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THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE 125 YEARS AGO-By Avishka Mario Senewiratne The grand opening of St. Joseph’s College on Saturday, November 28, 1896. Illustrated by Kevin Caspersz. Source:Tillthemountainsdisappearams St. Joseph’s College, Colombo is a citadel of education established by the pioneering and painstaking efforts of the missionary Oblates from Europe and the significant contribution of the Catholic community of Colombo, in the late 19th Century. Ever since the British declared freedom to practice any faith after overthrowing the Dutch, who oppressed Catholics for 150 years, the need for Catholic schools arose. During this time the only Catholic religious group were the Oratorian missionaries from Goa, who were the successors of St. Joseph Vaz. Though its vehemently accepted that these missionaries were highly pious and pastoral, they did not have adequate expertise to establish schools. However, when Msgr. Orazio Bettacchini, an Italian Oratorian was made the Vicar of Jaffna, ...