We were almost halfway through our programme at the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) when it was announced to us that the management had decided to cancel the remaining sessions due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, bringing the entire programme to an abrupt end. It brought sadness and a certain sense of uncertainty and trepidation in the hearts and minds of most of us. We honestly felt that we were missing out on a great opportunity because it was such a well-organised programme that could have benefitted most of us.
Following the announcement of the closure of all activities, the participants dispersed in different batches country-wise. However, the circumstances were such that a few of us got left behind and could not return to our home countries as complete lockdowns prevailed over a considerable span of time. It was stressful at the start but we all gradually learnt to accept and live with the situation knowing well they were beyond our control. Though quarantined and limited to one specific location, none of us felt estranged because of the immense care and love of the Director and the lovely team of EAPI. Words are inadequate to explain how well we all were looked after by the management until the day of our departure.
There was a time when the workers of the institute could not report to work anymore because the government had imposed work and class suspensions. The 15 of us who remained had to form ourselves into groups of five and take care of the food preparation, washing, and cleaning. We engaged ourselves in those tasks with so much joy in our hearts and accomplished them in good team spirit. In fact, prior to this, the option was given to us to go to the international novitiate in Tagaytay, but it was not possible because of the lack of transportation. Nevertheless, it was God’s grace that provided us all our needs. It was a blessing that none of us got infected with Covid-19 while so many others outside were suffering.
During this period of seclusion, I was quarantined in my room for three days since I had a slight fever that had developed together with cough. Since the condition did not advance to be something else after three days of observation, the doctor cleared me of Covid-19 and there was nothing to fear. Since then I could move around leisurely again as any other resident of the institute.
What was so special was the opportunity that the remaining few of us got to involve ourselves in the disaster response relief programme of the Ateneo de Manila University. We arranged dry ration packages and made face shields. Amazingly I also discovered that I could pen down lyrics for inspirational hymns which I am now in the process of having arranged with music. My leisure time was also utilised in sketching sceneries and drawing religious pictures. Though we were physically very far away from our communities and loved ones we did not feel any fear or loneliness for the Spirit of God was hovering over us and covering us with His precious blood, as He always does for His children as a manifestation of the outpouring of His loving heart.
On our safe return to Sri Lanka, after preliminary investigations and check-ups at the airport, we were accompanied to the Diyagama Mahinda Rajapaksha Quarantine Centre for a period of two weeks. It would be extremely ungrateful on my part if I failed to mention a very special word of thanks to our government that had deployed all possible resources to give us the best care and the pleasure of experiencing a deep sense of solidarity on our return home. All security arrangements, guidelines, directions and procedures from deeply dedicated and committed teams made us feel so much at home and secure. I pray that God may give me the grateful heart to ever remain thankful to those brothers in our forces, police personnel, location officers, all those who attended on us at the Sri Lankan embassy in the Philippines, and those who prepared our food and attended on us in manifold ways. May the merciful Lord grant them reward for all the sacrifices they are making for the wellbeing of their countrymen.
Above all, my most sincere gratitude and thankfulness to EAPI. Because of your unfailing concern for us, your participants, we are safely back in our homelands.
Sr Warnakulasooriya Fernando SJCM from Sri Lanka was a participant in the East Asian Pastoral Institute’s Sabbatical Renewal Experience Programme. EAPI is a residential pastoral institute for renewal, updating, sabbatical, and leadership training located on the campus of the Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines.