St. Thomas the Apostle Heavenly Patron of the Province
2 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Establishment of the Province of St. Thomas the Apostle, India
Commemorative Souvenir
Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, Poonamallee, Chennai, India June 15, 2005
Commemorative Souvenir 13 Establishment of the Province of India Establishment of the Province of St. Thomas the Apostle, India Commemorative Souvenir
Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, Poonamallee, Chennai, India June 15, 2005 Editor : Bro. George Kizhakkekara OH, sac. © Rights Reserved 2005 Design, Layout & Printing : S.R. Graphics, Kottayam, Kerala. Tel. +91 481 2301142 Published by : The Hospitaller Order of St. John of God 53 Queen Victoria Road, Poonamallee Chennai 600 056, India
42 Commemorative SouvenirSouvenir Establishment of thethe ProvinceProvince ofof IndiaIndia Owing to the great devotion of St. John of God towards Our Lady the ever-Virgin Mary, and the innumerable favours and benefits received both by himself and his sons in the houses of this Order throughout the world, a commemoration of the Patronage of Mary has always been kept with filial devotion. Entrusting to the heavenly Queen all the spiritual and temporal needs of the Order the commemoration of the Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary is kept with great solemnity each year in all our houses as one of our major feasts, on the third Saturday of November. The Brothers place themselves, their patients, and services under the protection of the Immaculate Mother of God. (Adapted from The Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours for the Order of Hospitallers of St. John of God)
Commemorative Souvenir 53 Establishment of the Province of India EDITORIAL 6 PHOTOS 7 MESSAGES 12 INAUGURAL FUNCTION 29 u Programme 30 u Homily during Mass - Fr. Pascual Piles OH, Prior General, Rome 31 u Province Document - Fr. Pascual Piles OH 32 u Words of Welcome - Bro. Benedict Nadayil OH, Provincial, India 33 u Inaugural Address - Bro. Pascual Piles OH 35 u Presidential Address - Dr. Lawrence Pius Dorairaj, Auxiliary Bishop, Madras-Mylapore 36 u Felicitations - Bro. Donatus Forkan OH, General Councillor, Rome 37 - Bro. Brian ODonnell OH, Ex-Prior General, Australia 38 - Bro. Rudolf Knopp OH, Provincial, Bavaria, Germany 38 - Sr. Rosy Joseph SCJG, Sister General, Kerala 39 - Bro. Paulus Kohler OH, Provincial, Austria 41 - Fr. Prasad Ignatius Y.J., Rector, S.H. Seminary, Poonamallee 42 u A Hospitable Act (Souvenir) - Bro. Brian ODonnell OH 43 u Vote of Thanks - Bro. Yanka Sharma OH 44 u Greetings to the New Province 46 u bpK¸pecn (A Tribute to the New Province) - Fr. Peter Thomas Kandavanam CMI 47 u Photos of the Province Event 48 THEY INSPIRE US (PHOTOS) 56 WE REMEMBER YOU WITH GRATITUDE (PHOTOS) 57 THE HOSPITALLER ORDER: A BIRDS EYE-VIEW 61 u tlmkv]n-äeÀ HmÀUdnsâ NnÓw 69 The Emblem of the Hospitaller Order u Some Significant Events in the History of the Order- Bro. Brian ODonnell OH 70 u History of the Hospitaller Order (Chronological) 72 u Statistics of the Hospitaller Order 73 u The Hospitaller Order Around the World (Illustrated) 74 THE HOSPITALLER ORDER IN INDIA 75 u The First Beginning (in Goa) 76
64 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India ST. THOMAS PROVINCE, INDIA 78 u The Second Beginning (in Kerala) ( & Photos) 78 u Members (Photos) 84 u Presence of the Order in India (Illustrated) 86 u Some Major Events of the Order in India 87 u The Unfolding of Events (Chronological Narration) 90 COMMUNITIES & CENTRES 93 u St. John of God Community, Kattappana (& Photos) 94 v St. Johns Hospital 98 a) St. Johns School of Nursing 102 b) St. Johns College of Nursing 103 Photos 106 v Pratheeksha Bhavan (& Photos) 110 v Kaithiri (& Photos) 114 v Welfare Activities Initiated by Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser (& Photos) 116 v Chaplains at Kattappana 122 u St. Thomas Community, Poonamallee (& Photos) 123 u St. Richard Pampuri Community, Deshgaon (& Photos) 130 u Mary, Health of the Sick Community & St. John of God Special School, Velloor (& Photos) 136 u NEW PRESENCES: Trichy, Bangalore, Dindigul 145 PHOTOS u Profession of Brothers 147 u Hospitallers for 25 Years and More (Jubilarians) 149 u Classes, Seminars, Assemblies... 151 ARTICLES u St. John of God 155 u Saints of the Hospitaller Order 160 u Fundamentals of Hospitaller Spirituality - Bro. Francis Mannaparampil OH, sac. 164 u Hospitality Today - Bro. Francis Mannaparampil OH, sac. 168 u My Experiences in India - Bro. Alfons M. Höring OH 169 u Geschichte einer gelungenen Inkulturation - Bro. Alfons M. Höring OH 172 u ae\m- «nÂ- Hcp a\pjykvt\ln (A short life-history of Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser) (& Photos) 176 u As a Co-Worker ... - Dr. M.C. Abraham 186 u Benefactors of the Hospitaller Order in India - Bro. Vincent Kochamkunnel OH 187 & Photos 190 u The Origin and Growth of SCJG - Sr. Rosy Joseph SCJG 192 MISCELLANEA u Address Directory of the Hospitaller Order in India 196 u Address Directory of the Sisters of Charity of St. John of God 198 u Words of St. John of God 200 u Man of compassion (Song in honour of St. John of God) Commemorative Souvenir 75 Establishment of the Province of India It was indeed one of the historic moments for the Hospitaller Order in India, when Brother Pascual Piles Ferrando, Prior General of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, raised it to the status of a Province on 15th June 2005, at Poonamallee, Chennai. The Patron of the new Province is St. Thomas the Apostle, who preached the Good News, was martyred and buried in this land. We have decided to make an attempt at recording in a commemorative souvenir, the history of many of the traceable charitable works of the Hospitaller Order in India. So, this is an effort to bring into the limelight the struggles and achievements, the birth pangs and heartbeats of the Hospitaller Order from the time of its inception in India up until now. Apart from being a peep into the past, it is a salutation of homage to the undaunted missionary zeal of the pioneers, especially Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser, who brought Hospitality to India. They shed their life- blood here in India establishing new houses and centres to serve the poor and the sick. The main reason behind this souvenir, the Province Event, is presented in the form of different messages of well-wishers, the homily and speeches of the day, the Province Establishment Document, and photographs of special moments of the event. The Order is in a very special way thankful to the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, for his apostolic blessing on all the Hospitaller Brothers in India. I thank our Provincial, Rev. Bro. Benedict Nadayil, for his encouragement and support. It is my duty to thank the members of the Souvenir Committee: Bro. Francis Mannaparampil, Bro. Pius Manithottiyil and Bro. Prakash Madappally. Our sincere thanks go to those who sent their messages and contributed articles. The encouragement and help of Bro. Brian ODonnell OH, Fr. Abraham Kadaplackal SDB and Fr. Charles Panackal SDB are recalled with special gratitude. I thank and pray for all those who contributed through articles, words of encouragement and prayers for the success of this souvenir. It is our fervent hope that this Souvenir will be an apt tribute to the past 36 years of service of the Order in India. May St. John of God, our founder and heavenly patron and St. Thomas, the Apostle of India, inspire us all in the road we will follow to better serve the Church, the sick and the poor.
Bro. George Kizhakkekara OH, sac. Editor
86 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India St. John of God Our Founder & Patron
O glorious Saint, full of tenderness and compassion for the afflicted, who, as a reward for your charity, merited to minister to Jesus Christ under the appearance of a patient, obtain for us the grace to ever see Jesus Christ Himself in the person of our neighbour, so that we may be found worthy to receive the eternal bliss promised to those who serve the Divine Master in the person of the sick, the poor and the needy. Amen.
Commemorative Souvenir 97 Establishment of the Province of India St. Raphael the Archangel Heavenly Helper of the Hospitaller Order
O most glorious prince, Raphael the Archangel, be mindful of us; here and everywhere pray to the Son of God for us.
108 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
Commemorative Souvenir 119 Establishment of the Province of India Rev. Bro. Pascual Piles Ferrando OH Prior General Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, Rome
1210 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Bro. Benedict Nadayil OH Provincial St. Thomas Province, India
Commemorative Souvenir 1113 Establishment of the Province of India 1412 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India . We are you at this time regarding the presence of the Order Apostle. It is with great satisfaction that I am writing to Thomas the in India, since its foundation in 1969 by the Rhineland Holy Family Province, Germany about to solemnly erect the General Delegation created by the Mother Province, following its approval by the General Council at the end of 1996, as the Province of St. fer quality services to the We must give thankss Indian to ourBrothers, Lord for andToday, enabling in the we hearts theare hospitality pleased of the Sisters to of be St. able ofJohn St. to Johnof God of toGod take and root in inthe the Co- hearts of today workers of both these, which Institutions. are admired by the local society and express the charity of Christ through sick and the needy . We thank the Church of India which has welcomed us in, and her Pastors who have hospitality accompanied us at all times. The support of the Brothers and co-workers from We also wish to give thanks to all the benefactors who have helped to ensure that our missionary and welfare work has been able to move forward. , provided support for theological and Austria and Germany has been invaluable. I have seen for myself their keen interest in closely They have visited India frequently monitoring the whole process of the development of the Order in India, running fundraising, who has campaigns devoted for specific projects there. Thanhäuser professional studies,Austrian and arranged and German exchanges Brothers for inIndian India. Brothers to spent time with them in Germany and Austria, and The Province had outstanding founders, including Brother Fortunatus his whole life to it, identifying with the Indian people and with the work that the Order has been e hold out great hopes for our new Province and for its future. performing in this country throughout all this time. life and in total self-giving to all those who Let us bless the Lord for all this. W fect for the good of the Church and of the Only a life lived according to the spirit of St. John of God can give hope to the future. I trust that the hospitality of St. John of God, embodied .in simplicity of suffer, will enable ourfering witness in that to havecountry a very beneficial ef people who are suf United always with you in St. John of God. Bro. Pascual Piles OH, sac. Superior General
Commemorative Souvenir 1513 Establishment of the Province of India unciature In India postolic N APURI A ANAKY ARG, CH NITI M 50-C 10 021 ELHI - 1 NEW D
May 27, 2005 s N. 6943/95 t. John of God aller Order of S atus of a Province, I am
On the auspicious occasion of the Hospit General Delegation of Indiaations being and raisedprayerful to thewishes st to the Prior General and . happy to send my felicit all the members of the Ordert. John of God has rendered commendable , Bangalore, aller Order of S The Hospit ally, Changanacherry pioneering work in the fields of evangelisation and health care, especially in ord of God was not yet the diocese of Madras-Mylapore,The members Kanjirap of the General Delegation of India have Trichy and Khandwa. ablish the Kingdom of God. s courageously reached out to regions where the W announced, striving untiringly to help est
While I congratulate the Order on this momentous occasion, I pray that it members be living testimony to the diversity and universality of the Church and the communion of the faithful, by working for creating amity among all Catholic communities and other Christian denominations wherever they work.
With my prayerful wishes and blessings, I remain,
Yours sincerely in Christ, ana
Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quint Apostolic Nuncio
14+16 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Dear Bro. Benedict Nadayil, Archbishop 41, Santhome Highs House Road been raised toHappy the st to know that the G the Chennai - 600 004 Apostle. atus of a Province, undereneral the Delegation advocacy and of your protection O of S From a sm into a Provinceall foundation in India. of rural health clinic at Katt rder in India has Bangalore, Deshgaon, Dindigul, Poonam Apart from t. Thom for the sick of all kinds, p Katt app as, appana, the newana, Province in Kerala, has it comhas grown today Hearty congratulations toarticularly you, Brother the poor Provincial, and needy and to all the m allee, Trichy and V comm unities. M elloor, doing apostolicmunities work in Assuring you of may our Blessed M . other M y special prayers and cordialary be your guide and strength now and always. embers of your blessings, devotedly yours in Christ,
+Most Rev Archbishop. ofDr. Madras-Mylapore A.M. Chinnapp a SDB
aller Brothers in India are It is indeed a great joy to learn that the Hospitablishment of the Province publishing a Souvenir to commemorate the est of India. On this happy and august occasion I rejoice with you and congratulate you all. s steadfast love and faithfulness wereakings. the guiding I am convinced that God forces behind all your spiritual, missionary and social undert The religious have a special role in the evangelization of the poor in the world. In a special way I appreciate the valuable services that you are rendering in the Diocese of Madras-Mylapore. aller Brothers May I t ake this opportunity to encourage all the Hospitsteps of St. John of ferent parts of India to walk in the foot working in the dif atron. God, their founder and p With good wishes for the celebration on June 15, 2005 and with my assurance of prayers. Yours in the Lord,
Rt. Rev. Dr. Lawrence Pius Dorairaj DD Auxiliary Bishop of Madras-MylaporeCommemorative Souvenir 1715 Establishment of the Province of India The first House of the Brothers of S Archbishop Katt appana (which was then p s House Since then they have been m Changanassery Bro. Fortunatus t. John of G art of the od was st name well knownThanhäuser to the people in the High-rangeaking steadyon accountArchdiocese progress. of the ofgreat Changanassery).arted service in 1969 he at has been rendering to the poor, one and of the the sick. pioneers, has been in India ever since. His is a for a long tim e. I am happy to know that the Brothers are nowThey beginning will rem to function as an independent Province. O ember him n this occasion I am and his com very happy to send you m panions M ar Joseph Pow y greetings and good wishes! Archbishop of Changanasseryathil
Salesian Provincial House Chennai
Dear Bro. Superior, At the outset I would like to join you in thanking the Lord for this wonderful gift of the birth of a new Province of theApostle. Hospitaller After Order thirty-five of St. yearsJohn ofof God,your firstunder foundation the powerful in patronage of St. Thomas the India, it is fitting that you are raised to the status of a full-fledged Province. The establishing of a new Province is a visible sign of the growthYour ministryand vitality of healingof your ercialized congregation and the relevance of its mission to the people. the sick will remain relevant wherever you are. In a world that has comm medicine and medical practice, in a world that promises higher and sophisticated medical care for those who have money and denies even basic, there health is allcare the for more the vast majority of our country men and women who are poor urgent need for committed and consecrated people to be in the field of looking after both physically and mentally sick and the aged. I am sure the erection of a new Province in India will bring great blessings to millions in the rural areas who are longing for essential medical help and care. May God bless the new Province, its superior and the members with needed courage and grace to launch ahead with faith and hope! Yours in Christ Jesus, Fr. Stanislaus Swamikannu SDB Provincial, Chennai
1816 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Pastoral Centre,Bishop P s House Dear and Reverend Brother Benedict Nadayil, Kanjirap ally - 686 507, Kerala,.B.No.22 INDIA Cordial greetings from Kanjirap I am very happy to know that theally! Hospit Delegation of India This new st is being elevated to thealler st Order of Saint John of God atus conferred on you, is recognition you are doing in India. atus of a Province on June 15, 2005. s General The Diocese of Kanjirap of the great and benevolent service Brothers and Sisters of theally Hospit has greatly benefited from the selfless services of both and Pratheeksha Bhavan at Katt dedicated service to humanity aller Order of S appana are twot. great John livingof God. test S has in its territory a very prestigious nursing college and a good hospit . The Diocese of Kanjirap t. Johns Hospit exemplary vision of your Order al ally can alwaysament boasts of that your it I think this is also an occasion to. think of S a warm and human person. His sole aim was to serve God by servingal, those thanks in need. to the The Charism of his Order is also to serve thoset. John in need.of God It and is called his Charism. Hospit John was Hospitality is primarily Our love should encomp, the person s capacity to open up and to reach out to others. poor. St. John of God andass the everyone, Order named the sick, af orphans, widows, prisoners and the and human concern where those who are damaged by the cruelty and insensitivityality. of others could discover or reclaim their humanity ter him, created centres of hospit services to the Church and the world. The Hospit . In this sense, you are doing invaluableality aller Brothers of S of Kanjirap ally a tremendous t.gif John of God have brought to the people of the diocese centuries now , of devoted and lovingt - the care gif loving and selfless services to the poor andt theof their sick. tradition for over four and a half My prayers and blessings are with all of youof on the this sick. auspicious I thank occasion. May you continue to serve God and humanity with renewed vigour and love.you very much for your With warm regards and best wishes, Yours in Christ Jesus,
Mar Mathew Bishop of KanjirapArackal ally
Commemorative Souvenir 1917 Establishment of the Province of India Hospitaller Order, Frankfurt 13 May 2005 portant date in the history of e another im th 2005 will becom od in India. June 15 rder of St. John of G articipate in aller O nauguration of the Provincee to p the Hospit ent of the e to India for the I e I had planned to comApostle, but health reasonsThe are historypreventing of the m developmarch of the sam as the ind and heart. art of St. Thom ber 1969. It was in M ficult st arted in Novem ally, Bro. Savio that function. rderIll be in present India st in m adapp Hospitaller O rder. As a young Brother, Bro. I was Prakash able to M watch the dif Thanhäuser ire the fast growth ofs year that I joined the O t. John ana by Bro. Fortunatus the in Kattapp Alfons M. Höring. I was alsom ablees connectedto adm with S s and program Padinjarekutt and Bro. ote the further pressed by the great blessings going out fromental in all the works, institutions,ana and I project was im al, Kattapp . Hospit y turn as provincial, Iallee was andable Deshgaon, to guide and and prom I waselloor instrum same. During m ferently abled in V ber ent of the works in Poonam e for the dif developm Trichy and Dindigul and the num the foundation of the School and Hom . Today new works are developing in Bangalore, eneral Curia, that elevated theing of Brothers is growing steadily I can say, in retrospective,eneral that Delegationthe decision in of 1997, the Gwas correct and the forthcom houses in India into a G elevation into a Province is only logical.od for his beneficial guidance and protection on I am filled with gratitude towards G . through personal our works so far od I am also grateful towardsent allal the for Brothers, the growth Sisters, of this Co-workers, work of G benefactors and friends, who were instrum ay be able to continueore rder more and m co-operation or support. ods very special blessings thataller it m O od and of the Hospit I wish the new Province Gt. John of G to practise the ideals of S perfectly and consistently in the future. ann OH Bro. Andreas Hellerm General Delegate
18 Commemorative Souvenir 20 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Establishment of the Province of India Dear Confreres,
and I am only tooI have happy been to askeddo the tosame. prep Püttlingen, Germany As long as we are living, we are recognising,are a that message the simple for the and forthcoming small things, celebrations are the truly and really great things, sa The simple and small things are:id Romano Guardini, the German theologian. But millions of people in your countrya good have meal, no chance health, atclothing, all, to receive a roof overthese once simple head. and necessary things. But the works and services of our Order in India are providing these small and simple things, as mentioned above. people, who receive the same through you my dear Confreres. financial assist ance are very great values for the Theypoor are really precious things for the Thanks to your assist people in Germany and Therefore solidarity and ance and thanks to the support and. co-operation of many good them these simple, smallAustria, things, wewhich are areable so to import care for the people and to provide for better future and a truly human life for the poor are therefore being p As Brothers of S ant for human life. Order t. John of God, you are called to create the life and the future of the , from now on, in a more independent and self-responsible way A way into a the past that you are able to do the same and the result is the elevationaved. of the General Delegation into a Province. Continue to st and assist them. . You have shown in these, I would likeYour to congratulate service and youyour wholeheartedly commitmentay at the side are of therefore these poor very people, import and support Co-workers. Greetings to you all from me, as well as from all our benefactors, supporters and friends , my dear Confreres and all our in Germany ant. For all about the latter. Congratulations fact. Without doubt, for the God elevation has kept into his a Province. graceful, blessedI am extremely and blessing happy hands over you and over us from 1969 onwards. I am happy that I was able to help you during all these years and it is my earnest wish that this help and assist Wishing you all, my dear confreres, God
s blessings and protection forance the mayfuture continue. ahead,
United with you in prayer I remain, yours fraternally , ,
Bro. Michael Mockenhaupt Former Mission Procurator OH
19 Commemorative Souvenir 21 EstablishmentCommemorative of the ProvinceSouvenir of India Establishment of the Province of India Sisters of Charity of S t. John of God Kattappana South P Idukki Dt. 685 515, Kerala.O. It is with utmost gratitude and appreciation that I greet Brothers, on the occasion of the est province of St. Thomas the Apostle. At the very outset I thank the Almightyyou, for His choicest blessings upon the Order in India.ablishment of the new Hearty Congratulations! St. John of God, the founder of the Hospit and model of Christian Hospit aller Order, is an exemplar characteristic of the Hospit ality, which is the distinguishing The practice of hospitality opensaller Family. our eyes to the action of God in ourselves, in others and in all nature. Rev. Bro. Fourtunatus Thanhäuser, a true follower of St. John of God, brought the spirit of S dedication and contribution t.made John a of lot God of development to India. in health care in different remote areas. Now there are many centersAs wein various know his parts of India where the sick, the poor and the needy are looked after with the spirit of Buildings are remindersSt. ofJohn achievement of God. the spirit that motivated the unseen cost remembered and treasured. s. There is also a story of s and that must be The historical event of the est recorded in the pages of the souvenirablishment that of you the are new bringing province out. will I be congratulate you for the ef On behalf of the Sisters offort Charity that youof S are taking to make it a reality. the best and promise our prayers. t. John of God, I wish you all May our Holy Father, St. John of God, guide us to continue his mission in this century . Kerala Sisters of Charity of St. John of God Sr. Rosy Joseph SCJG Sister General . t. John of God in India are becoming
, and in a special way the provincial Rev It gives me joy to learn that thealler Brothers Order of S ast years to make this province a province. he members of the new Province. Thanhäuser and all the members of the I wish to congratulate the entire Hospit. Bro. Fortunatus Bro. Benedict Nadayil and all t ast years. I recall the. I selflessalso remember service renderedRev by the Brothers in the p a reality Mother Province,atus and betheir an wholehearted occasion to dive cooperation deeply into and the support. spirit and charism of your . May this, newand tost live the present with joy and enthusiasm. Almighty and every success founder Almighty may bless you with greater dedication and enthusiasm Sr. Anice Joseph SCJG I join to praise and thank God for all that He has achieved through you in theEx- pSister General I pray for you so that the to continue your services to. the poor and the needy ake this opportunity to wish you the blessings of God May I t in your future endeavors
2220 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India I am very happy to know that the Hospit Sisters of Charity of S souvenir on the occasion of becom I congratulate R t. John of God Province. I do remev. Bro. Benedict N aller O Kerala ing a Province.rder in India is bringing out a especially towardsem theber weaker with appreciation sectionsadayil, of humyour the initiativenew Provincial, and com and all the m Founder , St. John of G Now we need to rem od. I join you to thank G em bring this province up to what it is today anity by followingm theitm entexam in living bershospit of the ember with gratitude all thoseod for who His contributed, m down the years, to As a m ality em any blessings in plethe of p the Holy, greater heightber of the S t. John of G . ast. sick, the poor ands in thespreading abandoned. the valuesod fam of Jesus, the G ily, I earnestly wish and pray that you m With all good wishes and prayers, ood Sam aritan, through servingay reach the
Sr. Liza Kuruvilla SCJG Ex-Sister G eneral
St. Marthas Congregation Vallichira P.O. Kottayam, Kerala
ev. & dear Bro. Benedict, Very R t. John of God has been s that you I am glad to know that the Brothers of S hole world. It is a very happy new growing fast in the w ablish an Indian Province. have been able to est ev. ongregation has been rendering valuable service in the The C The mustard seed planted by very R edical and social fields. m ide. Bro. Fortunatus nearly 36 years ago has s grown branches today far and and has w hurch in become a mighty tree and is spreading it Today the congregation issionrenders C hurchservices in India. not only to the C Kerala but also to the m y hearty congratulations and best On this occasion, I extend m ay the Lord bless bers of the C ongregation. M wishes to the m em hurch in India. you all and your dedicated activities for the C With prayerful greetings, ary SMC Yours sincerely in our Lord, Sr. Snow M
Commemorative Souvenir 2321 Establishment of the Province of India Deva Matha Clarist P rovincial House Changanassery , Kerala
Hearty congratulations and prayerful wishes to the Brothers of the St. Thomas Province (India) of the Hospit St. John of G od. I take this opportunity to recall allerthe wonderful Order of services that you render in the field of health care in various parts of India. We, the Sisters of the Franciscan C Changanacherry Province, gratefullylarist recall C ongregation, the divine blessings we received in cooperating with you at various fields from the very beginning of your m inistry in India. At this auspicious m oment in the history of your congregation, we too join with you in thanking the Alm works that He has been doing through ightyyou. for the wonderful Very Reverend Bro. Provincial, C ouncillors and dear Brothers, may I convey my appreciation and good w ishes to you all. May God bless you.
Sr. Sucy M aria SH Provincial House Provincial Superior Kanjirapally, Kerala
t. John of God is
allation of the new Province . and Dear Bro. Benedict, Rev s It gives me immense joy to know that the SocietyThe flourishing of S apostolate of bringing out a souvenir to commemorate the inst undaunted commitment of faith of it in India. ands as a testimony to the The Society has grown in holiness and in numbers. ou all with his love. your noble Society sts surroundings. members. No one can forget Bro. Fortunatus who cared and nurtured the poor people appana and it y continue to bless y of Katt On this joyous occasion, I extend to the superiors, members and candidates our
warm prayerful wishes. I pray that God ma Sr. Therese Kadukunnel SH With warm wishes, Provincial Superior
2422 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Franciscan Clarist, Kerala Convent Changanassery
. Bro. Benedict, eneral Delegation ofAlm Indiaighty will God be Dear and Rev th June, the G Apostle. Let us praise I am glad to hear that ont. Thom15 as the raised as Province of S for this. rders first Province in India is inaugurated ay the intercession and guidance of I find it a great blessing,ount, as Chennai. the O M t. Thomas M eneral near S Apostle be always with this new province.ages of the G St. Thomas the Thanhäuser and . Bro. Fortunatus ble way. Now the On this auspicious occasion,app Iana. recollect Rev the initial st any Delegation in India at Katt athew arted a house in the High-range in a humod, Mar M his Brothers st ember the Servant of G seed that was plantedod. Let hasus remgrown up into a big tree giving shelter to m art the Order in India. od, is little ones of G rder, St. John of G Kavukatt, who helped to st aller O heaven on the new Province. I am sure that the founder of the Hospit felt wishes and y heart mense now joyfully showering blessings from as. With im t. Thom t. Thomas On this joyful occasion of inauguration, I express m sincere prayers for the newly born Province of S joy, I congratulate Bro. Benedict. Nadayil, the first Provincial of S Province, and his team Let each and everyone of this Province be filled with the choicest blessings of our Lord. ur Lord, Your loving Sister in O
eo FCC Sr. Borrom First Superior of the Sisters of Charity of St. John of God
Commemorative Souvenir 2523 Establishment of the Province of India Varickamackal It is a great joy to know that the Brothers of St. John of God have decided toKattappana establish a Province in India. Kerala At a time when there was no developmental activity of the government in the High- ranges and the people were suf due to lack of medical facilities, the late fering a lot and many of them met with untimely death Mathew Kavukattu, touched by their pain and suf of God to Kerala. Archbishop of Changanasserry Accepting the invitation of His Grace, the Brothers of St. John of God agreed to open a hospital at ferings, invited the Brothers, Venerable of St. John Mar food, clothing and aid to Kattappana for medical facilities and of Bro. Fortunatus. So farthe the destitute, service rendered and find byGod them to this part of the country is admirable in all respects. among them, undera home the for leadership providing Fascinated with the services rendered by the Brothers of St. John of God, many young men and women volunteered to join the congregation and the unit which was opened at Kattappana has spread in Kerala and other states in India. The Medical-College-like hospital at Kattappana and the Pratheeksha Bhavan, the home for destitute and the services rendered there cannot be adequately described. Considering the various activities and services of the Brothers in India, the decision to establish a Province in India and the centre to be located at Chennai are very praiseworthy I express my sincere gratitude and that of many people to the Brothers of St. John of God and to Brother Fortunatus for his leadership and sincere services. I also express my greetings and prayers to the new Province and its leaders. May God all His blessings to the new Province. .
Almighty shower
With Greetings,
V.T. Sebastian
Ex-MLA
2624 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Kattappana Kerala
Reverend Brothers of St. John of God,
It is with immense joy and pleasure that I am writing to you on the occasion of the elevation ofProvince the General at Chennai. Delegation of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God to the status of a s. The migrants who We, the people of the High-ranges, have immenselys and earlybenefited 1960 from the congregations of the Brothers and Sisters of St. John of God. Settler farmers in the High-ranges did not have basic health amenities in the 1950 were easily prone to terminal diseases had to depend on the medical college at Kottayam. . We also remember the selfless We thankfully remember the foresight andThanhäuser compassion of venerable Mar Mathew Kavukattu, who took, theBro. initiative Fortunatus to establish a. hospitalFr. Joseph at KattappanaMeprakarott, and the thevicar of outstanding founder services rendered in this regard by the late Rev St. George Forane Church at Kattappana. , sick, and destitute, over the thereby to the poor On this auspicious occasion, we prayerfully thank the Lord for the manifold blessings showered upon this institution, and past 36 years. Divine providence works in inscrutable and marvellous ways, beyond our comprehension. I extend my sincere prayers to all of you on this auspicious occasion. With kind regards,
Joy Vettikuzhy Panchayat President
Commemorative Souvenir 2725 Establishment of the Province of India Dear Bro. Benedict Nadayil, Conference of Religious India Congratulations on becom
It is a concrete expression ofing hard a Province. work and growth. Keep reaching out to the m New Delhi While becom the all India leveling athere Province are m please take upon new leadership responsibilities as well. to the national level roles in som any possibilities and I hope that you and your Brothers com comes do not m axim get. iss it whatever bee the areas. sacrifice Look involved.for opportunities and it will com um. Love, At e The more you give the e.m W Bro. Mani M hen it ekkunnel SG ore you National Secretary
National Assembly of Religious Brothers, India Bangalore
Dear Bro. Benedict, On Behalf of all the Brothers of India, I send you our heartiest congratulations on th June 2005. this truly historic occasion, when the General Delegation of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, will be elevated to the status of a Province, on 15 Your Order has ancient connections with India. I have seen the ruins of the hospital of the Brothers of St. John of God in Bassein Fort, some 50 km north of Mumbai. th will, I feel sure, usher in a new flowering of the Order in The events of June 15 the Subcontinent. It is the prayer of all of us that the Order willThe continue rich have to flourish,some to the benefit of the poor and marginalized people of India. . But who will of the best hospitals in the world within easypeople reach like in the this Brothers country of St. John of bring solace and hope to the poor sick, if God do not do so? It is our prayer that the Brothers. of your Order will never be diverted from their healing ministry to the poor Fraternally yours,
Bro. J.A. Keane, CFC Executive Secretary On behalf of NARBI
2826 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Bro. Brian ODonnell OH Secretary of the Asia Pacific Inter-Provincial Secretariat Director of Asia Pacific Institute of Hospitaller Formation To be Christian is to be missionary. Jesus told his disciples member countries. The Brothers in India have played a that they should go to all peoples everywhere (Mat. prominent part in the establishment, life and development 28:19) to bring them the Good News. From the beginning of the A.P.I.P.C. of the life of the Order it has gone out to peoples. The first peoples to whom the Brothers went were those of Brothers representing the Order in the various Asia Pacific the continents of South America and Africa. Region first met to explore mutual interests and concerns in Korea in 1986. Brothers Benedict Nadayil and Antony Later they were to come into the Asia Pacific Region. Palamattom represented India at that meeting. A similar, The first Brothers to do so were on board the ships of the follow up meeting in Japan was attended by Brothers 1606 expedition of Fernández de Quirós to care for the Antony Palamattom and Francis Mannaparampil. This sick and wounded. This expedition reached the islands meeting decided to establish the Asia Pacific Inter- of Vanuatu and included, amongst its objectives, that Provincial Commission to be a permanent coordinating that the Brothers may found, administer and maintain body for the Order in the Asia Pacific Region. The India with the charity of their religious profession all the hospitals Provincial Delegation hosted the inaugural meeting of that are to be set up in these parts the A.P.I.P.C. at which Statutes for the Commission were Also in the 16th Century, some Brothers briefly ran drafted. hospitals in China where the Order once had four The interest and support of the Indian Brothers for the provisional hospitals in the (China) coastal towns of Commission culminated in the election of Brother Vincent Swatow, Lien-Kiang and Shanghai. Kochamkunnel as President of the Commission in 1995. In 1685 Portuguese Brothers arrived in India at Goa. Brother Vincent served as President until the first annual They subsequently founded hospitals at Baçao (1686), meeting after his election to the General Council in 2000. Diu (1687) and Damão (1693). Indian Brothers joined He was succeeded as A.P.I.P.C. President by Korean the Order and the house at Goa became the Brother Benedict Won. Under Brother Vincents motherhouse of the Orders General Commissariat of presidency the Commission had seen great progress in the East Indies. the enculturation of the Order in the Asia Pacific Region The Order has always seen its withdrawal from India in with Vietnam becoming a Province, Korea a Vice- the first half of the 19th Century, due to political movements Province, India a General Delegation and Papua New in Europe, as a sad chapter in its history. Consequently, Guinea a Provincial Delegation. the Order rejoices to see its modern communities and Indias close and generous support of the A.P.I.P.C. was works in India raised to the status of a Province. This is carried on by Brother Francis Mannaparampil who, over not only an historical event in itself, it also rectifies some three years, devoted his skills and talents to the something that the Order regrets that it was not able to work of the A.P.I.P.C. Secretariat leaving home to live maintain a constant presence on the sub-continent. in Australia for that purpose until he was called back to Today the Order is present in the Asia Pacific Region in India to be Prior of Velloor. Australia, China, East Timor, India, Japan, Korea, Indias close connection with the A.P.I.P.C. was taken up Mauritius, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the and is continued now by Brother Benedict Nadayil who Philippines and Vietnam. The Orders communities and was elected President last October. It gives the other works in those countries are united by the Asia Pacific members of the Commission great satisfaction to see Inter-Provincial Commission. India, which has played such an integral and influential The Commission meets annually in rotation in the various part in the development of the Order in the Asia Pacific Asia Pacific countries and decides on plans and Region, achieve the status of a Province while under the programmes that will serve the mutual concerns of the leadership of the Commissions President.
Commemorative Souvenir 2927 Establishment of the Province of India St. Thomas Province Chennai, India
On the erection of this province I thank the Almighty for all His blessings for the past 36 years. We are immensely grateful to our Mother Province (the Rhine General Delegation) for their vision, missionary zeal and commitment to the cause of Hospitality. We remember with gratitude the valuable contribution of various Brothers and benefactors for the development of the Order in India.
Our native Brothers also committed themselves for the development of the Delegation in the various stages of its growth. The present stage as a province speaks volumes about the initial struggles, sacrifices and wholehearted commitment, especially of our first Brothers. May the present generation of Brothers draw strength and courage from this background for a total commitment to the Order and its mission.
May our holy Founder St. John of God, our Saints and Martyrs of Hospitality continue to inspire us by their powerful intercession. And let the new Province that bears the name of St. Thomas, the Apostle of India, be a source and inspiration for all of us. My sincere appreciation and thanks to Rev. Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser who brought the gift of Hospitality in the Indian subcontinent for the second time.
May the spirit of St. John of God continue to live through each member of this New Province.
Yours friternally,
Bro. Benedict Nadayil OH Provincial
3028 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Solemn Inauguration of the ST. THOMAS PROVINCE OF INDIA
Poonamallee, Chennai 15 June 2005
Commemorative Souvenir 3129 Establishment of the Province of India Solemn Eucharistic Celebration : Rev. Bro. Pascual Piles Ferrando OH, sac. Prior General, Hospitaller Order of St. John of God (Main Celebrant) SOCIAL GATHERING
Prayer Dance : Novices, Seva Missionary Sisters of Mary (SMSM) Welcome : Rev. Bro. Benedict Nadayil OH (Provincial) Inaugural Address : Rev. Fr. Pascual Piles Ferrando OH Presidential Address : Rt. Rev. Dr. Lawrence Pius Dorairaj DD (Auxiliary Bishop, Madras-Mylapore) Felicitations : Rev. Bro. Brian ODonnell OH (Ex-Superior General, Hospitaller Order of St. John of God) : Rev. Bro. Donatus Forkan OH (General Councillor, Hospitaller Order of St. John of God) : Rev. Bro. Alfons M. Höring OH (Rhine General Delegation, Germany) : Rev. Sr. Rosy Joseph SCJG (Sister General, Sisters of Charity of St. John of God) : Rev. Bro. Paulus Kohler OH (Provincial, Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, Austria) : Rev. Bro. Rudolf Knopp OH (Provincial, Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, Bavaria, Germany) : Rev. Fr. Y.J. Prasad Ignatius (Rector, Sacred Heart Seminary, Poonamallee) Souvenir Release : Rev. Bro. Donatus Forkan OH Vote of Thanks : Rev. Bro. Yanka Sharma OH (Novice Master)
3230 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Homily at Mass
Bro. Pascual Piles Ferrando OH, sac Prior General
3. The Gospel has presented us with the parable of the Good Samaritan. What do I have to do the scribe asks Jesus. We too many times in our own lives ask the same question, what am I to do? Christ teaches us and at the same time invites us. Not everybody that thinks he or she is the best is in fact so. On the other hand not everybody that we judge as not good, are in fact not good. The Good Samaritan is an example of how we are to follow Jesus Christ, how we are to follow John of God. 4. The letter of St. John introduces us to Christ who has given his life for us because he loved us so much, and we are invited to do the same. He s I have said at the beginning of the Mass teaches us how we are to love. we celebrate this Eucharistic with a deep 5. This is really a beautiful moment. All of you sense of thanks to God, to the missionary here have lived the hospitality of John of God Brothers, among them Bro. Fortunatus and Bro. imitating the Christ who has taken root in your Alfons, who were tools of the Lord, as it were, to hearts. Out of this has grown two families, the the people of India. We live with great joy, in the Brothers of St. John of God and the Sisters of faith and in the charism of hospitality. The passage the Charity of St. John of God. of the General Delegation of India to a Province is for all of us a great joy, and at the same time a 6. So let us face the future with great trust in God. great challenge for you. He will be with you every day of your lives. Identify with the founder, get to know him, to think and 2. We have chosen the votive mass of the feel like him and to act like him. You are called to Solemnity of St. John of God. The Word of God be the church of charity. Live really well your has illuminated us as always. The first reading is religious consecration. Be men and women of your from the Prophet Isaiah, a great prophet who binds time; be always near to suffering people, to the his prophecy to hospitality. We can say that Isaiah poor and the sick. Be evangelical in all that you is a prophet of solidarity, with a big space in his do by following the example of St. Thomas. life and mission for hospitality to the needs of the poor. Fortunately this text is the one that Christ Always have courage. chose in order to identify himself as the messiah. If we follow this path then the light will shine in our May God bless you all. hearts.
Commemorative Souvenir 3331 Establishment of the Province of India ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROVINCE OF ST. THOMAS
Poonamallee, Chennai 15 June 2005 Bro. Pascual Piles Ferrando OH, Sac. Prior General
t is thirty-five years since the canonical canonical communities, with their respective erection of the first Hospitaller Order apostolic works; in view of the great apostolic work Foundation in India, and we note with satisfaction that is being performed in these apostolic Centres that the Hospitaller charism has taken root in the for the sick of all kinds, but particularly for the poor hearts of this nation, which itself has great and needy; considering the witness to the Church hospitaller gifts. of charity borne by our Brothers in their respective dioceses, together with the Sisters and their lay We thank the Lord for the initiative taken by what Co-workers; accepting the wish expressed in the was then the German Province of the Holy Family, vote taken at the Delegation Chapter held at with its headquarters in Frankfurt, to establish a Poonamallee, Chennai, on 12-15 February 2004 foundation in your country. and the request of the General Delegation Council We also give thanks to God for the growth in that was approved at the session of the Delegation indigenous vocations, who have been given Definitory held on 29 June 2004. human, spiritual and professional formation and The General Council, meeting in ordinary session will, in our humble opinion, guarantee the service in Rome on 21st October 2004, agreed to raise in the hospitality of St. John of God. the General Delegation of India to the status of a We thank God as well for enabling the foundation Province, which will continue under the advocacy of a female Religious Congregation of diocesan and protection of St. Thomas the Apostle. right, the Sisters of Charity of St. John of God, And I, Brother Pascual Piles Ferrando, Prior whose founder is a Brother of St. John of God, General of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, Brother Fortunatus Thanhäuser, who lives at on this day, 15th June 2005, in Chennai, in the Kattappana but unfortunately cannot be with us presence of the local Bishop, Dr. Lawrence Pius, today, and supported by the first community of the Brothers, Sisters and guests from throughout Brothers who came from Germany and the first India and various parts of the world and all here Indian Brothers, of whom the most enterprising present, publicly declare the erection of this was Brother Prakash Maddappally. Province and appoint Brother Benedict Nadayil as Looking to the growth of the Order throughout this Provincial. period in India, initially as a Provincial Delegation and subsequently as a General Delegation for seven years, and currently comprising four
3432 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Welcome Address
Bro. Benedict Nadayil OH
t is with great joy and gratitude to God the On behalf of the St. Thomas Province of the Almighty that I stand before you. I thank God Hospitaller Order, I extend you a hearty welcome. for what we have witnessed just now the We are very privileged to have with us Rev. Bro. elevation of the General Delegation of India to the Donatus Forkan, the first General Councillor, to status of a Province in the Hospitaller Order of St. participate in this historical event. I wholeheartedly John of God. In this moment of joy and happiness, welcome you to this gathering. I gratefully remember Rev. Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser, the founder of the Hospitaller Order I extend a hearty welcome to Rev. Bro. Vincent in India. Kochamkunnel, General Councillor from India and who is responsible for the Asia Pacific region of the Your Excellency, Rt. Rev. Dr. Lawrence Pius, a Hospitaller Order. very warm welcome to you to this social gathering on this historic and auspicious occasion. You are Dear Rev. Bro. Brian ODonnell, Ex-Prior General very much associated with the Hospitaller and Secretary/Treasurer of the Asia Pacific Inter- Brothers from the moment of their arrival at Provincial Commission, we are very familiar with Poonamallee. I wholeheartedly welcome you and you by your frequent visits to us and conducting I humbly request your Excellency to preside over various programmes for our Brothers and Co- this gathering. workers in India. Respected Prior General, Rev. Bro. Pascual Dear & Rev. Bro. Peter Burke, Provincial of Piles, in becoming a Province, we feel a sense Australia, we are very thankful to your Province of fulfilment, a sense of recognition and a sense for the various assistance you have been giving of gratitude. We sincerely appreciate the decision to us, especially in the formation of our Brothers. of the General Definitory to elevate the General Rev. Bro. Brian ODonnell and Rev. Bro. Peter Burke, Delegation of India to the status of a Province. I extend a cordial welcome to you.
Commemorative Souvenir 3533 Establishment of the Province of India Rev. Bro. Andreas Hellermann, General Delegate welcome to all of you. Thank you very much for of our Mother Province, the present Rhine General your support and co-operation from the very Delegation, was supposed to be with us today to beginning of our arrival in Poonamallee. participate in this historic event. Due to his ill health Respected Bro. Joseph Tran Van Thong, he is not able to be present here. We really feel Provincial of Vietnam, I extend a very warm his absence. The initiative taken by the Rhine welcome to you. Province, achieved its purpose after 36 years of the existence of the Order in India. Their Dear Rev. Bro. Pio Chang, Vice-Provincial of tremendous enthusiasm, vision and missionary Korea, and Co-worker Ms Maria Lee, on behalf spirit gave rebirth to the Hospitaller Order in the of the Indian Province a cordial welcome to both Indian subcontinent. We are very much obliged to of you. the members of the Mother Province for what we Dear Rev. Bro. Carol Siembab, General Delegate are today. of Silesia and Rev. Bro. Casimir Wasik, we are Bro. Alfons M. Höring, a member of the Rhine very much privileged to have you with us at this General Delegation and the founder of this historic moment in the life of the Indian Province, Poonamallee Community and the services here, I extend a wholehearted welcome to you. is with us today. Our sincere and wholehearted Dear Rev. Bro. Stanislaus Neild and Rev. Bro. welcome to you, Bro. Alfons, to this solemn John Collins, from the Province of England, we historical event. are grateful to you. Your presence enriches us Rev. Sr. Rosy Joseph, Sister General, Sisters of and strengthens us. Hearty welcome to you. Charity of St. John of God, and all John of God Dear Bro. Aloïs Michel, Provincial of French Sisters, as members of the same family, we are province, and Rev. Bro. Alain Samuel from the privileged to have you with us in this solemn same province, I extend a hearty welcome to both historical moment. I extend a hearty welcome to of you. the Sister General and all the Sisters. Rev. Bro. Tony Keane CFC, executive Secretary Dear Bro. Paulus Kohler, Provincial of Austrian of the national Assembly of Religious Brothers in Province, we are extremely happy to welcome you India, I am very happy to have you with us on to this solemn event. We are very grateful to the this auspicious occasion. Hearty welcome. members of the Austrian Province, its Co-workers Ms. Mettilda and Rev. Fr. Thomas Rathappillil, and benefactors for their interest and generous are the founders of the Light for the Blind, a contribution for the development of the Order in charitable trust working for the poor and the India. marginalized of society. The Hospitaller Brothers Rev. Bro. Rudolf Knopp, Provincial of Bavaria and are associated with this trust for the care of the Rev. Bro. Bernhard Binder, Ex-Provincial, I extend dying destitute at Dindigul, in Tamil Nadu, that is a very hearty welcome to both of you. We are expected to be inaugurated shortly. We welcome extremely grateful to the members of the Bavarian you to this gathering. Province, its Co-workers and benefactors for their I am very pleased to welcome all the Rev. support to the different works of the Order in India Fathers, Brothers, and Sisters to this gathering. to extend hospitality to more and more poor and needy people. I welcome you whole-heartedly. I extend a hearty welcome to all our Co-workers who are present here from our different centres. Dear & Rev. Fr. Ignatius Prasad Y.J., the Rector of the Sacred Heart Seminary, Poonamallee, Rev. Finally, I welcome all the members of the new Fr. Anthonysamy, the former Rector and Rev. province and our friends, neighbours and well- Fathers from the Seminary, I extend a warm wishers. Hearty welcome to all of you.
3634 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Inaugural Address
Bro. Pascual Piles Ferrando OH, Sac. Prior General Hospitaller Order of St. John of God
Your Excellency and Guests,
would like to welcome you all here this afternoon. I had the honour to preside at the Eucharistic celebration, and during the celebration to raise the General Delegation of India to the status of a Province. I had the opportunity during the celebration to express my sentiments. Of course the sentiments that I expressed at that time and the ones that I feel in my heart right now are the same. I would like to thank the Lord for the grace of this present moment. I would like to encourage the new Province to continue to have great hope and faith in the future. Becoming an independent province needs that one has to focus to pursue with greater dedication the mission with which one is entrusted. This is a great moment, and we are very happy to wish the new Province the very best. We assure it our prayers and support, that it will continue the work of St. John of God. There have been very courageous missionaries who have come to this land following the footsteps of St. John of God. There has been a great movement in the Central Europe to help and support this new initiative in India and it continues even today. And we, the general government in Rome, will be with you.We will accompany you and will continue to support you in the future. Have courage.
Commemorative Souvenir 3735 Establishment of the Province of India PresidentialPresidential ear Rev. Fr. Pascual Piles, Superior General, Rev. Bro. Benedict Nadayil, the new Provincial of the Indian province, all the delegates who have come from abroad, dear AddressAddress Fathers, Sisters and Friends, My association with the Hospitaller Brothers goes back to Dr. Lawrence Pius Dorairaj the year 1983. I was very happy to see Bro. Alfons here on Auxiliary Bishop the stage. In fact I met Bro. Alfons first at St. Thomas Mount, Madras-Mylapore in St. Thomas hospital, where he was recovering from a bout of Malaria. I was very much struck by his outgoing nature. Lat when I became a professor in the Seminary, I used to come here regularly for mass. I was very happy, even in those days, that such an Order, given to the care of the sick, the elders, and the poor have taken root in our Archdiocese. I am now happy that they belong to our Archdiocese, and not to Chingelput! On this occasion I would like to congratulate the Order of the Brothers of St. John of God for founding a Province in India. This shows the growth of the congregation, that after more than 20 years, the general Delegation has become a Province with Bro. Benedict Nadayil at its helm. I wish Bro. Benedict, his councillors and the Brothers, all the best. And in the coming decades I hope this province will divide itself into many other provinces in India. I welcome the Superior General and all the Brothers who have come from abroad to visit our Archdiocese. I was thinking on this beautiful and happy occasion to share with you some thoughts of Pope Paul VI, from his apostolic exhortation on the renewal of religious life, Evangelica Testificatio, which he wrote on 29 June 1971. In no. 17, he talks about the cry of the poor. Addressing all religious in the world, he speaks: You hear rising up, more pressing than ever, from their personal distress and collective misery, the cry of the poor. (Psalm 9:13). Was it not in order to respond to their appeal as Gods privileged ones that Christ came, even going so far as to identify himself with them? In a world experiencing the full flood of development this persistence of poverty-stricken masses and individuals constitutes a pressing call for a conversion of mind and attitude, especially for you who follow Christ more closely in this earthly condition of self-emptying. We know that this call resounds within you in so dramatic a fashion that some of you even feel on occasion the temptation to take a violent action. As disciples of Christ, how could you follow a way different from his? This way is not, as you know, a movement of the political or temporal order; it calls rather for the conversion of hearts for liberation from all temporal encumbrances. It is a call to love. I am sure that with your charism of caring for the sick, the aged, and the poor, you will add to the work done by the Archdiocese. You are bringing your special charism to the work done by the archdiocese. I congratulate you. And allow me to close with the words of St. John of God, your own Founder: Labour without intermission to do all the good work in your power within the time allotted to you. God bless you.
3836 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Felicitation Bro. Donatus Forkan OH General Councillor
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.
ertainly this is a blessed day, a day in which we Bro. Fortunatus and Bro. Prakash are with us in spirit. celebrate a great event in the history of the It is a wonderful celebration, for which we are deeply Order; not just in India but also worldwide, when the grateful to God that through his instruments he brought Indian General Delegation has been raised to the the exceptional gift of hospitality in the style of St. John status of a Province. This is a very special day as is of God to this great land, which is also noted for its apparent from all of the events planned and addresses hospitality. It is gratifying and inspiring to see the that we have heard from the various speakers at this manner in which the Brothers, Sisters and their Co- celebration. workers are trying to respond as best as they can to This is a special grace from God which has been the needs of so many poor and sick people. In this transmitted to us through so many people from way they will come to know the breadth and the different countries in the Asia Pacific Region, but also length, the height and the depth of the love that God from Europe, from which the first hospitaller has for them, which is beyond all understanding so missionaries came to India, specifically from Frankfurt that they may be filled with the very fullness of God. in Germany. It is a day of great emotion for all of us to To help the poor and sick people, to know how much see, sometimes from a distance, but always close to God loves and cares for each one of them, is what our hearts, how the General Delegation has the mission is all about, and this is done in very progressed and grown down the years. concrete and real ways. Bishop Pius referred to his association with the In conclusion, I join with everybody here present, and community here at Poonamallee, with Bro. Alfons in so many well-wishers around the world, in thanking particular, when he was sleeping in a tent here on the Lord for this wonderful and great event. We will this very ground. It is really a halo ground because it continue to accompany you in our thoughts and in is the one in which the Order began to expand from our prayers, and we know that, as Bro. Paulus said, Kerala into Tamil Nadu, and specifically here in not only will the hospitality of St. John of God spread Chennai. I had the opportunity at that time to share throughout this great land like a huge fire, but across very briefly in the poverty of that moment, to live in a the whole of Asia, where there is so many ways of very temporary building just for a few nights. It was expressing it in response to the needs of so many sufficient for me at that time! people. Our late Holy Father, John Paul II, held up the evangelization of Asia as a great challenge facing We celebrate and recognize the great commitment, the Church in this new millennium. It is great to know dedication, enthusiasm and love which Brothers that the Brothers and Sisters of St. John of God are at Fortunatus, Alfons, Prakash and Savio, all the early the cutting edge of this great endeavor, this push Brothers, have shown for the Order and its mission forward, to bring the Good News of Salvation to as of service to the sick and the poor. It is great to see many people as possible. Thank you very much. Brothers Alfons and Savio here and we know that
Commemorative Souvenir 3937 Establishment of the Province of India Felicitation Bro. Brian ODonnell OH am very happy to have this opportunity to congratulate Ex-Prior General, Hospitaller Order the Order in India on reaching the status of a Province. I began to visit the Province from Australia where I normally live in 1975. But from 1983 I have visited India and the Brothers and the works and the people in their care and the Sisters here in India at least once a year and sometimes twice. So their dream of becoming a Province became my dream as well. And so I have watched over the years the maturing that has taken place amongst the Brothers and their works here in this country which has enabled the general government of the Order to confer on them the dignity and the responsibility of being a Province. So it is with great satisfaction that I am here today and I wouldnt have missed the occasion for anything. I thank the Provincial for his invitation. And all I ask is that he lets me come back many more times to visit India. Thank you.
On the Occasion of the Elevation of the Indian General Delegation to the Status of a Province on 15th June 2005
Felicitation Bro. Rudolf Knopp OH Provincial, Bavaria, Germany
e are very happy to congratulate our Hospitality, which has been put into Indian soil Indian Confreres on the occasion of the by the confreres of the Rhine Province, first of all elevation of their General Delegation to the status by Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser, has grown into of a Province of our Order. There are cordial and a magnificent tree of Hospitality.We the Brothers longstanding relationships existing between the of the Bavarian Province, are deeply filled with now Indian Province and the Bavarian Province. great joy, about the fact that in India the Brothers This togetherness and union constitute in fact the are running not only Hospitals, Health-Centres, reason for us to participate in the joy of our Homes for the Aged, Social Service Centres and confreres at this solemn occasion.The seed of Schools, but also an Institution caring for People 4038 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India with Learning Disabilities. The Bavarian Province the throne of God. Thirdly, we wish that it may be too is concentrating its services on this latter work. possible for them to finance in a stable way their This service is especially important for us, because numerous and professional works and services, it enables us to stress the value of each and every as only in such a way qualified and lasting person in the eyes of God, as our Founder St. John assistance can be offered to people longing for of God did it. help and concern. We wish our confreres and all their guests a happy It is our earnest wish that the Brothers responsible day of festivity and for the future creative for leadership, the other Brothers and their Co- collaboration and cooperation and an honest workers of the individual works and services may striving for the way and path, by and on which the be able to combine always modern techniques and future development of the Order in India can be humanisation in the Spirit of St. John of God, even built in the spirit of St. John of God. May God, in difficult situations. therefore, shower his blessings on them. May Bro. For the Brothers and Co-Workers of the Bavarian Eustachius Kugler, Servant of God, hailing from Province, the Bavarian Province, pray for their intentions at
Felicitation Sr. Rosy Joseph SCJG Sisters of Charity of St. John of God Kattappana
our Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. Lawrence Pius, Auxiliary Bishop of Madras-Mylapore, Rev. Fr. Pascual Piles, Prior General of Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, Rev. Bro. Brian ODonnell, Ex- Prior General of Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, Rev. Bro. Paulus Kohler, Respected Provincials, Fathers, Sisters, Rev. Bro. Benedict consider this as adding yet another golden feather Nadayil, the Provincial of the newly erected on the crown of the global Hospitaller Community. Province, Brothers of the new Province and friends, On this holy occasion I stand before you to I consider it a great privilege and honour to address congratulate the whole Hospitaller Order, and in a you all on this magnificent day on behalf of the special way I express my sincere wishes to the Sisters of Charity of St. John of God. It gives me members of the newly raised Province. I consider this as a sign of accepting the Hospitality as well as the immense joy to wish you, dear Brothers, on this material, spiritual and personal development of the memorable occasion as the General Delegation Brothers in India during the past 36 years. I pray that in India is raised to the status of a Province. the new status will strengthen you more, so that you We, the Sisters of Charity of St. John of God, join will grow more in charity as shown by our Holy Founder you in thanking God for His abundant blessings. St. John of God. This is a grace-filled moment, a moment of Gods It is also an opportunity to renew, to deepen and to immense providence and love showered upon the draw fresh inspiration to deal with the new expressions Hospitaller Order. With deep appreciation, I of Hospitality in this 21st century.
Commemorative Souvenir 4139 Establishment of the Province of India I am sure that St. John of God is with you to guide blessings we have been receiving through Bro. you through the path of Hospitality. Fortunatus. Now I should recall graciously Rev. Bro. Fortunatus Dear Brothers, the congregation of the Sisters of Thanhäuser, the pioneer of the Hospitaller mission Charity of St. John of God proudly proclaims your in India and the founder of the Sisters of Charity of charity and magnanimity by our existence right from St. John of God. All of us are aware how he has 1977, when our congregation was started. been instrumental in bringing the spirit of St. John The entire Hospitaller community, along with Bro. of God to India. He had a dream from the very Fortunatus, have been extending all sorts of help, beginning of his religious life to work as a both material and spiritual, in bringing us up. I would missionary in India. like to say that we owe you a lot for whatever we In the 1960s Mar Mathew Kavukattu, the then are today. In short, we are indebted to you for your Archbishop of Changanacherry, presented the wholehearted support.We have unbounded joy in needs of the poor and the sick in India to the your growth, especially in spreading Hospitality in Brothers in Frankfurt and invited them to start their various parts of India. We are proud of you, dear ministry in India. Realizing that it is Gods special Brothers. call to spread the spirit of St. John of God in India, We consider it our privilege to co-operate with you Bro. Fortunatus responded to this invitation. in all your apostolic and missionary activities. As all of us know India has a rich tradition of Certainly it is you Brothers, who have taught us spirituality. It has always been a fertile soil for the Hospitality. You have set us a model and inspiration. growth of spirituality. So it kept its doors open to There is a deep bond of obligation to you Brothers accept the spirituality of St. John of God, too. from all our Sisters. I wish you fast progress in Further, Indias culture is very famous for its rendering service to all parts of India.You have Hospitality, considering guests as God, receiving rightly chosen St. Thomas, the Apostle of India, as strangers, respecting others and caring for the sick. the patron of the new Province. May he help you to So, India has always been very receptive to the spread the Gospel to the sick, the poor and the spirituality of St. John of God. needy through your charitable works. Bro. Fortunatus is a man of vision. He was well I express my cordial wishes to the Provincial, aware and was inspired by the words of Jesus I Brother Benedict, and his team and offer our have come that they may have life and have it to prayers to lead the Province effectively and the full. He shared in the healing mission of Jesus providently. Christ, the Good Samaritan. He worked hard to Before I wind up my address, I recollect our Lords promote the fullness of life by providing holistic words, in Acts 1:8 Be my witness. Dear Brothers, health care services. The spirit of St. John of God you will have continued support and prayers and is visible through his Hospitality, compassion and all possible help from us in witnessing to our Lord respect which he expressed to the poorest of the in the 21st Century. poor. He is a man of Gospel values. He also started a congregation for women, The Sisters of Charity Let us repeat the prayer: Lord, touch us today as of St. John of God, in 1977 to collaborate with the you touched St. John of God, so that we also will Brothers of St. John of God. be able to recognize you in our suffering Brothers and sisters. His commitment and dedication to the poor, the sick and the needy is the cornerstone of this newly May the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God, erected Province. Though he is ailing now in his St. John of God, and the Saints and the Blessed of sick bed, his saintly presence is here. Today he is the Hospitaller Order strengthen you all for the thanking God for the work that the Lord has done important work that lies ahead. May you find peace through his lowly servant. I congratulate him and and courage for your pilgrimage through the path pray for his health. Also I do thank God for all the of Hospitality.
4240 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Felicitation Bro. Paulus Kohler OH Provincial, Austria
ear Bro. Benedict and my dear Brothers, Hearty greetings to you all from the Brothers of the Austrian Province. I am very happy that today the Indian General Delegation is elevated to the status of a Province. I wish to congratulate all of you on this historical moment in the life of the Province of the Order in India. I am very pleased to see the development of the Order in India in the past 36 years. I also would like to use this moment to thank all the Brothers of the Indian Province for the services that they are doing with such a great success. The Austrian Province is privileged and happy to be associated with the Indian Province to help and support its works in India. I also would like to thank my predecessor Bro. Florentin Langthaler for his generosity and goodwill for people who are poor, sick, needy and marginalized. Really, it was he who put the Indian Province and the Brothers in India to our hearts. It was his heartfelt desire that even in the future we continue to support the Brothers and the Sisters of St. John of God in India for their various activities of Hospitality. And we really desire to do this also in the future as far as it is possible to us. So, I wish you Gods very special blessings and pray that your works may become successful for the good of the people. In the future may you be able to spread this light of our Order in the whole of India and even to other parts of the world. Once again I wish you the very best for the future and may God bless you in all your undertakings. Thank you.
Commemorative Souvenir 4341 Establishment of the Province of India Felicitation Fr. Ignatius Prasad Y.J. Rector, S.H. Seminary, Poonamallee Chennai
our Excellency, Superior General, and honestly I wouldnt know the names of all the delegates and provincials, so let me say Children of John of God, and Children of God, Good afternoon! I stand here not only on behalf of the staff and students of the Sacred Heart Seminary, but the entire local Church here in Poonamallee, to felicitate the Hospitaller Brothers as they are fondly remembered here for the wonderful humane services that they render to the Church in general and to the local church here in particular. The Hospitaller Brothers have been in association with Poonamallee Seminary from ever since they came here in 1981. I think in the beginning Bro. Alfons was staying in the seminary, and I was doing my philosophy. In 1983 there was the laying of the foundation stone for the home for the aged, and in 1985 its formal inauguration. The seminary had been greatly associated with the Brothers. It seems a King wanted to gather all the wisdom of the world and therefore he summoned his troop to do the job. They collected the wisdom of the world in 10 volumes. But the king said it is too much to read and told them to summarize it further. And they brought it down to one volume. But the king again asked them to abridge it. They made it into a paragraph. And still he was not ready to read the paragraph. Now, just put it in a word, he said, let me see what is the wisdom of the world. And they put it into one word: LOVE. And it is what we have experienced from the Brothers of St. John of God, I would say. I really do not know if the people around Poonamallee know their founder, St. John of God. But one thing I am sure is that ever since the Brothers came here, the local people know of God. Because, the acts, the deeds of the Brothers directly point to God, a God who is love. I hope and pray that people who had been associated with them would learn also about John of God. I would like to appreciate and applaud the good work they do, and say Well done, keep it up and God bless you. Mother Theresa once said: Whenever we look at the crucifix, we know how much God loves us. And whenever we look at the Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament, we know how much God continues to love us still. Perhaps we can say that whenever we look at the Brothers of St. John of God, we know how much God loves us at all times. They really go about serving the poor, the needy, the marginalized, the relegated, the sick, the downtrodden and the left out. I had the grace and the gift of being associated with them quietly. Couple of years ago I used to come here for a couple of weeks from 7.30 to 8.30 a.m. to work with the Brothers. In the beginning it was very difficult for me to do what they were doing. I would like to say with the kind permission of our auxiliary bishop who is here, that when I retire in my old age, I would like to be with the Brothers of St. John of God. Dear Brothers, you are a gift, a grace to this local Church here in Poonamallee. And you point to us a catholicism which is profound and deep; nothing to gain by your work by way of money, profit and bank accounts. But you give so much, till it hurts you, costs you, makes you pay dearly by way of your age, health, energy and everything. And I shall say, you represent God who is love. Keep it up. God bless you.
4442 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India A Truly Hospitable Act
Bro. Brian ODonnell OH Secretary, Asia Pacific Inter-Provincial Commission
ou have just seen me receive a representation of the Commemorative Souvenir booklet of todays occasion. At this point only one copy of the booklet exists because the Brothers want to include photographs taken during todays ceremonies and celebrations in the final version. I feel very privileged to have been allowed to represent you and receive the first example of this publication. When, one day you receive your copy of the final version of the booklet you will see that it has been greatly improved by being held for the inclusion of photographs taken today. For my part, and also on your behalf, I would like to congratulate the Province on the initiative of producing a commemorative souvenir like this. People who are making history very often dont think to make a record of it. You might have noticed that I am very interested in taking photos. But I am always trying to capture an historical moment when I take a photo. I dont take many photos of flowers, or of sunsets or of beautiful lakes and scenes of nature. I am always taking photos of people doing things. I do that because I am trying to capture the historical moment that is occurring at that time. So my interest in photography is really motivated by my interest in history. not just be enjoyed by those who are present today So, both on your behalf and on behalf of historians but will be available to those who come after us. of the future, I thank the Indian Province for its That is a truly hospitable act. wisdom, generosity and kindness in making a Let us join in congratulating the Province and in record of the historical event of its proclamation thanking it for the human and material resources as a Province of the Order. In this way the Province that it is putting into the preparation of such a is ensuring that the richness of this moment will Commemorative Souvenir.
Commemorative Souvenir 4543 Establishment of the Province of India Bro. Yanka Sharma OH
hank you! These two magic words bring to have experienced your support and concern for the a close all our programmes. Did not Jesus Indian General Delegation. And today we thank you bring His life programme to an end with a big thank for your presence here to share in our joy. you to his Father with the Eucharist? Dear Rev. Bro. Vincent Kochamkunnel, General Today, 15th June 2005, we too turn to God and Councillor, on this great day as we became a say, Thank You Lord for the wonders that You Province, we remember your tireless services to have worked in our Delegation to make it a the Indian Delegation for many years by holding Province. Mary was there evidently in all that has offices of Delegate, Director and Master of brought us to todays miracle. Hence our thanks Students. So, today, the Indian Province is very to her too. happy and proud of you for its marvellous growth, and that you are serving the Order as a General Our hearts turn next to our Auxiliary Bishop Rt. Councillor. We thank you for being present here Rev. Dr. Lawrence Pius Dorairaj to say Thank on this occasion. you. Your presidential address, your Lordship, will go a long way to encourage us in our growth and Dear Rev. Sr. Rosy Joseph, Sister General of the works. We assure you our prayers. We are happy Sisters of Charity of St. John of God, with a deep that you appreciate our presence here in Chennai. sense of joy we express our gratitude for your personal sharing, wishes of blessings from God and for all the Today, if our Delegation is a Province, it goes prayers you and your Sisters must have offered on this without saying that it was a promise made an year day and for this day. ago and brought to fulfilment today by our beloved Dear Rev. Bro. Paulus Kohler, Provincial from Prior General, Rev. Bro. Pascual Piles. Dear Prior Austria, you have been one of our generous General, we consider it an honour to have you in benefactors, sustaining us in more than one way in our midst today and we thank you for your inaugural our Delegations life and works. I am sure you are address and blessings. happy to see the fruit of your assistance. Our sincere To you, dear Bro. Brian ODonnell, our Province is thanks to you and your Province. a dream come true. As our ex-Superior General Dear Rev. Bro. Rudolf Knopp, Provincial from you have been following our growth with interest, Bavaria, you and your Province have come to and today you are here to rejoice with us. Thank our help with generosity on more than one you for all your wishes and prayers. occasion. I am happy that today you can verify Dear Rev. Bro. Donatus Forkan, our General for yourself the abundance of good that has been Councillor, we know that you are very interested in done in this part of the world. Our sincere thanks the growth of the mission areas of our Order. We goes to you and all your Brothers.
4644 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Dear Rev. Bro. Alfons, I wonder whether I will Korean Province and his Secretary Dr. Maria Lee, succeed in expressing fully all that we owe to you. Rev. Brothers Stanislaus Neild and John Collins You were the first Hospitaller Brother to be seen from the English Province, Rev. Bro. Aloïs Michel, around here in Chennai. What you saw then and Provincial, and Bro. Alain-Samuel Jeancler from the what you see today evidently make us say a big French Province, Rev. Bro. Joseph Tran van Thong, Thank you to you and your Delegation to which Provincial of Vietnam Province and Mr. Stefan we were attached as a Delegation, as we drew Csakli and Ms Julia Koster German volunteers our life-blood from it. Thanks. At this moment we working with the Order in India. And I thank Bro. remember in a special way our Rev. Bro. Andreas Tony Keane, the Executive Secretary of NARBI. Hellermann, the General Delegate of the Rhine Our thanks to the Sisters of Charity of St. John of General Delegation, our Mother Province. He had God, who have come here to participate in this been our Provincial for many years. We will never function. On this occasion, we are very grateful forget his support and help all these years. Now, for their support and help. Next, I would like to as he is sick, in a special way we pray for his thank all the Co-workers who have come here from speedy recovery. our various centres, especially the staff from Let me officially start addressing you dear Bro. Kattappana and Velloor. Benedict Nadayil, as our dear Bro. Provincial you Thanks to all our benefactors who have come over have been Gods chosen instrument in moulding here. our Delegation into a Province. Hence our heartfelt thanks and assurance of co-operation and prayers. A special thanks to all the Fathers, Brothers and Sisters from the neighbouring communities who Next, I would like to thank Rev. Fr. Ignatius Prasad, have come here to share in our happiness on this Rector of Sacred Heart Seminary, Poonamallee. occasion. We thank you very much. I thank our Dear Brothers, Casimir Wasik and Carol Thanks dear Seva Missionary Sisters, for the Siembab, who have come all the way from Poland wonderful and colourful dances that you presented (Silesia) to participate in this happy event. We are here which added beauty to this function. indirectly connected to the Silesian General Delegation. It was from there that our first Brothers We remember with gratitude our Brothers and migrated to Frankfurt, in Germany, and later to India. Sisters responsible for our liturgy today. A special thanks to the Don Guanella Seminarians, and We remember in a special way our beloved and Sisters of the Bon Secours Novitiate for making Rev. Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser who started the todays liturgy lively by their singing. I also thank Order in India and put many years of dedicated our Sisters of Charity of St. John of God for all the service. Due to old age and sickness he is not decorations they have done. present here. We thank God for the gift of this great Brother to the Indian Province. Thanks to our neighbours from the Queen Victoria Street. A special word of thanks to our first Indian Brother Rev. Bro. Savio Padinjarekutte and Rev. Bro. We would like to thank all the Brothers from our Prakash Madapally. These were our first Brothers various communities and in particular those of this who courageously took up their Hospitaller vocation community, and the Student, Postulants and and faithfully followed the footsteps St. John of God. Novices, for their support and co-operation to make We thank these two Brothers in a special way. this function successful. May God reward you all. We remember the many Brothers who have come My dear Brothers, once again I thank you all. You from other Provinces of our Order. We will never have made great sacrifices to be here. Now we all forget your generosity in coming over here to share belong to the new Province of St. Thomas the in our joy on this great occasion. We thank Rev. Apostle. May our hearts rise in praise and Bro. Peter Burke, Provincial of the Australian thanksgiving to God and may we be hundred Province, Rev. Bro. Pius Chang, Provincial of percent faithful to our vocation. Thank you.
Commemorative Souvenir 4745 Establishment of the Province of India Greetings Greetings Greetings Greetings GreetingsGreetings GreetingsGreetings Greetings
Dear Brother Vincent and Confrères, Just a short note to express our congratulations on the occasion of your Delegation becoming a Province. Although we are not able to participate in your celebrations physically, be assured that we are with you in spirit and prayer. Greetings to all the Brothers and may God continue to bless each of you and your various apostolic works. Bro. Marcellus and Brothers, Montréal, Canada
Dear Bro. Benedict and all the Indian To all the Brothers of the newly Brothers, established Indian Province, Congratulations and best wishes on the Congratulations! happy occasion of becoming a Province of We, all the Brothers in China, send the Order. May our Lord and St. Thomas the you sincere congratulations and best Apostle grant you and your Province many wishes on the elevation of the General blessings and graces. Delegation of India to the Indian The Brothers and Co-workers Province of St. Thomas the Apostle. Province of St. Dae Gun Kim Brothers Brendan, Mario and Korea Thadu, China. Congratulations!! Together let us thank God for granting the Church the gift of hospitality through our Father St. John of God. We thank our earlier Brothers who have protected and made the Charism of hospitality more prosperous. We again thank God for making our mission in India growing and flourishing. Today, 15th June 2005, at this solemn historical function of raising the General Delegation of India to the status of a Province, on behalf of all Brothers and Co-workers of the Vietnamese Province, I am very happy to be present and to share in the immense joy of all the Indian Brothers and Co-workers. We pray God, through the intercession of our Founder St. John of Congratulations! God and St. Thomas the Apostle, the patron saint of your province, to help the Indian Province to grow continually, in order to make our Charism alive in time and to announce the love and the salvation of God to everyone, particularly to those who are suffering. All the Vietnamese Brothers and Co-workers wish you sincerely! Bro. Joseph Tran Van Thong OH Provincial Province of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Holy Spirit Vietnam
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Commemorative Souvenir 4947 Establishment of the Province of India 5048 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Commemorative Souvenir 5149 Establishment of the Province of India 5250 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Commemorative Souvenir 5351 Establishment of the Province of India Bro. Pascual Piles Ferrando (Prior General)
Bro. Donatus Forkan Rt. Rev. Lawrence Pius Bro. Paulus Kohler (General Councillor) (Auxiliary Bishop, Chennai) (Provincial, Bavaria)
Bro. Donatus Bro. Benedict Nadayil Bro. Brian O Donnell Sr. Rosy Joseph SCJG Wiedenmann (Provincial) (Ex-General) (Sister General) (Provincial, Austria)
5452 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India SOLEMN INAUGURATION OF THE PROVINCE
Bro. Karol Siembab (General Delegation, Silesia) Bro. Ildefonso (Vietnam Province)
Bro. Stanislaus Neild Bro. Rudolf Knop Bro. Alfons M. Höring (English Province) (Bavarian Province) (Rhine General Delegation)
Bro. Tony Keane CFC (NARBI) Bro. Alain Samuel Bro. Peter Burke TO... A TOKEN OF LOVE (French Province) (Australian Province)
Bro. Alöis Michel (French Province) Rev. Lawrence Pius Bro. Joseph Tran Van Thong (Chennai-Mylapore Diocese) (Vietnam Province) Commemorative Souvenir 5553 Establishment of the Province of India SOLEMN INAUGURATION OF THE PROVINCE
Bro. Bernhard Binder (Bavarian Province) Bro. Alöis Michel (French Province)
Fr. Y.J. Prasad Ignatius Dr. Maria Lee (Co-worker, Korea) (SH Seminary, Poonamallee) A TOKEN OF LOVE FROM... A TOKEN OF LOVE A TOKEN OF LOVE TO... A TOKEN OF LOVE
Bro. Peter Burke & Bro. Brian O Donnell (Australian Province) Dr. Maria Lee (Co-worker, Korea) 5654 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India SOLEMN INAUGURATION OF THE PROVINCE
Commemorative Souvenir 5755 Establishment of the Province of India They inspire us
5856 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India They Lead The Hospitaller Order
Bro. Pascual Piles Ferrando Prior General
Bro. Donatus Forkan Bro. Emerich Steigerwald Bro. Luis Aldana
Bro. Pietro Ciccinelli Bro. Vincent Kochamkunnel Bro. Leopold Gnami
Commemorative Souvenir 5957 Establishment of the Province of India Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser OH The Pioneer and Founder of The Hospitaller Order in India
6058 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Bro. Andreas Hellermann OH General Delegate, Rhine Delegation, Germany Former Provincial, Rhine Province (Mother Province of India), Germany
Commemorative Souvenir 6159 Establishment of the Province of India Bro. Alfonse M. Höring OH Bro. Alfons joined the Hospitaller Order in 1960 at Frankfurt and came to India in 1970. Together with other founding Brothers (Fortunatus, Prakash & Savio), he worked tirelessly for 17 years, until his return to Germany in 1986. His dedication and hard work contributed significantly towards the development of the Order in India, especially at Kattappana and Poonamallee. He served as Provincial Delegate, Prior and Master of Postulants, Novices and Scholastics. He continues to help the Order in India through various initiatives like biennial newsletter Nachrichten (German), Slide Show Presentations, Mission Weeks, Indian Bazaars, bringing benefactors to India, etc. We are grateful to Bro. Alfonse M. Höring for his love and commitment to India. FIDELITY TO A MISSION A TO FIDELITY 6260 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India OF THE ORDER IN INDIA
Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser
Bro. Alfons M. Höring Bro. Prakash Madappally Bro. Savio Padinjarekutte
Commemorative Souvenir 6361 Establishment of the Province of India THEY LEAD THE ORDER IN INDIA
Bro. Benedict Nadayil Provincial
COUNCILLORS
Bro. Antony Palamattom Bro. George Kizhakkekara
Bro. Aloysius Mattathil Bro. Yanka Sharma
6462 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India MAY HE REST IN PEACE
Bro. Makarius Klaholz OH Former Provincial, Rhine Province, Germany (Mother Province of the Indian Province) Supported the Houses & Works in India
Born : 02.09.1913 Religious profession : 21.12.1935 Born to eternal life : 20.04.1993
Commemorative Souvenir 6563 Establishment of the Province of India MAY HE REST IN PEACE
Bro. Florentin Langthaler OH Former Provincial, Austria A Great Friend & Benefactor of the Order in India
Born : 02.10.1928 Religious Profession : 08.12.1956 Born to Eternal Life : 19.07.2001
6664 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India MAY HE REST IN PEACE
Archbishop Mar Mathew Kavukatt (19051969) Opened the Path of Hospitality in India While he was the Archbishop of Changanassery, he visited the Tiber Island Hospital of the Hospitaller Order in Rome. Impressed by the services of our Order he invited the Brothers into his Archdiocese. Later he contacted Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser in Frankfurt. As agreed the Archbishop sent candidates to Frankfurt and they became John of God Brothers and came back, together with Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser, to India and started the Orders first house and hospital at Kattappana, in the then Archdiocese of Changanassery.
Commemorative Souvenir 6765 Establishment of the Province of India MAY HE REST IN PEACE
Fr. Joseph Meprakarott (1914-1981) Parish Priest of Kattappana from 1964-1973 A Great Help in Starting the First Foundation at Kattappana
6866 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Dr. Easo Varghese DHM
Dr. Grace Markose, DGO Gynaecologist
Dr. P.V. Mathew, DCH
They served at St. Johns Hospital, Kattappana Hospital, Johns servedThey at St. Paediatrician
Bro. Benito Mathew (Novice) Nellamkuzhiyil, Idukki,Kerala Birth : 09.02.1980 Death : 14.11.2000
Bro. David Marianus Ekka (Pre-Postulant) Jharkhand Birth : 03. 04.1981 Death: 11. 01.2002 Commemorative Souvenir 6967 Establishment of the Province of India The HospitallerOrder: A Birds Eye View
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Commemorative Souvenir 7169 Establishment of the Province of India The Hospitaller Order: A Birds Eye View Some Significant Events in the History of the Order Brother Brian ODonnell OH
In the story of the great movement of compassion launched by the life and teachings of St. John of God there have been many glorious moments, successes, failures, and betrayals. The story of Hospitality in the different cultures and countries during more than four and a half centuries is a fascinating and complex one. All that we can hope to do within the covers of this publication is to point out crucial moments in that history. A list of such moments would have to include those that follow. PREAMBLE Early Days In 1552, soon after the death of St. John of God, his hospital moved to a new location on the then periphery of the city and became firmly established in the fabric of Granada. The continuance of the work of St. John of God was made more secure when the members of the brotherhood left behind by John of God opted to become a Religious Institute in 1572. In 1568 Brothers began to participate in military campaigns (Alpujarras War, Battle of Lepanto in 1571, the Armada Invencibile against England in 1588, etc.). This opened the eyes of the movement to the world The Tiber Island Hospital outside Spain and to the suffering that afflicts people THE DIVISION OF THE ORDER INTO TWO outside the walls of an institution in wars, plagues etc. CONGREGATIONS The work extended outside Spain, first to Italy, with On 13 February 1592, Pope Clement VIII, at the the Brothers opening hospitals in Naples and in Rome. request of King Philip II of Spain reduced the This prepared the way for the arrival of Brothers Brothers from being an Order to being a fraternity Sebastian Arias and Pedro Soriano in Rome in 1570 only allowed to serve in hospitals under obedience to request the Popes approbation of the Order. to the local bishop. The Spanish King wanted to Pope St. Pius V gave them this recognition. safeguard the availability of the Brothers to him Brother Pedro Soriano stayed on in Italy and for service with the Spanish military. founded a hospital in Rome at the Piazza di Pietra. He moved this hospital to the Tiber Island The Brothers in Italy were able to get themselves in 1584 by purchasing the Islands existing restored to the status of an Order some years Hospital of St. John Calibita. before the Brothers in Spain could bring about the same restoration. This meant that the two groups The Congregation spread rapidly and on 1 had their own Superiors General. They existed as October 1586 Pope Sixtus V made it an Order, two separate congregations from 1611 to 1867 with its own Rules and Superior General. (about 2½ centuries) until they were unified.
7270 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India THE ORDER IN SPAIN important European countries Austria, Germany, Poland, France; and later to England and Ireland. At the beginning of the 17th century the Spanish Congregation of the Order had about 20 hospitals Some of the Brothers were highly distinguished for on the Iberian Peninsula; and two foundations in their skills and training in medicine, surgery and South America at Cartagena de Indias (Colombia) nursing, such as Brother Gabriele Ferrara who and Havana. It reached the Philippines in 1617. founded the Order in Austria. The Spanish Congregation reached the peak of THE ORDER IN SOUTH AMERICA its splendour with the election of Brother Alonso de Jesus y Ortega in 1738. Various world The Brothers of John of God of Granada offered to movements and political developments caused the go to the Americas in 1584. In April 1596 Brother Spanish Congregation of the Order to go into Francisco Hernandez and five companions decline and it finally became extinct in 1850. reached the port of Cartagena de Indias with royal permission to take possession of the hospital of THE ORDER IN ITALY that city that was dedicated to St. Sebastian. Meanwhile the work of the Brothers flourished In the first three decades of the 17th Century the and expanded in Italy and then extended to some work of the Brothers spread very rapidly throughout the American continent.
The Presence of the Brothers in Asia, Africa and Oceania
he early days of the Order in Asia, Africa and Oceania were linked to the expansion of the Spanish and Portuguese kingdoms in the 16th and 17th centuries and thereafter. Asia Africa Even though initially there were no permanent Between 1573 and 1834 more than 100 Brothers foundations on the Asian continent the Brothers set accompanied the campaigns of the Spanish up posts along the Chinese coast to look after soldiers in the conquest and defence of the African people suffering from epidemics and contagious territories belonging to the Spanish crown. This led diseases, and also the large number of seafarers to the Order making foundations in a number of wounded on the ships in battle. African countries a development that revived The first hospital that the Brothers set up in Asia strongly centuries later in the period of missionary expansion after the end of World War II. was at Cavite (Philippines) in 1620. Oceania The Portuguese Brothers founded various hospitals along the Indian coasts, at Goa, Bassein, Diu and In May 1606 the first expedition that had set sail Daman. Although the Order came to India in 1681 from Callao (Peru) six months earlier, made its way in the persons of Portuguese Brothers, who towards the coast of Australia. The purpose of the constructed a hospital at Goa that opened in Brothers on board the ships of that expedition was 1685, by the year 1831 all the St. John of God quite clear not only to nurse sick and injured sailors Brothers in Goa were Indian by birth. In the and soldiers but also to set up hospitals for the meantime they had opened a hospital at Bassein people of the area (including Papua New Guinea) in 1685, another hospital at Diu in 1686 or the once it came under the authority of the Spanish following year and, finally, a fourth hospital at Crown. The first foray of the Brothers into the Pacific Daman in 1695. The secularisation of Portugal came to nothing then, but later, in the 1940s, the and Portuguese colonies resulted in the Order went to Australia, then New Zealand and extinguishing of the Order in India in 1835. eventually Papua New Guinea. The Hospitaller Order: A Birds Eye View Eye The Hospitaller Order: A Birds
Commemorative Souvenir 7371 Establishment of the Province of India TODAY Over the following centuries the Orders fortunes ebbed and flowed, with significant development in the English-speaking world in the 20th century in Ireland, England, Canada, the USA, and Australasia. More recently the Order has seen steady growth in the Asia Pacific Region, in Australia in 1947, in Japan and Vietnam in 1951, in New Zealand in 1955, in Korea in 1959, in India in 1969, in Papua New Guinea in 1971, in the Philippines in 1988 and in China in 2000, and the return of the Brothers to hospitals that had been confiscated by the Communist governments of East Europe. The Order today is present in the world in the persons of 1,362 Brothers and 35-40,000 lay Co- workers.
A Short History of the Hospitaller Order
1552 The work started by St. John of God expands. Bro. Antony Martin opens the new John of God Hospital in Granada and a hospital in Madrid. Other hospitals follow. The Brothers take up ambulance service in the Spanish and later also Portuguese Army. 1572 Official recognition of the brotherhood as a Congregation by Pope Pius V. Rule of St. Augustine, Habit with Scapular, one of the Brothers can be ordained as a priest for the pastoral care of patients and Brothers in every hospital. 1572 First Hospital in Italy, at Naples. 1584 Foundation of the Hospital on the Tiber Island in Rome. 1586 The Congregations is raised to a regular Order, Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, by Pope Pius V. 1592 Degradation back to a Congregation and split into Spanish and Italian Branches. 1611 Spanish Branch is raised again to the status of Order. 1617 Italian Branch is raised to the status of Order. Both branches develop independently. 1630 Beatification of John of God.
1690 16th October: Canonisation of St. John of God by Pope Alexander VIII. 1685 Arrival of the first Portuguese Brothers in Goa. Hospitals founded in Goa, Bassein (near Bombay), Diu & Daman. 1835 The Order gets suppressed in India during the secularisation. The Hospitaller Order: A Birds Eye View Eye The Hospitaller Order: A Birds 7472 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India 1800 1870 Secularisation has the same effects in almost all the Provinces of the Order. Provinces Hospitals Beds Brothers Statistics in 1800: 18 313 8483 3047 LOSSES: 15 286 7647 2423 Statistics in 1870: 3 27 836 624
1867 The Spanish branch is completely extinguished and is being revived from 1867 onwards by St. Benedict Menni. 1886 Pope Leo XIII declares St. John of God Patron of all Hospitals and all the sick together with St. Camillus de Lellis. 1930 Pope Pius XI declares St. John of God and St. Camillus de Lellis patrons of all nurses and their associations. 1969 Hospitaller Brothers arrive in India and establish St. Johns Hospital at Kattappana.
30 Institutions were Nationalised in Communist Countries General Hospitals - 25, Psychiatric Hospitals - 03, Nature Cure Hospitals - 01,Orthopaedic Hospitals - 01 Order Statistics he Order, as at 31 December 2004, had a canonical membership of 1362 Brothers (including Novices). Amongst the Brothers there are 141 who are ordained priests and one of them is a bishop. The membership of the Order is drawn from 50 different countries. The canonical membership of the Order in the Asia Pacific Region is 218 (including Novices). Today the works and communities of the Order are grouped in 23 Provinces including the most recently established Provinces of India and Korea. There are five General Delegations that relate directly to the Prior General as their immediate major superior; and there are 6 Provincial Delegations that relate to a Provincial as their immediate major superior. The Order carries out its apostolate in 292 centres (215 of them being canonically erected) in which 77 provide the range of different services besides their primary one. The Order is present and active in all continents in 50 countries with the Brothers living in 220 communities. It is estimated that there are from 35 40,000 Co-workers supporting the work of the Order. Statistics 2004 Hospitals Beds
Hospitals 71 13,490 Non-hospital (primary) Health care 42 Services for the mentally ill 47 10,838 Services for the physically, mentally, psychologically and sensorially disabled 51 4,204 Services for the old 25 2,192 Miscellaneous social/assistance services 33 1,916
269 32,640 View Eye The Hospitaller Order: A Birds
Commemorative Souvenir 7573 Establishment of the Province of India THE HOSPITALLER ORDER IN THE WORLD NUMBER OF COMMUNITIES PER CONTINENTS NUMBER OF COMMUNITIES The Hospitaller Order: A Birds Eye View Eye The Hospitaller Order: A Birds
7674 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India TheThe HospitallerHospitaller OrderOrder inin IndiaIndia
Commemorative Souvenir 7775 Establishment of the Province of India Introduction
ndia is a land of varied cultures, religions and peoples. It is one of the most ancient civilisations and has a very long history. India, the land of the sages, is famous for its religious tolerance and hospitality. It has now a population of over 1,000 million and 40% of its people are living below poverty line. Education and medical health services are concentrated in the cities and readily accessible to the rich only.
THE FIRST BEGINING (in Goa) The Portuguese India The Portuguese adventurer Alphonse Albuquergue had occupied Goa in 1498 for Portugal. In 1510 Goa was established as the political and religious capital of the Portuguese Empire of the Orient. There was in those days a single hospital in Africa/Mozambique since 1681. It was from there that the hospitals in India were founded. The first Hospitaller Brothers who came to India were Portuguese. One of the four hospitals of the Order in India became the headquarters of the Father Commissioner General for the houses that belonged to the Portuguese Province in the East (he had formerly lived at Mozambique). This Commissariat became extinct in 1835 during the time of secularization in Spain and Portugal.
1. Goa In 1688 the Brothers went to a former monastery, near the Chapel of St. Catharine, and made it into a small hospital.
Our Lady of the Mount Chapel of St. Catharine
The first four Brothers arrived in 1685. A house and The Brothers erected their second hospital near this the church of Our Lady of the Mount were handed chapel. It was abandoned in 1690, as the place was over to the Brothers. unhealthy most probably infected by malaria.
7876 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India and monastery still exist and are protected by the Indian Government as historical monuments. Fort Bassein was destroyed in 1739 by the Dutch in collaboration with Marati Military Forces. The entire population, including our Brothers, was killed. 3. Diu
The Brothers had a monastery (4 Brothers) and a hospital with 20 beds, named Our Lady of Carmel. It was founded in 1687 from Bassein and existed till 1835.
Left: Convent-Church Our Lady of Counsel. Right: Convent Hospital (today Home for the aged run by Indian Franciscan Sisters).
Then the hospital of Our Lady of Counsel, with 12 beds, was built in 1690. The number of Brothers was between 8-12. There was an yearly contribution by the Portuguese state for the maintenance of the hospital. The Regional Superior resided in Goa. The Brothers worked in ships as medical staff when requested. Convent Church (from inside) This foundation also became extinct in 1835 during the time of secularization in Spain and Portugal. 4. Daman
The Brothers had a monastery (4 Brothers) and a hospital (20 beds), named Our Lady of Sorrows, founded in 1693, from Diu, which existed till 1835.
Wall Inscription
2. Bassein (About 35 km from Bombay)
Here the Hospital of Our Lady of Health, with 60 beds, was founded in 1686 from Goa. There were about 7 Brothers. The ruins of our former hospital
Commemorative Souvenir 7977 Establishment of the Province of India ST. THOMAS PROVINCE, INDIA
The Second Beginning (in Kerala)
od, in his great plan, was preparing two persons to be his instruments to bring the gift of Hospitality to India: Mar Mathew Kavukatt, the Archbishop of Changanassery, and Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser, the Vice- Provincial of the Hospitaller Order in Frankfurt, Germany.
Remote Preparation with courage. He got permission of the Provincial The early days of the Order Council to start a house in India, and for that purpose in Asia, Africa and Oceania to bring candidates from India to form them as were linked to the expansion Hospitaller Brothers. of the Spanish and Portuguese kingdoms in the To find out how to get candidates from India he 16th and 17th centuries and contacted Fr. Thomas Asariparambil, who was in thereafter. While he was Germany. Fr. Thomas used to accompany Archbishop the Archbishop of Chan Mar Mathew Kavukatt in his foreign tours. He informed ganassery, Mar Mathew Mar Mathew Kavukatt Bro. Fortunatus that he already knew the Hospitaller Kavukatt had visited the Tiber Order and that his Archbishop is longing to invite the Island Hospital of the Hospitaller Order in Rome. Order to his diocese in Kerala. Impressed by the services of the Order, he met the Prior General and invited the Brothers to his In the same year, 1964, Mar Mathew Kavukatt, visited Archdiocese. But the General informed him that a the Provincial House of the Brothers in Frankfurt and foundation in India would only be possible if a Province discussed in detail about founding a house in India. came forward to take responsibility for it. (He visited the Brothers again in 1965 & 1967). He Bro. Fortunatus had a agreed to send candidates to Frankfurt and invited longstanding dream to plant the Bro. Fortunatus to his archdiocese in Kerala. The first Order somewhere in the to join the Order in Frankfurt was Bro. Savio missions. But most of the Padinjarekutte, in February 1966. Brothers were not in favour of this plan. They thought that it is too early and too adventurous to venture into new lands, because the Order in Germany was slowly coming out of the ravages caused by the Second World War. Bro. Fortunatus Preparations by Bro. Fortunatus Meantime Bro. Fortunatus read much about the missions in India. If at all a mission is started, he decided, it must be in India. Convinced that the Indian Mission is the will of God, he faced all oppositions Orders Hospital in Frankfurt
8078 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Visit of Bro. Fortunatus to India
Accepting the invitation of the Archbishop Bro. Fortunatus came to Kerala (India) in January 1967. On 1st of February 1967, in the Archbishops house at Changanassery, it was agreed to start a house of the Hospitaller Order and a hospital in Kerala. Three places were proposed for the first foundation. Bro. Fortunatus visited Kattappana also.
Kattappana
The Story of Kattappana Kerala is the southern-most state of India. The eastern part of Kerala is a hilly area called High-range. Kattappana, which is 1,000 meters above sea level, belongs to it. The High-range was made up of natural forests. Since 1950 people had been going there in groups from the low ranges, like Pala. They cut bushes and trees and cultivated paddy, coffee, pepper, coconut, etc. Elephants and other wild animals used to come and destroy their crops. So, people made huts on tree-tops to protect themselves from the animals. Commemorative Souvenir 8179 Establishment of the Province of India After the visit of Bro. Fortunatus in 1967, seeing Kattappana of the 1960s the possibility of starting a hospital, Fr. Thomas Aasariparmbil wanted to have it in his native place, Edathwa, near Pala and the people ore than three decades ago, when Bro. there offered 25 acres of land for the project. Fortunatus Thanhäuser was planning a foundation in India, the whole High-range was But the then Vicar General, Fr. L. J. Chittoor, a very remote area. The nearest hospital was 110 thought that the new foundation should be at kilometers away and patients could not be Amboori, a place south of Trivandrum (the capital transported there in time due to lack of proper of Kerala), and some land was purchased for the roads. Most of the seriously ill died on the way. purpose. Malaria also took the lives of many. A Timely Intervention Upon hearing this, Fr. Joseph Meprakarott, the parish priest of Kattappana, contacted the archbishop and talked with Fr. Thomas Asariparambil and Fr. L.J. Chittoor. Finally all were convinced of the need to have the hospital at Kattappana itself. So, Kattappana was selected as the most suitable place for the new foundation. The Archbishop entrusted Fr. Joseph Meprakarott to prepare for the construction of the hospital. Fr. Meprakarott bought land for Brothers in 1967, at Kumbukkal (near the parish church) Kattappana in 1968 and where the present hospital is, and took all There was no electricity or phone. Electricity necessary steps for the construction of a did not come to Kattappana until 1973. hospital. The Vincent de Paul Society and the Finally the foundation stone for the hospital was Franciscan Clarist Sisters of Kattappana were laid by His Grace Mar Mathew Kavukatt, on 27th trying their best to start at least a small June 1968. dispensary. The Archbishop of Changanassery, Mar Mathew Kavukatt, knew Archbishop this situation of Kattappana very well. Mar Mathew Kavukatt blessing the foundation stone for the Hospital
Archbishop talks with the members of the Vincent de Paul Society
8280 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Brothers Come to Kattappana Bro. Forthanatus resigned his position as Vice-provincial and prepared himself to come to India. Two young Brothers, Alfonse M. Höring and Werenfried Diel, came forward and started preparations to come to Kerala. The first two Brothers, Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser and Bro. Prakash Madappally reached Kattappana on 19th November 1969, and received a very warm welcome.
Local people gather with their jeeps to escort the The welcome procession arrives at Kattappana Brothers from Pulianmala to Kattappana
The people of Kattappana welcome Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser, Mon L.J. Chittoor and Bro. Prakash Madappally The Community of St. John of God and the St. Johns Hospital at Kattappana had a steady growth over the years. The story of the different communities and centres of the Order in India are delt elsewhere in separate articles.
Commemorative Souvenir 8381 Establishment of the Province of India Solemn Reception to the Pioneers at Kattappana, 19 Nov. 1969
From left: Bro. Prakash, Mons. L.J. Chittoor, Fr. Meprakarott, Fr. Joseph Kurinjiparampil garlands Fr. Kurinjiparampil, Mr. Jose Poomattom and Fr. Augustus Bro. Prakash Madappally
Reception proceeds to the St. George High School ground
19 November 1969 Thousands gathered for the Solemn Reception
Fr. Mathew Meprakarott Mons. L.J. Chittoor Bro. Fortunatus thanks all for the reception
8482 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of thethe ProvinceProvince ofof IndiaIndia After the reception the Brothers visited the Dispensary
With the staff of the Dispensary Staff, from left: Sr. Sabeena, Dr. Xavier Kurien Mappilassery, Sr. Canisius, Sr. Lucy Maria, Sr. Anjes Mary and Sr. Francis Theres(FCC Sisters)
In front of doctors quarters From left: Dr. Xavier & Family, Bro. Fortunatus, Mons. L.J. Chittoor, Bro. Prakash, Fr. Meprakarott
Commemorative Souvenir 8583 Establishment of the Province of India St.Thomas Province India
Bro. Fortunatus Bro. Savio Bro. Prakash Bro. Jose Mathew Bro. Antony Thanhäuser Padinjarekutte Madappally Thottathil Palamattom
Bro. Francis Bro. Benedict Bro. Albert Bro. Vincent Bro. Stephen Mannaparampil (sac) Nadayil Thekkumkaduthadathil Kochamkunnel Chirayath
Bro. Augustine Bro. Pius Bro. Aloysius Bro. George Bro. Thomas Polaprayil Manithottiyil Mattathil Kizhakkekara (sac) Kanjiramoottil
Bro. Joseph Bro. James Michael Bro. George Yanka Joseph Bro. Sathyan Mathai Kattackal Edayadil Kizhakkenath Sharma Chennakattukunnel
8684 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India St.Thomas Province India
Bro.Johny George Bro.Roy Mani Bro. Baiju Chacko Bro. Roy Joseph Bro.Jobino Mathew Pullanthithundathil Chelakunnel Valuparampil Palliparampil Kochodackal
Bro. Pius Augustine Bro. J. Chinnapparaj Bro. Raphael Bro. Pius George Bro.Binu Kochuparampil Swamidas Vattothukunnel Thottathil
Bro. Shiju Bro. Morly Joseph Bro. Saji John Bro. Johnson Bro.Bino Augusty Nanthikattu Ambalathumkal Mullankuzhiyil Arackal Parakkanassery
Bro. Binish Thomas Bro.Salim Bro.Sudhir Bro. Ignace Mulackal Kujur Topno
Commemorative Souvenir 8785 Establishment of the Province of India THE PRESENCE OF THE ORDER IN INDIA
Deshgaon (1985)
Poonamallee (1981) Bangalore (2004)
Kattappana (1969) Trichy (2004)
Dindigul (2005) Velloor (1990)
Brothers & Novices : 45 Canonical Communities : 4 New Communities : 3
8886 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Some Major Events in the History of the Order in India
A New Religious Congregation ack of dedicated women in the different fields of the apostolate (Hospital, Pratheeksha Bhavan, etc.) was a serious problem. However, Bro. Fortunatus found a solution to it by founding a new Religious Congregation -The Sisters of Charity of St. John of God (SCJG). The first candidates (8) came on 8th September 1977. Sr. Borromeo (Franciscan Clarist Congregation) was their mother superior and Fr. Berchmans (OFM Capuchin), their spiritual father. The Congregation was recognised in 1992. (See separate article on SCJG).
Aggregation of The Sisters of Charity of St. John of God
Rev. Bro. Pascual Piles, Prior General of the Hospitaller Order, aggregated the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of St. John of God to the Hospitaller Order on 5th January 1997, during a solemn Eucharistic celebration at the Generalate Chapel of the Sisters at Kattappana.
Jubilee Celebrations of Bro. Fortunatus
The golden jubilee of the religious profession of Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser was celebrated at Kattappana in November 1986 and the diamond jubilee in November 1996.
Commemorative Souvenir 8987 Establishment of the Province of India Visit of Superiors, Guests and Benefactors Mini Chapters
From the beginning of our works in India, many The first Mini Chapter was conducted at Brothers of the Order and distinguished guests Kattappana on 20th October 1983. Bro. Brian have travelled to India to visit the Brothers and ODonnell, General Councillor, presided over the the works of the Order.These visitors have Chapter. Bro. Makarius Klaholz, Provincial, was included the Provincials, Councillors, Brothers and present in the Chapter. many benefactors from Germany and Austria. A second Mini Chapter was held at Kattappana from 21-26 October 1984, which was presided over New Houses by Bro. Brian ODonnell, General Councillor. The first house of the Order was started at Kattappana in 1969. After that other houses The Provincial Delegation Chapters were founded as shown below: Poonamallee A Pre-chapter Assembly of the Indian Delegation (Chennai) in 1981, Deshgaon (Madhya of the Rhine Province took place at Kattappana from Pradesh) in 1985 and Velloor (Kerala) in 13-14, January 1992, to prepare submissions for 1990. Our future presences, where the Provincial Chapter and to review the construction works are progressing, are given Delegations current plan. Prior General, Bro. Brian below: Trichy (Tamil Nadu) in 2004, Kengeri ODonnell presided over the Assembly. Bro. (Karnataka) in 2004 and Dindigul (Tamil Andreas Hellermann, Provincial, and Bro. Makarius Nadu) in 2005. Klaholz, Provincial Councillor, participated in the Assembly. A Provincial Delegation Houses in India Become a General On 10th January 1982 the two houses in India Delegation became a Provincial Delegation. Bro. Fortunatus The Provincial Delegation was elevated to the status Thanhäuser was appointed the first Provincial of The Indian General Delegation of St. Thomas Delegate. The office of the Provincial Delegate the Apostle on 1st January 1997. Prior General, Rev. was shifted from Kattappana to Velloor (Kottayam) Bro. Pascual Piles made the official declaration in in June 1992 and to Poonamallee (Chennai/ the presence of many guests during a solemn Madras) in March 1995. Eucharistic celebration. There were no changes in the office holders of the former General Delegation. the Order in India
The First Chapter in India Poonamallee from 21-24 February 2001. Bro. A Pre-chapter Assembly, in preparation for the Pascual Piles, Prior General, presided over the st Chapter, took place at Kattappana on 21 May Chapter and Bro. Donatus Forkan, General 1998. The first Chapter in India was conducted Councillor, was the moderator. Bro. Andreas from 19-22 June 1998. Bro. Vincent Hellermann, Rhine Province (Mother Province), Kochamkunnel was re-appointed as General was also present as a guest. Bro. Savio Delegate. Brothers Benedict Nadayil, Jose Padinjarekutte was appointed General Delegate Mathew and Albert Thekkumkaduthadathil were and Brothers Benedict Nadayil, Francis appointed as councillors. Mannaparampil, Albert Thekkumkaduthadathil and In the General Chapter held at Granada in 2000, Antony Palamattom were appointed as Councillors. Bro. Vincent Kochamkunnel was elected as General Councillor. The Third Chapter The Second Chapter The Third Chapter was held at Poonamallee from 12-15 February 2004. Bro. Pascual Piles, Prior A Pre-chapter Assembly was held at Poonamallee General, Bro. Donatus Forkan, General Councillor, from 13-14 January 2001 at Kattappana. The and Bro. Vincent Kochamkunnel, General Second General Delegation Chapter was held at Councillor took part in it.
Some Major Events in the History of 9088 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India A Landmark: India Becomes a Province
Thus new Indian Province of St. Thomas the Apostle was established on 15th June 2005. During the past 36 years, due to the hard work of many Brothers, Co-workers and the support PROVINCIALS of many benefactors and friends in Germany and Austria, the Order in India has experienced (Rhine Province, Germany) rapid growth. It was judged by the General 1969-1971 Rev. Bro. Benignus Hinz Government of the Order that it was ready to become an independent Province of the Order. 1971-1977 Rev. Bro. Makarius Klaholz The Prior General, Bro. Pascual Piles, during 1977-1980 Rev. Bro. Jordan Brand the liturgical celebration, in which many Priests, 1980-1986 Rev. Bro. Makarius Klaholz Sisters, Brothers, Benefactors, Co-workers and Well-wishers participated, declared the erection 1986-1992 Rev. Bro. Andreas Hellermann of the Indian Province of St. Thomas the Apostle 1992-1997 Rev. Bro. Camillus Seidl and appointed Brother Benedict Nadayil as the Provincial. 1997- Rev. Bro. Andreas Hellermann Rt. Rev. Dr. Lawrence Pius, the auxiliary Bishop of Madras-Mylapore, inaugurated the public function. Participants of Provincial Chapter in Frankfurt (1995)
Commemorative Souvenir 9189 Establishment of the Province of India THE UNFOLDING OF EVENTS (A chronological narration)
1964 First contacts between Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser and Archbishop Mar Mathew Kavukatt concerning a foundation of the Hospitaller Order in India. 1966 February: Arrival of Bro. Savio Padinjarekutte at Frankfurt as the first Indian Postulant. 1967 February: Bro. Fortunatus visits India and decides to start a house and a hospital of the Hospitaller Order in Kerala. He visits Kattappana also. 1968 June 27: Blessing and laying of foundation stone for the new hospital at Kattappana by Mar Mathew Kavukatt, Archbishop of Changanassery. 1968 December 8: Opening of the dispensary (temporary St. Johns Hospital) at Kattappana. 1969 November 19: Arrival of Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser and Bro. Prakash Madappally at Kattappana. 1970 April 4: Arrival of Bro. Benignus Hinz (Provincial), Bro. Werenfried Diel and Bro. Alfons M. Höring at Kattappana. 1970 June 4: Canonical erection of the Kattappana Community. 1971 February 1: Opening of the A Block of St. Johns Hospital. 1972 January 10: Visit by Rev. Fr. Casmir Metzger, General Councillor. 1972 October 5: Arrival of Bro. Savio Padinjarekkutte at Kattappana from Frankfurt, Germany. 1973 January 15: Bro. Makarius Klaholz, Provincial, came for canonical visitation. 1973 January: Kattappana and St. Johns Hospital get electricity. 1973 November 4: Solemn Profession of Bro. Savio Padinjarekutte at Kattappana. 1975 June 1: Blessing and opening of the B Block of the Hospital by Mar Antony Padiyara, Archbishop of Changanassery. 1976 May: Conversion of part of the novitiate building into a home for the chronically sick, called Pratheeksha Bhavan. 1976 October: Blessing of the present Brothers Residence & Chapel. 1976 September: Admits patients in the C Block of the Hospital. 1977 February 8: Blessing of the C Block of the Hospital, Chapel and Brothers Residence at Kattappana by Mar Joseph Powathil. 1977 Bro. Savio padinjarekutte is elected as Prior of Kattappana Community and the Hospital. 1977 September 8: Foundation of the future Congregation of Sisters of Charity of St. John of God by Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser and Bro. Prakash Madappally. 1979 January 20: Blessing of the newly erected Pratheeksha Bhavan (with 150 beds) by Fr. Mathew Vattakuzhy, the Vicar General of Kanjirapally diocese. 1980 Opening of the Eye Department of St. Johns Hospital. 1981 February 1: Purchase of land at Poonamallee in Chennai for formation house and home for the aged. 1981 July: Classes by Bro. Raymond Hornby (Australia) for Brothers and Sisters. 1981 October: Canonical erection of Poonamallee community and transfer of the novitiate to Poonamallee.
9290 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India 1982 January 10: Erection of the Indian Provincial Delegation of the Rhine Province, Germany. Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser becomes the first Provincial Delegate. 1983 January 18: Blessing and laying of the foundation stone of the home for the aged at Poonamallee. 1984 January 10: First religious profession of the seven founding members of the Sisters of Charity of St. John of God at Kattappana. 1984 September 9: Blessing of St. Johns School of Nursing building at Kattappana. 1984 October 21-26: Mini Chapter at Kattappana. Bro. Brian ODonnell and Fr. Gabino Gorestieto (General Councillors) took part. 1985Bro. Savio starts service in the dispensary at Deshgaon, Khandwa. 1985January 20: Blessing and inauguration of the home for the aged at Poonamallee. 1985March 19: Blessing of the Formation House at Poonamallee. 1986 November 21: Bro. Fortunatus celebrates his Golden Jubilee of Religious Profession at Kattappana. 1988 May 3: Canonical erection of Deshgaon community. 1989 January 14-17: Meeting of the Indian Delegation at Poonamallee animated by Prior General, Bro. Brian ODonnell. 1990 May: Beginning of Study House at Velloor, Kottayam. 1991 April 14: Priestly Ordination of Brothers Francis Mannaparampil and George Kizhakkekara by Mar Mathew Vattakuzhy at Kattappana. 1992 November 1: Canonical erection of the Velloor Community. 1992 November 28: Perpetual profession of the first 17 Sisters of Charity of St. John of God at Kattappana. 1992 September 29: Silver Jubilee celebrations of Bro. Savio Padinjarekutte at Kattappana. 1993 Opening of the Cardiological Intensive Care Unit at Kattappana. 1994 January 12: Laying of foundation stone for the new School of Nursing and Hostel by Bro. Florentin Langthaler at Kattappana. 1994 January 15: The Sisters of Charity of St. John of God are given the status of a Diocesan Congregation of the Syro-Malabar Church. 1994 January 15: Blessing of the Generalate of the Sisters of Charity of St. John of God at Kattappana by Mar Mathew Vattakuzhy. 1994 November 19: Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the arrival of Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser and Bro. Prakash Madappally at Kattappana. 1995January 7: Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser thereceives Distinguished Service Cross of the Federal Republic of Germany from Dr. Gudrun Vogel, German General Consul at Kattappana. 1995February 14-16: A Pre-Chapter Assembly was held at Poonamallee. 1996 March 14-16: Seminar on St. John of God, conducted by Bro. Brian ODonnell at Poonamallee. 1996 March 9: Opening of the Social Welfare Centre at Kherda, in Khandwa Diocese. 1996 July 31: One month English Course started by Bro. Vianney Welch. 1996 November 24: The Diamond Jubilee (60) of the religious profession of Bro. Fortunatus is celebrated. 1997 May 5: Aggregation of the SCJG to the Hospitaller Order at Kattappana.
Commemorative Souvenir 9391 Establishment of the Province of India 1997 January 1: Erection of the Indian General Delegation of St. Thomas the Apostle. 1997 January & October: Seminar on Letters of St. John of God by Bro. Joseph Magliozzi (Philippines) at Poonamallee. 1997 October 6-7: Asia Pacific Inter-Provincial Meeting (APIPC) at Poonamallee. 1997 November: Course on Counselling at Poonamallee by Bro. Vianney Welch. 1998 February 26: Blessing and opening of the new School of Nursing and Hostel building at Kattappana. 1998 May 1: Opening of the St. John of God Centre for Persons with Learning Disabilities at Velloor. 1998 June 13-15: Seminar on the Missionary Dimension of the Order by Brothers Brian ODonnell and Vianney Welch. 1998 June 16: Seminar on Learning Disabilities conducted by Bro. Brian ODonnel, Bro. Vianney Welch and a team from Ireland. 1998 June 19-22: First Chapter of the Indian General Delegation at Poonamallee. 1998 December 5: Death of Fr. Mathew Kuzhimulloram (chaplain) at Kattappana. 1999 December 4-17: A group of Brothers and SCJG Sisters participated in Cyclone Relief Work in Orissa. 1999 May: Classes for Brothers and Co-workers on St. John of God: the Man and His Co-workers by Bro. Brian ODonnell. 2000 May 23-25: Seminar on Managing Challenging Behaviours by 3 Co-workers from Australia. 2000 June 16: Mid-term Assembly of the Delegation at Poonamallee. 2000 November 14: Bro. Benito (Novice) dies of brain tumour at St. Johns Hospital, Kattappana. 2001 February 16: Blessing of the Christu Jayanthi Memorial Block of the St. Johns Hospital at Kattappana. 2001 February 21-24: Second Chapter of the Indian General Delegation at Poonamallee. 2002 September 8: Silver Jubilee celebration of the foundation of the SCJG at Kattappana. 2003 January 9-14: Regional Meeting of the General Government of the Hospitaller Order with Brothers & Co-workers of the Asia-Pacific Region at Poonamallee. 2003 November 1: St. Johns College of Nursing starts functioning at Kattappana. 2003 November 1: Blessing and inauguration of the new buildings of the St. John of God Special School at Velloor. 2004 February 12-15: Third Chapter of the Indian General Delegation at Poonamallee. 2004 May/June: Seminar for Brothers and Co-workers on St. John of God Leadership by Bro. Brian ODonnell at Velloor and Kattappana. 2004 May 15: Rev. Fr. Ignatius Rathappillil CMI (chaplain, St. Johns, Kattappana) dies at Kenkery, Bangalore. 2004 August 18: Visit of His Grace Pedro Lopes Quintana, the apostolic nuncio of India, at Kattappana. 2005Blessing of the Brothers Residence at Trichy (Tamil Nadu). 2005Construction of the new Hospice at Trichy was started. 2005June 15: Elevation of the Indian General Delegation to the status of a Province.
9492 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India COMMUNITIESCOMMUNITIES && CENTRES
Commemorative Souvenir 9593 Establishment of the Province of India COMMUNITY OF ST. JOHN OF GOD Kattappana, Kerala
Early History
he first two Brothers, Bro. Fortunatus The Parish Priest accommodated the Brothers in Thanhäuser and Bro. Prakash Madapally, the presbytery until their residence was arrived at Kattappana on 19th November constructed and blessed on 6th April 1970. This 1969. They were very warmly welcomed by Rev. small residence was close to the hospital and was Fr. Joseph Meprakarott (parish priest), Rev. Fr. Joseph Kurinjiparambil, (assistant parish priest), and the people. Monsignor L.J. Chittoor (administrator of the diocese), introduced the Brothers to the large audience.
Bro. Fortunatus laying foundation stone for the Brothers Residence ( 27th November, 1969)
built under the supervision and guidance of Fr. Bro. Fortunatus & Bro. Prakash bid farewell to Frankfurt Meprakarott. The community life began in the for the new Mission in India presbytery. Bro. Alfons M. Höring and Bro. Werenfried Diel from Germany joined the community on 4th April 1970. Later in September 1970 Bro. Werenfried was recalled to Frankfurt due to a lack of Brothers. Fr. Mathew Kalathoor CMI was the first spiritual director and chaplain at Kattappana. The first Holy Mass was celebrated on 27th June. In the beginning, Mass was celebrated in the Brothers parlour until a small chapel was built in November 1970. The first three Postulants were admitted to They are jubilantly welcomed at Kattappana the novitiate on 5th July 1970.
9694 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Bro. Robert Wimmer of Bavaria joined the Community at Kattappana in July 1981 and returned to Bavaria after 1½ years of service. Until 1981, when a separate formation house was established at Poonamallee (Chennai), the different stages of initial formation - Aspirancy, Postulancy and Novitiate - were at Kattappana itself.
Holy Mass in the first chapel built in November 1970
The hospital was transferred from Kumbukkal to the present building on the 1st of February 1971. Following an old tradition of the Order, the Brothers went to the hospital wards soon after Holy Mass each morning to serve patients. Bro. Savio Padinjarekutte arrived at Kattappana in October 1972 after six years of training in Frankfurt. On 4th November 1973 Bro. Savio Padinjarekutte made his solemn profession. The Provincial, Bro. Makarius Klaholz, and Bro. Florentin Langthaler, Solemn Profession of Bro. Savio (Nov. 4, 1973) Provincial of Austria, were present. Activities Connected with the Growth & Development Community at Kattappana The construction of the present Brothers Residence was completed in October 1976 and was blessed, The first apostolic activity of the Brothers at together with the present Chapel, by Mar Joseph Kattappana was in the St. Johns Hospital (see Powathil, the Auxiliary Archbishop of separate article). Soon they started social activities such as a home for the chronically sick and aged orphans called Pratheeksha Bhavan (separate article), midday meals for the poor, houses for poor families, free medical care to the poor sick, sponsorship to poor students, Mother & Child Health Programme, financial assistance to the poor, etc. To know more about these activities see the article entitled The Welfare Activities Initiated by Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser. In 1982, the St. Johns School of Nursing and in 2003 the St. Johns College of Nursing were started. (For more information see the article on St. Johns The new chapel built in 1977 Hospital).
Changanassery, on 8th February 1977. The Bro. Prakash Madappally started a service known Provincial, Makarius Klaholz and Bro. Michael as Kaithiri (meaning small light), to help poor Mockenhaupt were present. Vellappally Brothers, children with their studies. (See separate article). Kottayam, built the Residence and the Chapel.
Commemorative Souvenir 9795 Establishment of the Province of India The Study House From 1995, young persons The Present Community aspiring to become Hospitaller Brothers are There are 12 Brothers in the community, staying at Kumbukkal (about including Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser (87 years 1 km away from the old), the pioneer and founder of this first house. Community) and studying Plus 2 (two-year, pre- Brothers are engaged in different apostolic university studies) in the nearby schools. activities in the Hospital, Pratheeksha Bhavan, The Scholasticate etc. From the beginning The farm (c. 15.5 hectares) provides job onwards, the Scholasticate opportunity for many people. The main crops of the Order has been in the cultivated are pepper, coffee, coconut, Kattappana Community. cardamom, banana and tapioca. Some of the Scholastics undergo nursing studies at the St. Johns School of Nursing here.
PRIORS
1969 -1977 Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser 1992 -1995 Bro.Jose Mathew Thottathil 1977 -1983 Bro.Savio Padinjarekutte 1995 -2001 Bro.Benedict Nadayil 1983 -1989 Bro.Antony Palamattom 2001 -2004 Bro.Jose Mathew Thottathil 1989 -1992 Bro.Fortunatus Thanhäuser 2004 - Bro.Aloysius Mattathil
Bro. Benignus Hinz (Provincial, Rhine Province, Germany) arrived on April 4, 1970, together with Bro. Werenfried Diel and Bro. Alfons M. Höring
9896 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Visit of Bro. Benignus Hinz (Provincial) to the Dispensary at Kumbukkal (1970) In the presence of God
On the day of Bro. Alberts Solemn Profession in 12-12-1982
On the day of Bro. Benedicts Solemn Profession in 01-05-1982
The Community with Bro. Andreas Hellermann, Provincial, in 1989 Mar Mathew Vattakuzhy ordains Brothers Francis & George (1991)
Commemorative Souvenir 9997 Establishment of the Province of India STST.. JOHNSJOHNS HOSPITHOSPITALAL Kattappana, Kerala In the Beginning
ore than three decades ago when Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser came to Kattappana the whole High- range of the present Idukki district in Kerala was still a very remote area. The nearest hospital was 110 kilometers away. Patients could not be transported there in time due to lack of proper roads. Most of the serious patients died on the way. Malaria also took the lives of many. The Vincent de Paul Society and the Franciscan Clarist Sisters of Kattappana were trying their best to start at least a small dispensary. Knowing the situation Mar Mathew Kavukatt, the Archbishop of Changanassery, invited Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser from Germany, and Kattappana was selected as the suitable place for the foundation. The Archbishop entrusted Fr. Joseph Meprakarott, the parish priest of Kattappana, with the responsibility to take the necessary steps.
A HUMBLE BEGINNING Temporary Dispensary
With the help of the Brothers in Germany Fr. provided from Germany, and to get visa for the Joseph bought a plot of land for the Brothers, in German Brothers (given only for an existing 1967, at Kumbukkal, near the parish church, and hospital). Dr. Xavier Kurian Mappilasserry, who a dispensary was started on 8 December 1968. visited the dispensary thrice a week from St. The temporary dispensary was necessary to get Augustines Hospital at Kumily and five Sisters of the import license for the hospital equipment the Franciscan Clarist Congregation were attending to the needs of the patients. Later the facility was shifted to a new building with 18 beds, where very often 30-40 patients had to be admitted! Laying the Foundation Stone
Later the parish priest arranged for the purchase of more land, where the present hospital is situated, and took all necessary steps for the construction of a hospital. Finally, the foundation stone for the new hospital was laid by Mar Mathew Kavukatt, the Archbishop of Changanassery, on Old Dispensary at Kumbukkal 27 June 1968.
10098 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India A Comparison
In 1974 In 2004 In-patients 6408 18918 Out-patients 38399 231582 Major Operations 124 1270 Minor Operations 797 1225 Deliveries 748 1802 Lab Tests 21827 236028 X-Rays 2545 15981 Dental Patients 3642 10183 Archbishop Mar Mathew Kavukatt laying the foundation stone for the new Hospital A Milestone: St. Johns Hospital Hospital Buildings The first building of the present St. Johns Hospital, the A-Block, with 60 beds, was inaugurated on 1 The first building of the present St. Johns Hospital, February 1971. Twenty-two patients were shifted the A-Block, with 60 beds, was inaugurated on 1 to the hospital from the temporary dispensary at February 1971. Kumbukkal. An 8-year-old boy was the first patient. There were 3 doctors, 3 Brothers as nurses, 9 Sisters from the Clarist Convent and one lay auxiliary nurse. The hospital was very successful from the first day. The very next day, on 2 February, the first child was born and the following day he was baptized as John of God. On the second day itself the number of in-patients increased to 40 and the following day the available iron beds became insufficient and wooden cots were brought in from the dispensary. Initial Difficulties The pioneers had to overcome extremely difficult situations. There was no electricity in the area, and The A-Block of the Hospital telephone service too was unheard of. In the early The B-Block was completed and blessed on 1 70s there was a severe scarcity of cement which June1975 by the Archbishop of Changanassery. delayed the construction process. They were also The C-Block, (ground floor: the present Paediatric hard-pressed for the necessary funds to procure Ward/Male Medical, & first floor: present Male hospital equipment and facilities. In spite of all Surgical/Ophthalmic O.T. Section) was completed these adversities, the hospital flourished and could in September 1976 and patients were shifted to it. render modern medical care to a large section of But the official blessing took place only on 8 the population as evidenced by the statistics for a February 1977, by Mar Joseph Powathil, the typical year: Auxiliary bishop of Changanassery.
Commemorative Souvenir 10199 Establishment of the Province of India The Eye Block comprising the OPD and wards, The following departments and facilities the construction of which was funded by Christoffel are available in the hospital at present. Blinden Mission (CBM), was inaugurated on 28 February 1988 by CBM Regional Representative, Departments Consultants Dr. Julius Karunakaran. General Medicine 3 The Cardiology Block was blessed by Mar Mathew General Surgery 2 Vattakuzhy, Bishop of Kanjirapally, and inaugurated Obstetrics and Gynaecology 3 by Sri. V.T. Sebastian, on 28 March 1993. Paediatrics 3 Orthopaedics and Physiotherapy 2 The St. Josephs Block was inaugurated by Bro. Anaesthesia 2 Andreas Hellermann on 5 September 1999. ENT and Audiology 2 Ophthalmology 2 The blessing and laying of the foundation stone Dermatology 1 of Christu Jayanthi Memorial Block was on 4 Dental Surgery 4 January 1999. On 16 February 2001 the new Maxillofacial Surgery (Super-speciality) 1 block was blessed by Mar. Mathew Vattakuzhi, Radiology 2 Bishop of Kanjirapally and inaugurated by Dr. Cardiology 1(Once a week) Cyriac Thomas, Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Urology 1(Once a week) Gandhi University, Kottayam, during a colourful Neurosurgery 1 function attended by local and visiting dignitaries. (The block houses the General OT Complex with Facilities centralised AC and gas supply, the Department of Radiology, the Laboratories, Cental Sterilization CARDIOLOGY & GENERAL MEDICINE and other ancillary facilities). § Well equipped ICCU with Ventilator (Dräger) facilities and centralized gases § Poison & envenomation intensive care unit Today § Cardiac Lab with TMT, Echocardiography & Colour Doppler.
GENERAL SURGERY
§ OGD/Colonoscopy § Routine general surgery § Onco-surgery § Limb salvage in diabetes & peripheral vascular disorders § Laparoscopic procedures - Cholecystectomy, Appendicectomy.
OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY
§ Foetal monitor § Painless labour techniques (epidural analgesia) § Minilap St. Johns Hospital Complex § Gynaec-oncosurgeries § Infertility clinic St. Johns Hospital at Kattappana after 36 years § Laparoscopic procedures. of its establishment, is the main hospital in the High-range. It is a 350-bed, multi-speciality PAEDIATRICS hospital having state-of-the-art facilities, serving § Neonatology unit as a tertiary care and referral centre for the § Paediatric ICU whole of Idukki district and the adjoining places § Phototherapy of Theni district of the state of Tamil Nadu. § Growth and Development Centre § Well Baby Clinic
102100 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India § Standard immunization schedules § Centralized gases § The distinction of being a Baby Friendly Hospital § Post-surgical intensive-care unit with ventilator under the UNICEF Project. backup
ORTHOPEDICS RADIOLOGY
§ Round-the-clock trauma care § Whole Body 3D C.T. Scan § Paediatric-ortho surgeries (CTEV, Polio, CP) § Basic ultrasound § Deformity correction § Obstetric ultrasound § Illizarov procedures § Colour Doppler § Interlocking (tibia, femur, humerus) facilities § Echocardiography § Spine unit with C-Arm (Philips) § C-Arm § Orthotics/prosthetics facilities § X-ray unit (500mA) § Arthroscopy (shoulder, ACL reconstruction, § Portable/Dental X-ray facilities diagnostic arthroscopy) DENTAL: ORAL/MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY & ENT ORTHODONTICS
§ Microscopic Ear Surgery § General dentistry. § FESS (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery) § Cosmetic surgery § Head & Neck Surgeries § Orthodontia § Critical Care Support (Tracheostomy) § Maxillofacial trauma care
OPHTHALMOLOGY SKIN, HAIR & COSMETOLOGY CLINIC
§ Community ophthalmology (Eye Camps) § Electrolysis § Eye OT & Sutureless cataract surgery § Electric Cautery § Refraction unit with in-house optical dispensary § Radio Cautery § Slit lamp, Keratometer, A-Scan Biometer § Tattooing § Dedicated Eye OT § Chemical Peeling § Punch Grafting ANAESTHESIOLOGY UROLOGY § Pulse oximetry § Cardiac monitors § Endourology procedures (cystoscopy, stone § NI BP removal, lithotripsy, PCNL, etc) § Isofluorane vaporizer
Ancillary Services PHYSIOTHERAPY ROUND THE CLOCK SERVICES § U/S, IFT, SWD § Casualty § Wax bath, Moist heat § Pharmacy § Intermittent cervical/lumbar traction § Blood bank § Gait therapy § Laboratory § Neuro-rehabilitation facilities. Y Clinical Pathology AUDIOLOGY AND SPEECH THERAPY UNIT Y Microbiology § Routine Audiometry Y Biochemistry with advanced testing § Audiological special tests facilities (HIV/Leptospirosis etc.) § Tympanometry with reflex thresholds § Ambulance service § Speech Therapy for all speech, language and § Freezer mortuary communication problems
Commemorative Souvenir 101103 Establishment of the Province of India New Projects
A well-equipped Neurosurgery unit has been started. It is headed by Dr. Christian Pellenc, FRCS, a reputed neurosurgeon from France with more than 35 years of experience in this field. The facilities include:
§ Pain Clinic (with invasive techniques) § Congenital cranial disorder § Spine Surgeries corrections § Minimally invasive cervical/lumbar § Preventive Procedures spine surgeries § Carotid embolectomy to prevent § Tumour resection/fusion strokes § Instrumentation of spine § Peripheral Nerve Repairs § Head/Brain surgeries § Nerve grafting (Microscopic § Polytrauma/Head injury surgery) § Brain tumors/infections § Stereotactic Biopsies Community Outreach Programme
rom the inception of the Hospital, the Brothers have been interested in providing the surrounding community with health care through various outreach programmes. The Mobile Eye Service through regular eye camps with the help of Christoffel Blinden Mission (CBM) and in association with the District Blindness Control Society and local NGOs provides eye health care to the remote areas of the District. Those who require cataract surgery are brought to the base hospital and treated free. Blood group detection camps and other medical camps too are arranged according to local demand.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME St. Johns School of Nursing
he need to prepare quality nursing professionals who would consider nursing as a vocation and devote themselves to the care of the sick in the spirit of St. John of God had been felt from the early stage of the development of the hospital. Thus a School of Nursing offering the Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery was started in 1982 with the minimum facilities. Then, The Present School Building (1998) on 9 September 1984 new buildings (Old Nursing and inauguration was done by Mar Joseph School) and facilities were Powathil, the then Bishop of Kanjirapally. The First School Building established. The blessing (1982)
104102 Commemorative SouvenirSouvenir Establishment of thethe ProvinceProvince ofof IndiaIndia The present school and hostel were blessed on was increased to 20 in 1992 and to 30 in 1995. 26 February 1998 by Mar Mathew Vattakuzhy. Mr. From the year 1999, 40 students are taken in P.J. Joseph, the Honourable Minister of Education, every year. inaugurated the function. The 25th batch of students will begin their classes When the school was started in 1982 only 15 in October 2005. So, the year 2006 will be the students were admitted every year. The number Silver Jubilee Year of the school of Nursing
Principals of St. Johns School of Nursing Madam Lucy Peter :1982 Jan - 1986 Nov Sr. Lucy Maria FCC :1986 Dec - 1987 Nov Mrs. Karthiyanikuttiyamma :1987 Nov - 1988 Nov Sr. Flowerlet MSJ :1988 Nov - 1994 Nov Bro. Pius Manithottiyil OH :1994 Dec - 1995 May Mrs. Celine Thomas :1995 June
St. Johns College of Nursing
he college was started in 2003, with an intake of 50 students per year, and is affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University at Kottayam in Kerala. It offers a 4-year degree course in nursing (Bachelor of Science in Nursing). Mrs. Ann Mary Jacob is the principal of the college.
Directors of St. Johns Hospital
1969-1980 Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser 1995-1998 Bro. Antony Palamattom 1980-1983 Bro. Savio Padinjarekutte 1998-2001 Bro. Albert Thekkumkaduthadathil 1983-1989 Bro. Antony Palamattom 2001-2004 Bro. George Kizhakkekara 1989-1995 Bro. Vincent Kochamkunnel 2004- Bro. Antony Palamattom
Commemorative Souvenir 105103 Establishment of the Province of India Mar Mathew Kavukatt, 27 June 1968
Inspecting the ground
Fr. Mathew Meprakarott welcomes the Archbishop
Blessing of the foundation stone
Mr. V. T. Sebastian thanks the Archbishop
Archbishop addresses the gathering 106104 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of thethe ProvinceProvince ofof IndiaIndia The Dispensary at Kumbukkal 1968-1971
Preparing ground for the Hospital Building
Concreting the Hospital Building Provincial Benignus Hinz visits the Hospital under construction (1970)Commemorative Souvenir 107105 Establishment of the Province of India Bro. Paulus Kohler Blessing of the foundation stone by Fr. John Vettuvelil Provincial, Austria
Blessing of the CJB by Mar Mathew Vattakkuzhy (2001) Dr. Cyriac Thomas inaugurates the CJB
108106 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India A medical camp in a remote village (1982) Commemorative Souvenir 109107 Establishment of the Province of India Some significant moments
Lamp-lighting by Laying of the foundation stone for School of Nursing Bro. Fortunatus (1988) & Hostel by Bro. Florentin Langthaler OH (1984)
Blessing and Inauguration of St. Johns School of Nursing & Hostel (1998)
This medical team (Operation Smile, Italy) headed by Dr. Fabio conducted free cleft-lip & cleft-palate surgeries in june 2004 Blessing and Inauguration of St. Josephs Block (1999) 110108 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of thethe ProvinceProvince ofof IndiaIndia Cultural Entertainment School & College of Nursing School & College Students, St. Johns St. Students,
Commemorative Souvenir 111109 Establishment of the Province of India Pratheeksha Bhavan (House of Hope) A Home for Chronic Patients and the Marginalised
rothers, do good yourselves by doing good to others, said St. John of God, the founder of the Hospitaller Order. He is called the Saint of Charity, and the Father of the Poor and he left his mark on the history of hospitality. Following his example, his followers, the Brothers of St. John of God, started the Pratheeksha Bhavan at Kattappana, in order to participate in the compassionate love of Jesus towards the sick and the poor, which is the identity of the Hospitaller Order.
The Idea
Kunjachan was a middle aged and illiterate man who was differently abled. He used to collect remains of food left behind restaurants for the pigs that people raised near their houses. With the little money he got in return he lived his days quite happily. Since he had no house or relatives he searched for a place where he could spend his nights too. Finally he met Bro. Fortunatus, the Father of the Poor. The latter allowed him to sleep on the veranda of the Brothers quarters. He used to give Kunjachan a mat and a blanket which he folded in the morning before he left the place. Thus the idea of starting a home for the poor and the homeless came to Bro. Fortunatus. His dream became a reality in 1976 and it was called Pratheeksha Bhavan, which means house of hope.
112110 Commemorative SouvenirSouvenir Establishment of thethe ProvinceProvince ofof IndiaIndia requiring long-term treatment, at the same time being OTHER FACTORS very poor, destitute patients, without relatives, or neglected by their relatives. Food is being supplied As St. Johns Hospital grew, the needs also by the common kitchen. Patients take food themselves increased. Some of our patients, once they were from kitchen and distribute it themselves. Bed-making, healed, were not leaving the hospital, for they had cleaning the building inside and outside is also taken no place of their own to go to. This situation care of by the patients. Patients who are able to work demanded that we have a home for the poor and offer their services by helping in the laundry, kitchen, the destitute at the earliest. agriculture, etc. So, in addition to being a home for the aged and the The Beginning destitute, it served as a long-term hospital for the In the words of the founder, Bro. chronically sick. Fortunatus: In May 1976 the The Growth Novitiate classroom and adjoining former doctors quarters were Construction of a new building for Pratheeksha converted into a home for chronic Bhavan was started in July 1977. The funds were patients. It was named Pratheeksha collected by Bro. Michael Mockenhaupt, secretary for Bhavan. About 30 patients can be the mission in Frankfurt (Indien Hilfe Verein) and accommodated. Mainly there are TB patients, Misereor. The new facility, with 150 beds, was blessed patients suffering from diabetes, asthma, by Fr. Mathew Vattakuzhy, the Vicar General of elephantiasis, multiple sclerosis, etc. All patients Kanjirapally Diocese, on 20th January 1979. TODAY In Pratheeksha Bhavan persons are admitted The Sisters of Charity of St. John of God are helping without any discrimination of sex, caste or religion. the Brothers since 1977 for the day-to-day running At present there are 136 inmates, comprising 72 of the institution and care of the inmates. The males and 64 females. Most of the inmates are inmates receive medical care form the St. Johns from the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They hospital. The finance for the daily running of the are suffering from old-age problems and various centre is given by our benefactors. chronic illnesses like diabetes, cancer, paralysis, Today Pratheeksha Bhavan stands as an mental illness, etc. expression of Gods compassion through human There is a three-year-old child here who was born hands. We are reminded to believe and follow the in our hospital to his educated parents but was words of Jesus, Whatever you do to the least of abandoned because he was physically my people you do unto me. handicapped. Dear Brothers and Sisters, Hospitality towards the needy will be your language for making the Childrens Home greatness, strength and effectiveness of Christian Associated with the Pratheeksha Bhavan is a love understandable to all. With this concrete and home for about 20 boys who are either from very immediate language, you can rekindle expectations, poor or broken families. They are studying in the desires and hopes in hearts that are often nearby school. disappointed and broken; you can echo the voice of God, who, in the intimacy of conscience, invites every Other Services man to conversion (Pope John Paul 11). Pratheeksha Bhavan also carries forward the Directors various charitable activities for the poor and the sick initiated by Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser, its founder, 1976-1997 Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser like constructing houses, providing food, clothing 1997-2001 Bro. Benedict Nadayil and medicine, helping school-going children with books, fees, food, etc. 2001- Bro. Jose Mathew Thottathil
Commemorative Souvenir 111113 Establishment of the Province of India PRATHEEKSHA BHAVAN a home away from home
114 114112 CommemorativeCommemorative Souvenir Souvenir EstablishmentEstablishment of the ofProvince the Province of India of India Commemorative Souvenir 115113 Establishment of the Province of India KaithiriKaithiri
Kaithiri, a service started by Bro. Prakash Madappally, is an attempt, following the example of St. John of God, to light at least a small candle, instead of cursing the darkness around us.
History It was started at Kattappana in 1975, within the St. Johns Hospital campus for the welfare of the poor children. The first activity was tuition classes for children which also aimed at their character formation. From the many children who attended the classes a monthly fee of Rs. 5/- was collected which in turn was used to help very poor children. Another effort was to provide children with notebooks, pens, etc. at the lowest cost possible. Years later children put stalls during parish fests and the small profit was used for helping the poor. For many years a stall functioned on hospital roadside until a room was made available in the hospital building itself. With the help of Bro. Pietro Belloni of Italy who visited Kattappana, Kaithiri was able to acquire more facilities.
Today Kaithiri is engaged in the following services. 1. Kaithiri Stall. Here many necessary things, including school articles needed for children, are sold involving children, at the lowest price possible. By this they are trained in calculations, good manners, etc. 2. Tuition Classes. Students who participate in tuition classes are provided with things needed for studies. 3. Nursery Garden. In the flower and vegetable garden prepared and maintained by the students seeds and seedlings are made available. 4. Leaflets. Leaflets against such social evils as suicide, abortion, AIDS, and intoxicants, and life guidance messages are prepared and distributed. Children are engaged in activities that promote a mentality of unity, sharing and friendship. Many persons who attended classes and received training from Kaithiri bear witness to the great help they received. We remember and thank all those who contributed to the growth of Kaithiri to its present status.
116114 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Commemorative Souvenir 117115 Establishment of the Province of India Welfare Activities Started by Bro.Fortunatus Thanhäuser
ro. Fortunatus did not confine his services in the hospital alone. He was very sensitive to the varying needs of people and started a number of welfare programmes like Housing Scheme, Pratheeksha Bhavan (home for the aged and chronically sick orphans), Mother & Child Health Programme, Financial Assistance to the Poor, Sponsorship for Education, Medicine for Poor Patients, Poor Feeding (midday meals for the poor), Goat Project, Cloth Distribution, ... to name a few.
u Housing Scheme Miss Giesela (1936-1996) was a sincere Co-worker in the Brothers hospital in Frankfurt who was working as cleaner/sweeper and supporting her old parents. She learned from the Brothers that there were many homeless families in India and decided to help them as much as she could. Limiting her needs she saved little by little and when the sum grew up to 600 D.M. she sent it to Bro. Fortunatus. It was not sufficient to construct a house. But Bro. Fortunatus selected a poor family, comprising husband, wife and six children, and a house was built for him. This poor man, together with his friends, did the manual work. Thus Gieselas dream became a reality. Quoting the good example of Giesela Bro. Fortunatus wrote in the Neue Bild Post, a Catholic weekly in Germany. He assured that if one could donate 1,000 DM (German Money) one house for a poor family would be ready. It was in 1970. Many generous people in Germany and Austria came forward.
118116 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India The Vincent de Paul Societies, Parish Priest and others helped Bro. Fortunatus in finding out the neediest families. In implimenting the scheme he was greatly helped, for many years, by Mr. M. Louis Kulavila. So far more than 3,500 poor families have got their own houses. The housing scheme is still going on in the four houses of the Order in India.
u Pratheeksha Bhavan (Home for the Aged and Chronically Sick Persons) Pratheeksha Bhavan, at Kattappana, was started in 1997 with 30 inmates. Today it gives shelter to 130 destitute persons, both male and female. u Mother and Child Health Programme In February 1978 the Mother and Child Health Programme, aided by CRS (Catholic Relief Services USA), was started through the Director of social works of Kanjirapally diocese. The program was aimed to reduce child mortality, (which rated in India at 41% for children upto the age of five), mainly due to lack of hygiene and malnutrition. According to this programme, children up to the age of 5 and pregnant and nursing mothers were provided with fixed amounts of foodstuff once a week. Vaccinations were also arranged for pregnant women and children.
u Goat Project It was started in 1978 with the help of Neue Bild Post of Germany. Through this project poor families were given one goat each to improve their financial status.
u Cloth Distribution 20,400 kilograms of clothes, donated by the readers of Neue Bild Post were distributed to the poor in 1978. u Sponsorship for Education Financial help for poor school-going children is continued today in the four houses of the Order.
Commemorative Souvenir 119117 Establishment of the Province of India Ms. Giesela Weber
The first house built with the help of Ms. Giesela
120118 Commemorative Souvenir
EstablishmentHouses for the Homeless of the Province of India A well: built by Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser
Commemorative Souvenir 121119
Establishment of the Province of India Houses for the Homeless FOOD TO THE HUNGRY FOOD TO FOOD TO THE HUNGRY FOOD TO
122120 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India HELP TO THE NEEDY HELP TO
Commemorative Souvenir 121123 Establishment of the Province of India CHAPLAINS AT ST. JOHNS, KATTAPPANA
Fr. Mathew V Fr. Lucius Fr.Thomas Fr. George Fr. Cyriac Kalathoor CMI Kulathinal CMI Srampickal CMI Thottungal CMI Pannively CMI 71 March-July 71July-79 June 79 June-80 Feb 80 March-April 80 April-81May
V Fr. Xavier Fr. Jacob Fr. Thomas V Fr. John V Fr. Titian Kunnathupurayidom CMI Thadathil Palamkunnel Kurandiarkunnel Kkizhakkekuttu CMI 81 July-82 Mar 82 April-Sept 83 May- June MSFS 85 July-87 May 83 July-85 June
V Fr. Joseph James Fr. Mathew Fr. Francis Fr. George Fr. Mani Puthenkandom CMI Vempeni CMI Mannaparampil OH Kizhakkekara OH Kuzhikandathil CMI 87 June-89 Dec 90 Mar-91April 91 May-Sept 91 Sept-93 Nov 93 Dec-94 June 2002 June-Dec
Fr. Joseph V Fr. Mathew Fr. Varkey V Fr. Ignatius Fr. Peter Thomas Aruviyil CMI Kuzhimulloram Chakkala CMI Rathappillil CMI Kandavanam CMI 99 May-02 June 94 July-97 April 99 Feb-May 02 Dec-04 Feb 04 June - CHAPLAINS AT ST. JOHNS, KATTAPPANA ST. CHAPLAINS AT 124122 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India COMMUNITY OF ST. THOMAS Poonamallee, Chennai
The present St. Thomas Community at Poonamallee includes the following: St. Thomas Provincial Curia, St. Thomas Novitiate House, St. Thomas Home for the Aged, St. John of God Dispensary, Sponsoring Programme and Non-formal Evening School for Children.
THE STORY BEHIND and all the professors welcomed him and he was As the years passed and the activities of the accommodated in the seminary. Brothers at Kattappana grew, it became necessary to have a separate house for the In April 1981 about 1.7 hectares of land was formation of candidates who were in the different purchased. Bro. Stephen Chirayath arrived in May stages of formation. 1981 as the second member of the Community. His knowledge of Tamil (local language) and Thus, a second foundation of the Hospitaller Order experience were of great advantage. He worked was planned in the Provincial Chapter, held at hand in hand with Bro. Alfons, toiling day in and Frankfurt, Germany, in June 1980. Bro. Makarius day out to develop the new foundation. Klaholz was the Provincial. Bro. Alfons M. Höring was requested to conduct a survey to find out a ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST NOVICES suitable place to start the Formation House in The novitiate was shifted from Kattappana to India. Poonamallee on 21st October 1981. Bro. Prakash SELECTION OF POONAMALLEE Madappally, the Novice Master, arrived with the first In the survey, conducted in August 1980, Bro. five Novices. Alfons included the following places: Bangalore, Dindigul, Tiruchirapalli, Poonamallee and Guntur. A week later, Fr. Joseph Puthenkalam SDB, blessed Finally Poonamallee was selected because the the temporary house and Sacred Heart Seminary was there and the celebrated Holy Mass in Salesian Fathers, who managed the seminary, honor of St. John of God. as well as the diocesan priests there, were ready (There were temporary huts to help. The presence of the Oblates of Mary Brothers & a temporary hut for dormitory of the Immaculate (OMI) Fathers was an added community, the chapel, classroom, refectory, car advantage. shed, etc. These huts were damaged by a severe ARRIVAL OF BRO. ALFONS cyclonic storm in November 1984). Bro. Alfons arrived at FORMATION PROGRAMME Poonamallee on 8th January The formation house at Poonamallee houses all 1981. Fr. Joseph Puthenkalam the three stages of formation, namely, Aspirancy SDB, the Rector, (who was of great help in the initial stages) for one year, Postulancy for six months and Novitiate for two years.
Commemorative Souvenir 125123 Establishment of the Province of India On an average, we have 20 Aspirants (mainly from Verein in January 1985. The following were Kerala, North-Eastern States and Tamil Nadu), 5 present: Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Viruthikulangara, Postulants and 8 Novices. There are regular Bishop of Khandwa, Bro. Michael Mockenhaupt, classes, ashram experiences, novices get- a delegation of Indienhilfe Verein, including Herr together programmes and other courses arranged Frany Weigel, one of the main benefactors, by certain renewal centres. Fathers, Brothers, Sisters, Co-workers, neighbours and friends. ST. THOMAS HOME FOR THE AGED The construction of the present St. Thomas Home for the Aged was started in April 1997. It was blessed and inaugurated in January 1999, together with the Provincial House. ST. JOHN OF GOD DISPENSARY
As a great visionary and charismatic formator, Bro. Alfons understood the need for practical training in our apostolate of Hospitality. He planned a home for the aged to accommodate 30 persons. On 18th The community has been running a dispensary January 1983 the foundation stone was blessed for the poor of the area from 1983 onwards. A new by His Grace Rayappa Arulappa, the Archbishop Dispensary was built in 1995. About 30-40 patients of Madras-Mylapore. It was laid by Dr. Christian come daily for free treatment. Hübener, the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany. A ten-member group of SPONSORSHIP AND EVENING SCHOOL Indienhilfe Verein and Bro. Michael The community is helping 250 children for their education by providing books, school bags, uniforms, etc. It is also organizing a non-formal evening school for students from the nearby streets. THE COMMUNITY There are 6 Brothers in this community engaged in various activities and studies. SOME MAJOR EVENTS
Preparations for Priesthood In June 1984 two Brothers, Francis Mannaparampil Mockenhaupt, procurator for the missions, were and George Kizhakkekara joined the community among the many guests present. for their priestly studies in the nearby Sacred Heart Seminary. They were ordained deacons, by His The completed home for the aged was blessed by Grace Casimir Gnanadickam SJ, in April 1990 in the Archbishop, and was inaugurated by Mr. the presence of many distinguished guests. Their Manfred Bianco Maselli, president of Indienhilfe priestly ordination was at Kattappana in April 1991.
126124 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Blessings and Inaugurations interventions did not help, he was taken to St. The New Formation House was blessed in March Johns Hospital at Kattappana, in November. There th 1985, and the Chapel in 1988. he died on 14 November, 2000. The present Provincial House was blessed and In January 2002, David Marianus Ekka, an inaugurated in January 1999. Archbishop Arul Das Aspirant from Jharkhand, was drowned in the sea James was the main celebrant. at Mahabalipuram, 80 km from Poonamallee. He is buried near the Grotto of Our Lady at The Demise of Brothers Benito & David Poonamallee. Bro. Benito, a Novice, was diagnosed brain tumour in January 2000. Since surgical and medical Novice Masters Priors at Poonamallee At Kattappana 1981-1983 Bro. Alfons M. Höring 1970-1971 Bro. Fortunatus Thanhäuser 1983-1985 Bro. Savio Padinjarekutte 1971-1980 Bro. Alfons M. Höring 1985-1986 Bro. Jose Mathew Thottathil (as Vicar) At Poonamallee 1986-1989 Bro. Jose Mathew Thottathil 1980-1981 Bro. Prakash Madappally 1989-1995 Bro. Albert Thekkumkaduthadathil 1981-1983 Bro. Alfons M. Höring 1995-1998 Bro. Thomas Kanjiramoottil 1983-1992 Bro. Benedict Nadayil 1998-2001 Bro. Jose Mathew Thottathil 1992-2001 Bro. Francis Mannaparampil 2001-2003 Bro. Albert Thekkumkaduthadathil 2001- Bro. Yanka Sharma 2004- Bro. James Edayadil
Chapel
Commemorative Souvenir 127125 Establishment of the Province of India Poonamallee
Existing house in 1981 Outing with the guests (1982)
A Temporary hut under construction
The first chapel (1982)
The first chapel (1982)
Poonamallee Community with Provincial With guests (1982) Bro. Makarius (1982) 128126 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Poonamallee Blessing & Inauguration of the Present Provincial House ,1999
Laying the foundation stone (1996)
Blessing by Archbishop Arul Das James (1999)
Bro. Rudolf Knopp unveils the stone (1999) Bro. Donatus Forkan opens the House (1999) Commemorative Souvenir 129127 Establishment of the Province of India Poonamallee
Blessing the first Home for the Aged by Archbishop Rayappa Blessing the Chapel by Arulappa (1983) Archbishop Casimir Gnanadickam (1988)
Blessing of the new Home for the Aged Unveiling the stone by by Archbishop Aruldas James (1999) Bro. Paulus Kohler (1999)
Inauguration of the new Home for the Aged by Fr. Anthony Swamy
Home for the Aged
130128 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Poonamallee
In class
Community in 2001
In Chapel
Students in 2003
Evening school
Playing Volley Ball
An outing
In the Dispensary
Commemorative Souvenir 131129 Establishment of the Province of India Community of St. Richard Pampuri & St. Johns Health Centre Deshgaon, Madhya Pradesh
Introduction
ntil 1985, the missionary activities of the Brothers in India were limited to South India. The Brothers had a great vision and desire to spread the charism of St. John of God to the remotest villages and rural areas of North India.
Invitation from the Bishop of Khandwa The Pre-Chapter meeting of the Brothers in 1983 very simple life. In the beginning they were very at Kattappana decided to accept the suggestion reluctant to talk with the visitors. But slowly the of Provincial Makarius Klaholz and Brother Michael villagers developed a friendly attitude and started Mockenhaupt and accede to the request of the welcoming the visitors. Bishop of Khandwa, His Excellency Abraham Visit of Mother Theresa Viruthikulangara, to take over an existing Blessed Mother Theresa laid the foundation stone dispensary at Deshgaon, in the Diocese of for a new house and dispensary on the 11th of Khandwa, which was then being run by an SVD March 1987. Until the construction of the new Brother. Brother Savio Padinjarekutte arrived at house and dispensary was completed in 1988, Deshgaon on the 29th of July 1985 and took over the dispensary in August 1985. By that time the Bishop, with the help of Bro. Michael Mockenhaupt, had purchased 5 acres of land at Deshgaon. Overcoming Initial Difficulties One of the initial difficulties that Brother Savio had to face was that of learning the local language, Hindi. There are approximately 14 villages around Deshgaon. Once a month Brother Savio, with the parish priest, and the Sisters of St. Joseph Sevika Blessed Mother Theresa used to visit the Adivasi villages of Gejwada and after laying the foundation stone, Kherda. The Adivasis are hard workers and lead a with Bishop Abraham Viruthikulangara
132130 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Brother Savio stayed in the Parish House and we were able to get some sponsorship that worked in the existing Dispensary. Fr. John Thayyil, enabled some children to live in diocesan-run the Parish Priest, was a great help to Brother Savio. hostels that run by the diocese to receive and The Sisters of St. Joseph Sevika, who live near educate them. the Parish House, also helped him, especially in Service of Doctors the initial stages of running the dispensary and in looking after the patients. In the beginning we used to take our patients to doctors in Khandwa, which is 25 km away. In this New House and Dispensary way we had a good contact with Dr. Dileep Jain, With the help of Misereor (Germany) and the Indian an orthopedician, with whose help we came into Help Organization (Germany) a new house and contact with Dr. Ashish Bajpai who agreed to come dispensary was constructed on our land at to Deshgaon every Friday. In a short period the Deshgaon. The house and the dispensary were number of patients became so large that it was completed and inaugurated on the 16th of January difficult for one doctor to manage. So, Dr. Bajpai 1988. Meanwhile this house was canonically arranged for us to have the services of Dr. Shirish erected in the Generalate of Prior General Pierluigi Dingre and Dr. Rajiv Jain. nd Marchesi by a decree dated the 2 of May 1988. Primary Education Centre at Kherda Problems of the Area From the beginning we worked amongst the Malnutrition and illiteracy were the most urgent people of Kherda village. In 1996 we started a problems that needed immediate attention. With Primary Education Centre in that village for the help of Fr. John Thayyil we were able to children who were not attending school. In this establish the Mother and Child Health Program of we had the help of Rev. P. Ernst Schmedding, CRS (Catholic Relief Services - USA). This Parish Priest of Arzheim/Eiterfeld, Germany. In program provides pregnant mothers and children 1996 Dr. Leo Peschel of Austria came to our health under 5 years with nutritious food, etc. centre and gave his services for three months. In the Adivasi villages there were many sick During his stay he donated a microscope, a riflatone people and the children were not immunized. So, and a computer to the centre. with the help of our doctors we managed to get the necessary medicine for immunization of the villagers. Some patients, with various ailments, come even from far away villages and some of them have to travel by bullock-carts over night due to lack of other means of transportation. Most of the patients are farmers belonging to poor socio-economic class and are unable to meet the expenses of medical treatment. Over the past years we observed that the majority of the patients who attended the Health Centre were suffering from tuberculosis and most of them were not able to Primary Education Centre at Gejawada complete the treatment owing to their poor In the year 1997 Rev. P. Norbert Schmidt Weller financial status. (Parish Priest of Oberursel in Germany) visited Illiteracy is another problem in the villages. our centre with some of his parishioners and they Since most of them are illiterate they are very helped us to start another primary education centre easily exploited. So our first aim was to educate at Gejawada. the children. With the help of our benefactors
Commemorative Souvenir 131133 Establishment of the Province of India Social Welfare Centre at Kherda transferred those who required major With the help of Fr. Ernst Schmedding of Germany interventions to Indore (105 km away) where he we started a social welfare centre at Kherda, a was able to arrange for them to be treated at the village about 10 km away from Deshgaon. This minimum possible expense. was inaugurated by Bishop Abraham Help of the Sisters Viruthikulangara on the 9th of March 1996. Here we are running an Immunization Program, a At present two Sisters of a Secular Institute are Mother & Child Health Program and a primary staying in the villages. Engaged in catechetical school. work, they stay for one month in Kherda and the On the 20th of January 1997 a group of benefactors next month in Gejawada. The Sisters of St. from Oberursel in Germany visited us under the Joseph Sevika make house visits and assist us guidance of Brother Alfons M. Höring and Fr. in the Village health work. The Parish Priest also Norbert Schmidt Weller. With the help of the comes with us to the villages to assist us. Oberursel Parish we were able to start at Present Situation Gejawada another social welfare centre, i.e., a primary school for non-school going children. Fr. In our dispensary at Deshgaon there is a day- Norbert Schmidt Weller laid its foundation stone care facility with four beds. Patients receive on the 11th of January 1997 and the work was check-ups and explanations of their disease and completed by June. By July 1997 we had started health condition. Dr. Ashish Bajpai and Dr. Rajiv the school with 41 boys and 29 girls. Jain are coming every Friday and Dr. Shirish Dingre every Monday. In addition to the three Service Coverage of More than 20 Villages visiting doctors, we now have a fourth one, Dr. In Deshgaon we are looking after patients who Athul Vyas, a surgeon, who visits our dispensary come from more than 20 different villages. An from Indore (105 km away) every third Friday. average of 20-30 patients visit our dispensary We have facilities like X-ray, Laboratory and Ultra every day. More than 40% of the patients have Sound. Tuberculosis. There are also a good number of Besides these activities, with the help of our patients with leprosy and malaria. With the help benefactors from Germany and Austria we are of a surgeon, Dr. Athul Vyas, we were able to help also helping about 120 children with their a number of patients with surgical operations. He education. carried out minor operations at our centre and
Future Plan PRIORS 1988 - 1995 Bro. Savio Padinjarekutte In the near future we hope to start a small 1995 - 1998 Bro. Albert Thekkumkaduthadathil hospital of 120 beds at Khandwa (25 km 1998 - 2004 Bro. Aloysius Mattathil from Deshgaon) so that we can help the poor people of this area with adequate 2004 - 2005 Bro. Roy Joseph Palliparampil medical care. 2005 - Bro. Savio Padinjarekutte
Place your hope solely in Jesus Christ; for he will give you comfort and consolation, even if you are now in difficulty, because in the end everything will turn out for your greater consolation and glory if you suffer it for Jesus Christ. (St. John of God)
134132 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Deshgaon
Blessing & Inauguration of the House cum Dispensary building by Bishop Abraham Viruthikulangara (1988)
The newly built House cum Dispensary building (1988)
A TRADITIONAL WELCOME TO THE GUESTS
Commemorative Souvenir 135133 Establishment of the Province of India Deshgaon
School at Gajawada
Children in School
In traditional costumes
Bro. Savio with local people
Preparing for medical camp Vaccination
136134 Commemorative Souvenir Establishment of the Province of India Deshgaon Community Health Programme
Commemorative Souvenir 137135 Establishment of the Province of India