St. Mary’s College, Negombo: A Journey of 150 Years

Archbishop chief celebrant at jubilee mass

St. Mary’s College, Negombo will celebrate its 150th anniversary on Nov 04 with a ‘jubilee mass’ at Grand Street Church, Negombo with the participation of Archbishop of Colombo and patron of the OBA as chief celebrant.

The mass will be followed by the special issue of a First Day cover by the Philatelic Bureau, laying of the foundation stone for ‘Jubilee building; in honour of the late Archbishop Most Rev Dr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando, an old boy of St. Mary’s College and the issuance of Jubilee Souvenir.

St. Mary’s English Boys’ School had its early humble beginning as a grant-in-aid-school when Rev. Monsignor John Vistarini, the Missionary Priest Mary’s Church- Grand Street, started it in the Mission House in 1871 for the benefit of the children of the Grand Street Mission. Later it become St. Mary’s English Boys’ High School in a new building behind the Mission House in 1872. Rev. Fr. Vistarini was a great visionary with a flair for preaching, education and social work. It was his passion for great humanitarian service that drove him to model the school as a provider of quality and affordable education.

Throughout early history, St. Mary’s Church and St. Mary’s College were administered by the Priest in charge of Grand Street Mission and together has been a beacon of light guiding its children in the path of wisdom gained through knowledge, character and spirituality. These great institutions are deeply involved in helping people learn and work toward wholeness and better character.

The motto of St. Mary’s College is “VIAM SAPIENTIAE MONSTRABO TIBI”, a Latin phrase which is taken from the biblical book of Proverbs (4:11) meaning “I WILL SHOW YOU THE WAY OF WISDOM” in English.

The College has made significant strides under the management of the Catholic Church for almost a century since its beginning. Although it came under government control on January 01 1969, the Church’s influence continued until 1981 when the golden era of rectors ended.

Although education was the primary objective of the college, it went beyond the traditional framework into areas such as leadership, discipline, spirituality, etc., in order to produce well rounded citizens. The college has a reputation of producing a large number of catholic priests, if not the highest. A shining example is the Archbishop Emeritus Rt. Rev. Dr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando who was called to eternal rest on the 11 of April 2019. Fr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando became the youngest, at the age of 44, and the first diocesan priest to be appointed Archbishop on March 30, 1977, and since then His Grace had spearheaded and guided the Catholic flock with admiration.

Tribute is paid to all those who contributed to bringing this hallowed institution into reality including the founding Father Vistarini, the Oblate Fathers, Christian Brothers, Marist Brothers, and all the lay teachers. A deep debt of gratitude is also owed to the members of the OBA right from the inception for their steadfastness in helping the college in numerous ways.

Today the college is being administered by Rector, Rev. Fr. Hemantha Fernando assisted by a faculty of able and qualified staff which has brought renewed hope of re-inventing the former glory.