REV. FR. JOHN LORAT

He had his primary education at Chempianpattu RCTMS and continued his secondary education at Thirunelveli Muthuththampi Vidyalayam. In 1981 he decided to join St. Martyn’s Minor Seminary and continued his studies at St. Patrick’s College thereafter.

He passed his advance level well and got admission to the University of Jaffna. However he decided to sacrifice his university studies to answer the call of his Master. He joined St. Francis Xavier’s Major Seminary in 1986. He got his B.Th degree in 1994.

He was ordained as a deacon on 15th of July 1994 and was appointed to do his diaconate ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral.

He was ordained as a priest on 23rd February 1995 and continued his mission at St. Mary’s Cathedral as Assistant Parish Priest.

His ministry at Cathedral was marked by the love for the poor and the oppressed. He still lives in the hearts of those simple people as a pastor who loved, worked and died for the flock.

He got displaced in the famous Valikam displacement of 1995. He was stationed at St. Peter’s, Kachchai where a good number of the Cathedral parishioners  were living displaced. Hundreds of families were living in the Church as displaced people and he was faithfully serving them. He wanted to feel one with them and was eating the same food cooked for the displaced people.

In the first week of December 1995 he had a fever and was healed in three days. He got another attack of fever on the 13th. The blood test report that was taken on the 19th showed that he has got a typhoid attack which was spreading in the camp of the displaced where he was serving. He was taken to the Manthikai hospital on the Christmas day as the fever had increased.

On the New Year day of 1996 he died at the hospital around 10. 30 am and shared the fate of those many people whom he lovingly served.