Fr. Victor Piovesan- 60 Years in the Society

(Fr.Victor Piovesan teaches Systematic Theology at St.Joseph's Seminary, Mangalore. As he completes 60 fruitful years in the Society of Jesus this year, msjblog was privileged to interview him on this occasion)

Could you share with us your vocation story in brief?

At the age of 13 I had joined the Diocesan Seminary of the Diocese of Trevesio(Italy). Those were years of war: joys and sufferings. I completed my Licentiate with Philosophy and Classical Maturity. During those years the Lord was inspiring me to work for Ecumenism. Directed by my Spiritual Director, I joined the Society on October 7^th 1947, with the request to be sent to work for Ecumenism. But the Lord changed my plans and on June 21^st 1948 when still a Novice, the Provincial asked me to volunteer for the Indian Mission. The response cost me much, mostly for my parents and the parishioners who expected to see me as a Priest. But after prayer and discernment I said my YES; and on August 1950 I sailed from Genova, together with my companion, Br. Luigi Perego, for India.

After completing my theological studies at Kurseong, I was assigned from Calicut to Mangalore Province, with the ministry of teaching Philosophy and Theology in St. Joseph’s Seminary Mangalore!

During these long years I had to face several dangerous diseases: Hemorrhage (1972), heart attack (1991), Heart surgery in Italy (1996), etc. Now at the age of 80, I am preparing for the last stage of my pilgrimage to reach my Heavenly Father!

What is the best thing about being a Jesuit?

I thank my Heavenly Father for calling me to be a companion of His incarnate Son, Jesus Christ. From the Noviciate to this day, I am enjoying being a companion of Jesus: deepening my personal knowledge of Him, experiencing His abiding presence in me, etc. My Theology has helped me to deepen my spiritual life, which is totally centered on JESUS CHRIST for the service of the Church.

What are your happiest memories about?

My Novitiate, my life in Kandy and Kurseong, my work in the Seminary, in particular my commitment to Ecumenism in Mangalore; my teaching of theological courses at IMD (Goa for 25 years), at JVD (Pune), and Vidyajyoti (New Delhi) and at the Morning Star (Calcutta).

What lessons has life taught you?

Life has taught me that true fulfillment and happiness is found in accepting God’s mysterious will, to say YES to the father, in union with Jesus through the inspiration and power of the Holy Spirit. The heavenly Father loves me as His child; hence I have no worry, but only desire to discern and accept His mysterious plan in my life.

Please share with us your dominant feeling at this moment of your life as a Jesuit.

Looking back on my life I can only thank my heavenly ABBA, my companion Jesus and my “Divine Mother”, the Holy Spirit. Of course, Devotion to our Blessed Mother Mary, and to our Saints, etc, has helped me to discern God’s plan in my life and to accept it as the best for me. Hence my feelings are those of FILIAL GRATITUDE to the Triune God who dwells within me, and of total surrender and trust in THEM for the last days of my earthly pilgrimage.

Any message to our readers?

My message is given to me by the late Fr. Ricardo Lombardi, SJ the founder of the Better World Movement, whom I met after my first encounter at the Novitiate in 1948. There he told us: “If you want to be happy and fruitful in the Society, be ready and willing to be the last in the list in the Society.” And then in Rome in 1977, while dying in the infirmary at the Gesu, he told me, “My present condition as a dying Jesuit will be more fruitful to the Church and the Society than all the discourses, the glories received in ministries. Jesus saved the world on the CROSS, and we, as His companions will contribute to His mission by filling up what is wanting in his Passion for the Church.”

Brain Gym

Brain…o.k, gym…alright. But you must be wondering, what’s this 'brain gym' about? You sit for reading and you can’t concentrate; you sit for meditation and your mind is distracted, you try to remember urgent works to be done but at the end of the day, some you forgot. You want to give a good speech but all ideas and thoughts are jumbled up. You are hurt when someone commented that your handwriting is horrible! If these are your symptoms and you want immediate results… all you need to do is ‘Brain Gym’! It’s all about 26 movements of human body to coordinate the working of the brain which is becoming very popular in Europe.

The MSJ novices along with the other novices of Bannerghatta zone had a day’s intensive workshop on ‘brain gym’ given by Rev.Br. Dominic (De LaSalle) from Singapore. They say, ‘it was wonderful.’ Results are awaited!

LHS bags Khokho Championship

The Loyola High School in the campus is bestowed with sportive students bringing laurels to their school. The girls’ khokho team has achieved a great feat in reaching to the state level competitions. Besides that the girls’ Kabaddi team was runner up at the district level. They are making us all feel proud. Let us all wish them to achieve many more great successes.

MSJ put on high alert

Panic has spread all around MSJ as two leopards are feared to have sheltered in the MSJ campus. Children are frightened to come to school, as the parents are anxious about the security of the children. The school authorities have closed down the schools ahead of time.The alert button was pressed by the Rector of Trinity Ashram when he found pugmarks of a strange animal in the campus. When he immediately contacted the Bannerghatta Park, they confirmed that the animal was leopard. On the next day, two bike riders spotted the leopard on the road jumping into MSJ campus. Today, the pugmarks were spotted all around the campus. Fr. Willie and Fr. John immediately contacted the Police department and Bannerghatta Park. The combined operation of police, forest and park department is in progress to trap the animal. In the meantime, the campus is flooded with media people. The house Minister, Fr. Arok was all the more panicked when 15 policemen came for lunch and demanded biriyani!

Monthi Fest celebrated in the Parish

"Sokkod sangatha melyam..." "Moriyek hogolsiam" ...These traditional Konkani melodies rent the air on the occasion of "Monthi Fest" celebrated for the first time in the history, at Kalenaagrahara parish with grandeur. Fr. Jerome D'Souza was the chief celebrant for the Konkani Mass, in which a large gathering of Mangaloreans of the parish particiapted. It was a family feast, feast of harvest. Throwing of flowers by little children, blessing of new corn, distribution of sugar cane were some of the traditional customs followed. Fr. Mohan, the parish priest took keen interest to organise the Mass in the traditional style. At MSJ, Fr. Rector, the head of the family performed the tradtional practice of blessing the meal and distributing payasam. Seven varieties of vegetarian dishes was the highlight of the family meal. For more photos click: images

MSJ wishes you a happy Feast of Nativity of Mother Mary

Holy Mary, Child most precious, joy of the Holy Trinity.

Purest daughter soon to bless us; Holy Spirit’s bride to be!

Heavenly child and purest temple, from your cradle send your grace.

Make us pure and sweet and simple, as the love shining from your face.

Holy Mary, Child sublime, garden of virtue, full of grace.

Gate of Heaven make us thine, as we reach out for your embrace!

Heavenly child and fairest dove, beautiful lily, oh so sweet.

Fill us with your trusting love, as we lay flowers at your feet.

Holy Mary, Child of life, mirror of love and hope and peace.

In the sorrow of our strife, teach us the way; our faith increase!

Heavenly child and mystical rosebud, Mother of Mercy, soon to weep.

To thee we bring this song of love to console you as you sleep.

An experience of faith - Pilgrimage to Shivajinagar

St. Mary’s Basilica at Shivajinagar, Bangalore is a famous pilgrimage center, where thousands of people throng to make their offering and fulfill their promises. It was built by Rev. Eugene Kleiner during 1875-82. His Holiness Pope Paul VI dedicated this church to Our Lady of Good Health. Many miracles are attributed to this shrine.

The shrine welcomes everyone irrespective of their religion, caste or creed. One can find peace, solace and joy in this place. Since situated in the center of the city, most college going students, office workers, house wives etc make their regular visit to seek our Lady’s intercession.

Many are the miracles and blessings received by the people. Novices made their pilgrimage to this shrine on 5^th September on foot and spent whole day in prayer and recollection.

Ms. Teresa one of the pilgrims who stood begging at the entrance who seemed well off, when enquired why she did that, she proudly narrated her story bearing witness to our Lady as tears rolled down her cheeks. She uses the money collected along with her other savings to cook food and feed the hungry. This is a sort of penance which she vowed when she seriously fell ill when she was young. She continued stating, “Mary is my mother, and I live my life single as a promise made to my heavenly mother.” There is not one Teresa, but many who can’t be numbered. Novices were enriched and astonished to witness the faith of multitude people. They returned with great spiritual experience.

-Novice Lumnesh Swarup