Rosary Procession

Hail Mary, full of grace! Commemorating the feast of Our Lady of Rosary brought in repels of joy to the novitiate community. 

We had a devotional celebration of the feast with the entire community of Mount St Joseph. The novices enlightened the celebration by praying to Our Lady through a reflective Rosary. 

The reflection revolved around the theme ‘Synodality.’ An ornate car was prepared for Our Lady which went around the house.

We prayed fervently through the intercession of Our Lady to bless all of us and the entire world during this Synodal year.

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! (psalm 133)

Novices sojourned at FISI (Franciscan institution of Spirituality, India) from October 10-14, 2022 to have a diligent study on the book of Psalms. Fr Salvador Fernandes, OFM Cap, the Director of FISI, welcomed us with winsome smile and love. The two-fold goal of the course was developing love towards Psalms and psycho-sexual integration. Franciscan charism was in action for couple of days. 

The movie on the life of St Francis of Assisi stimulated the novices to build the church in this contemporary world. Breviary was an apple of the eye which helped the novices to pray better with psalms. Novices savored the taste of the liturgy of the hour and began to love it. On October 14, we meticulously planned for recreation where everyone danced and enjoyed. 

The novices from SMMI congregation and the religious sisters who were doing their course on Franciscan spirituality accompanied us during the study of Psalms and doubled our joy.

Celebration of Mothi Fest at Mount St Joseph

Mount St Joseph, Sept 8, 2022: The 9 days of creative novena prayers by the novices and the senior Jesuits added rich essence to the commemoration of the Nativity of Mother Mary. 

The celebration of the birthday of Mama Mary brought forth an aura of ecstasy. The novices partook in the Eucharist celebrated in the pure coastal Konkani, in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Kalena Agrahara. 

The novices collaborated with the laity in reaching the higher notes and meddling with the lower ones to provide an experience of a mellifluous choir to the faithful gathered at the Eucharist. 

The tradition of the coastal belt of Karnataka, that is to have a festal meal as one family, sitting on the floor and eating from the banana leaf, was memorable. The novices were indeed delighted to help out in serving the delicious vegetarian meal. It was a boon for the novices as they were relieved from doing the scullery. 

We sang in unison ‘Laudate Omnes Gentes’, bearing in mind the graces received through our Lady. The novices had a splendid time as they shared their consolations with their parents over the phone.  

A creative rosary was conducted by Nov Royal R K and Nov Princeton D’Souza to mark the enchantment of the day and to enhance the love for our Lady.

Entrance Day of the Novices

“The holy banquet has been set, Lord has cleared our sinful debt” was the song soothing the minds of our five brothers on 19 June, 2022. 

Five passionate would-be novices Ranjith, Reuben, Jayanth, Avin and Pavan, three from Navasadhana and two from Loyola, ebulliently marched towards Mount St Joseph Novitiate. They savoured 15 days of probation together with Triduum under the tender care of Fr Nithin Machado, the Socius. 

They were meticulously guided by guardian angels Manvith, Abhishek and Vivek. After being moulded for 15 days they joined the crew of novices on 5 July, 2022 through the highest form of sacrifice. 

Fr Anthony Joseph, the Rector, celebrated the Mass. Fr Nithin Machado, the Socius to the Novice director, handed over the five loaves of bread symbolizing our five brothers to Fr John Pradeep, the Novice director.  

The 2nd year novices welcomed the nascent Jesuits through their mellifluous singing in the refectory followed by scrumptious dinner which met the expectation of newly born Jesuits. 

The sheep named Jackson which was missing from the herd of five companions joined the novitiate on 09 August, 2022 after finishing his degree final exams. Fr Socius directed him through the help of guardian angel Abhishek during his first probation. He was meaningfully led into second probation during the service of benediction on 14 August, 2022. 

Now the Crew is whole and positioned to navigate and explore in the vineyard of the Lord under the decisive direction of the Divine Master. The MSJ novitiate is now jam-packed to commence their journey inward with the arrival of 1st year novices.

Celebrating the Feast of St Ignatius of Loyola

July 31, 2022: “All things were made anew!” the novitiate community was sparkling with richness and cherishing the joy of celebrating the feast of St Ignatius. The feast was celebrated with much gusto. The novices with all their might and desire, worked hard to make the celebration a fruitful one. 

The feast of St Ignatius brought with it the gifts that St Ignatius had passed on to his followers: The Ignatian spirit. The Jesuit novices were reminded of the Ignatian charism and identity. The novitiate community celebrated the feast by animating the liturgy in the Jesuit Parish ‘Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Kalena Agrahara.

The novices honoured the mysticism of St Ignatius through the variant talks given by remarkable Jesuits during the celebration of the Ignatian Year. The community ended the Ignatian year with a gathering of the priests, religious and well-wishers during which a play was put up by the novices on the life of Fr Pedro Arrupe titled ‘Servant of God Pedro Arrupe: A man who saw all things new in Christ’. 

The novices showcased their creativity by adding tune to the poem “fall in Love, Stay in love” of Fr Arrupe. 

The feast of St Ignatius left an indelible mark in the hearts of all the people who joined us to celebrate the joy of the feast. 

FIRST VOWS & FAREWELL DAY 2022

Mount St Joseph, Bangalore, June 21, 2022: Giving praise to God and His mighty deeds, the novitiate community had yet another batch of novices professing their first and perpetual vows. The seven vovents, Amith, Darwin, Denver, Frewin, Merinth, Noel and Samuel said a whole-hearted ‘YES’ to the divine call as they professed their first vows. It was indeed a graceful event.

The Eucharist was presided over by Fr Dion, the Provincial, and concelebrated by Fr Anthony Joseph, the rector, Fr John Pradeep, the novice director, Fr Clarence, the preacher of the vows retreat and Fr Lawrence Fernandes, the homilist. The novices added beauty to the Eucharist through their singing. The theme “MECUM- with ME” was chosen by the vovents themselves. One could clearly see on their faces that they received the grace of Jesus being with them as they made their generous commitment. They are certain that this presence of Jesus is a ‘continued presence’ and would give them sufficient grace to continue committing themselves to Christ. 

“Time to say goodbye!” The hearts of the new juniors were heavy as they had to bid adieu, but their winsome smile stayed on. The farewell programme was packed with lots of entertaining events. The skit cum toast for the vovents was put up by the second year novices. The creativity involved in that skit was well appreciated. The novices also set the stage on fire through their groovy steps entertaining the community and the vovents. Thanks to the able assistance of the novice master and the socius, the farewell programme was a meaningful one.

Celebration of 4th Centenary of Canonisation of Saints Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier

 The Ignatian year prayer service by Fr John Pradeep, the coordinator and his team was an explicit message for the Jesuits to remember the celebration of the canonisation of Saints Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier. The celebration of the 4^th Centenary of the Canonisation of Saints Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier on 13 March was an outstanding event. The Holy Eucharist was celebrated by Fr Dionysius Vaz, the Provincial and the homily delivered by Fr Xavier Savarimuthu set the hearts of the Jesuits on fire. The event was complete with a drama by the Novices on the life of St Francis Xavier. Jesuits from the Bangalore zone had gathered for this remarkable event at MSJ. Fr Anthony Joseph, the Rector and Fr Gilbert Saldanha, the minister of MSJ set up a grand festal meal for all the Jesuits. The novices took care of the decorations and the liturgy. The MSJ community was bubbling with great joy as all the Jesuits had their cherishing experiences shared with each other.

Reported by Fr. Merwyn Fernandes

Feliz Navidad-2021

 “Go tell it on the mountains, over the hills and everywhere.”

The novices at MSJ prepared both internally and externally to celebrate Christmas. We were infected with God’s love and we went on to spread his infection with one another. Indeed, the fear of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 did not deter our spirit from spreading this infection-cum-vaccine of God’s love. We celebrated Christmas with our co-workers. The staff of Loyola institutions also shared their joy with us. It was a pleasure to sing carols and share the Gospel of love with the people in the old-age homes in the Holy Spirit convent and Alverna Bhavan. Christmas joy was complete during the exchange of gifts. 

- Reported by MF

The Feast of St Stanislaus Kostka

 The feast of St Stanislaus Kostka was a remarkable day for the Novices. The two-fold celebration of the feast and the birthday of the novice director Fr John Pradeep infused incredible joy in the Novitiate community. The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fr John Pradeep, the Novice director. The choir was led by the novices, who were elegantly trained by Fr Merwyn Fernandes, the Socius. The novices presented musical evening cum ice cream gathering for the senior priests of the community.  The vibrant talents of the novices were showcased lucidly. There was much enthusiasm and joy in the community as the feast and the birthday celebration came to an end.

- Reported by Fr. Merwyn