Negombo, Sri Lanka. At the end of the 3-week-long General Canonical Visitation by the Superior General Fr. Mathew Vattamattam, CMF, the Claretian Missionaries of St. Joseph Vaz Independent Delegation (Sri Lanka–South Sudan) gathered for their Second Triennial Assembly from July 21 to 26, 2025, at Claret Seminary, Kattuwa, Negombo. The Assembly brought together 55Claretians, including theology students in temporary profession, for a week of reflection, discernment, and planning for the future.
Presided over by the Superior General of the Congregation, the Assembly was held under the theme: “Prophetic Missionaries of Joy and Hope.” As President of the Assembly, Fr. Mathew animated the sessions within the synodal framework of Communion, Participation, and Mission, creating a prayerful atmosphere marked by silence, listening, and shared discernment.
The Assembly employed the Dream–Discover–Design–Commit method to formulate future orientations for the life and mission of the Delegation. The opening recollection, led by Fr. Mathew, focused on listening to the soul of one another in community, highlighting the importance of building fraternity through dialogue and discernment.
Adding depth to the Assembly, Ms. Deekshya Illangasinghe, a respected social activist, offered insights into the current socio-political, economic, and ecclesial context of Sri Lanka, helping participants situate their missionary call within today’s realities.
A significant moment of the Assembly was the announcement of the new Delegation Government for the next triennium. The Superior General expressed his gratitude to the outgoing team and introduced the newly appointed team:
- Fr. J.M. Joseph Jeyaseelan, CMF – Major Superior
- Fr. B.S. Danushka Silva, CMF – Consultor
- Fr. C. Thevarajan Peiris, CMF – Consultor
- Fr. M.M. Vincent de Paul Croos, CMF – Consultor-Econome
The Assembly concluded with a renewed missionary fervor and a deepened sense of fraternity and hope, in keeping with the call to be joyful, prophetic witnesses of the Gospel in today’s world.
Source: K. Annroy Aravinth, CMF, Delegation Secretary, St. Joseph Vaz Independent Delegation.
