Just a Quiz - No Exam Nerves!

Taking a break from the routine, a quiz was conducted in the Novitiate on 14 October. To get into a huddle and to work in teams, 4 groups were created. The topics were vast enough for everybody to comment and prepare, but it was very relaxing. Covering almost the entire syllabus done in the classes and including current events and other topics, the quiz gave us a thorough brush up on our studies. Novice Vincent pens down his experiences as follows

VINCENT VIJAYAKUMAR: After a long gap, we had a quiz session which kept me thinking for an hour. Our librarians did a fantastic job in preparing the quiz. I personally think that the quiz has even more closely fastened the cord of our relationships in the community. The questions fascinated me and there was a good spirit of competition in all the groups. It was a time for us to relax in a virtual ‘exam hall.' Although I was in the team of losers, I calmly accepted my defeat. It has helped me to improve my knowledge beyond horizons.

ಅಮ್ಮ, ನೀ ನನ್ನ ಸರ್ವಸ್ವ

ತಾಯಿ ತೋರಿದ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯು ದೇವರ ಪ್ರೀತಿಗೆ ಸಮಾನ ಎಂಬ ಮನೋಭಾವವನ್ನು ನವಶಿಷ್ಯ ಜೋಯಲ್ ಸಂದೀಪ್ ಈ ಕವನದ ಮುಖಾಂತರ ಸಾರುತ್ತಾರೆ.

ನಾ ಉದರದಲ್ಲಿ ಜನ್ಮಪಡೆದಾಗಲಿಂದ
ನಾ ಬೆಳೆದು ದೊಡ್ದವನಾಗುವರೆಗೂ,
ನನಗೆ ಆಸರೆಯಾಗಿ ನಿಲ್ಲುವಳು ಒಬ್ಬಳೇ.
ಅವಳೇ ನನ್ನ ಅಮ್ಮ, ನನ್ನ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯ ತಾಯಿ.

ತನ್ನತನವನ್ನು ಮರೆತು ದುಡಿಯುವಳು;
ತನ್ನ ಮಕ್ಕಳ ಏಳಿಗೆಗಾಗಿ ಅವಳು,
ಕಷ್ಟಗಳನ್ನು ತಾನೆ ನುಂಗಿ ಸುಖವನ್ನು ಕೊಡುತ್ತ,
ಬೆಳೆಸಿದಳು ಅವಳು ನನ್ನನ್ನು ಪ್ರೀತಿಸಿ ಮುದ್ದಾಡುತ್ತಾ.

ಅವಳ ಅಪರಿಮಿತ ಪ್ರೀತಿಗೆ ಪ್ರತಿಯಾಗಿ ನಾನೇನು ಕೊಡಲಿ?
ಅವಳು ತೋರಿದ ಪ್ರೀತಿ ವಾತ್ಸಲ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಕೊಡುಗೆಯಾಗಿ,
ಅವಳ ಆಸೆಯನ್ನು ಪೂರೈಸಿ,
ಅವಳ ನಿಸ್ವಾರ್ಥ ಸೇವೆಗೆ ಚಿರಋಣಿಯಾಗಿ ಬಾಳಿ,
ಅಮ್ಮ ಎಂಬ ಪಾತ್ರಕ್ಕೆ ಮೆರುಗು ನೀಡಬೇಕು.

Fr Rector takes a bow on his Birthday!

All eyes were on Fr Francis Menezes, our dear Rector, as he celebrated his birthday, today, on 11 October. The day began for him with a very cheerful note - Soon after the wishes from the community scores of visitors came over to wish him; often wishing songs resonated in the house. Though he was over the moons today, the day was by no means relaxing. By evening, Fr Rector must have clasped at least a thousand hands!

The community as a family joined Fr Rector in the evening in thanking the Lord in a very meaningful Eucharistic celebration. In the evening, the Novices put a short birthday programme, with a skit which was very symbolic and was also a barrel of laughs. Fr Rector poured his heart out in a few words of gratitude that he expressed towards the end of the programme. As Fr Rector turns another leaf in his life of dedicated service, we wish him a very happy birthday and success in his endeavours.
"I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." Jeremiah 31:3

Provincial’s Annual Visitation - A Time of Grace!

Fr Francis Serrao, the Provincial, was in everyone’s lips here in Mount St Joseph as he came for the annual visitation from 02 to 06 October. His visit made us hark back to the visit and stay of Fr General in March this year. Indeed the visitation was a time of grace for all in the community, especially the Novices who constantly besought him for his blessings and words of advice in view of the Month’s Retreat and Mission Experiment which will commence in November . Fr Provincial's visit has strengthened all the members of the community spiritually. We are sure that his guidance will stand us in good stead in the near future. We thank the Lord for this grace.

Interview with Fr Javier Melloni SJ

Fr Javier Melloni SJ of the Spiritual Centre of the cave of St Ignatius in Manresa, Spain was here with us in September. Here are the excerpts of the interview with him.

Can you tell us about your work and the challenges in your mission?

I teach Theology in the Faculty of Theology of Catalonia (Barcelona). In the West, in spite of the secularism one can see a quest for spirituality. The main challenge is to offer a deep experience of God. God is the Abba of Jesus, the original fountain of everything. We are called to lead people to the source of their self, in the cave of their heart - from the exterior cave (St Ignatius’ cave) to their personal inner cave.

Father, what do you focus on in the retreat center?

Ignatian Spirituality leads to a deep experience of God that transforms the heart in order to find God in every person and in everything. Our goal is to lead people into the same experience of the Pilgrim (St Ignatius). People expect from us to have an open-mind and an open-heart and the wisdom of discernment in order to lead them in the depths of God and the Reality.

What gives you joy in the work that you do? What keeps you going? (Your personal inspiration)

When I live authentically and faithfully, when I celebrate the Eucharist with all my soul and with all my heart, then words, actions and thoughts flow luminous from within and they reach the hearts of the seekers. I am also in the Inter- Religious field. The encounters and meetings with other believers also nourish me.

What is the role of Ignatian spirituality in today's context?

The main contribution of Ignatian spirituality is the understanding of spiritual life as a process, a process from self-centredness to selflessness. What has to be discerned is whether a particular practice makes me more and more open to God, to others and to the world. It is not about contents but about dynamics. That is why Ignatian spirituality is very fit for our times.

What is the most important quality required of a Jesuit in the face of modern challenges?

The word ‘Jesuit’ comes from the Latin word “Jesu-ita” which means: “at the manner” (Ita) of Jesus,” “like Jesus”. So, like Jesus, two main things are required: to be rooted in the depth of the Father, the ultimate mystery of everything, and to be open to humankind, particularly the poorest and the excluded.

How can we attract the youth to Ignatian spirituality?

The characteristic of youth is authenticity, open mindedness, capacity to take risks and daring. If we live authentically, if we risk for the Lord and for the Gospel - that certainty will attract the youth; not because it is a strategy but because our lives will have the taste of Truth. That is what exactly happened with Jesus. We only have to be ita- Jesus, like Him.

Can you tell what it is to be a saint in today’s world?

To be a saint is the purpose of our vocation: to surrender our whole being to Christ. That means to feel, to look, to listen & to talk like Him. It requires all our life to make that transformation.

What did you like the most about your stay in India?

What I admire the most in Indians is the sense of the Divine. This gives you a very particular sense of life because you are deeply connected with the Absolute.

Thank You Fr Javier. (Interviewed by Novices Praveen Martis & Joseph Jerald)

Personalising the Feedback

Sharun Roy D’Souza: Every Jesuit is called to lead a life of action, reflection, evaluation and transformation. Feedback becomes an essential part of our Jesuit life. Fear and anxiety troubled within me when I faced the feedback for the first time. I gradually learnt the power of feedback sessions as it supplemented my self-knowledge. I have always been grateful to my companions for helping me grow after the feedbacks. The feedback that was held recently has also been useful to me like all the others that have come before and I am seeing a tremendous growth in me.

Leston Baptist Lobo: “A brother is a friend given by God to me!” Many questions dotted my mind as I began preparations for the feedback - Do I accept my brothers as they are? Do I reach out my hand in helping them grow? I felt responsible for my brothers. It was a time to walk hand-in-hand with my Lord and my companions. I was equally eager to receive and give feedback. I prayed sincerely for my companions during the past three days and hence I notice a warmth in my relationship with God and my companions.

Feedback Sessions - Pros and Cons!

The Joe-Hari window states that there are many shades in our personalities about which we are unaware. It is precisely for this reason that our Novitiate conducts feedback exercise every year at regular intervals. Each novice gets a complete feedback from his companions seated in a full circle. This year the Novitiate went into ‘feedback mode’ on 27, 28 and 29 September. It is not always pleasant receiving a feedback. The person receiving a feedback faces the 'firing squad' at point blank range! Though we were glum and gleeful after the sessions, we experienced tremendous growth in self-knowledge. Harold Bowden has aptly said, "Facts that are not frankly faced have a habit of stabbing us in the back." To internalize the lessons learnt, a day of recollection followed immediately after the feedback. Touching all the aspects of our nascent life in the Society of Jesus, the feedback became a very comprehensive and a constructive process.

"Each Year, one vicious habit rooted out, in time ought to make the worst man good" - Franklin

Athma Shakti Vidyalaya - A Haven of Love and Service

“I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:36) Athma Shakti Vidyalaya is a therapeutic community devoted to the care and rehabilitation of the mentally challenged young men and women. The name means a school of the power of the soul. It saw the light of day in 1979, when a group of concerned counsellors, psychotherapists and parents joined hands to form a registered non-profit charitable society with a main thrust of bringing stability and competence back into the youngsters facing mental difficulties, especially Schizophrenia. A maximum of 24 youngsters can be placed here. In the safe hands of experts and placed in a community, the patients with an average age of 20-30 years learn to have a hold over their feelings, to be reasonable, to accept oneself and then to gradually merge into the challenges of normal living. The patients receive a holistic psychotherapy treatment that channels their inner strength in effecting recovery, instead of relying on medication. Fr Henry (Hank) Nunn, the shepherd of this bouquet of charity and service has, by his diligent efforts, made it see its finest hour.

Athma Shakti Vidyalaya can be contacted as follows:

No. 113, Madhuban Colony, B.G. Raod, Hulimavu Village, Bangalore - 560 076. Tel: +918026581564. Email: frhanknunn@hotmail.com

My Learnings from the Inter-Novitiate Seminar

Roydon Misquith: Martin Luther says, “The prosperity of a country does not depend on the beauty of its buildings rather it consists in the number of its men of enlightenment and character.” This saying adequately reflects the lessons that I have learnt from the recently conducted Inter-Novitiate Seminar on "Fundamentalism and Inter-religious Dialogue." Fr Terence Farias SJ broadened my knowledge and brought a change in my idea about religion and culture. I am grateful to everyone who has been responsible for helping me change my view of other faiths.

Calvin: The only way, according to me, to promote peace and unity among different religions is by Inter-Religious Dialogue. The relevance of this much spoken topic was adumbrated by the Inter-Novitiate course on "Fundamentalism and Inter-Religious Dialogue." It opened the closed windows of my mind to understand and accept the values and richness of other religions and showed me how in unity we can promote peace and justice. Mutual respect among the people of different faiths can go a long way in building up the Kingdom of God.

My Mother, the Society of Jesus

Mother, you are the trust and virtue of my world
It is because of you I have a vision for my life
It is to you that I owe my existence and my entire life

Mother, you are my everything
Mother, you are the essence of my being
Mother, you are within me
Mother, you are the wonder
I do not fear as you bring strength
You are beyond words and expressions
You are my life's most beautiful gift
And I am indebted to you forever,
My sweet Mother!
(This poem flowed out of novice Vinod Saldanha's heart on 27 September, the day which marked the approval of the Society of Jesus)

Building Bridges Over Creeks of Hatred

It was an Inter-Novitiate Course that really shook us up and made us listen with total attention. The third Inter-Novitiate Course of the year on the topic "Fundamentalism and Inter-Religious Dialogue" was held from 19 to 21 September. No other person would have been apt to take the lead other than Fr Terence Farias, Superior of Manvi Jesuit Mission. As time passed by and as new ideas were introduced to us, our misgivings about other religious persuasions bit the dust. Fr Terence with his characteristic flair and expertise showed us the need to respect all religions as pathways to one God who makes no distinctions. The words “People of other faiths are not our competitors rather they are our collaborators”, from the Second Vatican Council was the slogan of the entire course.

The gritty videos on Mangalore Church attacks and the plight of the tormented Christians of Kandhamal showed us how mishandling of the idea of religion for ulterior motives can wreak havoc on innocent faithful. We are called to be truly religious and truly loving and caring persons. Let us join together and give witness to the liberation of our country. “There are many faiths, but the spirit is one, in me, in you and in everyone” Leo Tolstoy.

Interview with Fr Simon Furtado SJ

(Novice Praveen Martis spoke to Fr Simon Furtado on the occasion of his 93rd birthday. Here are the excerpts of the Interview)

How special has your 93rd birthday been to you?

I got up that morning with this song going on in my head: “And when I die, ‘Hallelujah I will cry, I will fly away, O Glory, I will fly away...”

Father, you are a man fascinated by the Word of God. Can you speak about it?

It was my father who taught me to love the Bible. After he retired from government service, in Africa, the whole family shifted to Richmond Town, Bangalore. My father took me daily to 5:30 a.m. Mass in St Patrick’s Church. And the way he participated in the Mass was the best lesson for me. He was very happy when I joined the Jesuits. The Word of God is creative and touches the depth of our being. The Bible was written by men and women moved by the Spirit. And when I read that Word, the Spirit contained in it touches my subconscious and transforms me.

How would you like to describe your life, if you are asked to do so in one word?

BIBLE.

What keeps you active and energetic?

The WORD OF GOD. We are told in the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius that the subject of the morning meditation should be recalled before going to bed. There is deep spirituality behind this. When I lie down in bed and repeat the sentence which summarises the morning meditation, the subconscious continues to repeat it even when I am fast asleep. It enters the subconscious and touches and cures the tendencies to sin. Six, seven, eight hours wasted in bed are now sanctified.

Happy Birthday Fr Furtado!

A grand celebration was awaiting Fr Simon Furtado on 22 September when he celebrated his 93rd birthday. He was in great spirits. He waved his hands gleefully when the Novices sang a birthday song for him. He took extra time to squeak and blabber at his best friends, the Love birds in front of the cage. In the community Mass at 7.15 p.m. he broke the shell of reticence and recounted his past days - the time of his Baptism, his naming after St Moras, the first book he bought (on the life of St Moras), his brief stint in Nagaland, the call to be a co-worker with Jesus and the consolation he gets in his present retreat ministry. What is amazing and inspiring in Fr Furtado is that despite his advanced age, he doesn’t take the help of even a walking stick! He is actively involved in giving retreats. It seems that time takes a backfoot as he goes stronger and lively as the days pass. As Fr Furtado clears another milestone in his life, we wish him well and ask God to bless him abundantly.
"Our lives live on forever in the lives we touch."