An occasion for bonding

The novitiate community opened the doors of its heart to welcome a special group of guests this weekend on 27^th May. The residents of Asha Niketan – centre for mentally challenged came to Mount St Joseph for an outing which gave us an opportunity to interact with them. During this friendly encounter, we came face to face with the life-struggles of the mentally challenged persons. We were also entertained by their song and dance. After a couple of relaxing  games, we accompanied our guests to have our campus darshan. All this was a rich experience for us. The programme was planned by novices Sharun, Vinod and Vincent who served in Asha Niketan for almost a month this April for their Hospital Experiment. Novice Sharun would like to share his experiences of the day.

Sharun: For my Hospital Experiment, I was placed in Asha Niketan – the centre for mentally challenged. L’Arche is the international symbol of the organization founded by Jean Vanier in France in 1964. Its mission is to make known the gifts of the disabled people. Asha Niketan is a home of hope for all those who are born as mentally challenged. These people may be weak mentally but are very rich at heart. During my three-week stay, I experienced the warmth of their love intimately. Here I need to consider the assistants who served them as their own family members. Through them I learnt to love, be patient and accept them as they are. Since my experiences were very rich, I wanted my community to experience it. Their coming here on the feast of Pentecost was a unique experience for all of us.

Experiences of the Work Camp Shared

Noel: “Blessed are the poor for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” The experience to be with the poor was an aid for me to grow in the vow of poverty. It was the Spiritual Exercise graces that boosted me to belong to the people. My own learninds from this experience are 1. To be happy with what I have 2. To love until there is nothing left to love.

A Sudeep: I joyfully emerged into the camp with love and convictions. My inward journey of the retreat strengthened my relationship with the Lord. Humility and selflessness lit the fire of love in me and led me to understand my companions and the Society.

Cannon: Truly the world became my home in Pannur. I was evangelised by the life and the faith of the poor.  I became one with them and could see God in my daily activities. Moreover, I was inspired by the works of the Jesuits and it brought within me the burning zeal for missionary work.

Roydon: St Teresa of Avila says, “Our God does not care so much for the importance of our work as far as the love with which they are done.” After being energized with the power of the Risen Lord this Easter I went to my work camp to be the message and the messenger to the people of Pannur. I was touched by the life of the people, their hospitality and love for others.  

Kiran: Fr Jerome Nadal said, “The world is our home. The same thought came into my mind when I went with my companions to work in Pannur mission station. Personally I enjoyed each moment of the camp. I experienced the love and the care which the people and the children showed us. It is true that all of us need love. With love we can do anything. I thank God who was my strength to work.

Joseph: Work camp was a golden opportunity for me to integrate spiritual life and physical labour and to grow personally. Spiritual life was the only means with which I could continue my work, especially during the trying times. The times of emptiness, tiredness and humiliation helped me to feel how Jesus must have felt during His passion

Labouring with the Creator - Work Camp 2012

Work camp 2012 was a breathtaking experience. The first year novices went for the work camp to Pannur, a tiny village in Raichur District from April 13 to May 7. They were accompanied by the Assistant Novice Director, Fr John Pradeep SJ. The camp coordinator was Scholastic Joyson Vas SJ. It was a time to integrate prayer and action, to evangelize and to get evangelized by the people, to know the Jesuit mission well and moreover to be strengthened in our vocation and to grow into a united group. The work consisted of building foundation for a water sump, shifting bricks and stones for foundation. To relax for a day from fatigue, we a historical picnic to Hampi was organised. Truly it was a time of grace for us and we have profited a lot from this camp.

“Cast your burden on the Lord and He shall sustain you.” (Psalm 55:22)