Introducing St. Eugene to the People

 

Originally Published on OMIWORLD.ORG

In August 2014, the city of Wennappuwa formally named a road after the Oblate Founder, St. Eugene de Mazenod. On 1 November 2014, another step was taken to introduce the Oblate Founder to the local people. A statue of the saint was inaugurated at the entrance to the Nazareth Preaching Community on St. Eugene de Mazenod Road.

A good number of persons were on hand for the statue’s dedication: Holy Family Sisters, parishioners of all ages from the Wennappuwa parish and several Oblates. The preaching community’s superior, Fr. Sarath PERERA, and Fr. Gamini SILVA, a scripture professor, spoke about the Founder and his significance in the history of the Church.

After a short prayer service, the provincial of the Oblate’s Colombo Province, Fr. Rohan SILVA, unveiled and blessed the statue. He invited those present to especially pray for unity of families.

Within the Nazareth property, there is also a new Marian Grotto, a replica of the grotto at Lourdes. Oblate Bishop Norbert ANDRADI of Anurudhapura blessed the new site of Marian devotion. (Fr. S. Randil FERNANDO)