On Saturday 30th of March 2019, a very special Holy Mass was offered at the Apparition Church of Our Lady of Katunayake’s Shrine by His Holiness the Apostle Rohan Lalith Aponso. The specialty of the said Holy Mass can be described shortly as followed.
Ranga Prasad Perera and Sanduni Dileeka Perera from Jaela joined in marriage on 17th of January at Aloka Elders Home, Panadura. For more than ten years, Ranga and Sanduni have faithfully attended the Holy Masses of His Holiness the Apostle Rohan Lalith Aponso at Our Lady of Katunayake’s Shrine. The couple who lightened their lives through listening to the sermons of His Holiness the Apostle, later fell in love and their only desire was to get married to each other at the Apparition Church of Our Lady of Katunayake’s Shrine by the holy hands of His Holiness the Apostle who taught them the spiritual path even before they encountered one another.
Since the Apparition Church was under reconstruction, it was the sincere hope of Ranga and Sanduni to get married after the reconstruction process. They have also informed The Holy Apostle about their wish. For five years they were waiting expectantly.
After reconstructions, the new Apparition Church was opened on 11th August 2018. According to their wedding expectations, Ranga and Sanduni had already reserved a date for their wedding on January 2019 at the Apparition Church of Our Lady of Katunayake’s Shrine with the blessings of His Holiness the Apostle Rohan Lalith Aponso. While planning the wedding Ranga and Sanduni again gained an opportunity to listen to a sermon of His Holiness the Apostle.
It was 20th of November 2018. Remembering the teachings of Jesus Christ from the Holy Bible, His Holiness the Apostle Rohan Lalith Aponso stated that preparing a feast and offering food to the friends and relatives who already have enough food and drinks, is not the duty of Christian disciples. The duty of Christian disciples is to offer food for vulnerable people who are neglected by society without proper food, and it is a doctrine of Christ. Holy Apostle explained further on this matter with various examples on that day’s sermon.
Ranga and Sanduni who were attentively listening to the remarkable sermon of His Holiness the Apostle, discussed among themselves on a possible way to offer their own wedding feast to destitute people.
Accordingly, flourishing their meritable expectation, Ranga and Sanduni took their wedding vows on 17th of January at Aloka Elders Home, Panadura. His Holiness the Apostle Rohan Lalith Aponso travelling from Katunayaka to Pandura to celebrate the wedding ceremony and unify the new couple at the elders home was a truly an exceptional blessing received by the couple.
Ranga and Sanduni cancelled their previously planned wedding plans and arranged their wedding feast neither in a five-star hotel nor among the ear exploding musical nuisance. They arranged their wedding feast among the elders at an elder’s home who live their last days alone with tears and sighs. Without alcohol, enjoying the delicious meal with pleasing music and offering presents this wedding took place. It is equally extraordinary that His Holiness the Apostle also joined the new couple to offer the feast for the elders.
Willingly granting the first wish of this charitable couple, Ranga and Sanduni who were obedient and devoted enough to listen and act according to the sermon, His Holiness the Apostle celebrated a special mass on 30th March 2019 for the couple at the Apparition Church of Our Lady of Katunayake’s Shrine, while providing them the front seats near the altar.
These images show various moments from the holy mass conducted by His Holiness the Apostle Rohan Lalith Aponso at the Apparition Church Our Lady of Katunayake’s Shrine for the newlyweds, Ranga and Sanduni who started the marriage journey after offering a wedding feast to an Elders Home
