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 Activities of the Superior General's Visit to Sri Lanka
Rome, November 18, 2003 |
First days, 25th and 26th of October
 On Saturday evening Brother Superior and Brother Victor Franco were accorded a warm welcome by Brother Henry, Visitor and two other Brothers at the Colombo International Airport.
On Sunday morning Brother Superior declared the renovated section of the house open for the care of senior Brothers. Later he met the senior Brothers individually. He also was very happy to visit the Aspirancy and pre-postulancy houses situated in Mutwal. He was impressed with the 9 young candidates undergoing formation there.
In the afternoon, Brother Superior visited the community at St. Benedict's College established in 1867, the first in Sri Lanka. Later, most of the Brothers in the Colombo area and old boys of St. Benedict's joined together to welcome Brother Superior. It was the centenary celebration of the old Boys Union. After the Eucharist, Brother Superior addressed the old boys. While thanking them for their participation in the educational mission and outlined the nature of the service to which they are called today. Later the old boys hosted him to a dinner.
2nd Day 27th October
On the second day of his visit, Brother Superior visited the Lasallian centers in and around Colombo city. These included De La Salle College, Institute of Spiritual Formation of Asia, St. Joseph's pre-school, St. Joseph's College, Diyagala Boys' Town at Ragama.
In all these places he was accorded a warm welcome by the teachers and students accordingly to traditional customs. Many of the centers he visited today serve the poorest of the poor. LCES and Boys Town have designed their services to serve school dropouts and the poor of society. Brother superior was very pleased to meet the teachers and students of these places.
In the evening he visited the technical workshops of the Boys Town. Later he met the Brothers of Boys Town and Wattale communities at dinner.
3rd Day 28th October
In the morning Brother Superior, accompanied by Brothers Victor and Henry started the long journey to the north of Sri Lanka. On his way, he visited St. Anne's College, a large public School managed by the brothers. He was accorded a grand welcome by the College western band and Kandyan dance troupe. St. Anne's has a large Buddhist, Muslim and Christian student body. In his address to the students he praised the school for its inter-religious dialogue. The Kandyan dance troupe performed again to entertain the visiting Brothers. Later he met the brothers and had lunch with them before resuming his journey to the north.
On his way to Mannar, Brother Superior had the opportunity of visiting Mihintale, the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. He visited the ruins of ancient Buddhist monastic establishments.
When he reached Manner later in the evening, the Boarders and Brothers of De La Salle Community accorded him a very warm welcome according to Tamil Hindu customs predominant in the north of Sri Lanka.
4th Day 29th October
In the morning, Brother Superior visited St. Xavier's National School. This is the largest catholic School in the region. He was treated to a variety of entertainment by the students of the College. In his address to the staff and the students he wished them peace and invited them to be peace - makers.
5th Day 30th October
On the final day of his visit, Brother Superior visited the largest Lasallian School in Sri Lanka, De Mazenod College. This is also the only school with co-education. Here, he had the opportunity to address the students and the staff separately. He also was pleased to meet the cheering little kids of the primary school. Later he met the brothers and had lunch with them.
In the evening Brother Superior presided at a meeting of the District Council. At the meeting he invited the Brothers to appreciate the rich history of the District. He also encouraged them to see the official "retirement" as offering new opportunities for service in the Institute. Superior reflected with the councilors on the challenges and hopes of the District.
The Council meeting was followed by an assembly of Brothers. Most of the Brothers in the District participated. Brother Alvaro addressed the Brothers and out lined the various characteristics of the life of a Brother Today. He encouraged the Brothers to see our Association with lay partners as a new form of living the Lasallian Charism today.
Later, entertainment comprised of various traditional Sri Lankan and Indian dances was performed. The members of the Signum Fidei and various District Committees joined the Brothers for the farewell dinner.
All in all, Brother Superior's visit to Sri Lanka raised the Lasallian spirit among the Brothers, teachers past pupils and students.
(Secretariat) |
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