God Experiences/ இறை அனுபவங்கள்
1. Childhood cradle of Religiosity
In life we go through different types of spiritual experiences.
As a child the parents give us the very basic and unforgettable experiences.
In my life my mother and then father took me
to St. John the Baptist church in Chundikuli Jaffna.
From home to church we recited "sweet Heart of Jesus, be thou my love"
Once we reached the church she sent me to the sacristy side
where I could closely watch the mass.
2. Youthful altar-server
A little later my father took me to St. Mary's Cathedral for mass at 5.30am.
Once there was no altar server for the early 5.30am mass
celebrated by Fr B.A.John OMI vice rector of St. Patrick's College .
He called me "come and serve"
Promptly I did.
3. Primary & Secondary schools
A second level of spiritual experience is as a student in school
learning the faith and practicing Religion first at St:Charles MV, Jaffna and then at St.Patrick's College, Jaffna. This is my first experience of the catholic faith and practices in a good catholic college. Though I was the best student in class and some of my companions seminarians and teachers were priests, no one ever asked or suggested to me the idea of becoming a priest!
A third Level of spiritual experience occured after leaving college and going to the University of Ceylon, and staying in the Catholic Hostel at 90, Havelock Road. I practiced catholic religion without any compulsion. I became a member of the Legion of Mary do lay apostolate, especially visiting patients in hospitals, the poor People of the Slums at Lauries Road, Bambalapitiya. I visited the old Parliament to listen to the speeches of C.Suntheralingam, G.G.Ponnambalam. As treasurer of the Catholic Students' Federation, University Unit, attended different Meetings and socials of the catholic students - of both sexes.During my undergraduate days, my practice of love or concern for the neighbour was forming. Very Rev.Fr.Peter Pillai omi, Rector of St.Joseph's college, Colombo, inspired us students to do a campaign against the Paddy Lands Bill of Minister Phlip Gunawardene (father of the present Dinesh Gunawardene). We distributed handbills in front of the Fort Railway Station. At one Point, the Harbour workers, who were supportrs of the Minister attacked us. My friend Indran Segarajasinge's teeth was broken, I jumped into a double decker bus and escaped going to Price Park where my relative Mr.Michael, Inspector of Police lived.! The next day newspapers said Cathos attacked by Philips Boys! That cutting was on the notice board of the Uni.
Towards the conclusion of my studies at the Uni and just before the finals, something that happened to turn my life in another direction. Now I realise, it was God who was steering my life. There was a telephone call at the Hostel. I took the call downstairs and shouted for the one staying upstairs to receive the call. Fr.Eladio Neira O.P., the Warden of the Hostel, heard my shouting, peeped out of his Corner room and said, "Emmanuel, you can become a good preacher". It was as if lightening struck me!
Although my parents brought me up as a good catholic and I went to a good catholic college, where priests also taught me, but None had suggested a priestly vocation for me! I shared this passing remark of the warden with Alfred Fernandopulle of Negombo. He told me that he too was asked once by the warden about a priestly vocation.
For me, it was the first step in a journey of thousand miles! I talked with the warden. I knew well the Situation of my Family, what sacrifices they have made to give me a good education and what dreams and expectations they have for my future. The poverty Situation with yet a younger brother and sister to be educated, may have suggested to them that I get a good Job, earn a good dowry and help the Family. Still I do not know an inner urge within me, or an Inspiration strengthened me to write my first letter to my father about my idea of becoming a dominican priest. Quick came the reply. I took his reply went into the chapel prayed and then opened it read it before the Lord in the tabernacle.
I felt sorry for my family, could well understand the negative reply. Dominicans their superior at Bambalapitiya was suggesting my going after final exams to Hong Kong for noviciate. In the meantime he went to Jaffna to preach the retreat for the priests. At the end of the retreat he had mentioned that soon I might join them. My father hearing of this, went to him and pleaded with tears - do not take away my son! Fr.Munoz OP on his return to Colombo gave me the news.
After finishing the final exams with a little confused mind, I decided to stay longer in Colombo with Thambynayagams at 14th Lane Kotahena. Since I did not return to Jaffna after my final exams gave a radio-appeal through the radio of Mr. Nicholas then a candidate for the Municipal ward Chundikuli. After 2 weeks I returned to Jaffna, went to see the Bishop Emilianuspillai who told me to go and teach taking time to reflect more. Straight I went to Fr.Philip Ponniah the gen. manager of RC schools. He sent me the next day 15th May 1958 to Sacred Heart College, Karaveddy to teach!
From schooldays along with friends like Wilfred Ferdinands, Louis Ponniah, Gnanasekaram and others I was in the college praesidium of the Legion of Mary, doing some lay apostolate work like visiting hospital to see patients. Even after leaving college I continued to be a legionary, and was in contact with priests Fr.Michaelsamy omi, Fr. Devarajah and Selvarajah and Gunaseelan all young priests. When I return from Sacred Heart College by car, I go for a round on my bicycle meeting priests and friends. On my return home study a little latin in view of my wish to become a priest. But brokers of marriage set their eyes on me. Two proposals were shot down beforw they reached me by Fr.Gunaseelan telling them that I had decided to become a priest!
To keep up my intention to become a priest, I had to run away from marriage broker in Jaffna. I heard that St. Xavier's College in Mannar needed a Ceylon science graduate. I volunteered and in January 1959 went with Mr. Soosaipillai a Tamil teacher from Jaffna. From Mannar railway station we hired a bullock cart to go to Town. Both of stayed at Good shpherds Tamil school on main street mannar. De La Salle Brothers were at college. Bro. Hilary Joseph, director and bros. Bernardine, Timothy were there at College. Parish priest was Fr.G.T Balasunderam omi with Fr. Vethanayagam omi as assistant. Very soon I joined the Legion of Mary and Fr.Balasunderam made me at my young age of 25 president of the Mannar curia. I also got a job as journalist - Mannar Correspondent for the Lake House group of papers. The salary from College, then around Rs. 450/- , I sent to my mother in financial debt and managed my life with around Rs 160/- earned by my reporting in English and occasionaly writing an artice like pearl fishing in Chilavathurai for Observer. Hence teaching, reporting and legion work kept me very busy.
In 1960/1 Govt. was taking schools as state schools. As a catholic legionary organised protest in blocking the gates of the College and reporting to papers about it. I organised a public meeting in support of our protest and invited Fr.Thaninayagam from Peradeniya and Paris Perera and Quinus Perera two Sinhala catholic MPs for the meeting. Fr.Thaninayagam replied negatively saying that he is forbidden to address any public meeting in the diocese by Bishop Emiliauspillai, after his taking part in the protest on 6th June along with SJV Chelvanayagam aand others against the Sinhala Only Bill.
In Jan1961 I resigned my teaching post refusing to go to the Muslim school at Erukkalampiddy and went to Jaffna. I told Bishop Emilianuspillai I want to enter the minor seminary and study Latin. Earlier in my meeting with him at Madhu, he had asked questions like what happened to your wish to join the Dominicans, have you studied latin….Hence his reply was ok, but since St.Patricks College had just started to be private which means the Bishop had to pay the salaries of teachers, he told me "you go and teach at the College and during free periods, you may study latin." So was it with Mr.FNC Saverimuttu and S.F.Santhiapillai helping me with latin. After about 5 months, sat for the entrance exam in Latin and went to National Seminary Ampitiya for my 1st year of philosophy. Before the academic year, there was a robing ceremony at which my father participated., though painful for him.
Though professors started their lectures in latin they went into English after a few minutes. Though they studied in Rome in latin, speaking latin in Sri Lanka was difficult for them too. Towards the end of my 1st year philosophy, Bishop had informed the Rector of the Seminary Fr.Fredrick Sackette omi that I will go to Rome for my 2nd yr philosophy. This was announced at the evening dinner in the refectory.
After finishing the final exams with a little confused mind, I decided to stay longer in Colombo with Thambynayagams at 14th Lane Kotahena. Since I did not return to Jaffna after my final exams gave a radio-appeal through the radio of Mr. Nicholas then a candidate for the Municipal ward Chundikuli. After 2 weeks I returned to Jaffna, went to see the Bishop Emilianuspillai who told me to go and teach taking time to reflect more. Straight I went to Fr.Philip Ponniah the gen. manager of RC schools. He sent me the next day 15th May 1958 to Sacred Heart College, Karaveddy to teach!
From schooldays along with friends like Wilfred Ferdinands, Louis Ponniah, Gnanasekaram and others I was in the college praesidium of the Legion of Mary, doing some lay apostolate work like visiting hospital to see patients. Even after leaving college I continued to be a legionary, and was in contact with priests Fr.Michaelsamy omi, Fr. Devarajah and Selvarajah and Gunaseelan all young priests. When I return from Sacred Heart College by car, I go for a round on my bicycle meeting priests and friends. On my return home study a little latin in view of my wish to become a priest. But brokers of marriage set their eyes on me. Two proposals were shot down beforw they reached me by Fr.Gunaseelan telling them that I had decided to become a priest!
To keep up my intention to become a priest, I had to run away from marriage broker in Jaffna. I heard that St. Xavier's College in Mannar needed a Ceylon science graduate. I volunteered and in January 1959 went with Mr. Soosaipillai a Tamil teacher from Jaffna. From Mannar railway station we hired a bullock cart to go to Town. Both of stayed at Good shpherds Tamil school on main street mannar. De La Salle Brothers were at college. Bro. Hilary Joseph, director and bros. Bernardine, Timothy were there at College. Parish priest was Fr.G.T Balasunderam omi with Fr. Vethanayagam omi as assistant. Very soon I joined the Legion of Mary and Fr.Balasunderam made me at my young age of 25 president of the Mannar curia. I also got a job as journalist - Mannar Correspondent for the Lake House group of papers. The salary from College, then around Rs. 450/- , I sent to my mother in financial debt and managed my life with around Rs 160/- earned by my reporting in English and occasionaly writing an artice like pearl fishing in Chilavathurai for Observer. Hence teaching, reporting and legion work kept me very busy.
In 1960/1 Govt. was taking schools as state schools. As a catholic legionary organised protest in blocking the gates of the College and reporting to papers about it. I organised a public meeting in support of our protest and invited Fr.Thaninayagam from Peradeniya and Paris Perera and Quinus Perera two Sinhala catholic MPs for the meeting. Fr.Thaninayagam replied negatively saying that he is forbidden to address any public meeting in the diocese by Bishop Emiliauspillai, after his taking part in the protest on 6th June along with SJV Chelvanayagam aand others against the Sinhala Only Bill.
In Jan1961 I resigned my teaching post refusing to go to the Muslim school at Erukkalampiddy and went to Jaffna. I told Bishop Emilianuspillai I want to enter the minor seminary and study Latin. Earlier in my meeting with him at Madhu, he had asked questions like what happened to your wish to join the Dominicans, have you studied latin….Hence his reply was ok, but since St.Patricks College had just started to be private which means the Bishop had to pay the salaries of teachers, he told me "you go and teach at the College and during free periods, you may study latin." So was it with Mr.FNC Saverimuttu and S.F.Santhiapillai helping me with latin. After about 5 months, sat for the entrance exam in Latin and went to National Seminary Ampitiya for my 1st year of philosophy. Before the academic year, there was a robing ceremony at which my father participated., though painful for him.
Though professors started their lectures in latin they went into English after a few minutes. Though they studied in Rome in latin, speaking latin in Sri Lanka was difficult for them too. Towards the end of my 1st year philosophy, Bishop had informed the Rector of the Seminary Fr.Fredrick Sackette omi that I will go to Rome for my 2nd yr philosophy. This was announced at the evening dinner in the refectory.
