Hospital & Prison Chaplaincy

1. 01

   Chapel of Our Lady of Good Health: Jaffna Teaching Hospital

   The Chapel of Our Lady of Good Health at Jaffna Teaching Hospital has been a place of prayer, healing, and hope for more than five decades. The ministry began in 1972, when Fr. T. Thevathasan, a diocesan priest, was appointed as the first hospital chaplain. In 1973, he established a small chapel within the hospital, initially dedicated to St. Jude and later rededicated to Our Lady of Good Health (Velankanni).

   From 1972 to 1979, the hospital ministry was served by priests from the nearby parishes. In 1979, the chaplaincy was entrusted to the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), with Fr. Daniel Francis, OMI, becoming the first full-time Oblate hospital chaplain. Since then, numerous Oblates have served patients and their families with dedication and compassion.

   The present chapel was built in 2000 by Fr. S. Anpurasa, OMI, and expanded in 2019 by Fr. A. Sutharson, OMI, and currently Fr. A. Delushan, OMI, serves as the chaplain.

   The hospital ministry seeks to make present the compassionate healing presence of Christ, especially among the poor and vulnerable.

2. 02

   Diocese of Batticaloa

   On 1 August 2019, Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Ponniah, Bishop of Batticaloa, entrusted the Oblates with the ministries of hospital chaplaincy and prison ministry.

   Fr. Jacob Yogaraja, OMI, began this ministry in August 2019, followed by Fr. Claude Marino, OMI, and Fr. Benat A. Singer, OMI. Their ministry includes celebrating the Eucharist, administering the Sacraments, counselling patients and prisoners, accompanying grieving families, and providing practical assistance such as medicines, transport, clothing, and hygiene items.

3. 03

   Vavuniya General Hospital and Prison

   The Oblates have served the sick and suffering at Vavuniya General Hospital since 1999, providing prayer, spiritual accompaniment, sacramental care, and support to patients and families. Currently Fr. Jenibert Croos, OMI, serves as chaplain.

   The Oblates also minister at Vavuniya Prison, offering prayer, counselling, spiritual guidance, and personal accompaniment to prisoners. Through this ministry, they seek to bring hope, dignity, reconciliation, and opportunities for renewal.

4. 04

   Mannar General Hospital

   The Oblates began hospital chaplaincy at Mannar General Hospital in the early 2000s, with Fr. Jacob Yogarajah, OMI, among the pioneers of the ministry. Over the years, several Oblates including Fr. Gerald, OMI, Fr. A. Vimalanathan, OMI, Fr. Jude Carowf, OMI, Fr. Jesupalan, OMI, Fr. Anucious, OMI, and currently Fr. M. Vincent, OMI have served the sick.

5. 05

   Trincomalee General Hospital and Prison

   The Oblates in the Amala Uthayam Community, Trincomalee, currently represented by Fr. J. Gerald, OMI, extend their pastoral ministry to both the General Hospital and the Prison in the city.

   Through prayer, sacramental ministry, counselling, and compassionate accompaniment, the Oblates offer spiritual and human support to the sick, prisoners, and their families. As in other hospital and prison ministries across Sri Lanka, this service reaches people of different faiths and backgrounds, reflecting the Oblate commitment to serving everyone, especially those who are vulnerable and marginalized.

   Through these ministries, the Oblates continue their charism of being close to the poor, the suffering, and the most abandoned, bringing Christ's compassionate presence to hospitals and prisons.

Source: Pathinathan Sathiyaseelan, OMI, “Present Ministries of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Jaffna Province”