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

Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola

“Love ought to be shown in deeds than in words” says Ignatius of Loyola in the Spiritual Exercises. The entire MSJ community was bursting with love for St Ignatius on his feast day. It all began with spiritual preparation during the nine days of the novena, a talk on the pilgrim saint by Fr Charles and the service of the penitential rite. Along with this, we had a great time knowing ourselves, our companions and the fathers during different activities like quiz, hymn composition, funny skits and many more under the banner ‘Fiesta 2021’. The show stopper was the drama on the life of St Ignatius, focussing his conversion. It was appreciated by all. It was a wonderful opportunity for the novices to exhibit their talents for the greater glory of God.

Reported By MF

ENTRANCE DAY -2021

 After an intense spiritual preparation during the first probation, under the leadership of Fr Merwyn, the Socius and the guidance of the head guide, Amith and other guardian angels – Darwin, Denver and Noel, our first-year novices were all set to enter into the second probation and regular novitiate life. They entered formally on July 12, 2021, after the solemn Eucharist, celebrated by Fr. Anthony Joseph, the Rector, concelebrated by Fr John Pradeep, the Novice Director, Fr Merwyn and other priests of the MSJ community. The main celebrant, Fr Anthony urged all, especially the first-year novices to be proud of the Society of Jesus. The day’s theme was ‘Love the Lord’. The MSJ community welcomed the first-year novices with a welcome song and a word of encouragement for their future in the novitiate.

MF

Vows Day and Farewell

 

It was indeed a proud moment on June 21, 2021, for the entire Karnataka Province of the Society of Jesus, when seven of her novices – Abraham, Anson, Joel, Mathew, Saul, Sohan and Steven – made their first commitment at Mount St Joseph, to lead their lives strengthened by the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, there was radiance amidst obscurity. The glow on the novices’ faces surpassed the gloom of the weather. The Eucharist was presided over by Fr. Provincial. The vovents were sure to have been inspired by the homily of Fr. Balaraju, the parish priest of Kalenaagrahara. After a short felicitation programme, all marched to the refectory for a sumptuous meal.
The juniors were given a farewell programme by the Mount St Joseph Community on the following day. It was quite an emotional programme with dance and funny skits. The juniors expressed their feelings of gratitude to their formators and companions and the second-year novices responded with a farewell song sung in their melodious voices.

MF

Feast of St. Joseph

 The Feast of St. Joseph was celebrated at Mount St Joseph in a simple and meaningful way. Fr. Merwyn Fernandes presided over the Eucharistic celebration. Fr. Arun Kumar preached a meaningful homily highlighting the silent yet the profound character of St. Joseph. Neighbouring religious, parishioners and the participants from Prerana were present for Eucharist. Novices added colour to the celebration through their melodious singing.