ST PAULS BOOK & ART CENTER, at Marikunnu, Kozhikode, Kerala, was formally inaugurated and opened to the general public by Dr Beena Philip, the honourable Mayor of Kozhikode, in the presence of a large gathering of both civil and religious dignitaries and ordinary citizens from all walks of life on Sunday 20 August 2023, the Foundation Day of the Society of St Paul. In her inaugural address, Dr Beena emphasized the need of such a centre in Kozhikode specially for faith formation of Christians and promotion of human, religious and moral values among people of all faith and good will. Rev. Fr Joby Mathew, Provincial Superior, opened the doors of a very spacious, well designed and colourfully lit Book & Art Centre to the dignitaries and guests by symbolically cutting the ribbon. Having the dignitaries and the guests within the premises, Rev. Fr Gilbert Kannikkatt, Superior of the house, warmly welcomed everyone to ST PAULS Complex and to the Book & Art Centre.

Rt. Rev. Dr Varghese Chakkalakal, Bishop of Calicut, who presided over the rite of blessing, appreciated and thanked the members of the Society of St Paul, who relentlessly work for promoting human, Christian, social and cultural values through their publications and distribution centers throughout the country. He expressed his happiness that here is the centre where everyone one can freely come in – children, youth, adult – irrespective of caste, colour, creed and religion. The Bishop further added that the need of the hour is to promote universal brotherhood among all people, to guarantee peace and justice in our society. Reading brings out the best in one’s personality and makes one capable of reaching greater heights in life.

During the event, three of the latest titles from BYB / ST PAULS were released by Msgr. Jenson Puthanveetil, Vicar General of the Diocese of Calicut, Dr Anvar, President, JDT Group of Educational Institutions, Kozhikode and Mayor Beena Philip respectively. During the meeting, Fr Sebastian Elavunkal, Provincial Bursar and Administrator, honoured and recognized the great contribution of various individuals, firms, agencies and establishments who generously contributed for the realization of our dream project at Marikunnu, Kozhikode.

In his vote of thanks, Fr Saju George, the DGA of the Province, graciously recalled, remembered and thanked all those who have worked for the project and followed the same, both from far and near, from the moment of its conception. A very special mention was made of Rev. Fr Varghese Gnalian, the former Provincial Superior and the members of the Council who initiated this project together with Br Blaise Thadathil, then Provincial Bursar, for their vision and commitment in the service of our apostolate. The DGA, while thanking Fr Franisco Thazhathel, Director of the Centre, and Fr Gilbert Kannikkatt, Superior of the community, for organizing the event so meticulously, expressed the hope that the centre will become a point reference for all people who are in search of true wisdom, knowledge, guidance and enlightenment in their daily lives. The inaugural event was brought to a joyful conclusion with a ‘high tea’ and a lovely take-away gift for all those present at the event.

ST PAULS Complex, on the Kozhikode-Wayanad-Mysore National Highway, has become a landmark in the commercial and cultural capital of northern Kerala. All those who have associated with the project in one way or another, irrespective of their religious beliefs, have affirmed emphatically that they always experienced the power of the Divine Providence accompanying them at the different stage of its realization.  ‘Truly this is the work of God accomplished by human hands’. This fact should constantly remind all of us, Paulines, of the words and teachings of Blessed Alberione, our Founder. “…the bookshop reflects the whole of our Institute: it is the point of contact between us and the people, it is the centre of diffusion of all the apostolic-Pauline initiatives. It is the Publishing House of God. The bookshop is a temple; the bookseller a preacher; light, holiness, joy in Jesus Christ and Christian life are the fruits sought; the counter is a pulpit of truth...».

The community of St Pauls in Guwahati wore a festive look on June 3, 2023. The reason was the momentous occasion of the Diaconate Ordination of the first Pauline from Assam. Br Damiyan Borgoary, SSP who hails from the diocese of Bongaigoan was ordained deacon by His Grace Most Rev. John Moolachira, Archbisop of Guwahati, on this day. The Archbishop was assisted by Rev Fr. Joby Mathew, the Provincial Superior and Rev. Fr Prithviraj Philip, the Director of Formation.

In his homily the archbishop reminded the Cleric that God has called him for a reason and exhorted him to be faithful to that call.  He stressed on the value of celibacy and challenged the Candidate to nurture the life of celibacy and to avoid living a life of double face. He encouraged Br Damiyan to be an ardent apostle of Christ in this challenging world. Urging him further he said, “Serve passionately, preach by example and have personal contact with the Creator through the life of Prayer.” The Archbishop invited him to “be a zealous apostle of the Church like his patron St Paul and be a missionary wherever called to serve”.

More than 100 people--family Members of Deacon Damian, Priests from various religious congregations and the diocese of Guwahati, Brothers, Sisters and a few friends of the Community of Guwahati--participated in the Solemn Eucharistic celebration. The liturgy of the day was perfectly planned and beautifully celebrated which evoked spontaneous expressions of appreciation from everyone including the Archbishop. “I consider myself blessed to be part of this celebration”, commented a Sister at the end of the celebration.

We wish Deacon Damiyan Borgoary a fruitful and meaningful service as he takes up his pastoral ministry as a deacon.

After a gap of two years, once again the India-Great Britain-Ireland Province is blessed with seven young men – Savio Panmei, Wedneson Goyari, Sumit Lakhra, Mandeep Ekka, Santhosh Kumar, Alok Minz and Pradeep Bara – from five different states of India. They were admitted to the year of Postulancy on Tuesday 30 May 2023 in the community of Vijayawada by Rev Fr Joby Mathew, the Provincial Superior during a solemn prayer service.

Initiating the Rite of Admission Fr Joby Mathew exhorted the community to generously accompany these young men both by way of personal example and by prayer. He then reminded the candidates that the year of Postulancy is an opportunity for them to focus on 3 ‘Ds’ – Discern, Deepen and Detach. He said, “discern your vocation to religious life, deepen your love for the Pauline way of religious life and then detach yourself from the ways of the world. Transform yourselves by renewing your way of thinking and living by your familiarity with the Word of God and by your love for the Eucharist.”

Fr Varghese Gnalian, the Master of the Postulants, presented the candidates to the Provincial Superior who in turn admitted the candidates to Postulancy by giving them a copy of the Bible and a Rosary. The presence of Fr Prithvi Raj, the Director of Vocation Promotion and Formation, and rest of the members of the community of Vijayawada added colour to the entire celebration.

We congratulate these young men and wish them all the very best.

On 1 May 2023, the Feast St Joseph, the Worker, (International workers day), Br Francis Xavier Aind was ordained Deacon, at Society of St Paul, Divyodaya, Lalkhatanga, Bhusur, Ranchi, India by His Grace Most Rev Dr Felix Toppo, SJ, the Archbishop of Ranchi.

Rev Fr Joby Mathew, the Provincial Superior, presented the candidate for the diaconate to Archbishop Felix Toppo.

The Archbishop instructed the new Deacon in the light of the Gospel of the day, advising the brother to belong to Jesus and to gain experience from him, always listening and following him as “it is the experience of being ‘his sheep’ that has to give expression to your service as a deacon.” Further, the Archbishop reminded the candidate how it is necessary to be free from human dynamics, without taking possession of God’s work for personal gratification. “Jesus was the first,” he said, “to experience this in his relationship with his Father, and his Father gave him back life, the eternal and true life.”

In an emotional atmosphere that followed the celebration, Francis Aind, the newly-ordained deacon, commented, “For me, Love is the fundamental and innate story of my vocation.  The comforting words, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine" (Is. 43:1), is the source of my life as a consecrated religious, and now as a deacon. At every moment of my life, particularly difficult moments of my life, I felt the trust of Jesus, who never left me alone. In letting go and surrendering myself to Him, I found my life changing daily. Today, I'm grateful for that moment, that moment of being loved and enveloped by that Love for the rest of my life, and realizing how Jesus has ever been close to me.” He then thanked God for the Gift of his Vocation to religious life.

The event was marked by the presence of Fr Joby Mathew, the Provincial Superior, Fr Sebastian Thomas, the Provincial Bursar, Priests and Religious from the surrounding areas, and a large number of people from St Paul’s Family Unit, Bhusur. Fr Francis Dalmet and the members of the community of Ranchi made all the necessary arrangements for the entire function. 

We Congratulate Dn Francis Aind and implore God’s choices blessings upon him so that he may continue to be an effective instrument in carrying out the Pauline Media Apostolate.

Hearty Congratulations dear Dn Francis Aind.