Some 200 Gujarat Jesuits (almost
70% of the Province) converged at Rosary
School Gujarat
Province India and beyond, that the Lord has selected and
put together for His Mission in Gujarat . The
young look forward with hope to the future, the middle aged grow in confidence
to face the challenges ahead, and the old are happy that the Spirit of the Lord
very much alive among us. There are shortcomings and shortages, problems and
pressures, challenges and opportunities… What is life worth without challenges!
“Visualizing the needs,
challenges and opportunities we are likely to face as a Province ten years from
now, and responding to them” was the theme for the Province Days. The movement
was “… towards (year) twenty-twenty”.
Nine wise men (Navratna), all in their 40’s, were entrusted the job of
planning and organizing. They did a good job. Preparations went on for months –
more sharing and praying, less discussions and papers. Novitiate groups from
1981 to 1999 met and shared their visions and dreams for the Gujarat Province
A Kaleidoscope of happenings:
- The growth of Gujarat Mission
was screened in Black and White, Sepia and multi colour: the beginnings out of
the blue, the twists and turns of growth of the Kheda Church among the poor;
the rapid and exhilarating expansion of the Adivasi Church in South Gujarat;
the slow penetration of the Church in North Gujarat.
- The Novitiate groups (1981-99) presented
their dreams, some more gripping than others
Some men and women, not with the
S.J. suffix, urged us move on, suggesting the direction and pace.
- 11 confreres who entered the
portals of a Jesuit Novitiate half a century ago shared their ‘call’ and
eventful lives in the ‘Company’ of Jesus, gracefully videographed by fresh
Jesuits. The Golden Jubilarians were feasted and felicitated, at the Lord’s and
life’s table, and on stage.
Fifteen Jesuits with years of
experience at different tasks in the Lord’s vineyard expounded their dreams and
visions for the decade ahead, based on their own experiences – challenging, thought provoking and prodding
to action.
- Fr Changa, our provincial, put forth his absolute, minimum need,
NOW – TEN MORE full-fledged Jesuits. The old can hardly be rejuvenated and the
fledglings cannot be made to soar high yet. With focus on 2020, we have to make
a concerted and focused campaign to attract, inspire and nurture vocations; it
has to be Agenda No. 1, for all.
Two books were released during
the province days:
1) Samooh Yatra: Our Journeying Together – A history of most of the
Jesuit communities in Gujarat .
2) Globalization, Growth and Employment – A compilation of scholarly
writings on the topic edited by Fr Lancy Lobo and Jayesh Shah
No learned papers emerged from
the Province days, no Resolutions were made or Action Plans voted on, no paper
was wasted and files filled! But Gujarat Jesuits spent two days together in
mutual fellowship and companionship – relaxed, sharing, dreaming and hoping.
Rosary School rose to the occasion
to host and run everything well. After enjoying all the facilities generously
shared, the feeling was that Rosary could be the permanent venue of Province
days! All the Jesuit institutions around, and the Rosary Parish and the
Bishop’s house, were thrown open to accommodate the participants. The bevy of
automobiles squeezed into the Rosary campus vouched for the material blessings
the Lord has showered on Gujarat province, and
the mobility of her members!
(Rappai Poothokaren, S.J.)
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