Province Christ the Bread of Life – Sri Lanka

The Chapter took place from 31 August to 5 September 2026.
The new Provincial Council is the following:

3 September 2026

Province of Christ the Bread of Life, Sri Lanka

Colombo, Sri Lanka - The Province of Christ the Bread of Life (Sri Lanka) of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (SSS) has formally concluded its 6^th Provincial Chapter. Held from August 30 to September 5, 2026, at the Eymard Campbell Retreat House in Halgashena, Hanwella, the gathering marked a vital period of prayerful discernment, historical evaluation, and strategic planning for the order’s future.

Convoked under Rule of Life No. 80 as the highest authority in the Province, the Chapter served as a privileged moment of grace to study the state of the Province as a whole and update the provincial project in response to changing pastoral conditions.

The assembly brought together 33 capitulars, 5 scholastics, and 3 observers in a spirit of shared fraternity. The week was enriched by the guidance of key ecclesiastical leaders:

Most Rev. Dr. Winston Fernando, SSS (Facilitator)
Most Rev. Dr. Sagara Jayamanne, SSS (Bishop of Anuradhapura)
Very Rev. Fr. Roel Dela Cruz, SSS (Asian Consultor for the General Council and General Treasurer)

Key Deliberations & Agenda Highlights

Guided by reports from local communities, formation centers, and adminis trative commissions, the assembly evaluated the past mandate while establishing clear directives for the next four years:

• Synodality & Governance: Opening sessions reflected on synodal governance, enriched by a message from the Superior General and key addresses by Rt. Rev. Dr. Sagara Jayamanne, SSS, and outgoing leadership.
• Institutional Safeguarding Policy: In a major step toward institutional integrity and pastoral care, the assembly presented and approved in theory the first draft of a comprehensive Safeguarding Policy. This initiative ensures robust standards of protection and safety across all SSS ministries and communities.
• Missionary Expansion: Capitulars reviewed comprehensive reports across formation houses (Vocation, Aspirancy, Postulancy, Novitiate, and Scholasticate) and mission communities (Colombo, Matale, Bandirippuwa, Jaffna, Mahena, Tangalle, Madhu Road, EHOP, and Eymard Campbell). Key discussions focused on expanding pastoral outreach, including a proposed new foundation in the Diocese of Chilaw and updates on foreign missions.
• Financial Stewardship: The assembly reviewed financial reports, approved the upcoming four-year budget, and discussed necessary revisions to Provincial Statutes and Policy Manuals.

A Visionary Theme: Living the Mission

Echoing the orientation of the 36^th SSS General Chapter held in Vietnam (2023), the Sri Lankan assembly convened under the theme:

“Faithful Witnesses of the Eucharistic Mystery: Journeying Together in Prayer, Fellowship, and Service.” 

Rooted in the order's Rule of Life (RL 33–45) and the charismatic vision of founder St. Peter Julian Eymard, participants reflected on the conviction that religious are not merely doing mission, but are the mission. The assembly prioritized a synodal journey—integrating priests, religious, and lay members to carry Eucharistic adoration beyond the sanctuary. This initiative calls members to move "from the altar to the streets" through radical hospitality, attentive listening, and prophetic solidarity with marginalized communities.

Extensive preparation preceded the Chapter under the direction of the Preparatory Commission (Fr. Roger Fernando, SSS Fr. Antony Marcus, SSS and Fr. Samitha Navoda, SSS), who visited every local SSS community to listen to personal testimonies, evaluate blessings and challenges, and collect communal aspirations.

Provincial Leadership Team (2026–2030)

On the fourth day of deliberations, elections were conducted to establish the administrative council for the upcoming four-year term:

Provincial Superior: Fr. Justin Chawkan, SSS (Re-elected)
First Consultor & Provincial Vicar: Fr. Nilindra Gunasekera, SSS
Second Consultor: Fr. Roger Johnson Fernando, SSS
Third Consultor: Fr. Antony Marcus, SSS
Fourth Consultor: Fr. Manuel Asirvadam, SSS
Provincial Treasurer: Fr. Marcus Codipilly, SSS (Re-elected)

Mission Statement (2026–2030)

Synthesizing the work of the Memory and Discernment Commission, the Chapter officially voted on and promulgated its Mission Statement for the 2026–2030 mandate:

“Entrusted as a gift of God through the inspiration of our Holy Founder, we, the Eymardian Family, are called:
• To be the Mission by witnessing to the 'Eucharistic Cenacle' with authentic fraternal love;
• To journey together with the Church in the spirit of synodality by listening to
o   the promptings of the Holy Spirit in the 'signs of the times' and
o   those whom the Lord gathers in community;
• To break the Bread from which flows our Eucharistic spirituality, communion, and self-giving love that transcends every division.”

Concluding Eucharistic Celebration & Official Closure

The 6^th Provincial Chapter reached its climax on September 5 during the solemn concluding Eucharistic celebration. During this holy liturgy, Very Rev. Fr. Roel Dela Cruz, SSS, Asian Consultor to the General Council, presided over the official Commissioning Ceremony, sending forth the newly elected Provincial Superior, Rev. Fr. Justin Chawkan, SSS, and his Council to guide the Province for the 2026–2030 term.

Following the commissioning rite, Fr. Justin Chawkan, SSS, delivered the closing address, expressing deep gratitude to God, the episcopal facilitator, the leadership bodies, secretarial staff, retreat house staff, and the Preparatory Commission for their dedication. Invoking the Holy Spirit and relying on the intercession of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament and St. Peter Julian Eymard, Fr. Justin officially declared the Chapter closed:

“Thanking Almighty God for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and in full reliance on the intercession of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament and St. Pierre-Julien Eymard, I now declare the 6^th Provincial Chapter officially closed. Having discerned together as an Eymardian Family, we remember that we do not merely have a mission—we are the mission.” 

With the commissioning completed and the Chapter formally closed, the Blessed Sacrament Fathers in Sri Lanka step into the 2026–2030 term committed to renewing Eucharistic devotion and selfless service across the nation.

Father Revel Melraj, sss