Springs of Gratitude

(Sch Lumnesh shares with us his thoughtful insights about life in the Juniorate)

A metaphor that has enhanced our formation as Juniors is “The Ocean”. With its consistence, openness, universality, the ocean symbolizes the formation of a Junior allowing diverse species to live in it. An Ocean allows numerous and varied minerals to flow into it, diverse species to regenerate and exit. This makes it universal and open. It was during our Juniorate that we as Juniors tasted the minerals of various cultures, experiences and opportunities.

Juniorate has its main purpose: formation in humanities, the development of language skills both spoken and written, the study of literature, an initiation into the human sciences and the scientific culture of our times.Apart from these we were trained to acquire skills to form habits of serious study and to develop a commitment to excellence by which we are constantly driven to reach out for the MAGIS.

Our minds were open to analyze, understand and reflect critically and creatively. The progressive integration of life in the Spirit, apostolic involvement and study was deepened in the Juniorate.It was more of freedom with responsibility to grow as a person in intellectual, spiritual, affective and social dimensions. We were trained to present convincing arguments logically, forcefully and persuasively. We were instilled with the spirit of team work, friendship and transparency.

The courses offered like; art appreciation, film appreciation, psycho-spiritual integration, social analysis, eco awareness, current sciences and time management has formed us to be an all-rounder. I place on record my sincere gratitude to all the staff of Vidyaniketan, South Indian Common Juniorate, Trivandrum for their tireless and selfless service in shaping us as men for others, well equipped to face the challenging situations that surround us. “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more, gratitude, makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.”