“NAZARETH” HOUSE OF PREACHERS CELEBRATES 75th JUBILEE

The preaching band of Oblate Province of Colombo in Sri Lanka pioneered the ministry of the Word with Rev. Fr. L. J. Augustine OMI and Joachim Fernando OMI in July 1948 at the “Nazareth” House in Wennappuwa. The house is a generous gift of the late Revd. Sr. Sacred Heart, HF. The house celebrated its 75th anniversary on February 17, 2023. Rt. Rev. Dr. Valence Mendis, the Bishop of Chilaw presided over the Vespers on February 16, 2023. Those invited and participated were the priests and nuns from nearby parishes and villages, as well as neighbours around ‘Nazareth’, the House of Preachers. The Jubilee Mass, to which all the Oblates of the Colombo province were invited, was held on 17 February, and was presided over by Rt. Rev. Dr. Norbert Andradi, OMI, the bishop of Anuradhapura. There were about 45 Oblates present. The preaching group of the Oblate Fathers has contributed significantly to the local church’s development and spiritual progress over the past 75 years. In order to support individuals on their spiritual journey and to strengthen their bonds with God, ‘Nazareth’ has served as a source of spiritual sustenance.