A lot to learn from Fr. Babapulle’s exemplary life 

The funeral of Rev. Fr. Leon Babapulle OMI took place at the General Cemetery at Kanatta on Tuesday (7) with the participation of fellow priests, religious, family members and parishioners. Fr. Babapulle had been a priest for nearly 40 years and during that period he served as an hospital Chaplain, bursar of Nazareth at Wennapuwa and Dev Arana at Minnuwangoda. But most of his time was spent serving the parishes of Fatima Church, Maradana, St. Lawrence’s, Wellawatta, Infant Jesus, Slave Island and Grand Street Negombo. All these parishes he served as Assistant Parish Priest.

We have a lot to learn from Fr. Babapulle’s life. As we progress in our professional careers, we crave for promotions, big houses, better cars and bigger pay packages. But Fr. Babapulle was happy to serve the people as an Assistant Parish Priest and never asked his superiors for a promotion. He was there to serve and not to be served.

Most of us in our careers as our seniority goes up want to call the shots but Fr. Babapulle was happy to do as he was told. For a good portion of his near 40 years of priesthood, his travel companion was his scooter.

Fr. Babapulle was a bundle of joy. He was a live-wire bringing smiles to the faces of people whom he met and interacted with. He quickly made friends and maintained those friendships. He never made a fuss about comforts of his own life and committed himself fully for serving the people.

Fr. Babapulle passed away on Monday(6) three days short of his 66th birthday after a brief illness. He joined the Oblates in 1972 and professed his first vows in 1980 and was ordained a priest in 1984. May his soul Rest in Peace.