As the Trinity College Chapel gilded with the morning skies on the 17th of January 2023, the Trinity family gathered at the heart of the College to give praise and Thanksgiving on the 151st founders day marking the conclusion of the Sesquicentennial anniversary year of the College.
With the pealing of the Chapel bell from the John McLeod Campbell bell tower, the clerical procession led by the National Drum and Dance troupe entered the chapel, and the choir rendered the befitting processional hymn “Holy Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty” and was followed by the bidding prayer by College Chaplain, Revd. Fr. Shelton Daniel. A Chorister and Revd Fr. Wilson Gnanadass read the Epistle reading and the Gospel respectively.
Following the Ministry of the Word, “Our Father By Whose Servants” was sung as the gradual hymn. At one point, the school hymn, the story of “Our Father By whose servants,” lies in our CMS roots, a hymn that reminds us to feel grateful for this grand inheritance that we are blessed with and to carry forward the mission that it was built.
The Co-Vice Principal, Mr. Ananda Marasinghe, adduced the commemoration of the service where he stated,
“The real strength of Trinity has lain over the years in the long line of remarkable men and women who have served as teachers. The dynamic, remarkably outstanding characters of those founders are embedded into every aspect of Trinity today. All Trinitians around the world owe a debt to our founders and the core values they embedded in them.”
The Principal Revd Fr. Araliya Jayasundara OSB delivered the homily where he elaborated on meekness and humility through Jesus Christ’s eloquent preaching of the “Sermon on the Mount” and how these values form a vital part of the building of a Christ-like character that Trinity College has always given precedence.
The Vicar General of the Diocese of Kurunegala, Rt. Rev Keerthisiri Fernando led the greeting of peace and presided over this service of Thanksgiving. The service marked momentousness as it was the last service he presided over as the Bishop of Kurunegala. The Bishop-Elect for the Diocese of Kurunegala of the Church of England of Ceylon, Revd. Fr. Nishantha Fernando, carried out the rite of the Eucharist.
Marking the conclusion, “O God Our Help in Ages Past” was sung with dignity as the clergy solemnly recessed towards the west door.
The 151st Founders Day service wasn’t merely for Thanksgiving but a revered remembrance of the sacrificial mission of numerous men and women who have served as a part of building Christ’s kingdom and gone before us and the fruits of whose labours we reap today.
The solemn conclusion service of the Sesquicentennial year of Trinity College, Kandy, allowed the Trinity fraternity to offer their heartful praises and thanks to our Triune God for his grace and providence for the past 150 years. The service carried a gentle reminder to see by faith and manifest our witness, in word and deed, of the riches of a life with Christ, in the name of the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth receive her frame,
From everlasting thou art God,
To endless years the same.
-Psalm 90-
Review by Samiru Herath (Web Content Team)
Photographed by the Trinity College Media Unit.
