J. P. de Fonseka

Caricature on left is by A.C.G.S Amarasekera and on right is by Colette.

J P De Fonseka was essentially an essayist and one of the greatest English writers of Ceylon, and undoubtedly our greatest Catholic writer. He is on par with the best of English essayists like Charles Lamb, E.V. Lucas, G.K. Chesterton or Hilaire Belloc. In fact he was natured in the Chester-Belloc school of writing.

J P’s articles have appeared not only in the local journals but also in foreign ones as well; such as the New Review of India, the Catholic Digest of America, the G.K’s weekly of London.

As Fr. Justin Perera has said, there never can be another J P De Fons. As a professor of English J P bestrode the corridors of St. Joseph’s like a colossus. More-over he had the rare honour and distinction of being a lay OMI and being called to be a papal chaimberlain; for his intelect was ablaze with heavenly thought.

Leonard Obris, From the Preface to the book ‘Select essays and verses of J P De Fonseka’, 1988.

But it was almost childish that he accepted the honour of being made a papal chamberlain. J P cherished this gift from His Holiness above all things, and was eagerly preparing to go to Rome to be a chamberlain in fact and thus be near the Holy Father.

And now he has his heart’s desire, for, from above he will be able to do more for the Holy father and for the Church and for all of us than he was ever able to achieve while on this earth. May his spirit live with us for ever.

Fr. Peter Pillai O. M. I, J P De Fonseka and the Chestor-Belloc school in retrospect, Blue and White 1949.

He had an infinite capacity to laugh at himself, particularly his great girth and other curicaturable features. He shared many jests with Chesterton, E.V Lucas, A.P Herbert and even Bernard Shaw. There was a delightful documentary evidence in his little house off Havelock Road of these intimate contacts with the famous.

Let us briefly review the contents of the full and happy life of this great good man. Outshining nearly every other student at St Joseph’s College in his day and being cricket captain as well; obtaining the highest university degrees; becoming an advocate, but refusing to practice as he much preferred to teach and write; on friendly terms with famous literary men in England; editing Chesterton anthologies; a Papal Chaimberlain and Honorary Oblate of Mary Immaculate; a professor of English; a Doctor of Letters, and above all a true friend; a large hearted man and one who indeed filled a large place in our cultural life. We should not willingly let his memory die.

Hilaire Janz, J P De Fonseka , A Tribute. Ceylon Fortnightly Review

“The mouth of the just utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks of justice. The law of his God is in his heart, and his footsteps shall never waver.”

May your footsteps never waver, dear Mr. De Fonseka, they have reached the threshold of the City of God. 

    For the rest, I am and remain,

    Dear Mr. De Fonseka, and my Dear Sir,

    Your friend and beneficiary,

 Fr. Justin Perera, An Epistle to J P de Fonseka, Blue and White 1948.

J. P. De Fonseka  1897 - 1948 

J.P took ill suddenly and was hospitalized for some time. He recovered and was about to leave when he got a relapse. He passed away clasping the hands of his beloved niece. He lay in state appareled as a papal chamberlain in the chapel of St. Joseph's, he loved so much. A very distinguished gathering accompanied him on his last journey to Kanatte where he was laid to rest.

                                                                                                                                                                                            L.O