A Mission in Companionship

By Novice Vijaya Raju

Loyola Jayanti Vidyapith in Bankura is a Jesuit run boarding for the Santal children of classes V to X.  I was there for my work experiment for about two weeks as part of my training in the novitiate.  During these two weeks I was enriched by different experience through which I came to know myself better and also witnessed the life of Jesuits working hard and trying their best to give a bright future to the children in the boarding.

The most touching experience was the inspiration that I got from the life of the Jesuits there.  It deepened my desire to join in this great task of helping the downtrodden and healing this broken world.  Fr Joseph Pulickal, the priest in charge of the boarding, was an inspiring character with his creativity and exemplary life.  Fr Francis Koikara, in his seventies, is very committed to his mission and simple in life style.  The working in the field along with my three novitiate companions also taught me the true meaning and the joy of companionship of the companionship.  Accepting one another’s uniqueness and sharing the joys and sufferings together has been a wonderful experience.  It also helped me to be aware of my egoism and taught me to grow to be other-centred.

Overall through this experiment I deepened my conviction that this life style gives meaning to my life and I experienced great joy throughout the experiment.

Working together brought me closer to my companions

By Novice Justin Kandulna

After my school final, I seemed to be at cross roads.  I had to earn money if I wanted to study further.  On the other hand, I had a very strong desire to join the Society.  I did not know whether to work and study first, or to join the Society.  I did not want the financial problem to be a deciding factor.  My mind was crowded with thoughts and conflicts.  Finally I chose to work and study first.  My priority was to earn as much money as I could.  I worked hard for two years in various fields.  I learnt a lot about how to work.  My work was good and well appreciated.  I also grew more in humility, sincerity and obedience.

It was on this background that I had my last experiment of the novitiate in Bankura last month.  It was working on the field for just two weeks.  These two weeks of work experiment helped me to identify how God transforms and mould our hearts in and through open, sincere and hard work.

While going to Bankura, I noticed many things happening in my mind.  I was thinking that I have worked hard for a long time so I can do all the work.  I wanted to prove myself by working hard; but even after knowing all this, I was afraid and reluctant.  But as my companions and I started our work, I became very relaxed.  Days were passing quickly and I grew more in sincerity.  During work or free time, while reflecting, appreciating, encouraging and accepting each one’s plans and ideas, I felt strengthened.  My heart was filled with happiness, zeal and enthusiasm for working together. 

I did not really expect that I would have such a wonderful experience.  I am very grateful to my companions for their support and inspiring words.  God has really rewarded me with his showers of blessings.

With peace at Shantinagar

By Novice Johnson

Experiments are part of Jesuit novitiate-life all over the world.  Experiment means testing and training oneself to be fit to become a Jesuit.  We undergo six experiments in the Dhyan Ashram novitiate.  By doing these, we learn and are formed for our future mission as Jesuits.  We call it formation in mission.  One of these experiments is the ‘hospital experiment’.

On Feb 9, I was sent to Shantinagar for the month-long hospital experiment, which was also my second experiment.  There is a big leprosy centre, run by the MC Sisters on the bank of the Maithan River.  Blessed Mother Teresa, who was the founder of this place, had great compassion and love for those unloved and unwanted lepers.  She loved this place very much.  Many people who are affected by leprosy come here for treatment.

The Indian government says that there is no leprosy in India.  Because of this foolish stand, many donors stopped giving aid for leprosy programmes.  But the poor government still does not know that the leprosy is spreading like a fire.  Every month at least 60 to 70 new patients come to be admitted here.  When I heard this I was infuriated against the government. 

When I saw the lepers I felt a lot of repugnance and repulsion and did not want to go near them.  In the beginning I struggled a lot to face the reality.  But as the day went on, I became one among them.  My heart cried out seeing their unconditional love.  There I received their love more than I expected.  Their faith in God really pierced my heart and their way of praying helped me to find God closer. 

The most important episode I experienced was facing their wounds in front of my eyes.  So many times those stinky wounds made me faint.  Whenever I was dressing those wounds, I cried out in compassion for these people and asked God to help and cure them.  I those trying times, I was helped and strengthened by God to face this reality.  There I really experienced God and sensed his presence among those lepers who are considered untouchables by many.  At the end I was very glad because I had a wonderful opportunity to experience this life and love those untouchables.  I hope that this wonderful experience will always remain with me.

I have encountered the suffering Christ

By Novice Rintu Mondol

I was at Shantinagar Leprosy Centre for my month long hospital experiment, where I encountered the suffering and rejected Christ among the people.  The gospel according to Luke says, “He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty”.  The people of Shantinagar are poor but the treasure which they have is something that many rich people don’t have. That treasure is a simple heart full of love and affection.

Shantinagar hospital experiment was one of the most enriching and fruitful experiences in my life.  It is a leprosy centre looked after by the MC Sisters.  In the beginning I had a feeling of repugnance and hesitation to come closer to the patients and to talk with them.  I was terrified by looking at their physical deformities and huge wounds with worms crawling all over them.  But as the days went on, their tearful eyes and the feeling of being unwanted penetrated my heart.  Slowly I fell in love with them.  They embraced me with a great affection.  I ask God to grant me the desire to satiate His burning thirst by loving Him ardently, sharing His suffering joyfully and serving Him wholeheartedly in the poor, especially those who are unloved and unwanted.