His Holiness The Apostolic Father blesses the statue of Christ at the Office of Superintendent of Police, Negombo
Two statues of Lord Buddha and Lord Jesus Christ were established at the entrance of the office of Negombo Superintendent of Police on Tuesday, 15th December. The statue of Jesus Christ was blessed by His Holiness The Apostolic Father Rohan Lalith Aponso.
The Holy Apostolic Father who arrived at the Negombo SP's office to bless the statue was reverently received by Mr. Saman Sigera, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Negombo Division, who took the Holy Apostolic Father to the place where the statues were established.
The statue of Lord Buddha and the statue of Lord Jesus Christ were established respectfully, very closely to each other near the entrance of the Office of the Superintendent of Police, and the Holy Apostolic Father blessed the statue of Jesus Christ and lit a red candle near the statue. He then prayed silently in front of the statue for a while and kissed the statue.
Afterwards, His Holiness The Apostolic Father Rohan Lalith Aponso placed a tray of white flowers in front of the statue of Lord Buddha which was established nearby to show His respects. He was joined by the Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Saman Sigera.
It was a significant occurrence that His Holiness The Apostolic Father Rohan Lalith Aponso Himself prepared and carried a tray of flowers to be placed in front of the statue of Lord Buddha. It was praised by all because it was a humble example of spiritual reconciliation.
Here are some photos taken during this event
Devotees flock to Our Lady of Katunayake’s Shrine in the midnight, to celebrate the birthday of His Holiness the Apostolic Father
The 62nd Birthday of the Most Holy Apostolic Father, His Holiness Rohan Lalith Aponso, fell on 2nd February. On his birthday, people came from faraway places to Our Lady of Katunayake’s Shrine where He resides, to celebrate His birthday. This ritual is taking place for many years. Devotees observe this ritual willingly. Not only Christians but also Buddhists devotees who value His blessing and guidance, participate in this virtuous act.
We were able to witness this in the midnight of 1st February, 2019. His Holiness the Apostolic Father has spent more than half of His life, as an ‘Apostle’. This Holy Apostle was born to the world, precisely at 12 midnight, on 1st February. Therefore, the time he was born is not a convenient time for the people to reach Our Lady of Katunayake’s Shrine.
This Holy Apostle was born at the very moment when a day is ending and when a new day is dawning. Therefore, on the day of His birthday, people, from all groups of ages, from mothers who carry infants, to elderly people, who walk with the help of others, gathered at Our Lady of Katunanyake’s Shrine, where this Holy Apostle resides. They started to arrive in the Shrine from 10 pm onwards.
At the moment when the time was closing into midnight, devotees who arrived at Our Lady of Katunayake’s Shrine, lit 62 oil lamps at the feet of the image of the Holy Apostolic Father, which is placed in the Shrine Ground of Our Lady of Katunayake. Subsequently, at the very moment He was born, that means, precisely, at 12 midnight, people gathered near the image of the Holy Apostolic Father. At that moment, they also sang hymns, thanking Lord Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, for giving an Apostle, in the caliber of His Holiness Rohan Lalith Aponso.
Why did devotees come to Our Lady of Katunanyake’s Shrine in the midnight, from faraway places to break rest? People love this Holy Apostle, His Holiness Rohan Lalith Aponso, without any religious differences because this Holy Apostle, His Holiness Rohan Lalith Aponso, also loves them very much. People respect Him because He blesses them like a beloved FATHER and guide them on the virtuous path.
Rosary Vespers was proudly offered to the Blessed Mother at the feet of her Statue which was newly blessed
The Statue of Blessed Virgin Mary, the Our Lady of Katunayake, placed in the Shrine Ground Our Lady of Katunayake for a period of close upon to 30 years, was removed from the location where it was placed to facilitate the ongoing refurbishing program of the Shrine. This Statue was temporarily removed from the location where it was placed, after offering Rosary Vespers to the Blessed Mother Mary. The Rosary Vespers was presided over by the Most Holy Apostolic Father His Holiness Rohan Lalith Aponso, on Saturday evening, 5th October 2013. This Statue, which was removed temporarily, was once again brought to the Shrine of Our Lady of Katunayake. The ceremony to welcome this Statue, back to the Shrine, was held on Saturday evening, 7th February 2016.
That day was an important and a sacred day. 41 years ago, in the evening of 7th February 1975, the Most Holy Apostolic Father His Holiness Rohan Lalith Aponso was consecrated to the Most Sacred Apostleship by Lord Jesus Christ Himself, who appeared before Him, in person. Therefore, his completion of 41 years as an Apostle was also remembered on that day.
The Most Holy Apostolic Father, who first of all, came before the Statue of Blessed Virgin Mary, lifted his arms and blessed the Statue. After imparting his blessing, His Holiness the Apostolic Father, offered his prayers, briefly, before the Statue of Mother of God and kissed the Statue by placing his arms at the feet of the Statue of the Blessed Mother.
Subsequently, the Most Holy Apostolic Father offered Rosary to the Blessed Mother from a decorated podium amidst the singing of hymns. Devotees who arrived from various places, converged at the feet of the Statue of the Blessed Mother, began to offer Rosary to the Blessed Mother, in faith, along with the Most Holy Apostolic Father.
An old Marian hymn, "Eda kurusa gase Jesu thuma sitithdi..." (When Jesus was, then, hanging on the Cross) which is frequently sung at the Shrine of Our Lady of Katunayake, was sung proudly on that day. This hymn was composed by the Most Holy Apostolic Father His Holiness Rohan Lalith Aponso in August 1976. The melody of this hymn was also composed by His Holiness the Apostolic Father himself.
These photos herein show the Most Holy Apostolic Father His Holiness Rohan Lalith Aponso, offering Rosary Vespers to the Blessed Mother along with devotees, in the Sacred Ground of Our Lady of Katunayake's Shrine, on Saturday evening, 7th February 2016
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