INDIA: A NEW BEGINNING
This story of a "new beginning" in India is being written to let people know a little about our Congregation in India. Every "new beginning" is a great grace for those in the new foundation as well as for the Congregation as a whole. This is a story of grace, a grace marked by joy, sacrifice, hope, and challenge.
Pre-history
Long before the first SCJ's came to establish a foundation in India, the SCJ's were in touch with India. In the early years of the 20th century, our Founder, the Venerable Father Leo John Dehon, was approached by authorities in Rome to discuss the possibility of a foundation in modern day Pakistan, then India. It appears that there was serious consideration given to this request, but that it was set aside because of a widespread plague in India and the pressure to send missionaries elsewhere. Some years later Father Dehon visited India. After this visit, on his way back to France, he submitted to the Church authorities in Rome several insightful observations and suggestions.
Preparing the Ground
Before the SCJ's set foot on Indian soil, the Holy Spirit was working in and through a number of people, laying the ground work for what would shortly follow. The following should be recognized and remembered.
- Very Reverend Father Antonio Panteghini, SCJ, Superior General, who with his General Council, surfaced the idea of a foundation in India at the General Conference in 1992. The Conference supported further exploration.
- Very Reverend Father Virginio Bressanelli, SCJ, Superior General, who with his Council, did the necessary research and established the first foundation.
- Father Willem Muermans, SCJ, from Flanders, who, by reason of his assistance to and contacts in India, opened many doors for the first missionaries. Early on he was a strong believer in and advocate for our SCJ foundation in India.
- Father Adrian van der Wilk, SCJ, from Holland, played a role similar to that of Father Muermans.
Many others could be named who, in one way or another, showed an interest in having the Priests of the Sacred Heart working in India.
Father Martin van Ooij, SCJ with Bishop Joseph Kureethara.
Beginnings
On October 6, 1994, Fathers Martin van Ooij, SCJ, and Andrew Ryder, SCJ, arrived in Cochin, Kerala, to begin the work of the Priests of the Sacred Heart in India. They were warmly welcomed by Bishop Joseph Kureethara, Bishop of Cochin, who was already acquainted with our congregation because of an earlier visit by Fathers Adrian Borst, SCJ, and Patrick Houterman, SCJ, who had come to investigate possible locations for our community.
The Bishop provided a residence for Fathers Martin and Andrew at Our Lady of Life parish house where the pastor, Father Mark Anthony, received them most hospitably. The seed was planted in good soil.
Shortly after they were settled, Fathers Richard Di Leo, SCJ, and Adrian van der Wilk, SCJ, arrived on temporary assignments, until permanent missionaries would be available. Later Father Adrian returned as a permanent member of the India Mission
In June, 1995, eight young men joined us and began their studies. With the arrival of these first seminarians, the seed was taking root.
Putting Down Roots
Our first 8 students enrolled in the minor seminary of the Diocese of Cochin where they lived and followed classes, since the SCJs had no place of our own. Bishop Kureethara graciously entrusted to us the mission church of St. Mary, Chandiroor, since it had a rectory that could accommodate 2 or 3 persons. Our students joined us on weekends. Needless to say, the rectory was quite crowded on weekends. However, what could have been a very difficult situation was actually a wonderful experience of community. There was a sense of unity and mission that bonded the group and made the inconveniences seem insignificant. It was a good period for the new community, a good sign for the future.
This was the "Pioneer Period." Our Superiors in Rome were making strong efforts to build a community of religious permanently committed to the mission. But that took time as members suited to this mission and ready and willing to come had to be sought out and given time to prepare themselves, especially with English if they did not know it. Consequently, temporary helpers were sought out and sent. During the second year, Father Vincenzo Rizzardi, SCJ, from Italy, and Brother Aloysius Purwoseputro, SCJ, from Indonesia, came as permanent members. Father Carlos Suarez, SCJ, from Spain, and Father Thomas Garvey, SCJ, from the United States came to India as temporary members. Father Thomas eventually continued on as a permanent member. By June, 1996, the mission had four permanent missionaries with Father Fr. Martin van Ooij, SCJ, serving as the Superior.
So much change certainly had its drawbacks, but it also had positive features. Our students got a glimpse of the rich variety of nations and cultures that make up our Congregation. They met some wonderful SCJ's. At the same time, our members got a taste of life in an international community, an experience that broadened and enriched all.
In January, 1996, we broke ground for our first home in India. It would be a minor seminary able to accommodate 40 students and 4 religious. It was exciting and energizing to see our first home in India going up.
In June, 1996, we received our second group of students, 14 in number, who brought our student body to 22. Again space was a problem. However, Bishop Kureethara again came to our assistance: eight new students would be housed and educated in the Diocesan Minor Seminary; six would live permanently in St. Mary's Chandiroor, and attend the local Catholic high school; and eight would be housed with two of our Religious in the second floor of the rectory of St. Lawrence Church in Eda Cochin for pre-college studies in Religion, Spirituality and English. Again, the living situations were crowded, but the generous and sensitive spirit of the Religious and students made it go remarkably well, leaving us with many happy memories.
In June, 1996, there was a feeling of greater stability, of a unity born of sharing difficult situations, and of a growing conviction that this mission is truly God's work and will grow, prosper and do much for the Church and society. We felt what St. Peter felt following the transfiguration as he spoke to Our Lord: "Lord it is good for us to be here!"
Minor Seminary, Dehon Bhavan, in Cochin, Kerala.
Our First Home in India
In March, 1997, we were doubly blessed. Father Adrian van der Wilk, SCJ, joined us as a permanent member, bringing our number to five; and we completed and dedicated our first SCJ residence in India, Dehon Bhavan, in Kumbalanghy, a minor seminary for 40 students in a 3-year program. As we settled into our new home we felt joy and a stronger sense that we were more deeply rooted in India.
At the Mass of dedication, Bishop Joseph, our gracious patron and Father Virginio Bressanelli, SCJ, our General Superior, presided. Meetings of our SCJ India community with Fr. General led to encouraging, energizing discussions. We would shortly begin construction of a residence for our college-level seminarians and we were promised eight new missionaries over the next four years. The major pieces for a strong foundation were falling into place.
The Religious Community Grows
There were a few important developments in 1997-1998. The first was the doubling of the religious community. By June, 1998, the community doubled to ten members, a very significant development as this larger number added to our stability, gave witness to the local Church that we had a serious commitment and were here to stay, and gave us the capability to set up independent residences for the various levels of formation. In the last half of 1997, Fathers Andrew Sudol, SCJ, and Kazimierz Gabryel, SCJ, arrived from Poland. In the first half of 1998, Fr. Sebastian Pitz, SCJ, of the South Brazilian Province and Fr. Valerio Pilati, SCJ, of the Northern Italian Province arrived. And in January, 1998, Br. Leonard Zaworski, SCJ, arrived from the United States.
The second important development was the setting up of a rented residence in Aluva for our students of theology and philosophy. There were two religious, Frs. Tom Garvey and Andrew Sudol and 10 students - six in the first year of philosophy and four in theology. The rented house proved to be very crowded, but there was not much housing available for twelve adults. One afternoon Bishop Joseph stopped by for tea. He quickly sized up the situation and graciously offered us the use of the diocesan vacation house until we completed building our new residence. We shortly moved into what proved to be a considerably better living situation.
Construction of Minor Seminary in Cochin, Kerala.
A Move to the North - New Foundations
The nine months from June,1998 to March 1999, were months of exceptional vitality. First, the Congregation expanded to the Diocese of Guntur, Andra Pradesh, about 800 miles to the northeast, in East-Central India. Fr. Martin had met two diocesan priests from Guntur at a retreat in Kerala during his first year here. A friendship grew and while Fr. Martin was visiting them in Guntur, the bishop and priests asked whether our congregation could come to the diocese. After a discussion, the SCJ community decided to request permission to open a minor seminary in Guntur as soon as sufficient personnel were available.
The principal motivating reasons for requesting permission were (1) the welcoming spirit of the Bishop and priests who promised to help in every way they could; (2) the great pastoral needs of the area which required not only priests and Brothers, but our specific commitment to the poorest.
The school year began in June 1998, with nine candidates for our congregation living and studying in the diocesan minor seminary. Several months later Fr. Adrian van der Wilk, SCJ, moved into the seminary and became part of the staff.
Another important event was opening our novitiate on Bolgatty Island in April 1998, in a very suitable building loaned to us gratis for 2 years. On April 30 we received our first two novices, Mariano Fernandes and Placido Rebello, both from Goa. Since the building was quite large, we moved the program for new students who come to us after 12th grade from Dehon Bhavan to this new location.
A third important event was the blessing and opening of our second residence in India on March 25, 1998. It provides residence for 50 students of philosophy and theology. In conjunction with this event, Fr. Teja Anthara, SCJ, arrived, becoming the 11th member of the India District.
A fourth event was the sending of three of our members to Guntur, to establish a community there. Fr. Adrian serves in the diocesan minor seminary where our first year students live and study. Fr. Teja serves as Delegate Superior for the community and formation director for our 11th grade students in a rented house. And Br. Leonard assists in the diocesan program to assist the poor in terms of both charity and justice.
Conclusion
The first years of our India Mission have been very full and we have experienced remarkable growth. We thank God who has blessed us in exceptional ways for reasons that only time will fully reveal. We thank our SCJ confreres throughout the world. Our success is very much rooted in the congregational-wide support we have felt in every way. We are convinced that when we live in the spirit of Sint Unum, we receive such extraordinary blessings.
