“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.” (Ecclesiastes 12:1)
There are 17 young men who thankfully journeyed in orientation program from June 2023 to April 2024 at Anbaham (Tiruchirappalli, Province of Bangalore). Among these students, 7 were in first-year college degree programs, and 10 were in second-year college degree programs.
As they went through their academic schedule at St. Joseph’s College for degree studies, they were also given a formative program of orientation in our Redemptorist way of living. Redemptorist spirituality and charism, Redemptorist creative ministry, Inspirations about Redemptorist saints, God’s call in the Bible and today, Growing in self-awareness and self-belief, Emotional well-being, Group dynamics and community living, Sacraments, Methodology of study, Psycho-Sexual integration, Basic skills in music, Basic skills in Public speaking and English, Pastoral exposure by way of interactions with senior citizens and disabled children at the care home were learnings which were part of their formative year at Anbaham (House of Love) in Tiruchirappalli, India.
Every month, joyful moments of community living were celebrated through gatherings, sharing, and sports. Eucharistic adoration services, faith-sharing prayer services, and Way of the Cross devotions were creative and lively so that the former could cherish an experience of spiritual nourishment and motivation. A group of pilgrims visited the seminary during the season of Lent and prayed with our seminarians, during which a few of the students shared their vocation stories in an inspiring way.
Fr. Paul Vinh C.Ss.R (General Consultor) and Fr. Yoakim C.Ss.R. visited Anbaham (our seminary) on March 13, 2024, and inspired the students in their pursuit of responding to their vocation. The seminarians were also very grateful for their words of appreciation and encouragement.
As they have journeyed successfully during this formative year, they are anticipating the new academic year starting in June 2024. We wish them all the very best and God’s blessings.
Fr. John Paul Xavier, C.Ss.R.
Director of Orientation Year Program
Tiruchirappalli, India.
