Life Together in Mission

The formation community at St. Joseph's is guided by a dedicated team of Oblate priests and brothers whose vocation is to accompany, mentor, and inspire the next generation of Oblate missionaries. They embody the Oblate ideal of servant leadership, walking with the candidates at every step of their journey.

The daily rhythm of the Juniorate is structured around prayer, study, work, and recreation — weaving together the spiritual and human dimensions of formation into a harmonious whole. As St. Eugene de Mazenod envisioned, Oblates are shaped not only in the classroom but in the shared life of the community.

• 5:30 AM 🌅 Morning Rising & Personal Prayer
• 6:00 AM 📿 Lauds — Morning Prayer of the Church
• 6:30 AM ✝ Holy Eucharist — Daily Mass
• 7:30 AM 🍽 Breakfast & Morning Duties
• 8:15 AM 🏫 Departure for School
• 1:30 PM 🍛 Lunch & Community Rest
• 3:00 PM 📚 Study Period
• 5:00 PM ⚽ Games & Physical Recreation
• 6:30 PM 📿 Vespers — Evening Prayer & Rosary
• 7:00 PM 🍽 Dinner & Community Time
• 8:00 PM 📝 Evening Study & Preparation
• 9:30 PM 🌙 Night Prayer (Compline) & Grand Silence

The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate were founded by St. Eugene de Mazenod on 25 January 1816 in Aix-en-Provence, France, and received Papal approbation on 17 February 1826. Pope Pius XI described them as "specialists in the most difficult missions of the Church." The Oblates first arrived in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in October 1847, accompanying Bishop Bettachini, and have served this island nation for over 175 years. Today, the Colombo Province counts 159 Oblates making the OMI the largest religious congregation of men in Sri Lanka.

The seminary community at Kohuwala is not inward-looking. Even during formation, Juniorists are gradually introduced to the missionary apostolate of the Oblates — visiting parishes, serving communities, and encountering the poor. This pastoral immersion prepares them to be missionaries before they are priests.

The liturgical calendar, Oblate feasts, and annual community events bind the seminary community together across the years. These traditions connect the present generation of Juniorists to the 175-year-old heritage of Oblate mission in Sri Lanka.

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  Parents' Day An annual celebration that brings Juniorists' families to the seminary, strengthening the bond between home and vocation. Students showcase their talents through performances, reaffirming family as an essential partner in formation.
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  Feast of St. Eugene de Mazenod (May 21) The feast of the Oblate Founder is celebrated with special Mass, communal gatherings, and reflection on the Oblate charism. A day of gratitude and renewed missionary commitment.
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  Feast of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (December 8) As Oblates of Mary Immaculate, this Marian feast is one of the most significant celebrations in the community calendar, marked by solemn liturgy, procession, and Marian consecration.
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  Annual Sports Meet An inter-house sports day fosters teamwork, healthy competition, and community spirit among Juniorists — part of the Oblate commitment to integral human formation in body as well as spirit.
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  Annual Retreat & Days of Recollection A full community retreat each year, as well as regular monthly recollection days, provides sacred space for deep prayer, examination of conscience, and renewed dedication to the Oblate vocation.
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  Sending-Off Ceremony When Juniorists move on to Pre-Novitiate or other stages of formation, the community gathers for a sending-off ceremony — a moment of blessing, gratitude, and commissioning for the next step of their journey.

The seminary is situated in Kohuwala, a suburb of Colombo in the Western Province of Sri Lanka, located where the Colombo–Piliyandala Road meets the Nugegoda–Dehiwala Road. Kohuwala is well connected to the broader Colombo metropolitan area, allowing Juniorists to engage with the city's parishes, schools, and communities as part of their apostolic formation.