St. Joseph’s College Colombo turns 128
COLLEGE DAY IS CELEBRATED ON MARCH 19 ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE, COLOMBO 10, WAS FOUNDED ON MARCH 2, 1896
Today March 19, St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10 one of Sri Lanka’s leading schools celebrates its 128th anniversary.
Founded on March 2, 1896, the College Day is celebrated on March 19 which is also the feast of the patron saint, St. Joseph.
The architect of the renowned institution was Dr. Christophe- Etienne Bonjean, the first Archbishop of Colombo who was also instrumental in fulfilling the need for a Catholic college. He did not live to see his dream realized. However, he had appointed for the project, men who knew his mind and his plan and were capable of implementing them. They were Reverend Fathers Charles Collin and Charles Lytton. Subsequently they became the first and the second Rectors of the College. The purpose for which St. Joseph’s was founded was to give Christian students the best education as per the Motto, “In Scientia et Virtute”.(in Knowledge and Virtue). The aims of the founder were not only to impart knowledge but also to help the young Josephians to grow in virtue and to bring out and develop their God – given talents. The College also encourages a multi-cultural, multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multi-linguistic environment which is the need of the hour.
“Innovation, leadership, quality, standards, creativity and discipline ” are synonyms of the College. Josephians have created ideas that changed the way people live, learn, work, pray and play. We are greatly indebted to our past 13 rectors, the Present Rector, Rev.fr. Ranjith Andradi and the past Vice- Rectors and the present Vice-rector Rev.fr. Ruwan Deshapriya, Rev. Sisters and teachers who dedicated their lives to groom students.
(The writer was an Editor since 1999 and the former Chairman and Editorin-chief of the ”Blue and White” Newsletter Committee, An Editorial Board Member of the Blue and White Centenary &Millennium Magazine Committee and a former committee member of the Old Boys’s Union of St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10, a Former Member, Association of “Josephian Blues” and the Founder President of Josephian Group of ’88).