The Indian Province of the Society of St Paul was blessed with a new Deacon— Ambrose Divyanathan.
On the Third Sunday of Advent (13-12-2020), His Grace Most Rev. George Anthonyswamy, the Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore ordained our Brother Ambrose Divyanathan a deacon, together with other three more seminarians of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore, at St Thomas Tomb Chapel, Santhome Cathedral, Chennai.
During the homily, the Archbishop urged the would-be deacons to imitate the qualities of St John the Baptist, and live a life of holiness. Further, he also highlighted the ministry of a Deacon and his specific role in the Church, specially, at the table of the Lord.
Rev. Fr Varghese Gnalian, the Provincial Superior and Fr Dominic Savio D’Silva, Provincial Councillor represented the Province at the Diaconate Ordination; owing to Covid-19 pandemic, the participants to the sacred ceremony were restricted.
In the evening, during the Eucharistic celebration at the Divine Mercy Church, Anna Nagar (East), Chennai, Deacon Ambrose proclaimed the Word for the First time and served at the altar of the Lord as a Ordained Minister. The Provincial Superior, the parish community and the members of Chennai community congratulated the newly ordained deacon and had hosted a dinner in honour of him.
We wish our new deacon a fruitful Pauline ministry!!!
PERPETUAL PROFESSION OF BROTHERS PASCAL AND DESMOND
In the community of Ibadan
It was a moment of immense joy, when on the 26th of November 2020, Bro Pascal ChineduMbah and Bro Desmond Shinshima Alfred, made their final vows. The ceremony took place at 6:30 P.M in the community chapel at Ibadan, and witnessed by students, friends and a relative. The Provincial delegate, Fr JiksonMullasseril, presided the Mass and received the vows on behalf of the Provincial Superior. Other concelebrants were Fr Joseph the Coordinator of Formation for Nigeria, Fr Robert Correa, the Superior of the community, and Fr James Edeh the newly ordained priest.
The celebration coincided with the Feast of our Blessed Founder James Alberione and the beginning of the Pauline year of the Bible. In his Homily Fr Jikson stressed that “there is joy in surrendering and belonging to Jesus”. He added that “for the world it may seem illogical and bizarre, what Pascal and Desmond are doing, but both are convinced that in God alone is lasting joy found and have freely taken the bold step to commit their lives to Him”. He reiterated that “the pronouncement of their final vows, was an act of love to God who loved them first”. And the vows, should enable them to love Him in return with undivided hearts, trust him as the only treasure and surrender their will to do his will.
He explained the exemplary life and legacies of James Alberione, and admonished Pascal and Desmond to follow in his footstep of accomplishing everything through prayer, spending time before the Eucharist and dedicating their lives for the Gospel. He reminded all present at the mass to cease this year of the Bible to deepen their knowledge of Scripture and strive to apply its teachings, which will result in the transformation and transfiguration of their lives. We congratulate Brothers Pascal and Desmond and wish them the best for the future.
On Wednesday November 25, 2020 five postulants: Sunday Oche, Stanislaus Nkanta, Paul Sanya, Joseph Anigwe, and Ernest Ndebilite entered the canonical year of novitiate in Lagos. The event took place in the evening and was officiated bythe provincial councilor Fr JiksonMullasseril, and assisted by the Novice Master Fr Joseph. He explained to the newly admitted novices the importance of the novitiate and reminded them that they begin as ordinary religious, but should finish as Holy religious. It was a joyful occasion for the community of Lagos and we wish the novices a fruitful and blessed year of novitiate.
November 25, 2020:AdorCelsusUnimke,Isaac Sonsha Mimi, Abi Francis,Joseph Egbador,Onyimonyi Francis Chukwuebuka, Adinnu Samuel Nnmadi, NzehOnyekachiSixtus, Asogwa Kennedy, Idiku, Odobor Raphael Emeka, having completed their aspirancy in Lagos were admitted to postulancy in a simple and beautiful ceremony at Ibadan. The officiating priestFr Robert Correa, the superior spelt out the requirements of the congregation. He said “they were to grow into genuine human persons, discover, assimilate and deepen their understanding of the Pauline Charism and mission, grow in the knowledge of the thought and work of the founder and finally grow in deeper union with Christ, the Master, the Way, the truth and the Life.”At the end of the ceremony the superior entrusted the postulants to the care of their Master Fr Praveen Chirathara, and will be assisted by Fr Gerard Tanko.
The Pauline Family in India Solemnly Celebrated the Feast of Primo Maestro, Blessed James Ablerione with a high level of Pauline Unity. Jointlyorganized by the Three Pauline Congregations, SSP, DSP & PDDM, the Feast was well attended by every member of the Pauline Family from India and abroad with great devotion and zeal. Present among them were Varghese Gnalian, Provincial Superior, IN-Nigeria-UK-Ireland, Rev Sr Arul Mary, Provincial Superior of FSP and Sr Amita, Provincial Councilor, PDDM. The entire Programme was Livestreamed on YouTube from Mumbai Community Chapel
The major highlights of the Feast
Pauline Biblical Year was solemnly declared open in India by Fr Varghese Gnalian, inviting all members to stay committed to the Gospel. Significant contribution of Paulines in Biblical Apostolate in Hindi, Telugu and English were highlighted in the event. Delight in Jesus, an resource manual for the Biblical year, prepared by Fr Dr Gegore Kaithoil was also released.
First time an English Pauline Missal was released, which is very unique to all the Pauline communities in the English speaking world. Representatives from all Three Pauline Congregations worked had been working tirelessly to bring out this historical work.
The Festive Eucharist was the culmination of a three-day spiritualpreparation, well animated by Fr Baji, an internationally renowned Pauline authority on the spirituality of Blessed James Alberione.
God’s Word 2021 digital App was blessed and Launchedas the opening activity of the Pauline Biblical Year, marking an important milestone in the Biblical Apostolate “giving wings and feet to the Gospel”. (Ven. Tecla Merlo)
Thus on the the Feast of Blessed James Alberione, the Paulines in India offered many new fruits to glorify God and to bring peace to people.
We celebrate the feast of our Founder, Blessed James Alberione. Along with my Team and all in the Provincialate, I join you spiritually to celebrate the event meaningfully. I pray that God our loving Father may shower his choicest blessings on all of us and on all the apostolic activities of our Province through the intercession of our beloved Founder.
Our Province has just celebrated the Chapter on the theme “Do everything for the Gospel”. Alberione employed all his energies to the spread of the Good News in all its forms with all means that were at his disposal. Though physically weak he was moved by the Spirit of God to leap in to the unknown for the sake of the Gospel. May the vision of our heavenly Founder inspire us to greater commitment in our mission. May his determination to do something noble to the men and women of his times challenge us to personal renewal and may his indomitable spirit inspire us to be and to do everything for the Gospel.
Have a wonderful and grace-filled celebration of the feast. Stay blessed always.
Kindly keep our Brothers in Nigeria in your special prayers. May the Good Shepherd be close to them during these days of pain, sorrow and loss.
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