A very special religious service was conducted by His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo at the Basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Sri Lanka on Friday (3).
The special ceremony was held to make a vow to the Blessed Virgin Mother Mary, Our Lady of Sri Lanka pleading her intervention to our country and her people and also all the people and countries severely affected by COVID – 19.
At this religious ceremony, His Eminence recalled the intervention of Our Lady of Sri Lanka during World War II and how She, a loving Mother protected the island from all harm at the instance of bombing by the Japanese troops. The then Archbishop of Colombo Most Rev. Dr. Marie Masson. OMI made a vow seeking her heavenly assistance to save Sri Lanka and her children. She had always come to our assistance in times of trials and tribulations.
The present Basilica dedicated to our Lady of Sri Lanka is a fulfilment of that vow by the country’s First Archbishop, the late His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Cooray OMI.
Cardinal Ranjith calling upon the Catholics of Sri Lanka to join in prayer with Him, said that the Sri Lanka Church makes a solemn vow once again at this critical time of our country and the world at large seeking her maternal protection. The religious ceremony was attended by some bishops and priests as prevailing condition limited movement.(WIRUMA)