Kudagama, Divine Mercy Retreat Center, Sri Lanka
Message From Most Rev. Cletus Chandrasiri Perera O.S.B. - Bishop of Ratnapura
I Wish to state that Rev. Fr. Jeewantha Peiris is the Parish Priest and Administrator of the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes and the Divine Mercy Retreat Center, Kudagama, Dombemada, in the Diocese of Ratnapura, Sri Lanka.
The Holy Mass and the Novena of the Divine Mercy are celebrated eveyr Friday at 3.00 p.m, followed by confessions and counselling; a night prayer vigil is celebrated every First Friday of the month from 6.30 p.m. to 12.00 midnight. The service of the Praise and Healing is celebrated every First Saturday of the month from 9.00 a.m. onwards.
The development of this traditional Shrine is an important feature of the eight year Pastoral Plan of the Diocese of Ratnapura in view of the Silver Jubilee of its erection to be celebrated in 2020.
I Wish this shrine all God's Blessings and pray that it may grow from strength to strength to be a powerful centre of Prayer, meditation and spirituality where all who frequent it can experience Jesus Christ and His Divine Mercy and Healing Power through the meditation of Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Mother.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
+Bishop Cletus Chandrasiri Perera O.S.B.
Bishop of Ratnapura
Message From Rev. Fr. Jeewantha Priris
Thanking and Praising the mighty Lord in whome nothing is impossible, we have re-organized the programme of the Ratnapura Diocesan Shrine, Our Lady of Lourdes, Kudagama.I would like to draw your kind attention on its programme and new vision.
I belive that this place is truly a divine gift to all of us who belive in Jesus Christ. Therefore, this is more than a pilgrim center rather; this is a spiritual center where all walks of people come in thirst to experience Jesus through the maternal care of our blessed Mother.
Growing together in faith and unity with the parish community step by step we are developing this pilgrim center as a retreat center called " Divine Mercy Retreat Center ". Our main focus is on the repentance for the sins and the baptism of the Holy Spirit as it is mentioned in the Gospel of St. John. " One Soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out" (John 19:34). Theologically blood signifies the cleansing of the sins through the sacrament of Confession and consolidated in the Eucharist. Subsequently, water signifies the baptism of the Holy Spirit, renewing the baptismal promises in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit as it was in the Pentecost.
Our Vision is that people who come here as pilgrims may not just return empty handed but may have a life transforming, powerful and living personal encounter with Jesus. Thus, prayer sessions and preaching will be based on biblical and sacramental theology in order to strengthen the spirituality of our people according to the Catholic doctrine.
Our Mission is that believers may be empowered in their own simple faith journey based on the Word of God, and thus let them grow in a personal relationship with living Jesus Christ through the sacramental life of the Catholic faith, while experiencing the loving care of Mother Mary through the devotion to the Holy Rosary.
Then Jesus said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
(John 20:27-28)
Rev Fr. Jeevantha Peiris
Parish Priest
Praise Be To God Almighty!!!
