Farewell dear Fr Carvalho

Dhyan Ashram community came together to celebrate the presence of Fr Carvalho on July 19 Saturday.  Since he left us more than a month ago to recuperate at St Xavier's Infirmary Kolkata, we missed him on three important occasions.  First on June 19 when he celebrated his 90th birthday, for which we were planning a homely celebration, but he couldn't make it.  Then he missed the program we had planned to celebrate his 70 years of religious life, along with the 50th priestly ordination of Fr Pierre, on June 30.  We had to celebrate it in his absence, since he was too ill to make the journey from Kolkata to Dhyan Ashram.  Then came the news of his transfer to the Infirmary.  So we planned a farewell program for him, along with Fr Julian and Br Chotu, our outgoing Rector and Minister.  Fr Carlvalho could not make that either.

And so, when we got him for a couple of days on 18 and 19 of July, we decided to combine all the three celebrations.  We had a community Mass before noon and a festive lunch.  During the mass, Fr Carvalho remembered the early missionaries in Bengal, especially the ones he began his ministry with.  It was a very moving narrative.  The Mass was really special.
During the short felicitation program before lunch, Reegan, one of the novices, shared with us little anecdotes from his experience with Fr Carvalho.  It was funny and at the same time, very moving.  Fr Sunny felicitated Fr Carvalho with a bouquet of flowers, and Fr Pierre presented him with a memento, while the novices and juniors sang songs of congratulations and farewell.
It is difficult to let you go, Fr Carvalho.  Your cheerfulness and ready availability will keep on inspiring us for years to come.  You have conquered many hearts.

Novitiate community picnic to Noorpur

To celebrate the entry of the new novices after their First Probation, the Novitiate community of Dhyan Ashram went on a picnic to Nurpur on July 6 Saturday.  We took a bus to Noorpur and went to the home of MC Brothers, Nabajiban Ashram.  Br Martin, MC, the leader of the community, welcomed us warmly.  After some short refreshments, we were given a guided tour of the sprawling campus.

Later we went for a walk on banks of the river Hughli, enjoying the many sights along the way: fishermen with their nets trying for a catch, people on the boats and an occasional ship going towards Khiddirpore dock. The weather was good and so the walk was not tiring.

Back at Nabajiban Ashram, the brothers served us a delicious lunch.  Then some took rest, while others played a game or two of cards.  The most looked forward to event was a volleyball match with the brothers.  It was great fun, and not much competition.  The brothers were no match for the expertise of our second years.

We had a great day.  Deeply grateful to the MC Brothers for their generous hospitality.  Now back to Dhyan Ashram to begin classes.

First Year novices enter

Seven first-year novices, who were in First Probation, entered the novitiate officially on July 3, the feast of St Thomas the apostle.  They were welcomed during a special community mass, celebrated by the Novice Master Fr Sajeev. As per the tradition of Dhyan Ashram Novitiate, the new novices were in white kurta-pyjama, the official dress of the novitiate, and received a copy of the Autobiagraphy of St Ignatius, which they will study in the coming days as a preparation for their month-long retreat.

With the eight second-years, we now have fifteen novices: ten for Calcutta, four for Dumka-Raiganj and one for Nepal.

Seven new young men have joined the Dhyan Ashram novitiate as first year novices.  They entered the novitiate on June 18, and are undergoing a period of getting familiar with the ways of the novitiate and of the Society of Jesus, called the First Probation.  At the end of this, on July 3, they will be welcomed to the novitiate officially with a special mass celebrated by the Rector of Dhyan Ashram community.

Of the seven, three belong to Calcutta province, three to Dumka-Raiganj and one to Nepal region.

In the group photo they are  (L to R) Sahaya Ravi (Cal), Sunderlal Indwar (Cal), Joseph Baghwar (Dum), Anthony Hembrom (Nep), Bibin Thomas (Dum), Manuel Kisku (Dum) and Alok Hembrom (Cal).

First Vows 2019

Nine second year novices of Dhyan Ashram committed their lives to God in the Society of Jesus by making their First Profession during a Eucharistic celebration in the Dhyan Ashram chapel on June 21, 2019, the feast of St Aloysius Gonzaga.  They are Albinus Hembrom and Alesius Tudu of Dumka-Raiganj Province, Lawrence Kerketta and Vinay Lakra of Nepal Region and Babulal Tudu, Bimal Soren, Dipak Mandi, Manish Tirkey and Victor Jojo of Calcutta Province. Two of their companions, Prince Antony and Noyal Lourdhu of Madurai Province, made their vows during a similar celebration in their home province on the same morning. 

Fr Raphael Hyde, the Provincial, was the main celebrant at the well prepared and conducted Eucharistic celebration, while Fr Amrit Rai, the Regional Superior of Nepal Region concelebrated. The mellifluous singing during the celebration, led by Fr Narendra Singh and Sch Jobin, made the celebration really solemn. During the homily, Fr Provincial emphasised the meaning of the vows according to our documents. A large group of Jesuits and friends from our neighbourhood, including the catechists from the sub stations where the novices did their Sunday ministry, joined us and added to our joy.

During the short felicitation program immediately after the Eucharist, Fr Sunny Kunnel, Acting Rector of Dhyan Ashram, congratulated the newly professed.  On behalf of the nine, Victor and Dipak expressed their gratitude to all those who assisted them during their years of formation.  Fr Amrit Rai also congratulated the new Jesuits and thanked the formation team of Dhyan Ashram. The sumptuous meal prepared by the team of Fr Jinesh, our new minister, was a fitting conclusion to the celebration.