Celebrating a journey of 100 years
Guild of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Joseph’s College
The jubilee of 110 long years of the Guild of Mary Immaculate will be celebrated on December 2. The Guild of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was inaugurated 110 years ago in 1913 in a quiet atmosphere by the Very Rev. Fr. E. Nicolas, O.M.I., the third Rector of St. Joseph’s College, with a modest enrolment of 35 members, who were old boys on the registers of the College. The only record that perpetuates these pioneers in detail is a photograph.
The aims and objectives of this association, as detailed by Fr. Emil Nicholas, are twofold: to promote the personal sanctification of the members through practices of virtue, the frequent reception of the sacraments, and devotions to the Immaculate Virgin Mary; and to work for the glory of God and the salvation of souls by praying in union with the Blessed Virgin for the conversion of sinners.
For this reason, the Guild has formally aggregated the Archconfraternity of the Most Holy and “Immaculate Heart of Mary,” established in the Church of Our Lady of Victories, Paris. By virtue of this aggregation, every member of the Guild is a member of this archconfraternity, sharing in its privileges as well as in the prayers and good works of its millions of members around the globe.
Rev. Fr. A. Varnat, O.M.I., was the first Director of the Guild, but before a year had elapsed, he was succeeded by Rev. Fr. J. M. Cajetan, O.M.I., who laboured lovingly for the Guild right up to the day of his death. It was he who motivated and organised the retreats for the old boys under the auspices of the Guild.
The memory of the first retreat in 1916 centres around the preacher, the Rev. Fr. J. B. Martin, O.M.I., a saint and scholar, whose genial and affectionate disposition endeared him to one and all. These Old Boys’ Retreats, except for the year 1944, when the attendance was rather poor owing to distressing circumstances, have seen a large gathering of Old Boys rallying to keep the truth and to pledge devotion to their heavenly mother.
Fr. Cajetan, who served the Guild for a decade (1914–1924), cannot be overlooked. An extract from “A Souvenir of the Silver Jubilee” of the Guild notes: “To talk of Fr. Cajetan is to talk of the Guild; so closely was it identified with his life. For ten long years, he nurtured and fostered the infant society, guiding her path aright and infusing into her that spirit of love and piety that is the distinctive characteristic of the guild. He has been a source of great spiritual comfort to guildsmen in grief and yet a stern reprover in wrong.” It was during his time that the First Saturday devotions were introduced. It was he who launched a scheme for a Catholic library for the Guild, which today possesses a magnificent collection of Catholic literature.
The Very Rev. Fr. D. J. Anthony, O.M.I., assumed control of the Guild in May 1924 and served as Director till December 1940, when he had to relinquish his office on being appointed General Manager of Schools.
During his long tenure of stewardship as the Rector, he emulated the zeal of his predecessor and maintained the best traditions of the Guild. Membership had exceeded 1,000 when the Guild celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 1938.
During his period of service in college, Fr. Anthony held different posts of authority, but at all times, the welfare of the Guild was uppermost in his mind. His annual notices to members for the Guild Retreat, couched in words of tender love and solicitude, revealed his feelings.
His directorship added new stores of religious inspiration. The first Saturday Mass at the grotto, the Vespers of Our Lady, a torchlight procession of Lourdes, and lectures by present pupil members at meetings were the fruits of his labour of love. For him, too, a marble altar in recognition of his directorship.
To the late Very Rev. Fr. M. J. Le Goc, O.M.I., the Guild owes a debt that can never be liquidated. If it was a question of the Guild, for him, no task was too hard and no expense too lavish. As long as St. Joseph’s lasts, the name of this fair son of France is written in large letters at the grotto, a testimony of his love and devotion to “Our Lady”.
The next Director of the Guild was the Very Rev. Fr. Peter A. Pillai, O.M.I., who took charge of the Guild when he became the Rector of the College in 1941. In this same year, he preached at the retreat and in his first notice to the members, we find his words, “the guild has a glorious history behind it, but we must intensify its action and make it a still more powerful instrument for good.” Essentially, a man of Catholic action, his indomitable spirit helped to overcome all obstacles.
In 1942, in spite of the blackout and transport difficulties, the retreat was preached at St. Aloysius’ Seminary by Rev. Fr. J. Edamarran, S. J. The traditional procession to the grotto was not omitted. In 1943 and 1944, the retreats were conducted at the college premises in Borella. It was gratifying to note the willingness with which the members responded to the clarion call of the director in spite of apparently insurmountable difficulties.
Thereafter, the Guild was carried forward under the directorships of the late Fr. Justin Perera, Fr. Joe Neththasinghe, Fr. Noel Perera, Fr. Freely Muthukudaarachchi, Fr. Anslem Croos, Fr Stanley Abeysekera, and currently Fr. Reginald Saparamadhu.
The former Rectors, Rev. Fr. Don Peter, Fr. Neville Emmanuel, Fr. Stanley Abeysekara, Rev. Fr. Victor Silva, Fr. Sylvester Ranasinghe, Fr.Travis Gabriel, and the present Rector, Fr. Ranjith Andradi, have assisted the Guild in numerous ways.
Today, the Guild administration is carried out by Rev. Fr. Reginald Saparamadhu, Spiritual Director, Secretary, Desmond Fernando, and other long-standing guildsmen.
First Saturday devotions to our ‘Divine Mother are being carried out every month at the College grotto and in the Chapel.
It is our sincere prayer that our Guild will go from strength to strength with the blessings of our heavenly mother for generations and generations in the years to come.