The youth are not just the future of the Church; they are its vibrant present. The Children and Youth Ministry of the OMI Colombo Province is a multifaceted mission dedicated to the holistic—spiritual, psychological, and physical—development of young people.

From providing safe havens for the vulnerable to offering pastoral guidance in bustling educational institutions, our Oblates are deeply committed to walking alongside the next generation, empowering them to become compassionate, faith-filled, and responsible citizens.

Our outreach to the youth is brought to life through several dedicated avenues:

• Sanctuary and Skill-Building (Maggona): At the historic grounds of Maggona, we operate St. Vincent’s Home, a long-standing sanctuary providing comprehensive care, education, and vocational training for vulnerable, orphaned, and marginalized children. Alongside it is the Mazenod Youth Centre, a dynamic hub dedicated to youth empowerment, leadership training, skills development, and spiritual retreats.

• Faith in Action (Movements & Programs): We actively foster spiritual growth and community engagement through dynamic, structured programs. The Mazenod Youth Journey guides young adults through a process of deep personal and spiritual discernment. Meanwhile, our leadership in the La-Kri-Vi Movement—a vibrant, island-wide children’s action group—instills Christian values, creativity, and social responsibility from an early age.

• Pastoral Care in Education (School Chaplaincies): Understanding the immense pressures modern students face, the Oblates provide a steadfast spiritual presence within the school system. Through our dedicated chaplaincies at De Mazenod College (Kandana) and Holy Cross College & Lisieux Convent (Gampaha), Oblate fathers serve as spiritual animators, counselors, and mentors. They provide daily sacramental care and compassionate crisis intervention, ensuring thousands of students and educators are supported during their most crucial formative years.