A Praying Family - Province Retreat

Beacon of Prayer

The Jesuits of our province have come back to their mother house for a week of prayer and stay with the Lord. Fr Tony J D’Souza SJ of Bombay Jesuit province is guiding the retreatants and ensuring the re-load of their spiritual batteries. Mount St Joseph has again become a spiritual powerhouse by supporting 54 province members this year in the retreat. The 8-day retreat commenced in the evening of 15 April and it is scheduled to end on 23 April. We join the retreatants in praying that the power of Jesus may empower every work of our province.

“The family that prays together stays together”.

Time to be Time-Conscious - A Poem

Here is a short and spontaneously written poem by Novice Maxim D’Souza. Read it. It will not cost you a lot of your time.

Punctuality can be learnt from nature.

The sun rises at the exact time set by the creator.

No one needs to remind it. It knows to shine according to the time.

The sun teaches us the value of punctuality.

Our human tendency is to delay our work.

If the sun makes its own time to rise, the world would suffer.

At the due time, the sun prepares itself to set. 

Let us be like the sun in our day-to-day activities. 

When we value time, we value life.  

"To have what we want is riches; but to be able to do without is power". George Macdonald

Celebrating Commitment – Province Jubilee

Mount St Joseph chapel became the point of intersection for the province Jesuit family on the way to greet the seven jubilarians. The province jubilarians – Frs Simon Furtado (60 years as a priest) Claude D’Souza, (50 years as a priest) Maxim Rasquinha, Stanislaus Miranda (60 years as Jesuits), John Mendonca, Boniface Lewis and Pradeep Sequeira (50 years as Jesuits), with the testimony of their lives have inspired the entire province. In one voice, the province family thanked the Lord for the gift of these seven committed lives during the Holy Mass in the morning. Many were too willing to speak and shower praises on the jubilarians during the felicitation function. Fr Francis Serrao SJ, the Provincial thanked them for playing a crucial role in building our province. The ever-young in spirit, Fr Denis Coelho with his cheeky humour took the function by storm as he proposed the toast. In the course of their many years in religious life, the jubilarians have gleaned a lot of experience, which was shared by Fr Pradeep during the homily and by Fr Maxim during the felicitation programme. The entire event took on a festive mood and it became a great occasion to spend time with the other. We congratulate the jubilarians and pray that they may continue to inspire many by their lives of unflinching commitment to the Lord and the Society of Jesus.

“The distance is nothing; it is only the first step that costs.” Mme. Du Deffand

A Talk with Fr Henry - Lit with Literature

Fr. Henry D'Almeida

Fr Henry D’Almeida SJ is a professor of Indian Philosophy and Religion at Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune. His philosophical expertise is as well known as his command over Kannada language and literature. Every year, he makes his way to our Novitiate to give Kannada course to the Novices. This year we thought it good to know more about the Kannada guru’s personal interest in Kannada. This interview was taken precisely for this reason. 

Father, what urged your deep study in Kannada Sahitya? When did it begin? 

 Kannada has a rich history of 1500 years. The earliest record goes back to Halmidi shasana of 450 CE. This language abounds in literary and spiritual beauty. The early interest nurtured during my high-school days urged me to cultivate a deep personal interest.

You spoke about auto-formation in the course. Is your fascination and expertise in Kannada a result of auto-formation?

Though I studied as a Kannada medium student till my SSLC, my present interest and knowledge to a great extent are a result of personal study. A crash course given by Fr Jerome D’Souza SJ during my Juniorate also contributed towards this end.

Can you tell how the study of Sahitya (literature) enriches one’s spiritual life? 

Sahitya or literature means life. Kannada literature has rich religious literature belonging to Jainism, Veerashaivism and various traditions of Hinduism like Dvaita, Advaita and Visistadvaita. Even Christian literature is quite much. One can mention two recent epics on Jesus Christ – Siribhuvana Jyoti by B. S. Talwadi and Yesu Mahadarshana by Lata Rajashekar. I strongly believe that the study of Kannada literature can enrich one’s spirituality.

Which Kannada literary figure approaches closest to Christian thought and faith? 

The compositions of Basavanna and his followers strongly advocate the values of the Kingdom of God i.e., equality, classless society, dignity of women, work as worship, human being as the temple of God, etc. The Dasa Sahitya celebrates the love of God and servant spirituality in the Kirtans.

What does a person lose if he/she fails to at least become familiar with the literary treasures of his/her culture? 

We cannot be abstract human beings. Our identity is formed by a particular socio-cultural milieu. If a person fails to acquaint oneself with the local literature, I would say that he/she has become a less of human being.

What is the greatest lesson you have learnt in pursuit of your Kannada studies? 

It has broadened my view of other religions and given me a greater sense of belonging to my land and my people.

Thank you, father.

Au Revoir Fr Sunil; Welcome Fr John Pradeep

Thursday, April 12 was a happy-sad day for the Novitiate community. With the handing-over of the Assistant Novice Director’s files to the Fr John Pradeep, our dear Fr Sunil Fernandes brought an end to his colourful 4-year term as Assistant Novice Director. In order to give him a fitting farewell, the Novitiate community gathered around the altar in the Novices' Chapel for the Eucharist in the morning. Fr Willie Sequeira, the Novice Director thanked his outgoing Socius and faithful companion Fr Sunil for his support, and welcomed the newly ordained Fr John – both his former novices. Sadness was tucked in amidst smiles and laughter during the farewell & welcoming ceremony held in the afternoon. It became a suitable occasion for the Novices to utter words of thanks to their dear Fr Socius. Fr John Pradeep will take over Fr Sunil’s role as the blog administrator. We thank Fr Sunil for his contribution in the successful running of our blog. We are immensely grateful to Fr Sunil Fernandes for his generous service in the Novitiate community and we wish him luck as he steps out for his tertianship. 

"This body is for service to others" Kalidasa 

Novitiate Life - Tracing God (Calvin)

Calvin George Michael: I was planted in the “School of the Heart”, where I grew slowly and steadily, turning out to be a flowering plant. I became attractive and admirable. Behind the attractiveness, there was painful pruning and also joyous growth, which enriched my life. Close to me, I heard the whisper of Jesus, “I came that you [they] may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) Unconditional love was lavished on me by God. The bridge between Jesus and me was the Month-retreat. Jesus became the superhero for my imitation. This was, in short, the story of how I started bearing beautiful and fragrant flowers. 

“The only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude.” Dennis S. Brown

Aloha Dear Companions-Community Farewell

"Make me like the flower in the field"

"We are not sad today. Really not!” These were the words of Fr Francis Menezes, the Rector to the community gathered for the farewell function of the five members of our community – Sch Cyril Castelino, Fr Francis Noronha, Sch Norwin Pereira, Fr Sunil Fernandes and Fr Thomas (Tom) D’Souza. The farewell programme was held on April 11, Wednesday. Fr Hilario Fernandes conducted a creative and specially prepared community prayer. The highlight of the prayer was the concept of ‘Mission” from the viewpoint of the Church and the Society of Jesus. Amidst remarks that brought forth smiles in the chapel, we heard how farewells were done in the Society in the past, especially of St Francis Xavier by St Ignatius. The community gathering was organised by the Novices. As Jesuits, the entire body of the Society is our community and so there are no welcomes and farewells – This was the general idea of the speech of Fr Henry Saldanha who thanked the five outgoing members for their presence and service in the community. We thank Almighty God for the gifts of these five companions and we pray that He may continue to guide them in their life of service. 

“We imitate only what we believe and admire.” R. A. Willmott

Kannada-Sahitya-Anubhaava-Saurabha

"From fullness, fullness is produced"

For three consecutive days starting April 9, the second year Novices smelt the rich fragrance of Kannada literature. The three-day crash course on Kannada literature titled ‘Kannada- Sahitya-(Kannada literature) Anubhaava (Mystical experience)- Saurabha (Fragrance)' was held in Mount St Joseph by Fr Henry D’Almeida SJ, professor of Indian Philosophy and Religion in JDV, Pune. The course took us back to our long forgotten and happily remembered high school and college days where we tried to decipher the meaning of medieval Kannada scripts. We digested the nuance and hidden meaning of a few Sanskrit mantras, Kannada proverbs, verses from  Bhagavadgita, etc. Under the able guidance of Fr Henry, we discovered the perennial streams of wisdom, faith and mystical experience hidden in the Vachanas, Kirthans and other Kannada compositions. A test at the end of the course ensured integration. The course, which was a new experience for us, has kindled the fire of enthusiasm for Kannada literature. We sincerely thank Fr Henry D’Almeida for helping us rediscover our love for Kannada and guiding us to develop sensitivity towards other faiths.

“Compassion is the source of every religion.” Basavanna 

Novitiate Life - Tracing God (Praveen)

Praveen Kiran Martis: Life unfolds as it takes its course, and this unfolding in my Novitiate has been a happy experience. God very much appears to me as a divine artist, who has been working in my life which is His artwork. It is a joy to see a painting in the process of its creation. I have often seen my drawing sir patiently sketching an unknown portrait, and then adding layers and layers of shades and colours. Each each one of my sir’s artworks have amazed me and moved me. At other times, when I attempted to try drawing, my master’s corrections have confused me and failed to appeal to my understanding. Only at the end of the picture did I learn how accurate his calculations were. God’s working in my life has been something like this. St Paul says in I Corinthians 13:12, "Now I know only in part; then I will know fully..." I have sometimes failed to understand his moves, but in the corner of my heart, I know that God knows what He is doing. I am thankful to God for everything. 

“God brings us into deep waters, not to drown us, but to cleanse us”

Novitiate Life - Tracing God (Vasanth)

Albert Vasanth V ‘A life of continuous dialogue with Jesus’ is what my Novitiate life has been. A free flowing and life giving river gives a good image for this part of my life. Noise rules our lives and so silence tends to upset us. Silence was a challenge at the beginning of my Novitiate until I realised that God was not in the noise. In the silence of my heart I searched for God and then I heard Him whisper to me, “You are precious in my sight, and honoured, and I love you.” (Isaiah 43:4) God shaped me and moulded me according to His will during the Long-retreat. His spirit is acting through me and my life and vocation is now sustained and strengthened by the unconditional love of God.

“I wept because I had no shoes, until I saw a person who had no feet.”

May the Joy of Easter be Yours

The Risen Christ

Empty Tomb

Mount St Joseph Jesuit community wishes you a Blessed Easter! Easter is a wellspring of joy, hope, encouragement and newness and its coming has strengthened us spiritually. The joy of the Risen Lord in our community and our desire to share this joy with others became the central experience of the feast of the Resurrection of our Lord. Fr Francis Menezes, the Rector was the main celebrant of the English Easter Vigil Mass in Immaculate Heart Church. The majestic voices of the Novices in the choir that spread the joy of the occasion infused colour and spirit into the Eucharist. On Easter Sunday, the Novices who were out for the Sunday ministry joined the entire community for the Benediction at Noon, the central occasion of the day to thank the Lord. We felt the presence of the Risen Lord in our midst in the normal activities of the day and thereby experienced the joy He brings. May the joy of Easter be with you at all seasons of the year.

“Anyone who knows Easter cannot despair.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Novitiate Life - Tracing God (Vincent)

Vincent Vijayakumar J: Once a rough stone was brought to a sculptor. The sculptor cleaned it, worked on its uneven shapes and made it undergo a variety of treatments. It was painful for the stone to experience the hard strokes from the sculptor’s chisel. The difficult and painful process ended when a statue emerged from the stone. I am that stone and God is the sculptor who carved out a beautiful statue in me through my formators, who are like the chisel. My life has become a blessing; it is beautiful because God has lavished His supreme love on me. The grace of God has illuminated my life with goodness. The well-known words of St Paul have become my mantra, “If God is for us, who against us?” (Romans 8:31)

"God is still working on me!"

With Christ – Holy Week in MSJ

Altar of Repose

Holy Week became an  apt time for the renewal of our spirit by tasting the unconditional love of God for us. We were taken back in spirit to “the day that changed the world” 2000 years ago during the Holy Week. A deep silence descended in the ambience as we prepared internally at the climactic moments of Lent. On the three days of Sacred Triduum, the entire community gathered in the Main Chapel for praying together with the Church. The rich prayers prepared us for the day. We were in the Parish for the Liturgical services of the Holy Week. The Way of the Cross on Good Friday was guided audio-visually by the Novices. It opened our eyes to the heart-rending scenes of Christ suffering in His many sisters and brothers. In our chapel on Holy Saturday, the Novices led the way during the Remembrance of the Seven Sorrows of Mother Mary, in which the parishioners took part. We prayed with the Mother of God as we moved in procession from the Chapel to the cemetery. Silence and recollection took us deeper into the mystery of God’s supreme love for His creation and brought us out renewed, refreshed and energised spiritually into the joy of Easter. 

"The more I learn, I come to learn how much I do not know."