A Legacy of Learning and Light
The opening verse of the Jubilee song, “From humble roots in Colombo’s heart…” settled over the gathering like a warm embrace. As we stood on the precipice of this historic milestone, these words beckoned us back to 1902, the year our foundations were first laid. It was then, under the enduring charism of St. Mary Euphrasia, that an institution was born to do more than merely educate. It was a mission of the heart, a sacred pledge to love the least, uplift the broken and guide with a compassion that has, for twelve and a half decades, sculpted the character of generations of young women.
The morning’s proceedings commenced with a vibrant ceremonial welcome as the Eastern Band of the Collegiate School, escorted our Chief Celebrant, His Lordship, Rt. Rev. Dr. J. D. Anthony Jayakody, Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo, and our distinguished guests to the Primary School grounds. As the flags ascended to meet the breeze, we entered into the Holy Eucharistic celebration, placing this Jubilee and all its aspirations into the providential hands of God. His Lordship, in a stirring homily drew upon the Gospel mandate, exhorting the Bridgetine community to remain “the salt of the earth and the light of the world.”
The transition to the Jubilee Launch Ceremony brought into focus the three pillars of this milestone: Our Heritage, Our Identity and Our Vision. Following the lighting of the traditional oil lamp, a flickering tribute to our Sri Lankan heritage, the stage came alive with a Pooja dance. It was a singular moment of unity as students from all three sections, the Collegiate, Primary and Montessori shared the stage.
The official inauguration reached its pinnacle when the Head Prefect of the Collegiate School presented the scroll to the Principal, who solemnly declared the 125th Jubilee Year open. Through changing times, St. Bridget’s has flourished brick by brick, classroom by classroom, and generation by generation. The audience was invited to witness our evolution through the decades in a commemorative video, “A Journey Through Time – 125 Years of St. Bridget’s Convent.” It was a visceral experience for every stakeholder, evoking a collective realisation of the immense legacy we now hold in our hands.
The visual identity of the year was then unveiled by our Province Leader, Rev. Sr. Roshanthi Ranwaththa, as she did the honours of launching the 125th Jubilee Logo, with the student designers articulating the significance behind their work. This was followed by the collective recitation of the Jubilee Prayer and the spirited debut of the Jubilee Song, composed and arranged by Ms. Priyanthi Seneviratne Van Dort.
In a final moment of commemoration, His Lordship blessed the newly erected statue of St. Bridget and the sapling of a Na tree planted within the school premises to mark this quasquicentennial milestone. These physical reminders stand, in this celebratory year and beyond, as an invitation to every student and alumnae to Be Bold, Be Brilliant, Be Bridgetine.
