Art.54 – Salesian constitution
“Death for the Salesian is made bright by the hope of entering the joy of his Lord” ” A Salesian dies working for souls, the congregation has won a great triumph”
God who created the universe, made the human person the climax of all his creation. One such person was Fr.Dilan Marisal sdb. God panted this seed in Alankulam Vaddakkandal Mannar on 6th of March in the year of 1989. His father’s name is Marishal Parunanthu and his Mother’s name is Saviry Mariai. He was the third born in his family. They are six siblings. He has got one elder brother and one elder sister. One younger brother and two younger sisters. He started his primary study at Vaddakkandal RCTMS. He joined the Salesian aspirantate at Dankotuwa in the year of 2006 to begin his first steps of Salesian religious life.
SOME MEMORABLE EVENTS OF FR. DILAN’S LIFE
| STAGES OF HIS LIFE | YEAR | PLACE (Don Bosco Centre) |
| Pre-novitiate | 2008 | Dungalpitiya |
| Novitiate | 2009 | Tanzania, Moragoro |
| Post-Novitiate | 2010-2013 | Tanzania, Moshi |
| Practical Training | 2013-2016 | Metiyagane, Dankotuwa and Mankulam |
| Theology | 2016-2020 | Philippine |
| Perpetual Profession | 2017 | Murunkan |
| Ordination | 2020 | Manner Cathedral |
| Assignments as a Priest | 2020-2023 | Mankulam |
| 2023-2024 | Jaffna |
He was ordained a priest on 30th July 2020. He was assigned by the province to be vocation promoter apart from the community commitments. He had been working tirelessly and managed to bring many youth to the Salesian Congregation. He had encountered many young people and touched their lives with his kindness and humility.
Testimony of Fr. Sagayaraj Philomenathan (Economer of LKC) on the last day of the burial
Dilan is difficult to get on phone and if you get him, he can speak for long. On 29th February, speaking to him on his ministry as vocation promoter, I had asked him put down the challenges he faces recruiting vocations so that I can present it in the provincial council on the following day. He immediately prepared along mail and send it to me. After mentioning the many challenges, he faces, he concludes thus. Dear fathers, this month and the following month, I will be going again, visiting the families, and getting still more boys. Let us work together, understand each other, and help each other to get more vocations for our way of life and form them according to the spirit of Don Bosco. Thank you so much, and God bless you all.
Again on 3rd March, I sent a mail about the money transferred to the house for various purposes including vocation promotion. He talked to me about his desire to start o Media College as in the Province of Tiruchy, India. He said that many youngsters are interested in it. I gave the contact number of the priests in Alaigal Media who can help him in this venture. He had vision for the youth of Jaffna.
Finally on 4th March, his whatsapp message was “Dear father wish you very many happy returns of the day. May the Lord bless you and grant you good health of body and mind. I am in Madhu Church and will offer for you three hail Mary at the foot of our Lady. HAPPY BIRTHDAY FATHER.”
He was returning after a day of prayer and recollection. The Lord called him to himself. Though it was an accident, he was not allowed to suffer long but, in a few hours, he breathed his last.
On 7th March, Eucharist was celebrated by his lordship Antony Ranjith, the auxiliary bishop of Colombo and the Bishop of Galle Bishop Raymond together with the Salesians, His relative priests and clergy of the Colombo and Chilaw with many religious priests at Don Bosco Kotadeniyawa. Members of the Salesian family FMA, cooperators, ADMA and many friends joined the Mass. After Mass, the mortal remains were taken to the Salesian cemetery at Don Bosco Kotadeniyawa for Burial.
May his soul rest in peace.