As every year NavSadhana organized the courses for the juniors and tertians to deepen their faith and knowledge on the Scriptures, Spirituality, Systematic Theology and Religious Life. It began with a prayer session followed by introductory sessions on the institute on July 13, 2014 at 6.30 p.m.
The first course of the first unit was on PRAYING PSALMS IN TODAY’S CONTEXT taught by Rev.Dr. Augustine K.J., Priest of Varanasi Diocese working in a parish and teaching in a Rock Ville Centre, USA, from July 14 to 19, 2014. He introduced the course with a General introduction to the Bible and locating the Psalms in the Biblical History. He explained the meaning and characteristics of the Psalms, theology, modern interpretation and understanding of the Psalms, usefulness and meaningfulness of the Psalms in today’s context as well as the various kinds of Psalms. He explained how the Psalms reflect on the real life of humans’ orientation, disorientation and new orientation.
The second course conducted by Rev.Dr.Augustine K.J. has been BIBLICAL WALK THROUGH THE MASS on July 20, 2014. It was also opened to Junior Sisters, Novices and Seminarians of Varanasi city in view of enhancing the meaning and relevance of the Eucharist as well as understanding the Mass with the biblical background and interpretation of the signs and symbols used during the Eucharist. It was well appreciated.
The third course was on PROPHETS AND PROPHETIC MINISTRY IN THE PRESENT SITUATION from July 21 to 25, 2014. The Resource Person was Rev.Fr. Leo Sequeira, Priest of Allahabad Diocese. At the inception he explained that Prophets are extra-institutional charismatic leaders raised by God through a call experience filled with the power or the spirit of God, who comment in His name and with His authority on the events that had taken place around them. Their clarion call is to recall, repent and renew the life of the people of Israel/chosen people. He further elucidated the life, mission and message of the prophets such as Amos, Hosea, Micah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, etc. giving their socio-political and religious milieu. He stressed that Prophet Amos was the champion of the poor and oppressed and called for social justice; Prophet Hosea called the believers to build authentic relationship with Yahweh and the people in the vicinity.
The fourth course was on Eco-Spiritualityconducted Rev. Fr. Robert Athickel, SJ, from July 27 to Aug. 1, 2014. He is the pioneer, founder and director of ‘TaruMitra’ in Patna. This time the tertians and juniors were sent to Tarumitra Centre, Patna, to have living experience of nature under the guidance of Fr.Robert. He is the lover and protector of nature. He imparted to the tertians and juniors knowledge about the solar family, evolution of the universe and human family, universal cousinship, global warming, the need of saving electricity by using CFL and LED lights and conservation of water. At the end of the course Sr.Malliga, SJA, stated her realization as “Our earth is our home” and we had beautiful and meaningful Mass in God’s “Cathedral”, Sr.GulshanKujur, SJA “World is God’s play ground, Sr. Lucia Tigga, SJS, “Fr. Robert’s inputs were very relevant to my spiritual life; the Bible came alive in Tarumitra.”
Rev.Dr.V.Sebastian, Director of NavSadhana Regional Pastoral Centre enlightened the participants on BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICS AND THEOLOGIZING explaining the various principles for interpretation and theologizing of the biblical text and passages on Aug.3, 2014. With his biblical scholarship and erudition he shed light on BIBLICAL INSPIRATION AND BIBLICAL TRUTH in a concise and precise manner. The time passed like the fleeting of eyes. The paticipants were grateful to Rev.Dr.V.Sebastian for sharing his profound faith, erudite knowledge and effective communication on the topic.
The next course was on Christology taught by Rev.Fr. Leo Sequeira, who is a thinker, theologian and grass root social worker from Aug. 4 to 9, 2014. Commenting on the course Sr.Quinita N. D’Souza, SJA, stated, “We got the deeper understanding of the Abba Experience of Jesus, the Kingdom of God and Jesus Christ in the Indian Context.” He exhorted the participants to be prophetic leaders and faithful disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The final course was on Paradigm Shift in Religious Life conducted by Rev.Dr. Amiritraj, O.P. from Aug. 11 to 14, 2014. He spoke to the tertians and juniors that Trinity is the foundation of religious life and Trinitarian relationship is the need of the hour in religious life and with all religions. The mission of religious comes from the Trinity. Response of religious life is the mission entrusted by the Lord Jesus to His disciples. He shed light on relevance and challenges of religious life today, common practices in religious life, charism, different types of complexes, various stages of personality growth, community life and relationship, community building and finally portraits of pleasant religious personality. His simple presentation with lively examples made the participants to grasp the matter very well. Sr. Paulina Hansdam, SJA said, “ It was more practical based on the life witness of Rev.Fr.Amiritraj, O.P.”
Indian Christian Spirituality with an Ashram Exposure was held in Matridham Ashram from Aug. 16 to 25, 2014 under the guidance of Acharya Anil Dev. The tertians were introduced to
Three stage of spirituality: Purity, enlightenment and unity;
Three levels of truthfulness: In perception, in expression and in life;
Three levels of brahamacharya: in mind, in word and in action;
Three margas: Karma marga, Gyanmarga, Bhakti marga;
Personality of Christ, Word of God and Power of God;
Inner Healing and Reconciliation, Evangelization and Mission.
The participants articulated that ashram exposure helped them to experience God’s love and compassion in a deeper way; they also realized their shallow faith in comparison to KhristBhaktas’ faith and its manifestation. It was an occasion to renew, revivify and revitalize their faith and to learn to surrender to the Lord and to His will in religious life and commitment.
The tertians and juniors were extremely happy with the director and staff for their cordiality and hospitality, fellowship and friendship, amity and comity during their stay in NavSadhana. They expressed that meals were excellent and delicious. Sr. AmitaKujur, SJA, said, “They experienced the family spirit and prayerful atmosphere in the campus”. From the evaluation we come to know that the participants were very satisfied and content with the courses conducted in NavSadhana; they enjoyed the delicious dishes and spacious
