- Welcome
-

Welcome!
It is with joy that we wish to share with you what the Holy Spirit has done in the
lives of hundreds and thousands of people in Sri Lanka.
You will encounter persons young and old sharing experiences of the Invisible Reality
that people down the ages have called God. They will share with you, what they have
begun to see with what one may call the “Inner Eye”. The inner eye once touched
by the Holy Spirit of God open their eyes to vistas of sheer Power and Beauty.
They would behold a piece of bread and exclaim: “This is the body of Jesus Christ”.
They would feel someone touching their heads or make a sign on their foreheads and
they would say the hand of Jesus touched them; they would experience marital love
as a husband and wife and they would tell you that it was an experience of the love
of the Triune God. They would speak of the Eternal Father who loves His Son and
the Son who reciprocates. They would recognize the Holy Spirit as the relationship
of love between them.
The Pubuduwa began in 1971. We recall with love, gratitude and thanksgiving the
support received by His Eminence Cardinal Thomas Cooray. The Pubuduwa was not started
or founded by anybody. It’s something that happened. This happening still on, has
spelt the transformation of a multitude of specifically the Catholics in Sri Lanka.
It continues to lead very ordinary people involved in just ordinary mundane temporal
activity to touch the deeper reaches of Contemplative prayer even though not hemmed
in within four walls.
The Pubuduwa
has been instrumental in making the Bible and the Seven Sacraments come alive in
their lives. Doctrinal Faith has become vibrant, trusting, expectant Faith, and
more, every visible reality, every human event, every human action is seen as carrying
a sacramental value in that the created, the temporal, the ordinary is no longer
eschewed as preventive or stifling but rather as promotive of a deepening experience
of God.
The Pubuduwa is a partner with others in the ongoing renewal of the Catholic Church.
It enjoys with the Catholic Church a “Living Tradition” of what the Holy Spirit
has taught her for the last 2000 years, since the New Testament was written. It
takes a stance of obedience to the Teaching Authority of the Catholic Church lest
it get lost in private interpretations of Scripture and mislead those who are called.
The Pubuduwa communities are the Church – the people of God, witnessing to a life
that purposes to be a challenge to the value system of a society growing increasingly
consumerist, starkly individualist and devoid of meaning at any depth.
It caters to the spiritual needs of the Sri Lankan expatriates living abroad, especially
the domestic aides and other workers in the middle-east.
As a renewal movement in Sri Lanka, its thrust is on the Kingdom of God (Love) proclaimed,
explained and witnessed by Jesus. Therefore the Pubuduwa considers it an obligation
and a matter of commitment to promote the cultural values that have been Sri Lanka’s
heritage of more than 2500 years of recorded history fed by the great religions
of the world, predominantly Buddhism.
This web-site expects to bring you a loving Word that comes in and through the lives
of people. We call upon you to click in as opportunity offers to drink from the
waters of life. We call upon The Lord to bless you and keep you in His Loving Care.
May the Eternal Father, who shares the Holy Spirit with all of us, lead you into
all Truth, through Jesus the Word made flesh. May the Lord be with you today, now
and forever.
Amen
Rev. Fr. Oscar Abayaratne
Spiritual Director
Kithu Dana Pubuduwa
30/08/2003
- Rev. Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne
-
Rev. Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne
Birth of a Prophet
Rev. Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne was born on the 5th of May 1932 and is the eldest
in a family of 8 children. He had his early studies at St. Sebastian’s College,
Moratuwa. He did his clerical studies at St. Aloysius Junior Seminary and National
Seminary, Ampitiya. His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Cooray ordained him on the 2nd
day of February 1957. His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Cooray appointed Fr. Oscar to
be in charge of the above mentioned “Youth Movement”. The youth were guided and
directed to face day to day incidents in a Christian way. Many priests gave him
encouragement and support while a few did not. The support and the involvement of
the laymen and women were in a very satisfactory level. There were a few full-timers
who were supported financially by the Cardinal.
The Radical Young Priest Got Dispersed
This was a time when the whole Sri Lankan society was in a state of turmoil, majority
of the youth did not have jobs. The youth became restless and as a result a leftist
extremist revolutionary group of youth came into existence. Father Oscar was a person
who always sympathized with the poor and the oppressed but he did not like the violent
actions of the revolutionary group. During the uprising this youth movement formed
by Fr. Oscar got dispersed. He was disturbed and his efforts at the Apostolate were
crumbling. The youth movement was in tatters. He became a broken man. He experienced
a deep sense of vacuity and emptiness. It was at this stage that His Eminence Cardinal
Cooray put him on a spiritual pilgrimage via the Focolare Movement in Rome. During
the summer vacation he got an opportunity to visit socialist countries like Yugoslavia,
Czechoslovakia, East Germany. The so called “new society” was not seen there. His
spiritual Director Rev. Fr. Valerian Gaudet O. M. I. sensing his discomfiture in
Rome got him to continue his pilgrimage with a Catholic family in England. This
visit and the few days he spent with Bob Balkam was a memorable one in his life.
The faith of this man, his wife and children was extraordinary.
Mr. and Mrs. Bob invited Fr. Oscar for strange religious meeting
One day Bob invited him for a prayer meeting and he accepted it. As Fr. Oscar recalls
in his own words “It was a strange religious meeting. I had never seen the like
of it before. It was a four hour session of prayer by very ordinary people. It was
besides a very sober quiet session of singing, praising and worship of the Lord
devoid of the formalism that I was accustomed to. Spontaneity was its hall-mark.
I saw how they imposed hands and prayed for one another. I made a request for prayer.
Three stout gentlemen were around me. It was a long, free spontaneous prayer with
their hands on my head and shoulders. They prayed in English. Before long I could
hear them mumbling strange sounds (later I learnt that they were praying in tongues).
I was asked by one of them “Fr. Oscar, is there anything special that you want us
to pray for?”. “Nothing very special I rejoined, except that you call on the Lord
to help me to be a good priest, that he makes good use of me for His work. They
prayed, they did it soulfully and enthusiastically. Now I know that God had touched
me in a special way on that day.”
Rev. Fr. Oscar Questioned for Five Hours
Back in Sri Lanka in 1971 in the beginning of June Father Oscar learnt that he was
a marked man, searched for by the police as a supporter of the famous youth insurrection
of April 1971. The Criminal Investigation Department started questioning him. The
police officers would have been amazed at the power he wielded that day. As Father
says the secret lay in the word of the scriptures “I will give you a mouth and wisdom
which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.” (Luke 21/15).
It was with these words that he walked into their room. He experienced the victorious
power of the Risen Lord. He was released after five hours of non-stop questioning.
- Who We Are
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Who We Are
A Prayer movement
Pubuduwa, a community led by the Holy Spirit, proclaiming that the Lord Jesus to
be their Lord and master, are born with a heritage for a prayerful and praise-filled
life. They give priority to prayer in order to seek the will of God and to be true
followers of Jesus Christ who also gave a foremost place to prayer in His life.
Therefore, Pubuduwa is a prayer movement.
A Marian movement
Through her own free will, the blessed Mother emptied herself in the presence of
the Lord to fulfill His will. Her emptying experience was the result of the filling
with the Holy Spirit. She was the one who completely emptied herself from her own
rights, from having a good name, future hopes and aspirations. Gazing at her emptying
experience is the first experience of the Pubuduwa journey. Then thirsting to posses
or make one's own this same experience is the next step in the Pubudu journey. Hence,
Pubuduwa is a movement of the Blessed Mother.
A movement in the Holy Spirit
Kithu Dana Pubuduwa started in 1971 by the direction of the Holy Spirit. Rev. Fr.
Siri Oscar Abayaratne became the instrument of the Holy Spirit for this purpose.
Pubudwa enjoys the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It has journeyed for 36 years in Sri
Lanka focusing towards the leading of the Holy Spirit. Constant awareness of the
Holy Spirit is the special feature of the Pubuduwa community. Therefore, Pubuduwa
is a movement in the Holy Spirit.
An Apostolic and a Contemplative movement
It is not an ordinary a prayer movement, but a Movement called to go deep into prayer
even to a state of contemplative prayer. It is a deep desire to experience at least
in small measure the prayer life of our Lord Jesus. Yet Pubuduwa defines their prayer
life in broad terms. It extends it's life of prayer to continue the work of the
Holy apostles in building and spreading the kingdom of God, in villages, country,
family, and in the environment, that they live in. (Acts 1:8, 2:42-47) Both these
features, prayer and action are manifest in the life of the Pubuduwa community.
Therefore, it is simultaneously a prayer movement and an apostolic movement.
A Journey - a Way of Life
Sharing in Community
Those who have been called by God have received a special grace (a charisma) (Ephesians
4:7). Lord has called us as a people and as a community. The greatest evidence for
this is the Charisma we have received. There are four features in it. Let us now
discuss them. a)What is the Pubudu Charisma ? How often do you practically experience
the four basic gifts of the Charisma in your daily life? b)Let us look at our journey
with praise to the Lord for bringing us thus far since our first ever, public rally
of the Holy Spirit in 1976. The themes we received annually in our journey are our
main halting places. They are the milestones. When we look at all, we could see
how the Lord has brought Pubuduwa on journey to be in His presence.
We know Pubuduwa is a movement of the Holy Spirit. Awakening to the Holy Spirit
is a special experience of the Pubuduwa community. It is the guidance of the Holy
Spirit, that takes through the four steps in the Pubudu Charisma.
- Emptying experience of the Blessed Mother
- Gaze at the sonship of Lord Jesus
- Experience our own divine sonship
It is the Holy Spirit who guides and accompanies us through the above experiences
and takes us to the presence of the Father. As we are called to a contemplative
prayer life, we constantly surrender to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, to be
in the presence of God the Father. We are guided to be in the bosom of God the Father.
Constant Awareness
In 1996 with the challenge to let go, the Pubudu community received a special grace
to identify the gift we have received. That is the gift of "Awareness".. Awareness
of and to the Holy Spirit has now become second nature to us. Awakening to the Holy
Spirit is not merely a mental or an act of the intellect. Rather it is an experience.
Therefore, awareness of the Holy Spirit is closely connected with an action. The
action may manifest itself or it may be an internal occurrence.
- Origin & Development
-
Origin and Development
Vatican Council II (1962-1965) marks a very important turning-point in the Catholic
Church. A very important and a drastic change in thinking took place during this
period. This brought an end to the “dark era” of the church and the need for a new
Pentecost was proclaimed. In the meantime the thinking about the people of God and
laity underwent a revolutionary change. The fact that the laymen and women are called
to have a great mission in the world was highlighted. Lay movements and organizations
were given maximum encouragement.
Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country. Only 7% of the population are Catholics (about
1,350,000 in numbers). About 50% of the Catholics live in the Archdiocese of Colombo.
Archdiocese of Colombo is considered by many to be the largest diocese in Asia.
Towards the end of Vatican II the then Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Thomas
Benjamin Cardinal Cooray took steps to form a powerful Christian Lay-leadership.
Lay movements and organizations were given maximum encouragement, as also the launching
out into new experiments in the formation of the laity.
A structure to work out a basic-lay-apostolate with emphasis on youth was just one
among these Apostolic initiatives. This basic lay Apostolate with a lot of success
in a predominantly Catholic area was extended to serve the whole Archdiocese with
an emphasis on the youth. It was generally known as the Youth Movement. Its orientations
took into consideration:-
- Biblical, Liturgical, Catechetical and Ecumenical movements that paved the way for
Vatican II and after
- The insights and directions offered by Vatican II and after.
- Failures and successes of the renewal efforts of post Vatican II
- The quest of man for liberation in all fronts, and the creation of a new society,
that satisfies his inner most aspirations.
Pubuduwa Originates
All forms of big gatherings or social analysis in groups were strictly forbidden
during that time. Father was perforce led to form very small groups of people, beginning
with the youth and later with adults to discuss the Bible. A new apostolate had
sprung up. It happened. It was completely God’s work. These groups became life-sharing
groups. The meetings were held either under coconut palms or on the sea beach. These
began after dusk. The light to read the scriptures were from flash light torches
or portable patromax lamps.
Father went to the villages on a Lambretta Scooter with a load of Sinhala Bibles
(about 25). He got back home invariably late in the night. His residence was a very
old mission house in Colombo, and his room was very small. This place served as
the headquarters of the new apostolate. A weekly prayer meeting was held here on
Mondays. It was a small group of ten to twelve persons that met. This small group
served the purpose of an inspirational team. At this stage this small group went
over to a retreat house in Kandy for a week-end Spiritual Retreat. It was a great
experience and they decided to share their experience with a large gathering. By
then they have arrived at an unassailable conclusion, that an encounter with the
Risen Lord was fundamental for all Christians. The themes for an initiation seminar
of eight sessions were suggested while waiting for the bus to arrive.
Pubuduwa – Development
It had its origin in the Archdiocese of Colombo and now it has spread to other dioceses
as well and in a very special way throughout the Diocese of Chilaw. It has spread
in a limited way in the other Dioceses such as Kandy, Kurunegala, Ratnapura, Mannar
and Jaffna. Kithu Dana Pubuduwa communities are now found in Australia, Italy, Lebanon,
Oman, Abu Dhabi and England.
The name ‘Pubuduwa’
The movement was on for a few years without a name tag. The members wanted to be
just a movement of inspiration without any structure. The people within and without
started naming it in different names. Hence at a gathering of the leadership that
had by then emerged (1975) the name “Kithu Dana Pubuduwa” came to the fore. It can
be translated as ‘renewal of the Christian people’. An organization structure has
willy-nilly grown. The principle however that is ever invoked is that ‘organization’
is only to serve the Spirit and not vice-versa. “You are the salt of the earth.
But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?” (Mathew 5/13).
What is the use if Pubuduwa loses its “renewal”?
- Renewed Lives
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Renewed Lives
By now around 20,000 people participate in our weekly prayer meetings in various
parts of the country and around another 20,000 participate not on a regular basis.
Those who take part in our initiation seminar of eight sessions and the Repentant
and Commitment sessions become members of the Pubuduwa. The converts to the Lord
went about testifying to what the Lord had done and was doing in their lives.
They speak of:
- the giving up of a life of sin or vicious habits.
- the healed relationships with people.
- the commitment to the cause of social justice and the change of sinful structures.
- the adoption of a life of simplicity in line with the traditional and cultural values
of our country.
- the need for an ecumenical thrust with specially the majority Buddhists.
- the renewed awareness of the journey of Faith, Hope and Love in God as Father and
Mother.
- the new understanding of the Bible and the Liturgy.
- above all the new lifestyle that has expressed itself in basic ecclesial communities
which purport to be models and power centres in parish life.
Kithu Dana Pubuduwa
- Kithu Dana Pubuduwa is not a society or an organization. It is a way of life.
- A people called to enter a journey in the spirit by making Jesus their Lord and
Master.
- A community with a thirst to be led by the Holy Spirit and are engaged in a journey
by fixing their gaze on Jesus.
- Kithu Dana Pubuduwa is a Lay Apostolate, and an Apostolate of Renewal in the Holy
Spirit in the Catholic Church. It is a result of the renewal expected by Vatican
II. It had its origin in Sri Lanka in 1971 and now has spread to a few other countries.
- Pubuduwa is a Prayer Movement, a Marian Movement, and at the same time a Lay Apostolate
and a deep contemplative prayer movement.
- “Those that are led by the Holy Spirit are called sons of God.”
- (“Archdiocese of Colombo Lay Apostolic Movement - 2002” by Rev. Fr. Gregory Jayantha
– Page 323)
Ministries And Services
The following ministries and services have their service teams which meet regularly
to plan and coordinate their activities.
- Music Ministry
- Cultural/Dance Troupe
- Intercessory Prayer Ministry
- Teaching Ministry
- “Prabodaya” (Political, Economic, Cultural Dimensions + Inter-Religious Dialogue
In Relation To The Reign Of God).
- Evangelization And Out Reach To Remote Areas.
- Surakshana Sevave (Spiritual Direction/Counseling)
- Publications
- Pubudu Press
- Audio-Visual
- Administrative Structure
-
Administrative Structure
- Spiritual Director
Rev Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne.
- Pubudu Jathika Divasi Ekathuwa (Pubudu National Prophetic Assembly)
- Mrs. Ranjana Kaviratne
- Dr. Delryne Wanigarathne
- Subandhi Bro. Noel Lalith
- Subandhi Bro. Upul Nishantha
- Subandhi Bro. Terrance Mendis
The governing authority of the new Pubuduwa are five persons named the Divasi Ekathuwa.
The word prophetic spells out their basic function i.e. to speak the “discerned
Word of God” in all matters pertaining to the spirituality, discipline and administration
of this “association of the faithful.” Their Word would of necessity not go counter
to the spirit of the Holy Scriptures, the living Tradition of the Church and subject
to the magisterium of the church. No major decision is taken, no, not even minor
ones that would go against the deep spirit of unity that must exist between them.
- Jathika Sahayake Ekathuwa (National Support Team) And Uppedeshake Mandalaya (The Advisory Committee)
- Supalana Ekathuwa (National Administration Team)
- Pubudu Sangika ( Regional Community)
- Pubudu Sanga (Grass Root Community)
- Prasansa Gama (Praise Village)
- Kuda Sanga (Small Community – Groups Of Five)
- Pubuduwa Communities
-
Pubuduwa Communities
Kithu Dana Pubuduwa Communities are often made up of a few Prayer Groups that are
geographically closer to each other. The leaders of these groups are ordinary laymen
and women. There are also special communities as stated below:
1. SUBANDHI
In the manner of a “Secular Institute of Consecrated Virgins” - men and women they
are one community committed to live and be a witness to the spirituality a charism
of The Pubuduwa in its entirety and in depth. Like any other community of the Pubuduwa,
they work within their own organizational structure, subject however to the
directorship of the Divasi Ekathuwa. Over and above their commitment to the Spirituality
of The Pubuduwa, they are called upon to live a life of union with the Blessed Mother
and the disciples at the foot of the Cross. Their’s is a community that is called
upon to live at the foot of the Cross receptive to the outpouring of the Spirit
here at - “And bowing His head He gave up His Spirit.” (John 19/30). They experience
the purification in the precious blood of the Lord that flows from His Sacred Body.
While they pay heed to all the words of Jesus from the Cross, they would pay special
attention to Jesus’ forgiving Spirit – “Father forgive them for they know not what
they do” (Lk. 23/34). The words “My God, My God, Why has thou abandoned me” (Mth.
27/46) is etched on their hearts, which they consider is their calling to carry
as they “go out” (Mk. 16/15) to return to the community at the pierced feet of Jesus.
As very special characteristics of their life with the community at the Cross, they
have got to be a witness to a life of simplicity (Lk. 9/58, 10/4) Alpeichatawaya
to a virginal life of being wedded to Jesus and His church; Kanyabhawaya (Rev. 14/4)
and to a life surrendered to the Abba Avanathabhavaya. (Lk. 23/46)
KANYABHAVAYA - VIRGINITY:
To mean unreserved commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in body, mind and
spirit.
ALPEICHATHAWAYA - SIMPLICITY:
Further as an earnest of the commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and “The
Kingdom” to live the principle - “needs not wants.”
AVANATHABIIAVAYA - SUBMISSION:
To accord at peak-level with the Pubudu way of life at any given moment of time
and place.
2. NIHANDA SANGAYA
A community in its infancy, dedicated to contemplative prayer before our Eucharistic
Lord.
3. SABANDHI
The members can be married widowed, young or old. They are bonded together by a
promise of uncompromising fidelity to the Pubudu Way of Life; Avanathabhawaya (wjk;Ndjh)
the pursuance of a simple life style Alpeichatawaya (w,afmapsP;djh), and a chaste
life that behoves the marital state of a Catholic Kanyabhawaya (lkHdNdjh). They
with the SUBANDHI are considered to occupy the top-most rung of the Pubuduwa membership.
It denotes on them to be of help to the Divasi Ekathuwa in the final discernment
making in all matters pertaining to the Pubudu Way of Life, which embrace the charism,
interpretation of the said Charism, traditions, services, ministries and activities.
4. SURANDHI
The Surandhi is a Sub-community of women, who by option or circumstances stay unmarried.
They come together for sharing, for mutual support for personal wellbeing, ministry
and growth in the charism. In the event of marriage, one ceases to be a Surandhi.
5. THE SUMADHI
A sub-community of women specifically meant to be mutually supportive of WIDOWS.
The members meet regularly for sharing of life-experiences and growth in their prayer-life.
“Intercession” for the Pubuduwa and other matters in a ministry very special and
dear to them.
6. THE VIRODHAYA
A community residential and non has begun to happen among the youth, as a response
to the challenge of ‘Sonship’. i) They subscribe to a radical life-style eschewing
the false values of a society fast going consumerist way ward. ii) A return to the
“land” and residential community living, for agricultural produce and sale. The
Spirit seems to lead them to pool their resources for “common-living”, even as families:
as if to speak of “kingdom economics” (Acts 2/42-47).
- Special Pubudu Teachings
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Special Pubudu Teachings
Eight initiation talks and the Repentant and Commitment sessions.
Bible Retreat – Love of God as revealed in the Bible.
Retreat on Our Blessed Mother and the Sacraments.
(12th to 15th August)
Lenten Retreat
(During the Holy Week)
Christmas Seminar
(22nd to 25th December)
Teaching on Self discovery (Enneagram)
Other than the above special retreats and seminars, various teachings which are
practical and spiritual are given considering the circumstances and the times.