Novitiate Life - Tracing God (Nithin)

Nithin Coelho: My life is like a spider's web. The web is ugly or beautiful depending on what settles on it, whether dust or the morning dew. My past life tasted so bitter when the dust of sinfulness settled on it. But now, my life appears to me as a blessing. My life is beautiful because God has lavished His love upon it. These words from Matthew 16:26 "For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life?" call me dedicate my life for the ineffable love of God. My Month-retreat provided strength for the turnaround I needed in my life. Since then, I have committed my web of life to the God's faithful love. My life in the Novitiate has taught me to nurture this commitment, which is the root of my vocation. Thus I sum up my experiences of the Novitiate with one quote, "Growth shall never cease as far as life refuses to cease."

Novitiate Life - Tracing God (Sameer)

Sameer Francis: Barely two years ago, I was like an unsupported creeper, knowing not how to live life and bear fruit. Then, I found Jesus waiting to abide in me and to give life – life in abundance. I had to cooperate with Him. I strove to meet Him and found a pillar of support in the person of Jesus as I took the first steps of faith in the Novitiate. He did not let me down. The Month-retreat which I made in October 2010 opened the eyes of my heart to see Christ abiding in me. “Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me” (John15:4). My personal experience of Jesus in the life of prayer and work in the Novitiate is the sweetest experience I cherish. None other than Jesus gives me meaning in life. As a Jesuit, I want to nurture the God experience in me by keeping Jesus as the centre of my life. “Love doesn’t grow if you leave it on the shelf.”

Novitiate Life - Tracing God (Sharun)

Sharun Roy D’Souza: I set out to an unknown land of spiritual formation. The path was not clear in my mind. On a bright day in the forest, I saw a tunnel which tickled my curiosity and urge to move towards it. The inside view of seemed to me that the tunnel way is not for the ordinary, but is meant only for the adventurous. My aim was clear - To have the strengthening experience for dedicating my life in the service of the one who has called me. The words of Jesus, “I am the way, the truth and the life” strengthened me. In the darkness, I closed my eyes and walked onwards, tuning my heart to the same words which resounded deep in my heart. Despite the difficulties of the way - the stones, the thorns, etc., my trust in Jesus kept me going. At last, I found the resurrected Jesus with his arms open full of light at the end of the tunnel, ready to embrace me. The journey was one of the best experiences of my life. Outside the tunnel, I found a gift, a formula - Life is like a mirror. We get the best results when we smile at it.

Novitiate Life - Tracing God (Sudeep)

Life in the Novitiate for any budding religious is marked by very rich experiences that solidly found one’s life in the Trinity. Mount St Joseph Novitiate is approaching the bend of the road as another term approaches its near end. The faith journey of the Novices has been unique to each one. The rich personal experiences of the Novices are an evident sign of the working of the hands of God. God experience is a shared experience.At the climax of their Novitiate journey, the second year novices are filled with gratitude to God. We present you a few lines from their journal of life. The series, ‘My Novitiate Life’ will be presented in parts in the ensuing days.

Sudeep Pinto:As I look back at my life in the Novitiate, my heart fills with gratitude and praise to Almighty God. I compare myself to a lump of clay in the hands of the potter. My intimate relationship with Jesus has moulded and shaped me into a beautiful pot. I can surely say that my life has undergone a transformation by the personal experience and assimilation of God’s love. My life has become brighter and more meaningful. Like the rose that unfolds in the morning, I was gently opened up by Jesus, whom I consider as my best friend. “No one has greater love than this to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) – These words of Jesus give meaning to my existence. I have also tasted the Cross which cannot be denied in the life of anyone who loves. The company of Jesus in facing the gruelling times of life has revealed me my preciousness. No matter how we are, what we are and where we are, He loves us very much. This thought consoles me within me. “God has a plan for every one’s life – that’s all we want to know…”

Joyful Feast of St Joseph, our Patron

Ite Ad Joseph - Go to Joseph

We fondly remembered our patron saint, St Joseph, on His feast day on March 19. The day was indeed a significant day for all at Mount St Joseph as it brought us nearer in spirit to the foster father of Jesus Christ. The community Eucharist early in the day aptly brought out the mood of the day. Speaking on the holy life of St Joseph, Fr Hilario Fernandes during the homily, invited us to ponder deeper on the spirituality of St Joseph. His words left a sweet afterglow in our hearts throughout the day. A day of rest and a good game of volleyball in the evening relaxed us. The community too participated in the games and Fr Henry Saldanha became the star of the occasion who, like in the good old days, played with his cassock on. Although we went about with our normal activities, we did not fail to miss the feeling of joy of belonging to one family and one home, which St Joseph brings to our community every year and we are grateful to him. 

“Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.” Sean O’Casey

Cut Out for Mission - Spirituality of our Constitution

The much awaited course on the Spirituality of the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus was one of the best in the second term of the Novitiate. Fr Jossie D’Mello condensed the entire matter of the Constitutions and made it delectable to be grasped by the Novices from March 12 to 14. His talks fired in us the motivation for deep learning and introspection. Connecting the Constitutions to the Spiritual Exercises and the Autobiography of St Ignatius, Fr Jossie drew a clear picture of the spirit of the Society of Jesus. “Mission is the heart of our spirituality”, he stressed. To make matters more interesting and practical, he candidly connected the points to the apt little details of our lives in the Novitiate, which sometimes gave us the blushes. The course has helped us assimilate the mind and heart of the Society. We are grateful to Fr Jossie for making us drink deep from the fountain of Jesuit spirituality and bringing us back inspired in the service of God.  

"Teaching children to count is not as important as teaching them what counts"

At Another Time... A Lenten Poem

'At Another Time...' is a poem written by novice Leston Baptist Lobo. It tries to portray the poignant image of the first Good Friday. It prepares our hearts as we approach the day when our God climbed up Mount Calvary to die for each one of us. 

 

"No, you must not be out in the hot sun"

I said to my wife, Magdalene

"Though I am a poor blacksmith, 

I can look after my family"

To my surprise, A Roman came 

On horseback yelling at me

My only son ran to his mother's side

"Quick! Bring me the nails

That I ordered yesterday!

I lifted them up to him in my shivering hands

He grabbed them and set out on his way

In the hot sun, I joined my neighbours

to see the execution taking place

A long haired man with blood all over him

was made to lay on the cross on the hill

I heard weeping, yelling, cries and what not

When the sharp nails pierced his flesh - O what agony!

I looked at him and he looked at me

Then he was lifted up for all the world to see

As the ground turned red with his blood, I said

"I am sorry!" He lowered his eyes to me and said

"Do not worry. These nails are not that sharp to me"

The Livewire - Fr Hilario Fernandes SJ

We got a wonderful opportunity to talk to the ever lively and energetic Fr Hilario Fernandes – the live wire of Mount St Joseph. Actively engaged in the retreat ministry, he lives and breathes his work, as it is evident in his words. Here is Fr Hilario at his best.

What gives you contentment with life at present?

With the conflicting thoughts and feelings that grow with relentlessly advancing years, the only steadying thought is the conviction of God’s unconditional love. With God’s grace, the conviction steadily grows that we are sinners, but called to be companions of Jesus. The fine book ‘Broken but Loved’ by Jesuit Fr George Maloney explains this so well: “Healing comes from Jesus Christ. No matter how broken and dark our condition is, we can be healed and brought into the light of Jesus Christ…Jesus still needs us, broken limbs of the vine, but now healed by His Spirit of love.”

Tell us about your own spiritual journey and your journey in the retreat ministry in the past few years.

For the past eleven years I have been in the retreat ministry here in Dhyanashrama (apart from the nine years in this ministry in Singapore) To be a spiritual and retreat director is an awesome privilege! And it is my constant wonder that God has taken such an enormous risk by entrusting such a delicate ministry to sinful men like us! Many, if not all, retreatants and directees bare their souls to me in unquestioning trust, trusting me to lead them on the path of healing and holiness! The only feedback that makes me happy is when they tell me they have discovered Jesus, and have fallen deeply in love with Him. I’m disappointed when they praise me, because it means I’m drawing their attention away from Him.

What keeps you full of energy and enthusiasm?

If it is there, then it is God’s pure gift to me! All I know is that I never get bored. I am still enthusiastic about life, still interested in world events, both secular and religious, still interested in persons, still passionately interested in our beloved Society!

Wit and humour is the spice of your life. Can you share something about it?

I know I’ve inherited this from my mother. With her broken English (We spoke Portuguese) she could keep you in splits of laughter for hours! (I remember Pope Pius XII once blessed a group of comedians because they made people laugh – in our sad and broken world. It is a great help in my retreat and counselling ministry.)

In a sentence, your philosophy of life…

It is impossible to condense something so personal and profound in ‘one sentence.’ But there is one conviction that runs steadily through my life. Jesuit Fr Peter van Breemen has expressed it beautifully for me: “Faith is the realization that we are loved by God in a creative, reliable, intimate, respectful, unique and personal way. God loves me as I am. He calls me by my name.”

A life of 60 years in the Society of Jesus is a gift indeed. Have you any word of advice to budding Jesuits?

At this age, I am wary about dishing out advice, because I know no one is really listening. Anyway, I’ll risk it. My advice to you is based on these frequently-quoted words of Fr Arrupe: “For me, JESUS CHRIST IS EVERYTHING!” Fall in love with Jesus! And build your entire life on His values – the values of the Gospel. And – PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! Be persons of prayer! Cultivate a tender, filial love for Mary, Queen and Mother of the Society. My Mother! This is my final prayer for you – in the words of St Paul: “I pray that…you will be able to grasp with all Christians how wide and deep and long and high is the love of Christ, and to know for yourselves that love so far beyond our understanding!” (Ephesians 3:17-18) – AMDG –

Your favourite joke…

There are far too many to select one. Most of my jokes are, I think, situational – depending on the occasion, the connection and the audience. Here’s one, about Jesuits of course. A doting mother was trying to select a congregation for her son. She approached a priest: “How long is the Franciscan’s formation? “Eight years.” “And the Redemptorist?” “About eight years.” What about the Dominicans?” “I think about the same.” “How long does Jesuit formation take?” “Fifteen years.” “Ah! That’s it! That’s the congregation for my son! He’s a slow learner.”

Thank You Father for sharing with us.

A Splendid Day – Novices’ Day 2012

A splendid year of inter-novitiate activities was given a fitting finish on the Novices’ Day held on March 4 at Mount St Joseph. The events of the day were a fruit of the combined efforts of five Novitiates - Alverna Sisters, Guanellians, FSI sisters, Holy Spirit sisters and the Jesuits. Fr Loddy SDB was the resource person for the talk in the morning who presented a whole new view of new evangelization. Punctuated with video clips and group activities, the talk gave a perfect start for the day. During the Eucharist at midday, Fr Loddy invited the Novices to share their vocation stories. After the fellowship lunch, the Novices were in the limelight during the cultural programme. Their thrilling performances clinched the attention of the audience. We were happy to have many religious, candidates, children and students from the neighbouring religious houses to witness the event. The talk by Fr Matthew, the Chief Guest added a poignant touch to the programme. We are grateful to our formators who were always behind us to give us a supporting hand. Novices’ Day became a wonderful occasion for sharing, learning, reflection and celebration and we thank everyone who have joined hands in making this day a fulfilling experience. 

"To live a creative life we must lose our fear of being wrong." 

Welcome Fr Aveline D'Souza

The arrival of Fr Aveline D'Souza to Mount St Joseph community on 1st March is the big news creating ripples in the community. Fr Aveline celebrated his golden jubilee in the Society of Jesus last year and with his arrival, the Mount St Joseph community gains another jubilarian. Since the veteran is not in the best of his health, he is rarely found outside his room. As we welcome Fr Aveline into our community we pray for his speedy recovery.

Interior Life Scan – Course on Spirituality

Fr Jossie D’Mello with all his expertise was at his best as he took us deeper into the realm of spirituality. The Inter-novitiate Course was held in FSI convent from February 27 to 29. The complex labyrinthine ideas of the study of spirituality were neatly reduced to breathe new life into the understanding of the Novices. This is the specialty of Fr Jossie’s teaching methods from which we benefited a lot. We were fully involved in the creative presentations. The presentation of our Congregation’s spirituality brought the best out of our creativity. Proceeding with simplicity, Fr Jossie deftly blended spirituality with everyday life and thus enabled interiorisation. Big thanks to Fr Jossie and the religious community at FSI convent for bringing out the course.

“One should remember God more frequently than one breathes.” St George Nazianzen