rev. Fr. Wilhelm Steckling, the Superior General. Fr. A. Jeevendra Paul OMI became the first Provincial of the full-fledged Province of Jaffna.

Succeeding him, Rev. Fr. S. M. Selvaratnam, OMI (3 yrs.), Rev. Fr. Paul Nadchethiram, OMI, Rev. Fr. S. Edwin Vasantharajah, OMI, and Rev. Fr. Eugene Benedict OMI (2 yrs.) served in the Provincial leadership. In the 37th General Chapter in Rome, Rev. Fr. Eugene Benedict OMI was appointed as the General Councillor for Asia Oceania on October 4, 2022, and in January 2023, Rev. Fr. Paul Jeyanthan Pachchek OMI was appointed as Provincial Superior and was installed on February 17, 2023.

Province timeline

Our journey

1847 – 1899 · The Early Foundations

September 17Mgr. Bettachini appointed Pro-Vicar of Jaffna.
November 28Arrival of the first Oblates in Ceylon (Frs. Semeria, Keating, Ciamin, and Br. Gaspard de Stephanis).
May 10Fr. Semeria presented Mgr. Bettachini with a project to establish a Seminary for the formation of a Ceylonese Clergy.
September 8Fr. Semeria formally appointed Secretary to Mgr. Bettachini (a post equivalent to Vicar General) and parish priest of Jaffna, with Fr. Keating as assistant.
May 12Arrival of the second band of Oblates (Frs. Mouchel, Leydier, and Le Bescou).
August 13Mgr. Bettachini appointed Vicar Apostolic of Jaffna.
AugustArrival of Frs. Vivier and Mauroit.
June 4Fr. Semeria appointed Vicar General of Jaffna.
June 16Fr. Leydier died of cholera at Vathiry.
July 26Arrival of four Oblate Fathers to work in the Vicariate of Colombo (Frs. Pulicani, Perrard, Duffo, and Lallemant).
August 23Arrival of Frs. Chounavel and Pelissier.
DecemberOutbreak of cholera at Point Pedro.
February 2Fr. Perrard appointed to Galle.
MayArrival of Frs. Rouffiac and Lacombe.
November 10Cholera broke out in Jaffna; death of Fr. Ciamin.
AprilIntroduction of the Catholic Faith at Wewala, a Buddhist village near Moratuwa.
July 6Arrival of Frs. Geneys and Flurin.
SeptemberFr. Perrard sent to Kurunegala.
January 22Fr. Lacombe died of cholera at Mathagal at the age of 27.
February 5–7The great cholera and smallpox epidemics raging throughout the peninsula ceased upon the termination of a Triduum in the Jaffna Cathedral in honor of the Immaculate Conception.
SeptemberFr. Pulicani appointed to Duwa, Fr. Perrard to Alukuru Korale, and Fr. Duffo to Kalutara.
December 14Death of Fr. Crousel in Colombo.
March 9Sacrilegious theft in the Jaffna Cathedral; a Triduum of expiation held. First reappearance of cholera since 1855.
May 24Mgr. Semeria created a Roman Count and Assistant to the Pontifical Throne.
August 15St. Thomas’ Church, Point Pedro, opened.
October 1First Report of Jaffna Catholic Schools published.
April 14Consecration of the Episcopal Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, Jaffna.
June 27Transfer of St. Joseph’s Orphanage to Colombogam.
April 17Mission preached at Katuneriya by Mgr. Semeria. The Society of the Brothers of St. Joseph established at Colombogam to train teachers for vernacular schools and catechists to assist missionaries.
MaySardiel, the “Robin Hood of Ceylon,” converted and assisted on the gallows by Frs. Duffo and Perrard.
January 24Foundation of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Peter at Jaffna (the first community of indigenous nuns, founded by the Holy Family Sisters).
August 21Bro. Dowling died of consumption at Jaffna.
April 15Mgr. Semeria left for Europe accompanied by Fr. Bonjean. Fr. Boisseau took charge of St. Joseph’s Orphanage; Fr. Moukel appointed Pro-Vicar.
JulyAn Association founded at Marseilles by Mgr. Semeria to provide dowries for Jaffna orphan girls.
January 23Death of Mgr. Semeria from pleurisy at Marseilles, France.
July 5Nomination of Mgr. Bonjean as Vicar Apostolic of Jaffna.
August 24Consecration of Mgr. Bonjean.
Foundation of St. Martin’s Seminary, Jaffna, by Bishop Bonjean.
Commencement of the Madhu pilgrimage.
Foundation of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Press in Jaffna.
Cornerstone laid for the Church of Our Lady of Madhu. Inauguration of the Jaffna Catholic Guardian.
December 23Mgr. Bonjean ordained Fr. Sandarasegara, the first Ceylonese to be raised to the priesthood by an Oblate Bishop.
SeptemberEstablishment of a Catechumenate and the St. Vincent de Paul’s Foundling Orphanage in Jaffna.
September 22Nomination of Mgr. Theophilus Andrew Melizan as Coadjutor to Mgr. Bonjean.
November 29Consecration of Mgr. Melizan at Marseilles, France.
JuneGampola and the surrounding territory (Udapalata Pattuwa) placed under the jurisdiction of the Vicar Apostolic of Jaffna.
August 28Bishop Bonjean took possession of the Vicariate of Colombo as Vicar Apostolic. Establishment of the Ecclesiastical Seminary (later named St. Bernard’s Seminary).
January 6Establishment of the Hierarchy in Ceylon. The Colombo Vicariate became the Archdiocese of Colombo, and Mgr. Bonjean became the first Archbishop of Colombo.
December 13Inauguration of St. Lucia’s Cathedral.
The Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka was formed. A monthly Catholic family magazine called Bhakthi Prabodhanaya was started.
August 3Death of Archbishop Bonjean.
November 28Mgr. Melizan, transferred from Jaffna, appointed Archbishop of Colombo.
AugustFounding of St. Aloysius’ Seminary.
August 24Consecration of Mgr. Joulain.
March 2Opening of St. Joseph’s College.
June 28Fr. Antony Coudert appointed Coadjutor Bishop to Archbishop Melizan.
November 30Consecration of Mgr. Coudert.
October 9Inauguration of the Catholic Union of Ceylon.
January 27Death of Archbishop Melizan; Mgr. Coudert became the Archbishop of Colombo.
Jaffna and Colombo welded into a single Oblate Vicariate; Fr. Jules Collin became the First Vicar of Missions.
Beginnings of the Tewatte Shrine.
November 1Arrival of Mgr. Augustin Dontenwill, Superior General.
February 7Death of Mgr. Joulain.
July 28Fr. Jules Andrew Brault appointed Bishop of Jaffna.
February 15Consecration of Mgr. Andrew Brault.
July 16First Catholic Literature Convention; beginning of the Catholic “Forward Movement.”
January 20Death of Bishop Andrew Brault.
January 16Fr. Guyomar nominated as Bishop of Jaffna (Consecrated March 9).
July 2Coronation of Our Lady of Madhu.
February 2Fr. Bastiampillai Anthonipillai Thomas founded the first indigenous contemplative order of Rosarians with six postulants at Tholagatty, Jaffna.
March 31Death of Archbishop Antony Coudert.
December 14Fr. Peter Marque appointed Archbishop of Colombo.
February 11Consecration of Mgr. Peter Marque.
May 1Inauguration of the Oblate Scholasticate (Immaculate Conception) in Colombo.
June 4Death of Archbishop Peter Marque.
June 2Fr. Jean Marie Masson appointed Archbishop of Colombo (Consecrated August 24).
December 13Consecration of St. Lucia’s Cathedral.
January 5Erection of the Diocese of Chilaw; nomination of Fr. J. Aloysius Perera as Bishop of Chilaw.
April 8Death of Mgr. Aloysius Perera.
January 12Fr. Edmund Peiris nominated Bishop of Chilaw (Consecrated April 25).
January 25Consecration of the Church of Our Lady of Madhu.
December 14Nomination of Fr. Thomas Cooray as Coadjutor to Archbishop Masson.
March 7Consecration of Mgr. Thomas Cooray.
February 11Proclamation of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Lanka.
July 28Death of Archbishop Masson. Mgr. Thomas Cooray succeeded to the See of Colombo, becoming the first Ceylonese Archbishop.
December 8Consecration of the Archdiocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary solemnly renewed by Archbishop Thomas Cooray.
July 8100 years of Oblate presence in Sri Lanka celebrated at St. Joseph’s College with a Marian Congress, Vocation Exhibition, etc.
October 14Establishment of the House of Preachers “Nazareth” in Wennappuwa, with Fr. Lopupillai Augustine as Superior.
March 10Fr. Emilianus Pillai nominated Coadjutor to Mgr. Guyomar, Bishop of Jaffna.
May 16Oblate Novitiate shifted from Bambalapitiya to “Mont Eden,” Kalutara.
August 12Oblate Scholasticate moved from Kynsey Road, Borella, to the vacated Novitiate premises at Bambalapitiya.
April 25St. Vincent’s Home, Maggona, handed over to Oblate administration (Became a formal Religious House on May 9, 1951).
May 1Oblate Scholasticate shifted to Kohuwela from Bambalapitiya. The Statue of Our Lady of Fatima arrived from Portugal, brought by two Oblates, and toured the country.
July 18Mgr. Emilianus Pillai succeeded to the See of Jaffna.
July 21Oblate Juniorate opened at Kohuwela.
January 5Fatima Parish, Maradana, handed over to the Oblate Congregation.
December 14Ragama Parish handed over to the Oblates. Lakrivi Movement started in Sri Lanka by Fr. Felix Mavel.
August 2The Regional Seminary of Our Lady of Lanka at Ampitiya, Kandy, handed over to the Oblates. Fr. Fred Sackett appointed First Rector.
August 31Oblate Scholasticate shifted to the Ampitiya Seminary building from Nugegoda.
June 22Fr. Marcelline Jayakody won an award as a leading personality in the film world for his magnificent lyrics in the film Rekava.
February 11Blessing of the Grotto at Tewatte; first Mass said by Most Rev. Fr. Leo Deschatelets, Superior General.
June 22Oblate Scholasticate moved to its own buildings adjacent to the seminary.
“Amala Utpavam” house of Oblate Preachers established at Colombogam.
August 1North Central Province (NCP) handed over to the Oblates for evangelization. Rev. Fr. Anthony Fernando appointed First Ceylonese Provincial (1963–1968).
October 9Archbishop Thomas Cooray created a Cardinal by Pope Paul VI.
April 28Oblate Missionaries from Sri Lanka went to Malaysia.
February 13Sri Lanka raised to the status of a Province.
July 3Sri Lankan Province started missionary work in Kanchipuram, India.
July 17Fr. Edmund Fernando consecrated as Auxiliary Bishop to the Cardinal Archbishop.
December 30“Amala Utpavam” Home for retired Fathers opened in Jaffna.
February 14Sri Lankan Province opened a mission in Pakistan.
July 27Juniorate established at Colombogam, Jaffna.
December 29Centre for Society and Religion (CSR) started; Fr. Lucien Schmitt appointed Fr. Tissa Balasuriya as its first director.
February 1Juniorate established in India.
MayFr. Dalston Forbes elected General Councilor for Asia.
February125 years of Oblate Presence in Sri Lanka celebrated, graced by Most Rev. Fr. Richard Hanly, Superior General.
May 15Oblate Novitiate moved to “Sidupiyanilla,” Bandarawela, from Mont Eden, Kalutara.
May 26Novitiate started canonically in India.
JulyMission in Bangladesh started under the leadership of Fr. Henry Vanhoof.
December 26Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka at Tewatte consecrated and dedicated by His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Cooray.
September 2Cardinal Cooray retired from the See of Colombo.
January 2–8Oblate Congress held at Kandy.
July 11Fr. Michael Rodrigo founded the “Suba Seth Gedara” (Friendly Wishes House) at Alukalavita in Buttala.
NovemberFr. Jim Cooke elected as the 1st Assistant General (the first Sri Lankan to hold the post).
May 22Postage stamp issued honoring late Fr. S. Gnanaprakasar, the first Oblate to be so honored.
December 8“Marian Grove,” a house for elderly Oblates, opened at Green Path, Kohuwela.
JanuaryThe Oblate Pre-Novitiate began at De Mazenod House, Mattakkuliya.
March 10Fr. Joy Goonewardena named Bishop of the new Diocese of Anuradhapura.
May 22Formal opening of the Communication Centre in Thodharpham, Jaffna.
June 18–24Sri Lankan Oblate Provincial Congress in Kandy.
Fr. Marcelline Jayakody won the prestigious international Ramon Magsaysay Award. Fr. Fernand Jette, Superior General, visited Sri Lanka.
May 30Fr. Bernard Quintus elected Second Assistant General.
November 14Opening of the Oblate Communication Centre at Palwatte, Minuwangoda.
December 8Establishment of the General Delegation in Jaffna.
December 8Rev. Fr. Louis Ponnaiah, OMI begins as Superior of the General Delegation of Jaffna (1984–1991).
December 15Mgr. Edmund Fernando named to the See of Badulla.
May 22Commemorative stamp issued honoring Fr. Peter Pillai.
July 28Oblate Congress held at Tewatte.
October 27Rajabima Oblate Centre opened in Anuradhapura.
November 10Assassination of Fr. Michael Rodrigo at Buttala.
JulySecond Asian Oblate Formators Meeting held in Wennappuwa.
October 20Bro. S. Wryma, the last foreign Oblate Brother, passed away.
October 29Cardinal Cooray passed away.
May 22Philatelic Bureau issued a stamp honoring Fr. M. J. Legoc.
August 5Visit of Fr. Marcello Zago, Superior General. Erection of the Vice Province of Jaffna.
September 4Mgr. Edmund Peiris passed away.
September 10Oblate Congress.
December 28Philatelic Bureau issued a stamp honoring Thomas Cardinal Cooray.
August 23General Delegation of Jaffna raised to Vice-Province; Rev. Fr. Louis Ponnaiah, OMI becomes its first Provincial.
Rev. Fr. P. Jesunesan, OMI listed in Provincial leadership (1989–1999).
May 22Postage stamp issued honoring Fr. T. M. F. Long, former Rector of St. Patrick’s, Jaffna.
June 11First South Asian Oblate Formators Meeting held at Ampitiya.
June 19Rev. Fr. P. P. Philip Fernando, OMI installed as Provincial of the Vice-Province of Jaffna (1991–1997).
Mr. Roche Tewerapperuma made an Honorary Oblate.
February 17Blessing of the new Chapel at “Marian Grove.” Fr. Fraccid Anthony founded the “Sahana Medura” (House of Comfort) at Kanuwana, Ja-Ela, devoted to healing the mentally ill.
May 27Fr. Marcello Zago, Superior General, arrived to visit the Province.
December 3Blessed Eugene de Mazenod, Founder of the Oblates, declared a Saint.
December 9Oblate-founded approved school (Susithodaya) celebrated its 100th anniversary.
December 12St. Eugene de Mazenod canonization celebrations at St. Lucia’s Cathedral organized by the Sri Lanka Province.
June 1Visitation of the Province by a team appointed by Fr. General.
August 12–16Oblate Congress at Ampitiya.
May 15Rev. Fr. P. Jesunesan, OMI takes over as Provincial Superior of the Vice-Province of Jaffna.
June 14Mgr. Edmund Fernando resigned from the See of Badulla.
Rev. Fr. P. Jesunesan, OMI elected General Councillor for Asia-Oceania at the General Chapter.
Rev. Fr. A. Jeevendra Paul, OMI appointed Vicar Provincial by the Superior General.
JanuaryRev. Fr. Jeevendra Paul, OMI appointed Provincial Superior (1999–2004).
July 8The Vice-Province of Jaffna declared a full-fledged Province by the Superior General.
July 12Decree of Promulgation signed in Rome; Rev. Fr. Jeevendra Paul, OMI becomes the first Provincial of the Province.
Rev. Fr. S. M. Selvaratnam, OMI begins his term as Provincial Superior (2005–2008).
Rev. Fr. Edwin Vasantharajah, OMI begins his term as Provincial Superior (2014–2020).
Rev. Fr. Paul Natchathiram, OMI begins his term as Provincial Superior (2008–2014).
Grand Celebration of the Youth Programme in Jaffna
Rev. Fr. Eugene Benedict, OMI begins his term as Provincial Superior (2020–2022).
October 4Rev. Fr. Eugene Benedict, OMI appointed General Councillor for Asia-Oceania at the 37th General Chapter in Rome.
January 10Rev. Fr. Paul Jeyanthan Pachchek, OMI appointed Provincial Superior.
February 17Installation of the new Provincial Superior.
January 15Rev. Fr. Paul Jeyanthan Pachchek, OMI reappointed for a second term.
February 16Installed for the second term as Provincial Superior.
August 21Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) in Jaffna — 200 years of faith, service, and dedication to the Church and community.

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Oblate bishops

Bishops of our story

Open any card for that bishop’s own profile page.

Historical archive

Remembering those who went before

The Province necrology and the published year-by-year journey of the Oblates in Sri Lanka.

In memoriam

Oblates who served in Ceylon and Jaffna

The register of 558 Oblate bishops, priests, brothers and scholastics who gave their lives to the mission on this island, from 1851 to 2026. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

Oblates: 558; Oblates
First entry: 1851; First entry
Latest: 2026; Latest

558 Oblates loaded · 10 in the boxScroll inside the box — more names load as you go (548 waiting)

NoNameBornCalled home

1Fr. Sample Deceased OMIFatherBorn 01.01.1900JaffnaDied 01.01.1980Jaffna
1Fr. Felix F. LeydierFatherBorn 17.05.1821FranceDied 16.06.1851Jaffna
2Fr. Joseph A. CiaminFatherBorn 18.11.1820ItalyDied 10.11.1853Jaffna
3Fr. Victor LacombeFatherBorn 28.04.1826FranceDied 22.01.1855Jaffna
4Bro. Bonaventure R. ByrneBrotherBorn 1837IrelandDied 22.05.1860Jaffna
5Sch. Paul Stephen PooreyScholasticBorn 23.01.1824ColomboDied 08.05.1861Jaffna
6Fr. John Baptist E. FlurinFatherBorn 28.09.1830FranceDied 12.07.1861Jaffna
7Fr. Peter F. CrouselFatherBorn 14.12.1828BelgiumDied 14.12.1861Jaffna
8Bro. Roland DowlingBrotherBorn 1844IrelandDied 21.08.1865Jaffna
9Fr. John Le BescouFatherBorn 29.08.1824FranceDied 17.06.1867Jaffna

10 shown · 548 more load as you scroll

Scroll inside the register to see every name. Dates are written day, month, year, as in the Province list.

Chronicle

The journey, year by year

Open a year. The line is the published journey of the Oblate Province of Jaffna.

Milestone 11 of 11

1816
1826
21 Oct 1847
28 Nov 1847
8 Feb 1848
10 Mar 1848
19th century
1988
2001
2026
1847

Selected year

1847

First Oblates arrive in Ceylon.

Development

Development and Progress of Jaffna Province

Highlights of growth in vocation, formation, and ministry.

Vocation and ministry

Since the erection of the Jaffna Province, the Oblates have made significant progress in vocation and ministry.

Houses of formation

Establishing houses of formation such as Scholasticate and Regional Pre-Novitiate. Many Oblates were trained academically and professionally during the last 30 years.

Missionaries for the Congregation

The growth of Oblate vocations in the Province of Jaffna became a resource for responding to requests to send missionaries to other Oblate units.

Serving across the island

Locally, the Oblates extended their service to different dioceses in the country, such as Trincomalee, Badulla, Ratnapura, Galle, Batticaloa, and Kandy.

Specialized ministries

In addition to traditional parish ministry and mission preaching, they initiated specialized ministries such as non-formal and tertiary education, psychological counseling, peace and reconciliation, youth ministry, spiritual direction, hospital chaplaincy, rehabilitation of alcoholics and drug addicts, and administering Marian shrines.

Infrastructure for the poor

Significant infrastructures, properties, and assets have been developed to render relevant and professional ministries to the poor with many faces.

Oblates

Scholastics

The Province of Jaffna is now blessed with 112 Oblates and 16 Scholastics. The Province consists of many young Oblates, which is a hopeful sign not only for the region of Asia-Oceania but also for the whole Congregation and the Church.

History

Brief History of the Province of Jaffna

Beginning of the Oblate tradition in Jaffna