Marking the end of Quasquicentennial Jubilee Year at St. Joseph’s College – Colombo 10

St. Joseph’s, a premier Catholic school, considers its prime obligation to consist in catering to the spiritual needs of students, to make sure that they grow, mature and are moulded on the basis of the teachings of Jesus Christ. The 125- year history of the College has proved this fact

There is a dire need to build the lives of people and to inculcate values in them more than ever before in the contemporary world. As a result of perceiving this to be a pressing need to focus on, St. Joseph’s College – Colombo 10 made it her theme as she ventured to commemorate the 125th Jubilee Year (1896-2021). Due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic the relevant celebrations were postponed for this year. After months of travail and exertion, Rev. Fr. Rector, Ranjith Andradi and the entire Josephian family are now in fine fettle to host the most awaited closing ceremony of the Quasquicentennial Jubilee. 

No doubt, past and present Josephians would be impatient to witness this glamorous occasion which is to be held on June 15, 2022 from 8.30 a.m. onwards, where His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo and the proprietor of the College, would be gracing the event as the Chief Guest.

Jubilee year was declared open officially on March 2, 2020, just a week ahead of the sudden school closure and island wide lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Jubilee year plan consisted of spiritual upliftment of students, physical development and enhancing facilities of College infrastructure, digital transformation in classroom learning and specially planned jubilee projects. It was a great challenge to move forward with the intended jubilee year plan owing to the school closure. Yet Rev. Fr. Rector Ranjith Andradi together with other reverend Fathers and teachers embarked on an arduous journey in accomplishing the initial plans that covered the implementation of momentous development projects, ranging from colour-washing of buildings to psycho spiritual upliftment of each student. 

 Among many other physical development projects, it is worth noting the new library with the latest facilities added to students’ services. A thorough renovation of the sports complex cum auditorium is another gigantic project that materialized as it was developed into accommodating six badminton courts. Hence, all the monumental buildings had been plastered and colour-washed offering anyone coming in from outside the sense of being lost amid rich colonial architecture. Refurbishments that have taken place in the iconic clock tower and the College chapel help create an apt spiritual environment for the pupils.  

One might question whether the celebration of the jubilee of a particular institution should involve the initiation of physical developments. Probably no. St. Joseph’s, a premier Catholic school, considers its prime obligation to consist in catering to the spiritual needs of students, to make sure that they grow, mature and are moulded on the basis of the teachings of Jesus Christ. The 125- year history of the College has proved this fact. The spiritual legacy that has been left behind by a myriad of eminent personalities who were closely associated with the College testifies to this. Just a few of these personalities are, Rev. Fr. Maurice J LeGoc (OMI), Rev. Fr. Peter Pillai(OMI) and Rev. Fr. Don Peter. Numerous influential persons among distinguished past pupils of the College, testify further to SJC’s spiritual heritage.

A series of seminars on spiritual nourishment, life education sessions and discussions on debated topics like abortion, homosexuality and contraceptives caught the attention of many students.  To add to these, a Catholic apologetics programme was set in motion online to ensure that students are fed both spiritually and academically in spite of being confined to their homes during the countrywide lockdown. 

It will amount to a lacuna if I don’t mention the pains taken by Rev. Fr. Rector in establishing a special youth centre for the students outside of the College premises. A conducive piece of land was purchased for this sublime purpose in Madampalla, Negombo. This youth centre will soon be made available for students’ spiritual retreats, leadership and orientation programmes. Entrusting the chronicling of the history of the College to Mr. Neil Wijeratne, Attorney-at-Law, who is also an old boy and the hosting of “Founders’ Day” celebrations for the first time in the history of College were among the specially aimed jubilee projects. Added to these, a special jubilee monument consisting of the busts of three main founding fathers of the College will be unveiled by His Eminence on the closing day of the jubilee. The 72nd volume of the historical Blue and White magazine of the College will be launched on the same day. 

We are grateful to God our Heavenly Father for empowering us to be the witnesses to a unique history. St. Joseph, our Patron, and our Blessed Mother to whose maternal protection the College has been entrusted by our founding fathers will certainly care for generations and generations that are yet to pass through the hallowed portals of this much-loved home. To Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi, the present rector, and the priest community and beloved teachers, we will ever be indebted in consideration of their care and guidance.

It is our sole wish that all the endeavours and enormous efforts made to mark the Quasquicentennial Jubilee of our Alma Mater will bear fruits of virtue and knowledge in the life and conduct of everyone associated with this revered school. Long live St. Joseph’s College!