On October 6, 1994, Frs. Martin van Ooy, scj, and Andrew Ryder, scj, arrived in Cochin, Kerala.  They had been sent to begin the work of the Priests of the Sacred Heart in India.  They were warmly welcomed by Bp. Joseph Kureethara, Bishop of Cochin, who was already acquainted with the Congregation because of an earlier visit by Frs. Adrian Borst, scj, and Pat Houterman, scj.

Frs. Adrian and Pat had come to investigate possible locations for our community.  The warm reception of Bp. Kureethara, his priests, and people were very persuasive.  The decision was made to begin our work in the Diocese of Cochin, Kerala.  The Bishop provided a residence for Frs. Martin and Andrew at the Our Lady of Life parish house where the pastor, Fr. Mark Anthony, received them most hospitably.

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The “seed” was planted on good soil.

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LOOKING BACK

        We realize the fact that the India Mission had a “pre-history.”  By this we mean that before SCJs set foot on Indian soil, the Spirit was working in and through a number of people, laying the ground work for what would shortly follow.  It is fully appropriate that we recognize and remember those people who worked conscientiously, but quietly.

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The principal initiators were:

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• Rev. Virginio Bressanelli, scj, Superior General and his Council, who did the research and established the first foundation.

• Rev. Willem Muermans, scj, (Flanders) who, by reason of his assistance to and contacts in India, opened many doors for those who went to explore the possibilities for the first missionaries.  Early on he was a strong believer in and advocate for the SCJ foundation in India.

• Rev. Adrian van der Wilk, scj, (Holland) played a role similar to that of Fr. Muermans.  Among his contacts was Rev. Fr. Thomas Felix, CMI, in Trivandrum, who from the beginning till today has extended support to us.

• Mr. Ronald Zeilinger (U.S.A.), as Director of the Theophane Prenderville Guild, (named for a much-respected, deceased member of the U.S.A. Province).  Mr. Zeilinger sent materials to India, much of it relating to the Sacred Heart.  The prime recipient was Mr. Sidney Corrie, an architect who was the leader of the Sacred Heart Association, Wings of Glory.  He spoke with the local ordinary, Bishop Joseph Kureethara, suggesting that the diocese would benefit much from this Congregation dedicated to the Sacred Heart.

• Bishop Joseph Kureethara, Bishop of Cochin.  As a young priest doing graduate studies in Rome, Fr. Joseph spent summers assisting in the parish church in Rome, New York.  He ministered to Bishop DePalma’s father at the time of Mr. DePalma’s death, leading to a lifetime friendship.  With that background and the urging of Mr. Corrie, he decided to speak with the Superior General on his next visit to Rome to see if it was possible for the Priests of the Sacred Heart to come to the Diocese of Cochin (where we eventually established our first foundation).

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The up-shot of the interest of these people and others, was that the Superior General was learning from more and more people, clergy and laity, about the possibilities of a foundation in India.  At the same time, within the leadership of the Congregation there was a sense that they were in a good position to open a new mission.  India was emerging as the primary possibility.  Preparations began to send a team to explore the possibilities.

        It is a fascinating story.  More importantly, it is a sacred story.  It reveals how the Spirit inspires people, in various parts of the world, unknown to one another, to make their contribution to a new and precious work of God.  It inspires all of us who are part of this work today, clergy, religious, and laity, to be conscious of and deeply committed to the sacred treasure that has been placed in our hands.

 

PUTTING DOWN ROOTS (June, 1995 – June, 1996)

        June 1995 found us with our first 8 students.  They enrolled in the minor seminary of the Diocese of Cochin where they lived and followed classes, since we had no place of our own.  Bishop Kureethara graciously entrusted to us the mission church of St. Mary, Chandiroor, since it had a rectory that could accommodate 2 or 3 persons.  Our students joined us on weekends.  Needless to say, the rectory was quite crowded on weekends.  However, what could have been a very difficult situation was actually a wonderful experience of community.  There was a sense of unity and mission that bonded the group and made the inconveniences seem insignificant.  It was a good period for the new community, a good sign for the future.

       This was the “Pioneer Period”.  Our Superiors in Rome were making strong efforts to build a community of religious permanently committed to the mission.  But that took time.  Members suited to this mission, ready and willing to come, had to be sought out, and given time to prepare themselves, especially with English if they did not know it.  Consequently, temporary helpers were sought out and sent.  Frs. Adrian van der Wilk (Holland) and Richard di Leo (U.S.A.) came during the first year for 6 months.  During the second year, Fr. Vincent Rizzardi (Italy) and Bro. Aloysius Purwoseputro (Indonesia) came as permanent members, and Fr. Carlos Suarez (Spain) and Fr. Thomas Garvey (U.S.A.) as temporary members.

       So much change certainly had its drawbacks, but it also had positive features:  our students got a glimpse of the rich variety of nations and cultures that make up the Congregation; our students met some wonderful SCJs; and our members got a taste of life in an international community, an experience that broadened and enriched us all.

       In January, 1996, we broke ground for our first home in India.  It would be a minor seminary able to accommodate 40 students and 4 religious.  It was exciting and energizing to see our first home in India going up.

        In June, 1996, we received our second group of students, 14, bringing the student body to 22.  Again space was a problem.  However, Bishop Kureethara again came to our assistance.  8 new students would be housed and educated in the Diocesan Minor seminary.  6 would live permanently in St. Mary’s, Chandiroor, and attend the local Catholic high school.  8 would be housed with 2 of our Religious on the second floor of the rectory of St. Lawrence Church, Eda, Cochin.  Again, the living conditions were crowded, but the generous and sensitive spirit of the Religious students made it go remarkably well, leaving us with many happy memories.

During this time, there was a feeling of greater stability, of a unity born of sharing difficult situations, and of a growing conviction that this mission is truly God’s work, and will grow, prosper, and do much good for the Church and society.  We felt what St Peter felt following the Transfiguration as he spoke to Our Lord:  “Lord, it is good for us to be here.”

 

BRANCHING OUT (June 1996 – June 1997)

        In March, 1997, Fr. Adrian van der Wilk, scj, joined us as a permanent member, bringing our number of permanent religious to five.  It was at this time that we completed and dedicated our first SCJ residence in India, Dehon Bhavan, in Kumbalanghy, a minor seminary for 40 students in a 3 year program.  As we settled into our new home we felt joy, and a stronger sense that we were more deeply rooted in India.

        At the Mass, blessing, and dedication, Bishop Joseph, our gracious patron and V. Rev. Virginio Bressanelli, scj, our General Superior, presided.  Meetings of the SCJ India community with Fr. General and other SCJ guests afterwards led to encouraging, energizing discussions: we would shortly begin construction for our college-level seminarians, and we were promised eight new missionaries over the next four years.  The major pieces for a strong foundation were falling into place.

 

THE RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY GROWS (June 1997 – 1998)

In 1997-98, there were 3 important developments.

        The first was the doubling of the religious community.  In June, 1997, there were five SCJs; in June, 1998, the community had doubled to 10, a very significant development, as this larger number added to our stability, and gave witness to the local Church that we had a serious commitment and were here to stay.  This also gave us the capability of setting up independent residences for the various levels of formation.  In the last half of 1997, Frs. Andrew Sudol and Kazimierz Gabryel arrived from Poland;  in the first half of 1998, Fr. Sebastian Pitz of the South Brazil Province, and Fr. Valerio Pilati of the North Italy Province arrived.  In January of 1998, Bro. Leonard Zaworski, of the U.S.A. Province, arrived in India for a sabbatical, during which he took part in special studies and experiences of Indian spirituality and assisted in one of our formation communities.  At the completion of his sabbatical, Bro Leonard received permission to continue to serve in the India Mission.

        The second important development was setting up a residence in Aluva for our students of philosophy and theology.  There were two religious, Frs. Tom Garvey (U.S.A.) and Andrew Sudol (Poland) and 10 students, 6 in first year philosophy, and 4 in theology.  Bishop Joseph of Cochin loaned us the diocesan vacation house, which proved to be a very suitable interim housing.

The third important development was the beginning of our first school year at Dehon Bhavan in June, 1997.  There were at Dehon Bhavan, four Religious, Frs. Martin van Ooy (Indonesia) and Vincent Rizzardi (Italy), Adrian van der Wilk (Holland), and Brother Aloysius Purwoseputro (Indonesia), and 18 returning seminarians.  Our new students in the one year orientation program was 22, 14 preparing for minor seminary, 8 preparing for philosophy.

        In June, 1998, we had a stronger sense of the influence of the Spirit in our community and ministry:  We were 10 missionaries, a good number for developing this new mission;  we had 40 seminarians in our first three classes, an encouraging and promising number;  and we had two seminary communities, the minor seminary, and the philosophy-theology seminary.  We were feeling stable, more hopeful, and very grateful to God and all who were helping us so generously.

 

A MOVE TO THE NORTH -NEW FOUNDATIONS (June 1998 – 1999)

       This was a year of exceptional vitality.  First, there was the beginnings of the Congregation in the Diocese of Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, about 800 miles to the Northeast, in East-Central India.  Fr. Martin had met two diocesan priests from Guntur at a retreat in Kerala during his first year in India.  A friendship grew and while Fr. Martin was visiting them in Guntur, the question was raised by the bishop and priests as to whether our Congregation could come to the diocese.  The needs of the Church and society were great, much greater than Kerala.  The SCJ community met several times to discuss the issue.  The decision was to request from Fr. General permission to open a minor seminary in Guntur as soon as sufficient personnel were available.  The school year began in June, 1998, with nine candidates for our Congregation living and studying in the diocesan minor seminary.  Several months later Fr. Adrian van der Wilk, scj (Holland) moved into the seminary and became part of the staff.

       The second event was opening our novitiate on Bolgatty Island in April, 1998, in a very suitable building loaded to us gratis for 2 years by the Sisters of the Nativity.  Fr. Sebastian Pitz, scj, of our South Brazil Province joined us to serve as Novice Master.

On April 30, we received our first 2 novices, Mariano Fernandes and Placido Rebello, both from Goa.  Since the building was quite large and the novices only 2, we moved the program for new students, who come to us after 12th grade, from Dehon Bhavan to this new location.  Eight young men entered this program with Fr. Andrew Sudol (Poland) as director.

      The third event was the blessing and opening of our second residence in India on March 25.  It can provide residence for 50 students of philosophy and theology.  In May, it opened its doors to 30 students.  Shortly before the blessing, Fr. Teja Anthara, scj, (Indonesia), arrived, becoming the 11th member of the India District.

       The fourth event was the sending of 3 of our members to Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.  Fr. Adrian served in the diocesan minor seminary where our first year boys live and study;  Fr Teja served as Delegate Superior for the community and formation director for our 11th grade students in rented house;  Bro. Leonard worked in the diocesan program to assist the poor in terms of both charity and justice.

       The first 4 1/2 years were very full and we have experienced remarkable growth.  We thank God who has blessed us in exceptional ways for reasons that only time will fully reveal.  We thank our SCJ confreres and lay friends throughout the world.  Our success is very much rooted in the support we have felt in every way.

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STRENGTHENING THE FOUNDATION (June, 1999 – June, 2000)

        The foundation in Guntur (East-Central India) which began last year with 3 missionaries and 10 Indian seminarians, grew in its second year to 10 seminarians, 9 in the diocesan seminary with Fr. Adrian van der Wilk (Holland), and 10 attending a local high school, living in a rented house with Fr. Teja Anthara, and Bro. Leonard Zaworski (U.S.A.).  In addition, we laid the cornerstone for out novitiate in Guntur, in March, 2000.

       The India Community welcomed Bro. Yohanes Sismade (Indonesia) in January, 2000.  Bro. Yohanes joined the spiritual formal staff at our college seminary residence.  Brother came well-prepared with an M.A. in catechetical studies, several years of experience as director of a residence for high school boys, and 1 1/2 years of English language studies at Sacred Heart School of Theology, Hales Corners, Wisconsin, U.S.A.  He quickly became a vital part of the life of the community.  We all felt a sadness when Bro. Aloysius Purwoseputro had to return to his homeland, Indonesia, due to health problems.  Bro. Aloysius was one of the first missionaries here, and he served in very helpful ways:  maintenance, gardening, supervising construction, treasurer, raising chickens and ducks, etc.   But beyond many works, he was an example of a sincere and dedicated religious, especially for the young seminarians.  We are very grateful for the years he gave us.

         A very important event was our District Assembly, in March, 2000, with Fr. Virginio Bressanelli, our Superior General, and Fr. Hadrian Wardjito, General Counselor, over-seeing the SCJ Asian communities (India, Indonesia, Philippines).  It was a time for evaluating the past, both our very positive developments and our weaknesses;  for looking ahead, planning how to best strengthen what we have and and to develop further.  The conversations focused primarily on (1) strengthening our new central India community by building our novitiate there, and a minor seminary; (2) a District Directory, a handbook for our members describing how we want to live and minister as Priests of the Sacred Heart in India, with emphasis on fidelity to our SCJ religious life; (3) our Program of Formation, a guide for how we want to introduce into our life and ministry the young men who come to join us.  In all it was a very special and sacred time – consolidating, renewing and visioning our future.

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        May 1st, 2000, was a day of special joy.  Bro. McQueen Mascarehas (Goa) and Bro. Mathew Lalan (Kerala) made First Vows, having completed novitiate.  Family members, friends, and Fathers and Brothers gathered for the Mass, Profession of Vows, and lunch.  It was our second group to make vows, bringing our Indian membership to four.  Our Fathers and Brothers felt a deep sense of gratitude to God who has sent us these four fine Indian men to work along side us in this mission.

In our effort to strengthen the human, spiritual, and religious formation of the young men who come to us, two of our religious were assigned to graduate studies, Fr. Andrew Sudol (Poland) to spirituality studies, and Bro. Placido Rebello (India) to a special program of study for those who will guide young candidates to religious and priestly life.

It was a different kind of year – consolidating and strengthening what we have.  As the year came to a close there was a sense of greater internal solidarity, more effective organization, and a clearer vision of the future.  This kind of year was needed and has surely been helpful.