Happy Feast of St Ignatius of Loyola

We the Jesuits of MOUNT ST JOSEPH,
Wish You all
A Happy & Grace-filled
Feast of our Founder
ST IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA.

Inter-Novitiate Course: How & What of PRAYER

Fr Bitaju of Trinity Ashram led the novices far into the vast and picturesque fields of Prayer in the 2-day seminar on "Prayer and Prayer Methods" in the neighbouring Alverna Bhavan. The first inter-novitiate course of the year was held on the 21^st and 22^nd of July. Fr Bitaju avoided clichés, effectively manoeuvred into the present context and challenges and narrowed down to the simplest forms of prayer that each of us can practice. The course was made interesting with visual aids, sharing of experiences and group activities. St Augustine says, “Prayer is what the believer asks the Lord in faith, hope and love.”

Novena in Honour of St Igantius of Loyola

The different themes of the Novena in honour of our founder - St Ignatius of Loyola are as follows. These themes are taken from the book, "Noble Knight" - a prayerful preparation for the feast of St Ignatius and are centred mainly on the life of St Ignatius.

Day 01: Antecedents to an Extraordinary Vocation

Day 02: Loyola - Conversion. Special Graces

Day 03: Montserrat - Vigil. Offering

Day 04: Manresa - The Crucible

Day 05: Cardoner - Extraordinary Graces for others

Day 06: Holy Land - Personal Love for Christ

Day 07: Montmartre - Vows. Total Surrender

Day 08: La Storta - 'Placed with the Son'

Day 09: Unto the Indies - A Heart Larger than the World!

ಪ್ರೀತಿಯ ಕಿಡಿಗಳು - Sparks of Love

ಭುವನದಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ಜೀವನ ದೇವರು ಕೊಟ್ಟಂತಹ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯ ವರದಾನ
ಹುಡುಕುವೆ ಏತಕೆ ಆ ದೇವನ ಅಲೆಯುವ ಏತಕೆ ಅನುಕ್ಷಣ
ಕಣಕಣದಲ್ಲಿಹುದು ಆತನ ತನುಮನ
ಪ್ರೀತಿಸುವ ಈ ಹೃದಯಕೆ ದ್ವೇಷದ ಹಗೆತನವೇಕೆ?
ಶಾಂತಿ ಸಾರುವ ಈ ಶರೀರಕೆ ಹಿಂಸೆ ನೀಡುವ ದಾಹವೇಕೆ?
ಅಳುವ ಕಣ್ಣಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಂಪು ಕಣ್ಣೀರು ಬಡವರ ದೀನರ ನಿಟ್ಟುಸಿರು
ಈ ಕಣ್ಣಿನ ಕಣ್ಣೀರ ಒರೆಸುವವರಾರು? ಬಡವರ ದೀನರ ಸಂತೈಸುವವರಾರು?
ಯುವಕ ಯುವತಿಯರೇ ನೀವಾಗಿ ಬೆಂಕಿಯ ಕಿಡಿಗಳು
ಪ್ರೀತಿಯ ಹಂಚಿರಿ ಈ ಜಗದೊಳು ಸಮತೆಯ ಸಾರಿರಿ ಈ ಲೋಕದೊಳು
ಸವಿಯಿರಿ ಅದರ ರುಚಿಯ ಮನದೊಳು
( ಈ ಕವನವನ್ನು ಬರೆದವರು ಸಮೀರ್ ಫ್ರಾನ್ಸಿಸ್ )

Spicing up the Gardens with Ginger!

Ginger cultivation has become a main involvement in the St Stanislaus Garden which is within the four walls of the Novitiate building. A visit to this garden will reveal rows of fresh green plants with slender stem and pointed leaves, bordering the four plots in a neat array. We started with a scratch this June when the roots were planted and the shoots sprung out within a month. The final result of the efforts is bound to be out within a year. As we thank the Lord for the good yield of last year, we aim to create a sequel to the previous success story. In these times when the condition of the hard pressed Indian farmers is exacerbated, the work with the ginger cultivation will surely help us enter into the experience of the struggling farmers of our country.

“Everything you can imagine is real” - Pablo Picasso.

First Probation - A New Life!

Infant Vivian: First probation is a time for preparation for the future mission. It lays emphasis on reviewing the past, living the present and getting ready for the future. In other words, it is a time of intense testing of one’s vocation to the Society of Jesus. As I entered deeper into the spirit of the First Probation, all my fears gave way to the serenity that comes through the ambience of silence. I enjoyed the sweetness of silence which is a grace from the Lord. Silence was God’s point of entry into my self and His presence guided me to build good and lasting relationship with my companions, especially my room-mates and my guide.

Our Parish Feast at Kalena Agrahara, Bangalore.

Seeking the Blessings of our Heavenly Mother- Parish Feast Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Kalenagrahara: An atmosphere of celebration ruled in the parish as the parish family came together to celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Fr Stany D’Souza, the Rector of St Joseph’s Indian High School, was here to celebrate the Feast Day Mass. After the Holy Eucharist, the parish family shared their love for each other and gave witness to their oneness as they had food together in the Parish ground. As an expression of their faith and gratitude for all the gifts that they have received in the past year the parishioners brought out a car procession in the evening. Fr John D’Souza the new captain of the ship effectively handled the reins to carve out a memorable day for the parishioners.

Entrance Day Experiences

Cannon Fernandes: A motivating start is necessary at the beginning of any journey. The Entrance Day on the 2 July signaled the beginning of my Novitiate journey. The Liturgy gave added meaning about the significance of this day in my life. The warm wishes from the community, the grand dinner prepared for us, the fellowship and the companionship that I relished, all qualified the day as an unforgettable day to me.

Kiran Leema: We have come to ‘the Novitiate - the School of the Heart.’ This thought makes the Entrance Day very special and beautiful. The community welcomed me with a beautiful smile and with a large and joyful heart. For nearly 20 days, I was nurtured by my guide like a child in the womb of the mother during the period of silence and recollection in the First Probation. So on the Entrance Day, I entered again into feeling like a new born infant in the Society of Jesus.

Entrance Day for the New Novices

Enter into the Joy of the Lord’s Home – Every passing year, the months of June and July become a special season in itself as it becomes a period of farewells and welcomes. July 2 added some more sugar and spice into the basket of our feelings as it was the Entrance Day of the incoming Novices. Our hearts gleefully jumped for joy as the community formally welcomed all the 10 first year novices into the community. It marks the end of their First Probation and signals the ushering in of the Second Probation which means a time of testing of our vocation to the Society of Jesus. Fr Francis Menezes, Fr Willie Sequeira and Fr Sunil Fernandes celebrated the Entrance Day Eucharist which was in the evening. “… and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” - Jeremiah 1:5