Report prepared by Joy Perera, on behalf of the NSW Sri Lankan Catholic Group

Over 500 Catholics of all Sri Lankan ethnic communities celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Madhu on Sunday, 15 August at the shrine of Our Lady of Schoenstatt, Mulgoa. The Madhu jungle shrine in Northern Sri Lanka is a sacred place of worship where pilgrims of all races from all over the Island flock to celebrate the feast of Assumption of Our Lady.

The annual feast resumed in Sri Lanka last year after a long lapse of about 25 years due to the civil war.

Fr. Jude Nicholas, the chaplain for Sri Lankan Catholics in NSW presided over the event and celebrated the Holy Mass. Fr. Jude spoke in English, Tamil and Sinhalese and stressed on the need to have peace and reconciliation in our hearts, with the guidance and the blessings of Our Holy Mother.

A severe thunderstorm with gusts of strong winds developed during the mass, which threatened to disrupt the event, but as if by a miracle, ebbed away soon after, and by the time the procession started after the mass, there was glorious sunshine.

The Choir sang hymns in Sinhala, Tamil and English during the mass and also during the procession that followed. Some of the favourite hymns greatly appreciated by the congregation were: “ Pani Bara Wana Mal ” and “ Ma Mavuni ” in Sinhala; and “ Marutha Madhu Mathave” and “ Mathave Thuney Neerai Ummai ” in Tamil.

This was one event in which Sri Lankans in Sydney of all ethnic origins participated in large numbers in a true spirit of friendship and common spiritual purpose. After the religious ceremonies, the celebrations continued in sharing refreshments in fellowship and singing popular Sri Lankan songs.

Click here to view an album of photographs by Chula Abeysirinarayana.