MINISTRY OF FORMATION

OBLATE SACRED HEART NOVITIATE – “SIDUPIYANILA”

BANDARAWELA

The Sacred Heart Novitiate is the spiritual cradle of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Sri Lanka. Located in the serene hills of Ellatota, Bandarawela, it is dedicated to the deep spiritual formation and discernment of young men called to the Oblate way of life.

Our Historical Journey

The Oblate Novitiate in Sri Lanka has a rich and dynamic history, dating back to May 19, 1857, when Fr. Christopher Bonjean received the habit as the first Oblate novice in Jaffna. In those early days, novitiates were not isolated houses; novices spent their time in active pastoral ministry, allowing their resilience and missionary qualities to be observed in the field.

Over the decades, as the Congregation grew and the Vicariate of Colombo was created, the Novitiate journeyed through several locations to accommodate the evolving needs of the Church. It moved through Kotahena, Borella, Maggona, Mattakkuliya, and Slave Island, before formally establishing a dedicated house in Bambalapitiya in 1911. As the city grew noisier, the novitiate sought quieter grounds, moving to Mont Eden, Kalutara in 1949.

The Establishment of Sidupiyanila

On May 15, 1973, under the leadership of then-Provincial Rev. Fr. Lucien Schmitt, OMI, the Novitiate found its permanent home in Bandarawela. The property was beautifully named "Sidupiyanila," which translates to "A Home of Joy and Peace."

Today, Sidupiyanila serves as a vital international formation house. It proudly caters not only to local candidates from the Colombo and Jaffna Provinces but also welcomes novices from Oblate delegations across Asia, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Korea, and Japan.

The Novitiate Programme

The novitiate year is a profound period of transformation. The program begins with a well-planned, week-long orientation and consists of several core pillars of formation:

  • Spiritual & Academic Foundation: Novices receive comprehensive instruction on the Breviary, the Sacraments, the Eucharist, and Lectio Divina. They undergo courses on Consecrated Life, the Evangelical Counsels (the three vows), the Canonical aspects of religious life, and the History of the Church and the Congregation. Deep emphasis is placed on understanding the Charism of the Oblates and the life of the Founder, St. Eugene de Mazenod.

  • Practical Evaluation & Growth: Novices are given opportunities to conduct classes on the Founder's life and present summaries of the lives of the saints. Spiritual growth is fostered through a personal "desert experience" retreat, alongside monthly and annual community retreats. Peer evaluations are also utilized to encourage self-reflection and personal accountability.

  • Pastoral Involvement: True to the Oblate charism, novices engage in well-planned pastoral work. They are continually guided to reflect on their experiences, asking themselves: "What happens to you interiorly as you do your pastoral work?"

  • Community Life & Mentorship: The formators accompany the novices in all exercises. The community shares in Bible reflections, weekday refectory reading, and periodic outings and excursions to build brotherhood. Furthermore, the Novice Master meets with each novice personally every month to provide dedicated spiritual direction. To broaden their horizons, competent guest Oblates are frequently invited to conduct special classes, share their missionary experiences, and celebrate the Eucharist with the community.

Contact - OBLATE SACRED HEART NOVITIATE – “SIDUPIYANILA”