The history and development of the Capuchin presence, formation houses and friaries in Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankan mission began with the idea of the international solidarity of the Order gathering its momentum. At the request of the then General Minister, Br. John Corriveau, who made a personal plea to the Provincial Minister and his Council to assist the Vice Province of Pakistan in the formation of the novices in Sri Lanka, the Provincial Minister, Br. Vincent Gabriel Furtado, met the Archbishop of Colombo to see to the implementation of the proposal.
The Archbishop, in his letter dated 8 February 2001, gave written permission to establish a religious house of the Order in his Archdiocese. Subsequently, an agreement between the Archdiocese of Colombo and the Holy Trinity Province of Karnataka was signed on 27 May 2001.
The agreement envisaged the implantation of the Order and the opening of a Novitiate House to form brothers hailing from Pakistan. Initially, the TOR brothers in Sri Lanka agreed to place their house at Katuwapitiya at the disposal of the Capuchins for this purpose.
This house, named Padre Pio Ashram, was canonically established as the Novitiate House by the General Minister on 28 June 2001, at the request of the then Provincial Minister, Br. Andrew Anil Sequeira.
Br. Liguory Noronha became the first Novice Master and began the Novitiate with seven novices from Pakistan.
The St. Pio Delegation continued to develop through successive Provincial Delegates and Assemblies, strengthening its fraternity, formation and missionary presence in Sri Lanka.
The Provincial Chapter of Holy Trinity Province, Karnataka, held from 16–21 April 2007, resolved to raise the mission of Sri Lanka to a Province Delegation. Accordingly, the General Minister raised the Sri Lanka mission to a Delegation through his letter dated 29 September 2007.
The Provincial Council appointed Br. Norbert D’Souza as the first Provincial Delegate, with Brs. William Andrade and Joseph Francis as his Councillors.
The First Assembly of the Delegation was celebrated from 29–30 July 2010. During the Assembly, the Provincial and his Council re-appointed Br. Norbert D’Souza as the Provincial Delegate.
Br. William Andrade and Br. Arun Kumar were appointed as his Councillors.
The Second Assembly of the Delegation was celebrated from 25–27 July 2013. The Provincial and his Council appointed Br. William Andrade as the Provincial Delegate.
Br. Jeevan D’Mello and Br. Basil Joseph were appointed as his Councillors.
Thereafter, before the completion of the Triennium, the Provincial Council appointed Br. Vincent G. Furtado as the Provincial Delegate during the vacancy of the office of Provincial Delegate.
He served in this capacity from 30 October 2014 until the completion of the Triennium.
The Third Assembly of the Delegation was celebrated from 7–9 July 2016. During the Assembly, the Provincial and his Council appointed Br. Arun Kumar as the Provincial Delegate.
Br. Jeevan D’Mello and Br. Malcolm Sequeira were appointed as his Councillors.
The Fourth Assembly of the Delegation was celebrated from 12–13 July 2019. The Provincial and his Council re-appointed Br. Arun Kumar as the Provincial Delegate.
Br. Desmond Rebello and Br. Frolic Fernandes were appointed as his Councillors.
The growth of the Capuchin presence in Sri Lanka led to the establishment of several houses dedicated to formation, community life and pastoral service.
As the friars were initially living in the rented house offered by the TOR brothers at Katuwapitiya, the need was felt to establish a house of their own.
A plot of land with an existing house was purchased at Pallansena and the Novitiate was shifted from Katuwapitiya to the new property.
When the new Friary was inaugurated at Mawila, the Novitiate was permanently transferred there. From September 2007, Pallansena has been used as a centre of formation for Postulants.
The need for a permanent Novitiate House was felt very strongly. The friars therefore purchased a piece of land at Mawila, Nathandiya, approximately three kilometres from the Colombo–Chilaw highway.
With assistance from the Province of Belgium, a beautiful Novitiate House was constructed and inaugurated on 8 September 2007.
The house was canonically erected by the Provincial Minister, Br. Vincent G. Furtado, through a decree dated 2 August 2007.
General Minister Br. Mauro Jöhri subsequently erected the Novitiate House through his decree dated 11 September 2007.
The agreement between the Province of Belgium, the Vice Province of Pakistan and the Holy Trinity Province of Karnataka envisaged philosophical formation for brothers from Pakistan at the National Seminary in Kandy.
Initially, the brothers stayed for one year in a rented house belonging to the Claretians. Later, a small plot of land close to the National Seminary was purchased.
As this location was eventually found unsuitable, a new plot at 32 Meekanuwa Road was purchased with financial assistance from Economic Solidarity and the Province of Belgium.
With a view to ensuring the future sustenance of the St. Pio Delegation and establishing a Post-Novitiate formation house within the Delegation, a coconut orchard was purchased.
The fourth Capuchin community in the Delegation at Madurankuliya was established on 19 September 2019.
The friary is placed under the patronage of St. Joseph Vaz, the great missionary and patron of Sri Lanka.
Establishment of the Capuchin presence and Novitiate at Katuwapitiya.
Sri Lankan mission raised to a Province Delegation.
Establishment of the fourth Capuchin community.
New St. Joseph Vaz Friary inaugurated and blessed.