On the 26th October, the Sri Lankan sisters in the Generalate organised a prayerful reflection with the aid of a power point presentation to mark the 150th year of the arrival of the Holy Family Sisters, in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan sisters in the community of Via dei Gracchi joined this celebration.
150 YEARS OF THE PRESENCE OF HOLY FAMILY SISTERS IN
SRI LANKA CELEBRATED IN THE GENERALATE
On the 26th October, the Sri Lankan sisters in the Generalate organised a prayerful reflection with the aid of a power point presentation to mark the 150th year of the arrival of the Holy Family Sisters, in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan sisters in the community of Via dei Gracchi joined this celebration.
This short power point was a help to all the sisters to understand the arrival, the history, and expansion of the Holy Family in Sri Lanka. The challenges, new calls to go deeper were depicted very well.
The General Chapter of 1957 marked an important change in the history of the Holy Family. According to the decree of the Superior General on 4 August 1958 Sri Lanka (known as Ceylon) became two provinces- Northern and Southern. In 1965, the South was divided in to two provinces – Chilaw-Kandy andColombo. In 1969 due to various reasons the South was re-unified as one Province- Colombo.
‘The past becomes something that leads to the present, the moment of action, the future, something that flows from it; and all three ( past, present and future) are inextricably inter-twined and inter-related” (Ref: Discovery of India by Neru)
30 years of war have caused disaster in the country. The Sisters and the people in the North faced great sufferings and austerities during this time when they were caught up between the two parties that were at war. During this time many lives were lost through out the country. At this moment we were silently united in prayer for all those who lost their lives throughout the country.
After the War steps were taken to move towards reconciliation.
Our formation has taken a positive step to give the formees a contextualized formation to be prophetic religious. In view of this we are giving the pre - novices extra one year of work experience outside the convent. Sisters have participated in many programmes and discussion groups organized by different joint groups. The joint formation novitiate became a reality.
The seed that was planted in Jaffnahas grown and has become a big tree spreading its branches to other countries too. Today our Sri Lankan Holy Family Sisters work in 11 dioceses of our country. Along with that they are working in 8 other countries strengthening and spreading the faith. This is done by the Apostolic Branch of the sisters, while there are Contemplatives, and Lay Consecrated Ones who continue the mission in different ways. Besides these our Priest Associates live and promote the Holy Family spirituality where ever they are, and our Lay Associates promote the Christian family life wherever it is possible. Through all these we seek nothing but the Glory of God Alone.
Our prayer concluded with the words of our Good Father, “My Daughters there is nothing now that check your course. Go Forward increase in numbers and virtues and may your hands scatter on all sides the divine seed of good works and good example. In so far as, feeble creatures can approach such perfect models, be gentle, compassionate and obedient like Jesus, humble and modest and pure like Mary, poor industrious and faithful like St. Joseph. Worthy children of the Holy Family have with this Family but one spirit one heart”.
Our celebration ended with a shared meal and everyone enjoyed the programme of the day.
