CONTENTS 1. The Editorial ....................................................Br. Emmanuel Christopher, ofm................3 2. The Lord Accompanied Me..............................Br. Jesu Raj,ofm.........................................4 3. Ordination of Friar Jesu Raja...........................Postulants...................................................4 4. Friar Nathaniel Tirkey Ponders Over...............Br. Nathaniel, ofm......................................5 5. Remembering Friar Gregory Fernandes..........Br. Scaria Varanath, ofm.............................6 6. Remembering Friar Gregory............................Br. Davis, ofm............................................7 7. The Wonders which we never Notice..............Br. Nidheesh John, ofm..............................8 8. Season of Lent and Aspirants..........................Br. Joseph Sai.............................................9 9. Pongalo Pongal in Othakkadai........................Br. Milan...................................................10 10. International Women’s Day-Nesakkaram......Br. Joseph Raj, ofm..................................10 11. St. Anthony’s Bread Centre Sion...................Ms. Stacy Menezes & Br. Basil Lobo......11 12. A Fraternal Interview with Friar Vaughn.......Br. Ruboon Doss,ofm...............................12 13. Picnic to Tirupathi........................................Br. Brian Onil D’Souza,............................16 14. Prakruthi Mithra Honey............................... Br. Davis K., ofm...................................... 17 15. Fr. Jesu Memorial Children Parliament....... Br. Joseph Raj, ofm...................................18 16. The 4th Chapel Cum-Community ...............Br. Scaria Varanath, ofm...........................19 17 A Study on the Epochal Realities of SAAOC...Brs. Anthoni, ofm & Johnson, ofm.......19 18. “May Christ Teach You What You are to Do!”... Br. Prasad P, ofm ...............................26 19. Let’s Go up to Basen.....................................Br. Francis Rozario, ofm.......................... 29 Exchange is the contact paper of the friars of the Province of St. Thomas the Apostle, India. It is published from ST. ANTHONY’S FRIARY. Editor Language Editor Address all correspondence to Br. Emmanuel, ofm Br. Augustine Pinto, ofm Editor, Exchange, Asociate Editors Br. Amaladass M, ofm St. Anthony’s Friary. Br. John Sekar, ofm Br. Roshan Lobo, ofm # 85, Hosur Road, Cover Design Bengaluru - 560095 Br. Mathew Joseph, ofm Br. Ushar Kachua, ofm Br. Arun N.D., ofm Posting and Printing [email protected] Br. Salvadore Drego, ofm Br. Augustine Tirkey, ofm Br. Anand Suresh, ofm Mrs. Mary (Receptionist) (For private circulation only) 2 VOLUME: LIV, No. 2 March 2018 THE EDITORIAL The most important event in the world and especially to Christians is the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus’ death and resurrection is the greatest celebration of all time. During the season of Lent perhaps we strive to bring the bodily discipline and we may have nourished the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity. Nourishing these virtues implies a painful process of life through a kind of death-experience of self by way of dying to our material needs, sensual pleasures, and to our unhealthy relationships. In such a process of life-through-death, we have realized a new life in Christ, which practically means a new kind of relationships with God and with all creation, and this is what we celebrate in the event of Easter. Easter is the celebration of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Just as a seed dies to its individuality to become a fruitful tree, Jesus has showed us the way to die to our individualism in order to rise as the Church to signify the Kingdom. As the assembly of believers in the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Church is the first fruit as well as the mission of Jesus’ Paschal Mystery. In his letter to Romans, Paul reminds us that we have died and risen in Jesus through the sacrament of Baptism. Hence, our Christian human existence cannot be the same but witness to the resurrection of Jesus through our historical relationships with each other right here and now (cf. Rom 6:3-11). And for St. Francis, Easter was not an one-time event, but a journey, a process. Francis’ road to Easter began with a profound encounter with Jesus Crucified. and in our new relationships with one another in our Praying before the crucifix in the church of San communities and in our mission. HAPPY EASTER! Damiano, during the first years of his conversion, Francis heard Christ address to him the heart-shaking This issue has a variety of write-ups, consists of good words: “Francis, rebuild my house!” In the course of memories and inspirations of Br. Gregory Fernandes, his Christian life with Christ, which was, in fact, his Ordinations of Jesu Raja and Nathaniel Tirkey, Report conversion, Francis was continually beginning to die to of SAAOC, the Wonder of Regency by Br. Nidheesh, his self and rose to present Jesus through his new kind an Interview with Br. Vaughn Fayle on the Perspectives of relationships. That’s how, Francis rebuilt the Church of Formation, Pongal Celebration and Women’s Day and became a sign of the Church and, conversely, a sign Celebration, Experiences in the German Mission, Picnic of the Kingdom. and on the Season of Lent by Aspirants, Ecological Works and the Glory of Basen by Francis RoZario. As believers in the Risen Lord and as children of our Seraphic Father, we wish and pray each other that our Br. Emmanuel Christopher, ofm. Lenten practices culminate in our new life in Christ 3 THE LORD ACCOMPANIED ME ... Br. Jesu Raj, ofm s a child, I never thought of becoming a Priest. of life. The process to return was not easy as I had APriests came to our village rarely. It was only for to clarify my intention as to why I took a break and solemn occasions like Easter or Christmas that the why I decided to return. However, I felt strongly Priests came to celebrate the Eucharist. When I moved that the Lord was guiding me during these days of out of my village to continue my studies staying in a uncertainties. hostel, I used to see Priests very often. My father had told that I might have to discontinue my studies after I have always experienced God’s Presence in my life. the 10th standard because he was not able to afford He has shown His kindness through the generosity of to support my studies. It is in such a situation, that I various people during my Ordination to Priesthood. decided to join a seminary to pursue the priesthood as He is with me in all the challenges that I face in my well as the studies. life. As a newly ordained priest, I have challenges to face: spiritual pride, vain glory, forgetting Jesus While in 10th standard, I wrote a letter to the Salesians as the centre of my life, the meaning and relevance expressing my desire to join them but I did not get any of priesthood today and moreover being a humble reply from them. While in holidays at home, I had a servant always and everywhere. It is my conviction chance to attend the vocation camp organized by the that God has called me to work His vineyard. Schoenstatt Fathers. Even this did not go well either for I was told that my English was poor. It was then that I happened to meet Br. John Peter of happy memory who encouraged me to join the Franciscans and he asked me to go to Palmaner to pursue my desire. My life journey with the friars during the initial days and after was not easy as I did not join with the right intention. During the Novitiate, I had decided to leave but returned after four years of break. During these four years, I completed the under-graduation after which I started to work. Yet, there was emptiness. I always longed to come back to this Franciscan way ORDINATION OF FRIAR JESU RAJA Postulants t was a special day for the province of St. Thomas D’Souza, Minister Provincial presented Br. Jesu Raja Ithe Apostle, India, as Br. Jesu Raja was ordained to the Bishop for the Ordination. The Liturgy of the to the Order of Priesthood on13th January 2018. It Word chosen for the occasion explained in detail was a memorable day for Br. Jesu Raja whose dream about the call of God, our response and Priesthood. was accomplished on that day; a dream that took him Bishop Susai Manickam in his interactive homily through a lot of training and studies. stressed once again on the meaning of Priesthood. After the homily, the ordination ceremony began. We, the Postulants of Punitha Anthoniaar Illam took The Parents of Br. Jesu Raja presented their Son part in this grand occasion. The Eucharistic Celebration in the hands of the Bishop to be Ordained. It was began around 11 AM. Most Rev. Susai Manickam the very inspiring to witness the entire ceremony of the Bishop of Sivagangai presided over the celebration. Ordination: The Anointing, Praying for Br. Jesu Raja Br. Praveen Henry D’Souza, the Minister Provincial and wearing the Priestly Vestment. After a short and other friars together with many priests of the cultural and felicitation programme, we were treated diocese were present for the occasion. Br. Praveen with a sumptuous meal. 4 VOLUME: LIV, No. 2 March 2018 LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU. (JN. 13:34) FRIAR NATHANIEL TIRKEY PONDERS OVER THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD Br. Nathaniel Tirkey, ofm od never gave up on me. In spite of His continuous Bishop, our friars, other priests and religious were Glove and care, I tried to go away from Him. I felicitated. I was also extremely happy with the presence failed to understand His plan for me. And therefore, of many friars from the Foundation, Custody and the it was very difficult task for me to say ‘yes’ to His will. Prov-ince. The presence of Br. Praveen, our Minister Now, I realize how God has been loving and moulding Provincial, was greatly appreciated. He preached for me throughout my life. I have experienced so much of my first Eucharistic celebration.