Feast of St. Ignatius

It was a grand celebration at Mount St. Joseph - the celebration of the feast of St. Ignatius. As a preparation, the Novices conducted devotional novena marked with creativity, participation and devotion. Fr.Robert Cutinha brought St.Ignatius' experience alive during the recollection he gave. A solemn Mass was held in the morning. The beautifully decorated chapel and meaningfully arranged liturgy with the theme 'To set all afire', set the spiritual tone for the day. Later, the novices were led to a thrilling quiz competition which really tested their knowledge of the Society. A Benediction service was conducted for all the neighbouring Religious. For the dinner, a large gathering of our well wishers and neighouring Religious was present. In his brief welcome speech, the Rector introduced the new members of the community and the new ventures in the campus. An exhibition on the life of Ignatius won the admiration of the guests. Later in the evening a spectacular volleyball match was held between the Novices and the senior community. Indeed, the Novices were surprised to see the playing skills of the senior Fathers.

Get-together of the Loyola Institutions

It was a family get-together of the Loyola institutions at Mount St. Joseph on the occasion of the Feast of St. Ignatius. The programme began with a short prayer service conducted by the novices. The Rector warmly welcomed the gathering. Fr.Freddie in his humurous and thought provoking message asked the staff to be partners to carry forward the vision and mission of St. Ignatius. A short and well acted skit on the life of Ignatius by the novices put us in the mood of celebration. Mrs. Kripalini, the teacher in the school, reminisced her experiences in the school. Fr.John thanked everyone who made this event successful. The whole ceremony was well compered by Sch. Marcel.

IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY CENTRE (ISC):

Karnataka province has taken a new apostolic initiative in the form of Ignatian Spirituality Centre (ISC) shortly to be housed in a new building on the campus of Mount St Joseph, Bangalore, with the aim of sharing the riches of Ignatian Charism with all sections of the People of God through retreats, seminars, courses and guided study, with a special focus on Discernment, Spiritual Direction, Lay Leadership, Community Animation, Religious Formation, Retreat Direction, Personal Counseling, Youth Ministry and other related themes.

Apart from the regular courses to be organized by us, the residential and other facilities of the ISC will also be available for courses organized by others, for Assistancy-level meetings etc. The very first such programme will be the forthcoming JCSA meeting together with the Delegates of GC35, in mid-October 2007.Contact address:

Director ISC
C/o Mount St Joseph
PB 7645, IIMB Post
Bannerghatta Road
Bangalore 560 076

Tel: (080) 26580441, Mobile: 9901842750

'90, '91, '92 Novitiate batches

When I learnt to walk....

As the mother eagle feeds its young ones with love and care and makes them look up to the sky, so that one day they may fly, so was my experience of the First Probation in the Society of Jesus. Fr.Socius along with my guardian angel made me experience the love and care of the Society and gave me a glimpse of the life in the same Society.

Our First Probation lasted for fourteen days. During these days, Fr. Socius explained to us, what the Society expects of the candidates who wish to join the Society as mentioned in the General Examen of the Constitutions. Besides that Father took classes on Prayer and explained meticulously all the etiquette needed for a good living. Everyday, we had a talk from the senior member of the community. They shared about their past experiences in the novitiate, mission places where they turned iron into gold. I was very much touched when one of the priests said, “If you had no vocation and God had not called you then you would not have been here! This helped me to deepen my own call.

A good guide is the one who advises us on how to live and behave. I was accompanied by a good guide who taught me everything of the novitiate. Our Probation culminated in the Triduum preached by Fr. Socius. During those days, I experienced immense love of God. On 3^rd July, we formally entered the novitiate.

John Rayan Pereira

(Rayan is a first year novice, who shares his experience of the First Probation)

A warm welcome to Fr. Freddie

Don't you remember the parable of those maids waiting with lamps to receive that bridegroom? So were the novices, waiting eagerly to receive Fr. Freddie not with lamps but with bouquets, some half asleep...because this bridegroom too delayed to arrive and arrived only at 10 pm! Ably driven and accompanied by two strong men of Mundgod- Fr. Jeevan and Antony Joseph, Fr. Freddie reached safe and sound and looked fresh though the long drive of 13 hours was exhausting.
Fr. Freddie is a new member of our community from this year. Actually, he is the fourth time a member of this house. He was a novice, novice master and the rector of this place and now he will, with his expertise in the Ignatian Spirituality will animate the courses at the newly constructed Ignatian Spirituality Center.
A warm welcome to you dear Fr. Freddie!!!