Sadhanalaya Novitiate Happenings- Robert Christi

Sadhanalaya Novitiate Happenings

The month began with a one day recollection on 1st of February. The recollection topic was ‘Consecrated Life.’ With this our novice master prepared us for the ‘World Day of Consecrated Life’ which we celebrated with a solemn mass on 2nd February. We the 2nd years were given a special course on the consecrated life. Knowing the need of relaxation and refreshment to body and mind the following day we went to ‘Trimbakeshwer’ for a one day picnic. I witnessed the deep faith Hindus’ have. We also climbed the mountain to see the source of ‘Godavari River.’

The next day we spent much time to prepare a recollection that we Novices were to give. We were supposed to prepare on the topic of ‘Jesus – our companion and his values’ for Kilbil – St.Joseph High School. In the history of Sadhanalaya the novices used various media for recollection talks but never had they used the digital media. This year we were allowed to use the laptop and l.C.D projector. The school children really enjoyed and benefitted by the recollection. This initiative has opened a new way of thinking. It made us familiar with the use of various media for the apostolate in future.

On 7th of the same month Fr. Oscar Rosario- the former novice master, gave a week course on the Suppression and Restoration of the Society. Through his simple narration he took us into the root cause of the suppression. At the end of the course we had a small condolence prayer for those who suffered and died during the suppression. Fr. Oscar planted a real Jesuit spirit in our heart and called us to live with it till the end of our life. On 11th of February we celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes with the Rosary with our neighboring children. The children were given rosaries made by the novices.

On 15th ,we, the second years, were given a half day recollection to prepare us for the ‘Minor Orders’. On the following day the Provincial of Kerala conferred the Orders onto us. On 17th Fr. Robert Das (Pune province) gave us a one day course on the spirituality and education policy of the Society.

On 18th, 19th and 20th we were at ‘The Infant Jesus Shrine’ to render our services in the various needs of the Shrine during the feast. We witness that the Shrine was flooded with the devotees from Bombay, various parts of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa. Their faith really astonished us. We, the second years, were assigned as acolytes to distribute communion. This experience strengthened our vocation and faith.

From22nd to 24th, Fr. Simon D’Souza gave us a course on the psalms in order to develop our interest for the Scripture and taught us how to pray with the Psalms. We found that really meaningful.

Robert Christi (2nd year Novice), Sadhanalaya Nasik

SOAR BEYOND YOUR FEARS!!!

SOAR BEYOND YOUR FEARS!!!

Once there was a king who received a gift of two magnificent falcons from Arabia. They were peregrine falcons, the most beautiful birds he had ever seen. He gave the precious birds to his head falconer to be trained.

Months passed and one day the head falconer informed the king that though one of the falcons was flying majestically, soaring high in the sky, the other bird had not moved from its branch since the day it had arrived.

The king summoned healers and sorcerers from all the land to tend to the falcon, but no one could make the bird fly. He presented the task to the member of his court, but the next day, the king saw through the palace window that the bird had still not moved from its perch. Having tried everything else, the king thought to himself, "May be I need someone more familiar with the countryside to understand the nature of this problem." So he cried out to his court, "Go and get a farmer."

In the morning, the king was thrilled to see the falcon soaring high above the palace gardens. He said to his court, "Bring me the doer of this miracle."

The court quickly located the farmer, who came and stood before the king. The king asked him, "How did you make the falcon fly?"

With his head bowed, the farmer said to the king, " It was very easy, your highness. I simply cut the branch where the bird was sitting."

We are all made to fly -- to realize our incredible potential as human beings. But instead of doing that, we sit on our branches, clinging to the things that are familiar to us. The possibilities are endless, but for most of us, they remain undiscovered. We conform to the familiar, the comfortable, the mundane. So for the most part, our lives are mediocre instead of exciting, thrilling and fulfilling.

So let us learn to destroy the branch of fear we cling to and free ourselves to the glory of flight.

-- From the Book "Why walk when you can fly"

INDIA: Stamp for the centenary of Doot review

INDIA: Stamp for the centenary of Doot review

On January 15 the Indian Postal department has released a commemorative postage stamp on the occasion of the centenary of Jesuit-run Gujarati magazine Doot (cfr. Electronic Bulletin, Vol. XIV, N. 3, 5 February 2010). Doot was started in January 1911 and it is the second Gujarati magazine besides Gujarat Vidyasabha's 155-year-old magazine Buddhiprakash. Over the years the magazine contributed to build the spiritual and intellectual life of the people of Gujarat, instilling in readers the Christian values of love, compassion, justice, peace and brotherhood. Former editor, Jesuit Father Varghese Paul, said Doot helped establish a strong bond among Christians in Gujarat when no communication medium existed, particularly in rural areas, and it continues to be an agent of social and religious change with its commitment against social evils such as the caste system and discrimination in general. With a circulation of more than 10,000, it is read by about 50,000 people in India and among the Indians in the UK and USA.

The life sketch of Bro.Felipe Lazarralde

 19-11-1925 to  04-02-2011

The life sketch of Bro.Felipe Lazarralde

Bro.Felipe Lazarralde was born in Guipuco, Basque country, Spain on 19 November 1925. He belonged to a middle-class pastoral family known for its deep faith, rich family traditions and loyalty to the nation. As a youth, he came in contact with the Salesians of Don Bosco. He entered the society of Jesus on 29 March, 1944 at Loyola, Spain. After the novitiate. He followed the formal training in arts, crafts, mechanical and electrical skills. He was a dedicated religious and a perfectionist at work. Though outwardly he appeared to be serious, he could give a genial smile when needed.

In Christmas 1951. Br.Felipe arrived in St.Xavier’s school, Anand, Gujarat. He spent three years in the general maintenance work connected with the school, residence, church etc. In the mean time, he learnt Basic English and Gujarati and adjusted himself to the local customs. In 1955, he was transferred to St.Mary’s school Nadiad. He was assigned to take care of the boarding and the general maintenance work. In 1959, Br. Felipe was transferred to Rosary School, Baroda, Gujarat. Till his retirement he served tirelessly, doing a fine job, winning many friends. Spreading around in his humble ways the message of peace and love of God in season and out of season.

Br.Felipe was a man who brought up a high standard in sports and games at the school level as well as at the district level. He was an authority in this field. He had been in several organizing committees for sports and games for several years. He had been honored with several awards and received many citations for his dedication in this field of sports and games.