Jaffna Diocese - Rev. Fr. Mariampillai T. Sarathjeevan
called to Eternal Rest in the Lord
   
 
Rev. Fr. Mariampillai T. Sarathjeevan
    
[ Fr. Sunil De Silva - 26.05.2009 ]
 

Very Rev. Fr. Justin Gnanapragasam the Vicar General of the Jaffna Diocese deeply regrets to inform that Rev. Fr. Mariampillai T. Sarathjeevan died of a heart attack on his way from the war zone area, today, 18th May 2009 in the evening.

The body of late Fr. Sarathjeevan was brought to Colombo from Vavuniya and Fr. Ainsley Roshan - Secretary to the Bishop of Jaffna, was waiting for several days for a flight to take it to Jaffna.The flight which was due to go on Saturday 23rd May to Jaffna did not turned up and was expected to go on Monday from Colombo to Jaffna.

Since there was a flight delay, His Lordship Bishop Thomas Savundranayagam the Bishop of Jaffna decided to have the funeral Mass and the cremation in Borella and then transfer the ashes of the mortal remains of Fr. Sarathjeevan to Jaffna for interment at the Jaffna Cathedral Cemetery.

The Sacred Heart chapel of the Archbishop's House was kept ready to have the funeral Mass, but due to the condition of the body of Fr. Sarathjeevan, his mortal remains were kept at the AF Raymonds Parlour, Borella, to be transferred for the cremation.

His Grace the Archbishop Oswald Gomis, the Archbishop of Colombo and the Episcopal Vicars Very Rev. Fr. Ivan Perera, very Rev. Fr. Marcus Ferdinandez and Very Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando conducted a prayer service prior to the funeral Mass.

Rev. Fr. James Pathinathan the Parish Priest of Mullaitive presided at the Funeral Mass on 26th May 2009, together with Rev. Fr. Ainsley Roshan Secretary to the Bishop of Jaffna and other Rev. Fathers of the Jaffna Diocese - Rev. Fr. Anton Roche, Fr. Ravi Chandrana, Fr. Eric Roshan, Fr. Hans Mariampillai and other Fathers from different regions.

After the final prayer service at the Cemetery conducted by Rev. Fr. Sunil De Silva Secretary to the Archbishop of Colombo, his mortal remains were creamated at Borella General Cemetery.

The ashes will be transferred to Jaffna on Saturday 30th May 2009 to be interred at the Jaffna Cathedral Catholic Cemetery.

Fr. Justin Gnanapragasam the Vicar General of Jaffna Diocese said that Fr. Sarathjeevan and three other priests had been rescued by the Security Forces from the war zone area and while they were on their way to the safe area, Fr. Sarathjeevan had got a heart attack and the security personnel had taken him to a First Aid Centre, where he passed away.

Fr. Sarathjeevan, 41 years old from Jaffna town, had been serving among the displaced people together with the other priests.
 
"Come, you who are blessed by my Father ;
take your inheritance, the kingdom
prepared for you since the creation of the world."
 
Tributes to Rev. Fr. Mariampillai Sarathjeevan............  
    Send your tributes.......... - sunilde@sltnet.lk  
REV. FR. SARATHJEEVAN
 
His mortal body was kept in Borella for the funeral service
 
 
 
 
 
His Grace the Archbishop Oswald Gomis the Archbishop of Colombo and the Episcopal Vicars conducting a Prayer Service
Very Rev. Fr. Marcus Ferdinandez proclaiming the Gospel
Very Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando praying the intentions
 
 
Archbishop Oswald Gomis blessing the body of Fr. Sarathjeevan
 
Very Rev. Fr. Damian Fernando. Director of Caritas Sri Lanka - SEDEC
praying with the staff members
 
 
 
 
Fr. James Pathinathan paying his last respect to his brother priest
who worked with him among the war affected people
 
Rev. Fr. James Pathinathan presided at the Fuenral Mass together with the other priests present.
Holy Cross Sister giving the introduction to the Holy Mass
" We have lost another priest in this war........" Priests from Jaffna Diocese and other regions
 
First Reading of the Holy Mass
 
Responsorial Psalm of the Mass
 
Rev. Fr. Hans Mariampillai preaching at the Mass
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tributes to Fr. Sarathjeevan read by Rev. Sr. May Therese Ranee
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lost of a brother priest is more heavier......brother Priests carried the body for cremation
 
 
Rev. Fr. Sunil De Silva, Secretary to the Archbishop presided at the final Prayer Service
before the cremation at Borella General Cemetery
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[ Photos by Fr. Sunil De Silva ]
_______________________________________________________________
The Archdiocese of Colombo, offer our condolences to the Diocese of Jaffna. With grateful recognition of Fr.Sarathjeeva's selfless service, as a committed priest of the Lord for His people, we offer fervent prayers that God, the Father of mercies, will grant eternal rest to him and every spiritual consolation to those who mourn his passing.We shall pray for his eternal reward and he shall pray for us to prepare ourselves for the same.
 
 
Tributes to Rev. Fr. Mariampillai Sarathjeevan............  
    Send your tributes.......... - sunilde@sltnet.lk  
 
 
Maintained by Rev. Fr. Sunil De Silva - E-mail : sunilde@sltnet.lk
ARCHDIOCESE OF COLOMBO - SRI LANKA