NEWS LETTER

Editorial

Dear Friends,

There are 11 La Salette scholastics in this academic year 2009-10 and among them 5 are doing their second year theology at Vijnananilayam, Janampet, Andhra Pradesh. Among the 6 scholastics doing their theological studies at Pilar Theological College, Goa two are finishing their studies in this academic year and 4 are 3rd year theology students. This is the first time that we bring up a joint newsletter of the La Salette Scholastics from Pilar Goa and Vijnananilayam, Andhra Pradesh and this newsletter dedicates its pages for the reflection on the priesthood. The scholastics preparing for their priesthood shares with us some of their vision on the priesthood through these articles. I was especially delighted to read the reflections of these young people, and encouraged them to continue to reflect on the priesthood in this year of priests. design According to a saying attributed to Franz Kafka, 'anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old'. If our eyes remain open to the beauty of God's creation and our minds to the beauty of His truth, then we may indeed hope to remain young and to build a world that reflects something of that divine beauty, so as to inspire future generations to do likewise". May the year of priests help all the priests in "the joy of being a priest, consecrated for the salvation of the world".

Wish you all Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Fr Biju Chempottickal, MS

PRIEST: VICTIM AND VICTOR

Schol. Anoop Manchirayil, MS

One thousand years before the birth of Jesus there lived one of the greatest of all poets named Homer and two epics are ascribed to him one is Iliad and other one is Odyssey. In the odyssey we see a man who is victorious in defeat and in the elite we see a woman who is glorious in suffering. But the subsequent centuries asked for a real man and woman, they found the very answer in Jesus and Mary.

Jesus won this world by dying on the cross and Mary is glorified because of her suffering. No Christ without cross and no cross without Christ. But the tragedy of our day is great diverse of Christ and cross. The picture Christ of this world, being torn from his cross, to the right is Christ without cross, to the left is cross without Christ. We pick up either Christ without cross (- one of his mounts – Beatitudes,) or cross without Christ-like communists, where submerging the individual freedom for common good-(Golgotha)

This great diversity is the one of the biggest problems in the life of many priests. But a priest who carries both cross and Christ, has the tremendous power to do good. All priests are between two comings; one to do the continued ministry of Christ in the world, and the other, to leave the world to be with the Christ. The less a priest who thinks in the heart about Christ and cross, the less he can imagine about God and His creation. Some no longer want to ponder over it and fool the people who do it, and simply waste long hours (a kind of defense mechanism). Personality becomes centrifugal. Impoverishment eats away from within, the chatter-chatter dialogue under the name of “sharing” and it keeps a priest on the surface of the soul, it never substitute for that inner revolution with the soul must experience in order to be reborn. The priest is not a wit who makes others, the butt of his jokes or he is not a comedian who makes himself the butt of others jokes, but a priest, one to whom everything in the world is sacrament. A priest is one whom never complaints about the particular duty of his state in life, for he knows that “the whole world is a stage and all the men and women are merely players.” In this drama of life priest is a king, then, why should be disturbed with so much worldly pleasures and positions. For when the curtain goes dawn on the last day and he will not be asked what part he played, but how he played the part that was assigned to him

The priest-victim as the instrument mediator role of Christ is a victor because he is victim. The Holy God provides courage to the victim (priest) out of His own bosom, for the victim is his own son. He who is one with the Father in His Holiness is at the same time identified with sinners. The theology of horizontal social action separated from vertical is the Marxism without Christ. Christ has Lordship over all strata of society, and it is imperative upon everyone in the church to make Gospel available to all humanity. Love service to humanity is reflex of the love of God. A mystery that becomes so busy carrying banners and protesting against injustice and yet make no attempt to win the souls to Christ, will soon become sterile .The priest victim has exactly the same mission as Christ [re-cycling of human garbage]. The divorce of husband and wife endangers the children, the divorce of the priest and victim (Christ and cross} harms the church. But once the priest is holy because the Lord is Holy, once the priest is victim because the sinless Christ died for the sinners then the wounds of the church become glorious scars.

To be an ambassador of Divine and yet to be a captive of the human is the tragedy of prostituting the eternal to carnal. No one ever sees tragedy in a snake crawling in the mud, but how different to see a wounded bird dragging its wing in the muck, that is why, however difficult priesthood and celibacy may be, it can never be understood and practiced unless there is fixity on the ideals, and this ideals are Jesus and Mary.

COMPARISON BETWEEN MARY AND PRIEST

Schol. Dileesh Poriamvelil, MS.

Introduction

Mary was the vehicle of the coming of Jesus into this world, so should the priest be the vehicle of his coming into human hearts. And it is through his preaching, teaching, prayer, example and the administration of the sacraments, the priest constantly brings Jesus to mankind. A priest is an intermediary or link between God and man. His mission is to do two things: to bring God to man by infusion of Divine life; and to bring man to God by redeeming man from sin.

Ministry of Mary and Ministry of the Priest

There is much in common between Mary and the priest in their vocation, election, mission and spiritual journey. Mary was prayerful, attentive to the word of God. She listened to the words of the Lord, kept pondering over them in her heart, and became his humble disciple. Priests also should attentive to the voice of God and practice discernment in prayer. Mary, the priest and the Eucharist are the three marvels in the church. In her apostolic work the church looks to the Blessed Virgin Mary as the model of apostles, animated by maternal love. No one who reads scripture with an open mind can miss the fact that Mary is a wonderful example of docility to the Holy Spirit. This, needless to say, is an essential quality, which should characterize every priest. It can be easily observed that priests who abandoned Mary and rejected her example equally rejected the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The consequences have been disastrous: they suffered spiritual shipwreck, loss of vocation and even did unspeakable harm to the community.

Mary is intimately united with Jesus her son. She was united him in spirit, but hers was also a physical-maternal union. Before she carried the word in her womb, she already carried him in her heart. She was united with Jesus in the incarnation, in his ministry, in his passion, and now in his glory. Mary’s spiritual relationship with him was certainly more important that her physical relationship with him. The union between the priest and Christ is sacramental, but equally real and fulfilling. As Co-redemptrix Mary participates in the priestly act- the sacrifice- of Christ. Simeon prophesied about child Jesus in the temple (Lk 2: 34-35). On Calvary, when she saw the heart of her son pierced with lance, her heart was certainly pierced with a sword of sorrow. Mary shared in the sacrifice of Christ. So should every priest, in his life and ministry, not only offer the sacrifice of Christ sacramentally, but also unite with it his own sacrifice, offering himself as a spiritual victim, and thus become a “co-redeemer”. Like any true priest, Mary is associated with the work of the Holy Redeemer. She is not only Co- redemptrix. Her job is also to form, sustain and crown with fruit the apostles of all times. The good priest is not only associated with the work of Christ, but also a dedicated helper in bringing others into the sacred ministry of carrying on in time the work of the Redeemer.

Christ is the apostle of the father; Mary is an Apostle of Christ and the Queen of the Apostles of Christ. Mary lived the Gospel. Like her, all priests are called to become living Gospels of Jesus Christ, bringing home to people the relevance and depth of the good news of Jesus through the joy, beauty and sanctity of their very lives centered on Christ. Her apostolate was that of a deep religious life, of holy aspirations, prayer, example, charity, sacrifice and total obedience to God. These indeed are the best and the most fruitful forms of apostolate a priest is to carry on. Mary is virgin yet a mother. Hers is a joyful and fruitful virginity. Every priest who loves to be faithful to the consecration of his life will live his commitment of celibacy in the spiritual environment and the familial atmosphere of Mary. As Mary brought forth the God-man, the new Adam, into the world, so it is the mission of every priest to beget new men in Christ through the preaching of the Gospel. Like Mary, every priest is a medium of Christ’s continuous coming into the world, into new and new hearts and minds every day. This is an unending task entrusted to the priests.

Mary stands out among the poor and the humble of the Lord who confidently hopes for and receives salvation from Him. Similarly the priest too should not depend primarily or only his own mental, physical and other resources. But humbly put his trust in the Lord and depend on Him from whom all good things come. Mary is a model for all priests for obedience. She was obedient to civil and manmade rules, (the decree of Caser that each one should go to his own city and register his name) the Church rules (presentation of Jesus in the Temple, circumcision of Jesus) and above all, the will of God: may it happen to me as you have said. And priests also called to do the same; he should obey all just laws- civil, religious and divine- and teach other

Gratitude is a virtue that adds to the beauty of Mary. She is thankful to God for His love and mercy, and praises Him in an exultant song. She glorifies God for the great things He has done for her and in her. It shows that all the priests should recognize God’s work in him and should be thankful to God for it. He should rejoice in the Lord, and his soul and his voice should give praise to him, just like Mary did.

Mary manifested her active charity in going in haste to the hill country, to her cousin Elizabeth, and staying with her, helping her for three months (Lk 2: 39-56). She saw the need and did what she could without waiting to be requested. If only every priest could be like her, watchful enough to recognize the needs of their flock and intervene at the opportune time and in the right way. Another clear example of Mary’s active charity is her intervention at the wedding feast of Cana (Jn 2: 1-11). She was aware of the need and, unsolicited, interceded with her son on behalf of the bridegroom. And Jesus worked his first miracle in response to her. It is a mission every priest has received “from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Him and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor 5: 18).

Mary is also a faithful disciple of Christ. She not only listened to his word but also followed him faithfully right up to Calvary and even beyond. She followed him even into heavenly glory. Every priest is called to be a faithful disciple of Christ, chosen to be with him and to follow his footsteps. If he remains faithful, he too will be blessed and full of grace, like Mary. She has found favour with God. Every priest should seek to be in the favour of God. Mary is in heaven; where she has reached, every priest should hope to follow in the company of a multitude of his people.

Conclusion

Priesthood is very profound insertion in the communion of the church in which there are the angels and the saints, in which there is Mary. Priests should, therefore, experience the presence of Mary in the Christian mystery. They should proclaim the marvels the Lord has done in the Church, in Mary and in them. If the priest is essentially configured with Christ and more profoundly consecrated to him than all other creatures, then the priest’s relationship with Mary cannot but result in deepening of his own consecration and self-gift to God.

All priesthood in the church is based on the one true priest of the new covenant- Jesus Christ. It was Jesus Christ as priest and victim who offered his life as a sacrifice on the cross. Technically speaking, all those who are called ‘priests’ today in the church are not priests in their own right, they share in the priesthood of Christ. They are called to be “alter christus”- another Christ. Not neglecting the important functions of priesthood, such as, priest as man of prayer, image of Christ, mediator and so on, here I would like to describe the social dimension of priesthood, that is priest as the animator, or one who helps the people to have a better communion with his or her fellow human beings.

Who is a priest?

Priest is the one who selflessly serve the faithful and brings them closer to god by the spiritual activities and works. “Priests are taken from among men and appointed for men in the things that pertain to God, in order to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.”

Priest as the animator of God’s people

In the Old Testament we see Moses was the animator of Israelite on behalf of Yahweh. But in the New Testament, Christ himself came to gather his people for the kingdom he is going to make. And when he left this world he entrusted his disciples to do it. So priest who leads Christ’s people on behalf of him, receives the forgiveness of god, pardon of debts and hope of resurrection at the end of days and the new life to come. St. Paul in his letter to Corinthians explains the mediatorship of the priests in term of “servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of god”, who distribute the gift of god to the church and its member. The functions of the priest in this regard, has two fold dimension, they are ascending and descending. In the ascending dimension, priest offers holy mass on behalf of the whole church, for it’s well-being. In the descending dimension, like Christ, who proclaims the good news of salvation, Priests are god sent animators or leaders, so that they can bring people closer to god.

A traveler once went into a village and approached a housewife asking for something to eat. “I am sorry,” said the housewife, “I have no food in the house to give you”. ‘That’s all right,’ replied the traveler, ‘ I have a magic stone in my pocket and if you will just put the stone in a pot of boiling water, I can make the most wondrous soup you have ever tasted’. The woman excitedly put a large pot of water on the fire and went throughout the village telling everybody about a magic stone.

The villagers all assembled to watch the traveler, as he tasted the boiling water. ‘ah’, traveler exclaimed, ‘it only needs some potatoes !’ ‘I have some potatoes,’ one of the villagers shouted aloud and hurriedly went home returning with a large quantity of sliced potatoes. The traveler took them and gratefully put them in the pot of water. After a few moments he tasted the liquid again. Sadly he said, ‘oh, if only we had some meat to add, it would be fine stew indeed!’ ‘I have some meat,’ the housewife offered, and went to a chest in the kitchen returning with a dish of meat. The traveler graciously accepted the meat and put it into the boiling water and potatoes.

And again he tasted. ‘ah,’ he said quietly, ‘if only we had some onions and carrots, the stew would be almost perfect. ’One of the villagers shouted, ‘I have some at home. I will run and fetch them’. He returned later with a large sack of onions and carrots that the traveler added to the stone soup. After a while he tasted again, and this time a smile of satisfaction crossed his face as he sighed, ‘ oh, if we had some salt and pepper, this would be perfect stone soup. ’‘I have some right here.’ Suggested the housewife. ‘Please add it to the soup,’ replied the traveler. He tasted again and exclaimed, ‘it’s ready! Everybody get a bowl and a spoon, and some bread if you like, and taste this most wondrous meal. Come let us feast and enjoy each other’s company!’

All of the villagers rushed to their homes to get a bowl and a spoon and many loaves of bread; and immediately they returned to partake of the soup together. All ate to their fill, talking, laughing, and enjoying, not only the meal together, but each other’s company as well, for the first time in many years. The traveler, having finished his meal, smiled knowingly, took the stone from the pot, put it into his pocket and departed before anybody had a chance to thank him for making such a wondrous meal by simply putting a stone in a pot of boiling water.

The above-narrated story has something to tell us about the role of priest as the animator in the modern world. When we analyze the story carefully we come to a point, that is, the villagers had indeed everything for the food and was not in enmity with one another, but simply they all lived for oneself. As the story tells, it took the efforts of a strange traveler to bring them together and enjoy each one’s company, after a long gap. The modern situation also is not bad. Today, we see injustice and irregularities, practically in every nook and corner of the world. Two third of the total population of the world today is affected with poverty. It is not because we don’t have enough materials, but only because of the greed and selfishness of the few .One has got potatoes of wealth, while other holds meats of health, while others has pepper and salt of strength, still others has bread of food grains. But we are not ready to share it with others because of our fear of tomorrow, or we always wait for the other one to start the process. Her comes the role of modern traveler, that is, priest, who can animate the people and teaching them lessons of sharing, caring and living for the other. Remember, not through words but a true model always comes through deeds. We as priests and would be priests of tomorrow should show the people a good model. Ordinary people are not so bad to follow good lessons. They only need to see a beginning.

A modern priest can do still greater thing for the people of God by being with them and inspiring them with his words and deeds. There are people in the world who are not aware of many of the social welfare programs and human rights; to them a priest should be an informer and an assistant to get those things done to him. When it comes to the case of youth, a priest should act in a way that they are inspired to live their life for Christ, whether they select religious life or family life. In the case of imparting education, our institutes should show special concern and regard for poor and needy than weighing their pocket.

According to a recent survey conducted by ‘New Age Leader’, common people from the all wakes of the life expressed their concern over priesthood and said, “ We expect the human face of God in priests”. All those who attended the survey, when they asked of the primary quality of the priest said, ‘we like to see the face of God or the one who lives for other, in the life of priest. It all shows that all our qualities like, administrative, artistic or intellectual capabilities are meant to serve the humanity better. If that purpose is not met, all our efforts are in vain. Let us pray to Christ, the eternal priest, whom we have followed leaving our home and otherworldly pleasures, that he may lead and guide us in way that is worth living his priesthood.

PRIEST - A MAN OF PRAYER

One who falls in love takes another persons as the center of his life. He gives himself and tries to please that person. Gradually all his activities are governed and modified according to that all-important love. This was with Jesus himself. His life was a unity and wholly a giving of himself in love to his father, as he worked for others according to his Father’s will. Of course, this was in him a desire to be, as fully as was humanly possible, one with his Father in touch with and to rest in the course and goal of his love, for this was the place where he was most fully himself. Hence being close to his Father in and through prayer. Jesus has done his Father’s will and established God’s Kingdom on earth.

“Gospel gives us many instances where Jesus was deeply in prayer with his Father: in the revelation of his mission by the Father [cf. Lk 3:21-22], before the calling the apostles [cf. Lk 6:12], in giving thanks to God in multiplication of the bread [cf Mt14:19] in the transfiguration [cf. Lk 9:28-29]. All of his daily life was rooted in prayer. Thus, he retreated to the deserted place [cf. Mk 1:35,6:46], near the end of his life, to the last supper [cf. Jn 17:1-26] the agony in the garden [cf. Mt:26:36-44] and on the cross [cf. Lk 23:34-46], the master demonstrated that prayer gave life to his messianic ministry and to his paschal exodus. Raised from the dead, he lives forever and prays for us. [Heb 7:25]

By mediating on the life of Christ, the priest must know to maintain the exuberance and abundance of the movement of silence and prayer in which he cultivates and depends his own essential relationship with living figure of Jesus Christ. The heart and center in preparing for priestly ministry is prayer. They must be one with Jesus in payer. Since “by the sacrament of orders priests are configured to Christ, the priest as servants of the head, so that as co-workers with the Episcopal order” they may build up the body of Christ, the Church. Priest as any other human being, has weaknesses and shortcoming. But the life he has chosen, demands much more from this than any other men “to be perfect, as Heavenly father is perfect”[Mt 5:48], so to guide the flock. Like any other persons he can have the tendency to give up the good work he does. But at that moment he needs to intensify his payer, and must do and act of surrendering himself to Jesus.[John of the cross and Theresa of Avila experience these moment but remained faithful in their prayer and became great mystics]. Like Christ, whom Father sanctified and sent into the world, “who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds”[Tit 2:14] in the same way, priests, who are consecrated by the anointing of the Holy Spirit and sent by Christ, mortify the works of the flesh in themselves and dedicate themselves completely to the service of the people. From my understanding if priests listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, who is the source of all inspiration and guidance and if they are ever open to the grace, which they have received at the time of their ordination, they will live a very exemplary life like Jesus. And they will continue the work for the sanctification of the Church.

THE PRIEST AND THE LAITY

The priest as pastor has a duty to preach God’s Word to all the Christian people so that, rooted in faith, hope, and charity, they will grow in Christ, and as a Christian community bear witness to that charity which the Lord commended (cf. Jn. 13/35). It is also the duty of pastors to bring the faithful to a full knowledge of the mystery f salvation through a catechetical instruction which is consonant with each ones age. The Imparting instruction they should seek out not only the assistance of religious but also the co-operation of the laity, establishing confraternity of Christian doctrine (cf. CD. 30).

On the other hand we see that, the faithful who by baptism are incorporated into Christ, are placed in the people of God, and in their own little way they share the priestly, prophetic and kingly office of Christ and as per their capacity they carry out the mission of Christ to the ends of the Earth. (Cf. LG. 30)

While performing different functions, the laity and the priest will experience Christianity differently. Each has a special place in the church and will therefore have a special and indeed one-sided experience of Christianity, which will have to be supplemented by the experience of the other. The layman, for example can give only his most professional life experience of faith as a layman, which the priest cannot do. Therefore it is the priest’s duty to listen to him but only because he is expert, but also because he can contribute in a very special way to the growth of the church as a layperson. Priest cannot do certain work in the parish alone so he must take help of the laity to share his burden.

Therefore he must create some lay associations giving them proper knowledge of the life of the church, its ministry, also imparting in them the church teaching and knowledge about documents of which the church hold’s it dearly.

Among the other gifts of God, which are found in abundance among the laity, there are few laity who are attracted to a higher spiritual life. Therefore pastor must take active step to increase their holiness by giving them some responsibility, allowing them freedom and room for action, in fact they should invite them on suitable occasions to undertake works on their own initiative (cf. PO9)

Now a days there are charismatic groups coming up in the parishes. They have capacity to do well, to get rid of evil that takes place in the parish. They can save many souls from the fire of hell; they can bring many nonbelievers in the light of faith. The pastor who has great responsibility must not draw immediate conclusion, either, for or against. Let him study first whether the Holy Spirit inspires the groups or individuals or not. This he will come to know from their works. (Cf.Gal.5/19-26)

The goals to be attained in the field of creating lay apostate may differ in degree and style, according to the differences of place and of needs. Nevertheless, all must work to the growth of faith and morality among Christians, and strengthen their relationship with God and neighbor. They should, for example, have the objectives that adults achieve a mature faith, that Christian teaching reach scientific and technical groups, that the family be able to carry out its Christian duties, that the Christian presence may influence on the work of social transformation.

As we are in the 21^st century, we need to be focusing on many millennium issues, but most important issue is witnessing to Jesus. One of the most important ministries in the church is the ministry of a teacher of religion or catchiest. The future of the church is in the hand of these people. The priest must continue to offer these individuals the support, information and academic preparation necessary for them to be effective ministers of the faith.

In fulfilling their office as shepherd, pastors should encourage a full Christian life among the individual faithful and also in families, in associations especially dedicated to the apostolate, and in the whole parish community. Therefore, they should visit homes and schools to the extent that their pastoral work demands. They should pay special attention to adolescents and youth. They should visit the poor and sick people in the parish. Thus gaining their confidence in him then he will be able to encourage the faithful to assist in the works of the apostolate, in this way the laity and the priest can work hand in hand in the vineyard of the Lord. (Cf. CD 30)

After two months of holidays brothers came back home, by June 9, our strength this year is 64 and the new comers are 16, out of whom three are from the Mary Matha province, ten from Kottayam two from the Bonaventure province one from Fidelis province. These two provinces are sending their students for first time.

The institute was re-opened on June 10 with the holy Eucharistic celebrations in the new auditorium, which was presided by His Excellency Mathew Cheriankunnel and the provincial of Mary Matha province Fr. Thomas Sebastian. The new president of the institute, Fr Mathew Parinhirickal thanked the outgoing president Fr. Johnson Puthenpurackal and Fr. Simen for their service to the institute. He also welcomed all the student community, especially the freshers Fr. K.M. Sebastian (vice president) Fr. Jeyaprasad (the new principle of the degree college) and Fr. Devadas Duguta (the new vice principle of degree college ) were greeted with cheers as they took over their new office.

We take this occasion to thank the outgoing President and the Principle of Vijnanilayam, institute of philosophy and religion. We gratefully remember their dedicated service in the institute.

Soon after the inauguration ceremony we had a common meal together with Bishop Mathew Cheriankunnel. We had a nice time.

Year of the priests: On 19 of June we had the Eucharistic celebration at 6.pm at Vinjannilayam auditorium, in view of the inauguration of the ‘year of the priest’ Fr George MSFS was the main celebrant of the occasion. All the brothers and sisters from campus joined for the celebration.

We lost our good shepherd : Eluru diocese lost its shepherd on 16 August. His funeral had taken place on 18 August. We all participated for mass and funeral. The institute of vijnananilayam announced two days of holyday in honour of him and we all prayed for him.

?Happenings…… in Pilar

Annual Retreat

Annual retreat began on May 28, 2009. Fr. Patrick D’ Mello S.J. preached and guided us into the spiritual realm. He spoke of ‘five worlds’ for five days. On the day of our renewal, he also spoke of the world of Commitment. The Regents too, joined us for the same.

On 19^th June, the Pilar Seminary conducted a special hour with the Lord, on the occasion of the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Pilar Monastery Church at 5.30 pm. This was to mark the dedication of Year of Priesthood, by Pope Benedict XVI. The theme for the Holy Hour was, “Fidelity of Christ, Fidelity of Priest”, the same theme that the Holy Father has selected for the Year of Priesthood. Fr Jesuino Almeida, the Spiritual Director of the Seminary gave a thought provoking reflection. Many people from the neighbouring villages also participated in this unique holy hour.

Priesthood- A Call to Holiness

25^th June - The year 2009-2010 is dedicated to the year of Priesthood, so the activities in the Seminary revolve round the same theme. To inaugurate the pastoral activities this year, the Seminary organized a Pastoral Symposium under the theme “Priesthood- A Call to Holiness.” It was an enriching evening.

On 18^th July 2009, third year scholastics along with Fr. Ivon D’ Almeida, who is In-charge of Inter-Religious Dialogue, conducted inter religious meeting in Government College, Pernem, Goa. As soon as we reached there we proceed to the auditorium to arrange everything for the meeting. We had two hours programme including teaching bhajans, action songs, presentation and skits. A Hindu girl from the college represented Hinduism and spoke seven minutes regarding her religion.

Departing from the long-standing tradition of celebrating the Eucharist in the prescribed Indian Rite, the Seminary had an innovative Eucharistic celebration on the occasion of Independence Day and the Solemnity of Assumption (15 August ’09). The Inculturated Mass under the theme “unity in diversity” was a ground-breaking joint venture of students of all the provinces.

Onam Celebration, Setp. 8th

The harvest festival, Onam, is the biggest and the most important festival of the state of Kerala, celebrated with joy by people of all communities. It was celebrated in our seminary on Saturday, 5 September. The celebrations were led by the La Salette scholastics. The festival is celebrated to welcome the legendary King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at this time. Onam is celebrated at the beginning of the month Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam Calendar. The most impressive part of Onam celebration is the grand feast called Onasadya (A grand meal). Rice is the essential ingredient of this nine-course strictly vegetarian meal. The meal was served on a tender banana leaf, with the end to the left, on a mat laid on the floor. The dishes were served in strict order. Each food item has a fixed place on different parts of the banana leaf starting with salt. It goes without saying that the entire community relished the delicious meal and thanked God – and king Mahabali.

Gyan Ragam – the intellectual fest for the Catholic Degree Colleges in Goa was held on Saturday 19^th September. Mr. Rock D’ Cruz Principal of the Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology Goa was the Chief Guest. Apart from the other items like; Budding Poet, Poster Making, and Street Theatre the new item that was introduced this year was Ex-tempore, which became the highlight of the day. St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa was declared the over all champions of the event.

1 A priest was driving on a road and discovered a dead donkey. He rang the municipality and the cheeky clerk said.

“You are right,” said the priest, but it also is our duty to inform the relatives first”

3 A Priest consoling a condemned man sitting on the electric chair said to him “what can I do for you my son?

1.Study the Holy Father’s Letter for the year of Priests in a small group. Make copies. Mark them up. Take the message to heart.

2. Yes you can offer all your sufferings physical, emotional, and spiritual for the sanctification of all priests.

3. Considering the damage done to the priesthood by sins of calumny, detraction, and tale-bearing, you can resolve to refrain from all critical, unkind, and judgmental speech (and blogging) concerning priests and also resolve never to repeat disedifying comments, anecdotes or gossip concerning priests their sins and their failings.

4. Don’t forget the souls of priests in purgatory. You may want to join with others in having Masses offered for the happy repose of the souls of departed priests.

5.Resolve to show all priests a supernaturally motivated respect and reverence. Reclaim the beautiful Catholic custom of asking for a priest’s blessing whenever you encounter him.

6. “And He said to the, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting” ( Mk 9: 32). In reparation for the sins of priests and to obtain for them graces of conversion, deliverance from patterns of habitual sin, and fortitude in spiritual combat, you can fast, abstain or offer some other mortification for priests every Wednesday (Spy Wednesday was the day of Judas plotting against our Lord.)

7. On Thursday (the day of institution of the Most Holy Eucharist and of the Priesthood) you can spend one hour before the Blessed Sacrament in thanksgiving for the gift and mystery of the priesthood, and in confident supplication for the sanctification of all priests. During this hour meditate Our Lord’s own prayer for priests in the 17th Chapter of Saint John’s Gospel.

8. On Friday (the day of our Lord’s Blessed Passion) make the Way of the Cross for priests or pray the Litay of the Sacred Heart for them.

9. Every Saturday (Our Blessed Lady’s Day) offer for the priests five decades of the Rosary. (Courtesy: Sathyadeepam)

Our Prayers and Best Wishes for the Incoming Provincial Chapter of La Salette Matha Province January, 27-30, 2010.