A New Magnificat – Ordination of John Pradeep

“My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

December 29 was an auspicious day for the Mount St Joseph community when God rewarded the ‘Fiat’ of Deacon John Pradeep and brought him closer to Himself to sing his ‘Magnificat’. A rich harvest in the picturesque ‘Malenadu’ - Hassan, has brought in its wake a lot of cheer to us. The Priestly Ordination of Deacon John Pradeep increased our joy of Christmas. He celebrated his First Mass on December 30 at Shettihalli, Hassan. We congratulate Fr John Pradeep and wish him success in his priestly life.

When we Reached Out to the Elderly...

It was an uplifting experience for the Novices to spend time with the elderly this Christmas. On December 26, the Novices presented a short Christmas programme in the Holy Spirit Home for the Aged in our neighbourhood. Time flew by fast as we acted a skit, sang carols and danced with the bouncy Santa Claus. We also took time to talk to the seniors in the home. The smiles on the faces of the elderly gladdened us and fulfilled our hearts. We thank the sisters of the Home for giving us an opportunity to sip the essence of Christmas.

“The miracle is this – the more we share, the more we have” – Leonard Nimoy

Contemplating Christmas in the Cribs

“In Him was life, and that life was the light of humankind” (John 1:4)

Creative, yet conventional, the five cribs in our house that put us into Christmas mood have an appeal of their own. The 'Big crib' became the centre of attraction for the many visitors to our house. Giving the theme, “Shoot of Hope”, it shows the Nativity scene over the stump of a cut tree. On the background is a picture of the 'fall of humankind' painted on cloth by the Novices. The sombrely floor covered with dry leaves stands in sharp contrast to the starry night sky heralding the Good News of the coming of the Saviour. The other four cribs are made in the usual way. Nevertheless the Christmas tree crib made under the beautifully decorated evergreen tree deserves to be mentioned. The theme, “Climb up to Welcome the Lord” was given to match with the steps built around the birthplace of Jesus. The natural settings shown in the crib gives added charm to the simplicity of this crib.

Rejoice! The Sun has Risen - Christmas 2011

HAPPY CHRISTMAS from all of us at Mount St Joseph!
Every passing hour of December and every sparkle of the Advent wreath reminded us of the arrival of the coming of the Lord. The day finally arrived to spread the light of joy. To recover from the “Christmas fever” and to prepare ourselves internally, the community went under a day of silence and recollection on December 22. In the silence of the cool night of Christmas Eve, Fr Francis Menezes, the Rector, blessed the cribs with the community gathered near the entrance facing the Big Crib. The touching scenes in the five cribs in the house carried us deep into contemplating the scene of the First Noel. The Vigil Mass in the Parish was animated by the Novices. The choir was a combined effort which brought three religious houses together - Holy Spirit sisters, FSI sisters and the Jesuit Novices. With a deep feeling of joy and jubilation, the community came together for the Christmas programme in the afternoon of Christmas Day. The pleasant tunes of carols, laughter, gifts and then the community lunch spread our joy everywhere. Novices Cannon Fernandes and Noel Dias celebrated their birthdays on the 23 and 24 December respectively and we were doubly glad to share in their joy. This was our experience of Noel 2011. We hope that you too had memorable experiences this year to cherish for the years to come.

"...behold and consider what they are doing...journeying and toiling, in order that the Lord may be born in greatest poverty....AND ALL THIS FOR ME!" Spiritual Exercises Number 116

Christmas Cheer for our Co-workers

Joy is doubled when it is shared with others. A joyful atmosphere took over the ambience in the roomy refectory hall on December 23 when we celebrated Christmas with our co-workers. The compere Sch Norwin Pereira along with the Novices put up a lively programme with games, carols and dances that made us all bounce off the walls! Fr Robert Cutinha’s brief and pointed words reminded us that Christmas is for everyone. He surely drove the Christmas message home! As the sprightly Santa Claus unabashedly went about playing his pranks on his embarrassed targets, Fr Francis Menezes, the Rector and Fr Tom D’Souza gifted the Christmas presents to our co-workers. Our celebration with our co-workers gave added meaning and value to our Christmas celebration.

"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you Good News of great joy for all the people..." Luke 2:10

Welcoming the Lord with Song - Carol Competition

A lively audience swayed their heads to the rhythm of Christmas music presented by ten groups during the carol competition held in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Kalena Agrahara. Music surely touches the heart. The event became an apt occasion to celebrate the joy of Christmas. The parish became a meeting point for the members of different parishes and the neighbours of different faiths gathered to drink in the spirit of Christmas. The Novices making a group of 26 members also took part in the competitions. The team from Basavanapura parish staked claim to the trophy. A cultural programme in the evening kept us entertained. The proud hosts, Fr John D’Souza and Deacon John Pradeep and the progamme committee looked into the nitty gritty of the event. The event was a wonderful occasion to spend time in the company of the Parish family.

“Christ is the light to be lifted, the truth to be told, the peace to be promised, the love to be shared”

Christmas Cheer for the Little Ones!

No season gives the message of joy and sharing as profoundly as Christmas season. Our joy was doubled as our young parishioners rolled in a big number into our campus for a morning of games and entertainment in the second week of December. The new man on the job Deacon John Pradeep who is assisting Fr John D'Souza in the Parish ministry was the chief architect of the entire programme. Many parishioners, youth association members, sisters and brothers pooled in their assistance and carved out a successful event. It was a wonderful occasion to share the joy of Christmas with the young.

“Let the little children come to me and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs” Luke 18:16

Remembering the Great Jesuit - St Francis Xavier

St Francis Xavier still reigns in our inspiration today. Like the millions of devotees that flock to Goa to catch a glimpse of the saint’s incorruptible body, our community too was brought together around the Lord’s altar after a gap of a month on December 3. The Novices who were involved in the core Ignatian Experiments – The Month-retreat and the Mission Experiment were back to the community. Joy was visibly evident in the gathering and it was expressed in wholehearted participation in the Liturgy. Our knowledge of St Francis Xavier was heightened by Fr Tom Quadros’ insightful homily during the community Mass. The incredible life of St Francis Xavier continues to inspire many and captivates our attention unfailingly. Together with the pilgrims of Goa, we too journeyed closer towards understanding the saint and loving the Lord with a radical sense of faith.

“Be a life long or short, its completeness depends on what it has lived for" David Starr Jordan

Back to the Marks

“We learn to love truly when we have learnt to love all.”

The life in the Novitiate is back to full swing after a month of long experiments coming to a successful finish. Retracing the steps of St Ignatius into the cave of the heart guided by Fr Willie Sequeira, the Novice Director, the First Years completed their Month’s Retreat. Stepping out of the safe haven of Mount St Joseph to live the Spiritual Exercises in the hard reality with the Lord’s poor, the Second Years are back after their Mission Experiment. Three days of recollection to muster energy, to rest and to relive the experiences brought us all back to where we left off. The sharing of the varied experiences put us into the shoes of the other. The month-long walk with the Lord has made us stronger and closer to God and each other. We are thankful to you for your prayerful support as we took the steps of faith with the Lord.

Advent Wreath-Waiting, Watching and Burning.

A familiar symbol of the Advent season, the Advent Wreath rings the reminder of the imminent coming of the Lord. Made out of evergreen leaves, it portrays life and enthusiasm, signifying the eternal life that the Saviour shall bring. The four candles set up like pillars at the centre of the wreath, remind us about the four weeks of Advent, a time of “waiting and watching”. One candle each is lit every passing Sunday of Advent. Two Advent Wreaths prepared and decorated by the Novices are placed in the Main Chapel and the Novices' Chapel to remind everyone to await the Lord and to burn within to welcome the Lord on Christmas Day.

"Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God" Isaiah 40:3

God's Love for You and for Me!

In his poem, Novice Chethan Anil Pinto mulls and muses over the incomparable love of God. The words which strikingly show the poet's touching experience of the incomparable Love of God almost immediately take us along in its sway. Relish it!

People say, God is 'Love', 'Mercy' and 'Kindness'
He is everywhere, even in a tiny atom
They say He is above all, mighty and eternal
No one can compete with Him.
All say God's Love is unconditional
He is an endless ocean of 'Love'
His mercy is everlasting,
wide enough to embrace all generations.
Everything is true and acceptable.
But if we sit with this truth
We will have nothing of it and
No fruit will emerge out of God's bounty.
It is like fetching water from a river
with a full jar refusing to be empty.
Unless we go with an empty heart
We will not be filled at all!
A humble, open and sincere heart
will overflow with the Love of God
The heart which is kind and generous
will receive much more than needed.

Interview with Fr Denis Coelho SJ

We got a good opportunity to talk to the otherwise shy and soft-spoken Fr Denis Coelho. Apart from the many ministries he has taken up in his long serving life as a Jesuit, he has also been the Rector of Mount St Joseph. Currently residing at Dhyanashrama, the veteran Fr Denis is actively involved in directing retreats. Here are the excerpts of the interview with him.

Father, how would you like to describe your life at present? What are your present involvements?

I am attached to the retreat house. So my main work is directing retreats. Time permitting, I also teach English to the II year novices and write the house diary. So it is a peaceful life, regular life and I can be faithful to my spiritual life and community exercises.

We come across you as a person charged with positive energy. Can you tell us the secret?

It is an attitude I have cultivated from the earliest days in the Society. I have had many Jesuit models in this. There have also been some who have been negative and they have irked me.

What fires your passion for teaching?

Teaching has interested me from my Regency onwards. I had opportunity to interact and learn from exemplary teachers in Juniorate, Philosophy, Theology and in schools I have worked in. I see it as an apostolate and greatly like it.

Of all ministries you have undertaken, which one do you like the most? Why?

Most of my life after Theology and Ordination has been spent in schools. But I had the unique opportunity to work as a parish priest in a small parish of Bellary Diocese. (Now it is a part of Gulbarga Diocese). Those 6 months in Chittapur were the happiest of my life as a Priest.

You are person who likes change and innovation. How have you seen the Society change over the years? Has this change been for the better or for the worse?

I firmly believe that the change in the Church and the Society is inspired by Vatican II. It is the response to the call to “See the signs of the times.” With the Church, the Society too has been responding to the call of Vatican II, to go back to the sources and heed the signs of the times. St Ignatius himself called for a change, an ongoing change, a “MAGIS” – don’t stop, keep on doing better.

What is 'the important thing' that the Society of Jesus has taught to you as a life lesson?

It will take long to enumerate what the Society has taught me. We have to be torch-bearers. We have to work for promoting faith that does justice. We have to love the poor.

If you are given a second chance to live, what will be your choice?
Hard to say. The choice for me would be schools or distant missions like Afghanistan, Guyana or even Bijapur and Pannur-Manvi. Thank You Father.

O Man, Where are you?

Novice Leston Baptist Lobo has employed his creative energy in composing a short poem about 'he' which means the human person and 'He' who is God. In a symbolic and crisp style, Leston tries to portray the ill effects of abusing God's creation. Creation is more than an artwork - it is God's gift to us. We have failed to protect it. It is high time that we do something about it.

He dreamt an impossible dream,
Risking a creation of another 'He',
Had trust in the skies and hope in the clouds,
Still, He did create a 'he', a problem.
He thought, "How good 'he' would be?
How great 'he' will become?"
But in the end, 'he' failed to be another 'He'
to fulfil 'His' plans for 'him'.
'he' stamped all that 'He' created,
he coloured in dark hues 'His' naturality,
he repeatedly stepped backwards.
Still, 'he' feels that 'He' did it all!

Eco Treasures at Mount St Joseph

Finding God in all things Mount St Joseph is an abode of rich flora and fauna, awash with a variety of plant and animal species. A spider spotted in one of our gardens and captured in frame by Novices Noel Dias and Nithin Coelho shows this very vividly. Every creature and every plant in our campus tells 'a fascinating news...God still loves the world!' Noel writes about his experience with his 'friend, the spider' as follows

Noel Stephen Dias: I was walking across the natural gardens of Mount when I spotted a huge spider hanging over my head. I was wonder struck to observe God’s creation so beautiful and unique. Every creature teaches me something or the other to cherish for life. Likewise, the spider was patient enough to wait for its food and that’s the value I learnt from my new friend – PATIENCE. To remind me of my new friend, I decided to keep its memory and the value of the lesson it taught me forever in a photograph. I want to thank God for His wonderful creation. “Everyone is created unique. It is we who learn something from others and make the best of our lives."

Retreats (January - May 2012)

Retreats - Dhyanashrama (Mount St Joseph)

03-11 Jan: Come and rest awhile (Fr Hilario Fernandes)

13-21 Jan: God is my Shepherd (Fr John Baptist)

23-31 Jan: Walking with the Lord (Fr Simon Furtado)

02-10 Feb: Lord, let me see your face (Fr John Baptist)

12-20 Feb: Called to be a disciple of Jesus (Fr Francis Menezes)

21-29 Feb: Call to Conversion (Fr Denis Coelho)

02-10 Mar: Walking with Him to Calvary (Fr Hilario Fernandes)

12-20 Mar: Love of the suffering Lord (Fr Denis Coelho)

22-30 Mar: “Behold the Wood of the Cross” (Fr Tom Quadros)

01-08 Apr: Body Broken, Blood Shed (Fr William Sequeira)

11-19 Apr: Walking with the Risen Lord (Fr John Baptist)

22-30 Apr: ‘then their eyes were opened’ (Fr Tom Quadros)

02-10 May: Relishing His presence (Fr John Baptist)

12-20 May: Basking in the Lord’s love (Fr Simon Furtado)

12-20 May: Eco-Spirituality retreat (Fr Leo D’Souza)

MONTH’S RETREATS

02-31 Mar: 30-Day Retreat (Fr John Baptist)

For further details, contact:

The Director
Mount St Joseph (Dhyanashrama)
IIMB PO, Kalena Agrahara,
Bannerghatta Road
Bangalore - 560 076.
Tel: 080-26580441, 26585464
E-mail: dhyanashrama@gmail.com
Blog: www.msjnov.blogspot.com

The Depth of my Being

From the depth of his heart Novice Rohan Prakash D'Souza has penned a touching poem which might well be his encounter experience with the Lord. It is amazing to see how God who resides in the depth of our being brings a change of heart once we become convinced of His presence. Let us get into deeper waters with the sentiments expressed in this work of love.

The uncountable stars of the sky,
The expanse of the vast sea,
The unrelenting dryness of the desert.
All these show me the depth of my being.
I was amazed to see my own life.
The empty desires of my heart,
I understood that my love for God was distant.
How difficult it is to surrender to Him!
I lived with my many disquieting questions.
My fears and struggles were without answers.
I was not satisfied or clear about my life journey.
My heart, still, desired for the Truth.
The mystery of God had remained as history,
The burden of life still a burden.
Then He called me in the depth of my being,
To see the wooden cross at Calvary.
He left me surprised and speechless,
And let me see Him carrying my burden.
Now, I just trust Him in the depth of my being,
Because it is the only place where I "Rest in my Being."

ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ರಾಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ - ನನ್ನ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯ ಕನ್ನಡ ನಾಡು

ಪ್ರೀತಿಯ ರಾಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ - ಈ ದಿನವು ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರಿಗೆ ವಿಶೇಷವಾದ ದಿನ. ಕನ್ನಡ ನಾಡು, ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಯನ್ನು ಹೊಗಳಿ ಗೌರವಿಸುವ ದಿನವಿದು. ನವಶಿಷ್ಯ ರೋಹನ್ ಈ ದಿನದ ವಿಶೇಷತೆಯನ್ನು "ನನ್ನ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯ ಕನ್ನಡ ನಾಡು" ಮುಖಾಂತರ ಸುಂದರವಾಗಿ ವರ್ಣಿಸುತ್ತಾನೆ.

ಕನ್ನಡದ ವೀರ ಪುತ್ರಪುತ್ರಿಯರೇ, ಭರತ ಮಣ್ಣಿನ ವೀರಪ್ರಜೆಗಳೇ, ಬನ್ನಿ ನಾವೆಲ್ಲರೂ ಸೇರಿ ಹಾಡೋಣ "ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ರಾಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ." ಕಾಡು, ಜಲ ಸಂಪತ್ತು ಬೆಳೆಸಿರುವ ನಾಡಿದು, ಮಲೆನಾಡು, ಆಗುಂಬೆಗಳಂತಹ ಭವ್ಯ ತಾಣವಿದು, ಕನ್ನಡ ಮಾತೆಯ ಪೂಜಿಸಿ ಆರಾಧಿಸುವ ದೇಗುಲವಿದು, ಭರತ ಲೋಕದ ಪ್ರಕೃತಿಯ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯ ಕಣ್ಮಣಿಯಿದು. ಬೇಲೂರು, ಹಳೇಬೀಡುಗಳಂತಹ ಶಿಲ್ಪಗಳ ದೇಗುಲವಿದು, ಸಮುದ್ರಗಳ ಅಲೆಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ ಜೀವನ ನಡೆಸುವ ಬೆಸ್ತರ ನಾಡಿದು, ಕವಿ ಋಷಿಗಳು ಬೆಳೆಸಿ, ನೆಲೆಸಿರುವ ಪುಣ್ಯಕೋಟಿ ಕವನದ, ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಹೋರಾಟದ ಫಲವಿದು "ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ರಾಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ."

The Spiritual Exercises (Month-Retreat )

Alone with the Alone: Greetings from Mount St Joseph Novitiate, Bangalore. It gives us great joy to inform you that we, the Ten First Year Novices, are beginning our Spiritual Exercises (Month-retreat) on 1 November under the guidance of Fr Willie Sequeira, our Novice Director. We earnestly request you to pray for us, so that our inner journey with Christ Jesus may be fruitful, that we may be able to experience God’s unconditional love for us and that the great plan God has for us be fulfilled.

It is our humble request that you pray for our sixteen second year Brothers, as they are going to begin their Mission Experiment, an outward journey with the Lord. During these precious days, we too assure you of our prayers for your forthcoming mission.

Seeking your prayers and blessings, Yours in Christ Jesus

First Year Novices - Mount St Joseph, Bangalore.

Tapping the Inner Resources - Intensive Journal

Fr Francis Menezes, the Rector, initiated the First Year Novices into the process of self-discovery by taking a 3-day course on Intensive Journal. Silence and calm descended again in the Novitiate when the First year Novices journeyed into themselves into rediscovering their real selves. The journey was an exciting experience as the course cruised silently through the Life Dimensions, hopped over the Stepping Stone Period, veered around the Life Intersections and offered the unforgettable experience of facing the Twilight Imagery. Fr Francis who has guided many through his courses on Intensive Journal has shown us yet again the importance of self-knowledge. We are grateful to Fr Francis Menezes for his loving service.

“Compare yourself with nobody and you will be the most handsome or beautiful in the world” Karna Lama Karki

It's Curtains Down on the Silver Jubilarians' Course

After a month’s stay with the Lord, the 38 participants of the Renewal Course for Silver Jubilarians headed home. The course started on September 11 has seen a favourable response from all the participants. A course is a time of vivid encounter with the Lord. It is a time to manure the garden of our inner selves to yield greater harvest. The guidance and help of the experts, the support staff and the green ambience here provided the participants with much needed rest with self-reflection. As a final and most important part of the course, Frs Arock, Francis Menezes and Maxim Misquith directed the participants into the deep waters with a week’s retreat. A day of sharing and evaluation and the final conclusion on October 15 placed the icing on the cake and brought down the curtains on the course which has surely been a blessing in the life of the participants.

"Learn to pause...or nothing worthwhile will catch up to you." - Doug King

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)