Celebrating Fellowship - On the Novitiate Picnic

Nothing could suppress the boisterous spirits when we, the Novices, headed to Sangam (a picnic spot near Kanakapura Taluk, Bangalore) on March 8. The picnic was not only a time to relax and enjoy, but also an opportunity to build our community and fellowship. We had a jolly good time, relaxing in the cool waters of Talakaveri. The scenic beauty resplendent with nature’s choicest colours was a sight to admire. The shallow waters provided a wonderful occasion to enjoy water sports and also to take a light swim. We also shared our food with some unprivileged people around the place. The afternoon was spent in playing picnic games and cricket. As we headed home in the evening, in spite of the tiredness, our spirits were bolstered up. The picnic was a witness to fraternal love and fellowship which we built through the guidance of Fr Dion, our Novice Director and Fr Sunil, the Assistant Novice Director.

He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while” Mark 6:31

Novices' Day 2011

With Gratitude and Hope in our Hearts! Novices Day 2011 was held on 6 March, in Mount St. Joseph Novitiate, which brought together for the last time in this academic year the Novices of six different religious houses namely- FSI sisters, Sisters of the Holy Spirit, Trinitarian brothers, Guanellian sisters, Franciscan sisters of Alverna Bhavan and the Jesuits. The day’s programme included a talk session by Fr Bitaju of the Trinity Ashram in the morning and a cultural programme in the afternoon.. He elaborated on the condition of the young generation based on the message of Pope Benedict XVI. The theme for the talk was “Planted and built up in Christ, firm in the faith”(Col 2:7). Six members of Jesus Youth were present to give a witness to their faith. After the sessions, we gathered around the Lord’s Table for the Eucharist. The afternoon saw an enthralling cultural programme by the novices. All through the fun and entertainment, they kept close to the theme of the day, “Dare to be different”, a clarion call which invites us to be creative and always new. The events of the day centered their focus on the modern youth, bringing out their joys, aspirations and struggles through skit, dance and songs. The photo session in the evening brought down the curtains on another fruitful academic year and a successful Novices' Day.

The Memory of Fr General in Frame

An unforgettable event of Fr General’s visit for us in Mount St Joseph would be to stand for a group photograph with Fr Adolfo Nicholas. It is an event that will be etched permanently in our collective memories. On March 4, Fr General came for the first and the last time to the Novitiate and Dhyanashrama. In the lush green grass carpeted garden of Dhyanashrama, a group photo of the community with Fr General was shot. Fr General was very free and jovial. He joined his hands as he greeted the senior members of the community individually. The picture has become a treasured possession of all in the house which immortalized the memory of the visit of Fr General.

A Rare Meeting - Novices with Fr General

Fr General Meets the Novices! The Novices were on cloud nine on March 4, when Fr General (Fr Adolfo Nicolas) came to the Novitiate in the evening to have tea with the Novices. There was a flurry of activity and excitement to set the stage ready for a very memorable meeting with him in the Aula. We arranged a traditional welcome to Fr General who was flanked by Fr James E Grummer and Fr Lisbert P D’Souza, the assistants ad providentiam. In his talk to the Novices he spoke on a wide range of issues and also shared his personal experiences. Stressing on the need for creativity, flexibility, depth, honesty and availability he encouraged us to be always men for others. He gave a thumbnail sketch of the ongoing work in the Curia and the situation of the Society in relation to peoples lives all around the globe. We had a nice time talking with him after the talk which was a unique experience as Fr General had specifically mentioned that he wanted to meet the novices without the presence of anyone in the hall. We really had a first hand experience of an ideal Jesuit. As the JCSA meet continued, we were privileged to listen to talks by Fr Grummer and Fr Gabriel Je, the Provincial of Korea. Many of the JCSA delegates also celebrated the morning Mass for the Novices .

“Asia has a lot to offer to the Church. Make sure you know Asia in depth.” - Fr General to the Novices.

Fr General Blesses the Cemetery

In Prerana, we could hardly see Fr General. A lot of whispers and murmurs were doing the rounds. We were afforded a chance to see him when he came to bless the renovated cemetery which was upgraded recently with interlocks in its complete stretch. In the morning of March 2, Fr General joined the community and stood face to face the large replica of the crucifix over the memorial stone carved with the words, “Resurrecturis.” After a short prayer, he went around blessing the tombstones and sprinkling the Holy Water. The delegates of the JCSA meet joined the community during the blessing of the cemetery.

Fr General Adorns our Home

The long awaited visit of Fr General filled us with joy as he arrived at Prerana on the 28 February. We were filled with uncontained joy at seeing the head of the Society - the successor of St Ignatius himself. Fr Adolfo Nicholas, who came here to take part in the JCSA meet (28 February to 5 March), was accompanied by Fr James E Grummer and Fr Lisbert D’Souza the Assistants ad Providentiam. All the Provincials of the South Asian Assistancy were in Prerana for the meet. Earlier the same day, the community met Fr General at the Holy Mass and the felicitation function at St Joseph’s Boys’ High School. A man of deep learning and simplicity, he inspired us not only by his words, but also by his typical Japanese bows and warm handshakes. His flair for relating with all and his open personality that reaches out to others endeared him to all, especially the Novices. Fr General’s visit filled us with new energy and motivated us to be “men on search.” As we thank Fr General for visiting us, we wish him good luck in his mission.

“The Society needs you to be men of depth, creativity and deep spirituality.” - Fr Adolfo Nicholas to the Jesuits of Karnataka Province.