Investiture (Cassock) Day - 2024

The seven high-spirited novices, with a pious glow on their faces, received the armor of God on March 6th. The theme "Abide in Love" unified the first-year brothers to bear witness to Christ's unfathomable love. The day unfolded in a symphony of revelation and eagerness, as the novices engaged in introspection alongside Fr. Provincial, marking a remarkable milestone in their journey. The Novitiate community rejoiced, embracing these newcomers into the sacred fold of lector and acolyte with open arms.

Fr. Dionysius Vas, the Provincial of Karnataka, celebrated the Eucharist. He echoed a call to spread the Gospel and embody the true essence of the Cassock. The harmonious choir lent celestial notes to the rite of conferring the ministries of Lector and Acolyte, elevating prayer to new heights. 

The novices, being on their knees, surrendered themselves in solitude to the hands of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the novitiate chapel, just as Ignatius did in Montserrat. Fr. John Pradeep, the Novice Director, blessed the Cassocks and helped us reflect on our vocation story. 

The second-year novices wished them well with a composed song in the refectory. The delectable food prepared by Fr. Minister and the kitchen team added a feather of ecstasy to the celebration.

Ashram experiment

"When an atom is broken, great energy is released; then what should happen when the creator of that atom is broken?" With this profound question echoing in our minds, we embarked on our three-day ashram experiment, eager to experience the power of that same creator. Upon our arrival at Vidhyanavanam Ashram, our timetable overflowed with various classes, prayers, and devotions, all designed to deepen our understanding and experience of the power of our creator, allowing us to profoundly feel His mercy, deliverance, and above all, His boundless love. 

Throughout our time there, we encountered many unique experiences during meditation, including gazing at the lotus pond and engaging in stone meditation, both of which provided insights into our inner beings. Confession sessions facilitated reconciliation with God, our neighbors, nature, and ourselves. The Eucharistic procession, combined with praise, worship, and deliverance prayers, infused us with the graces of the Holy Spirit and renewed our zeal for spiritual activities, particularly prayer. The serene beauty of the garden, with its smiling flowers and comforting canopy, provided a peaceful atmosphere conducive to hearing the voice of God in nature. 

The chapel, resembling a termite mound and drawing inspiration from rich Indian culture, helped us enter the cave of our hearts and experience the presence of the Lord dwelling within. By the end of our time in the ashram, we emerged transformed, no longer the same individuals. The creator of the atom, who allowed Himself to be broken for our sake, revealed to us His boundless power and love, transforming us into reformed warriors of Christ. We express our heartfelt gratitude to Fr. Johnson CMI and Fr. Seijo CMI for their guidance throughout our stay in the ashram, helping us to deepen our connection with our creator and experience true oneness with Him.

HORIZON 2K23

In October, the corridors of the novitiate resounded with the voices of novices singing, "Hurray! It's a joyful day as we embark on this Horizon today." Indeed, the novices were elated and brimming with joy to participate in the activities. The coordinators began selecting various activities and events for Horizon 2k23, themed "Youth – Hope-filled Resilience."

The inaugural ceremony was graced by our MSJ coworkers as special guests, with Fr. Clarence extending his best wishes to the novices. MSJ coworkers unveiled the Horizon flag, officially opening Horizon 2k23. The novitiate transformed into a hive of activity, with the novices buzzing with enthusiasm. A diverse array of activities awaited, including outdoor games such as bum salad, French cricket, Bakasura-style eating, volleyball with tied hands, marathon, treasure hunt, blind basketball, and more. These activities tested the novices' physical strength, while indoor games like spontaneous dancing, singing rhymes, composing Glorias, enacting parables, and engaging in intentionally bad singing challenged their intellectual prowess.

During the event, the jury witnessed a talented ensemble of musicians during the orchestra, a dynamic board of directors and actors performing skits, and a spirited group of dancers taking the stage. Shared prayers and the recitation of the Rosary fostered a sense of unity among the novices, encouraging them to pray for one another and cultivate altruism. Through these shared experiences, the novices forged bonds of companionship and emerged from Horizon with a wealth of diverse experiences.