A Summer Hindi Language Course was organized by NavSadhana from May 29 to June 25, 2014. Its objective is to help the missionaries to learn the language to be effective ministers of the Word of God and celebration of Eucharist in Hindi as well as to learn the culture of the place. It provides opportunity to improve in communication in Hindi polishing the grammar and syntax. Learning Hindi is a sign of appreciating and appropriating the culture of the Hindi speaking people.
The Resource Persons were Mr.Simon Peter, Fr.Justin C.R. and Fr.V.Sebastian. The participants were from all over North India. The methodology of teaching the beginners and the advanced group was well appreciated. The participants have seen their teachers’ hard work, commitment and dedication as well as discipline, which inspired them to be diligent and dedicated in learning the Hindi language with various activities. The participants had the audio-video method of learning, stage performance and mock-marketing, besides the class room teaching. Every day the priests had opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist in Hindi, to proclaim Gospel and delivering homily in Hindi. The other non-clerical participants had the opportunity to read the first reading from the Bible, Reading the Responsorial Psalm and present the penitential introduction in Hindi along with reciting of Lauds and Vespers in Hindi. All had appreciation of Varanasi Darshan guided by Fr.Gabriel and Fr.V.Sebastian. A talk on Indian Christian Spirituality delivered by Fr.Veneet was received with accolade. The participants were impressed by his edifying life and witnessing to Christ in non-Christian milieu. The programme came to an end with a mellifluous music and creative skits with humour.
On the final day Sr.JosephineVimala had shared her unique spiritual experience of the Lord Jesus Christ with stigmata and affirmed that the Lord Jesus is alive and active; she has seen Him in vision and in the Eucharist, which brought also immense suffering, which is a sharing in His passion; she is chosen to bear witness to Him.
The participants had eulogy for the accommodation, hospitality and cordiality of the Director and Staff of NavSadhana. As a whole they enjoyed the stay in spite of inclement weather, scourging sun. The course ended with a final colourful cultural programme put up by the participants, which revealed their innate talents and acquired skill in Hindi language on June 24, 2014 at 6.30 p.m. Fr. Gabriel was the Chief Guest on this occasion. He stated that it was a good entertainment and pleasant time to be with all; He encouraged them to love Hindi and Music, which is fourth essential thing in life along with food, clothing and house. He gave away the prizes for the rank holders in every class. All left NavSadhana with a sense of satisfaction and contentment. They came as strangers and left the place as camaraderie enjoying the amity, comity and company of one another and the participants of the Key-board course. Praise the Lord.
