(India) On the 5th July 2021 The Pastoral Year/Transition to Ministry was inaugurated by Fr. Edward Joseph (Provincial of Bangalore) and Fr. Joseph Ivel Mendanha (V. Provincial of Majella) at Mt. St. Alphonsus Bangalore. There are 9 young newly ordained Redemptorist Priests (5 from Bangalore: Robin, Prem, Vijay Kumar, Johnson, and Abjay and 4 from Majella: Dony, Savio, Ashwil, and Joyan) in The Pastoral Year or Transition to Ministry for this academic Year 2021/22. The team is animated by Frs. George Puthenpura, (Director), Fr Joseph Royan (Assistant Director), and Fr Juventius Andrade of the Bangalore Province. Fr Assisi Saldanha (Rector of Mt St Alphonsus) is the superior of the community.
Fr. Edward presided at the Eucharistic Celebration for the Inauguration of the year and stressed the need to be closely connected to the Lord not fearful of the past and yet full of hope for the future as we prepare ourselves for ministry as Redemptorists in India. Later inaugurating the year in a short meeting after lighting the lamp Fr Edward spelt out the reasons for having this year at MSA and then underlined the importance of this vital year in the formation of Redemptorists in India given the challenging times we are living in as well as the need to follow the guidelines of the Ratio Formationis and the newly constituted guidelines for Pastoral Formation for all 3 Units in India.
Fr. Ivel then addressed the group and reminded the young Redemptorists of Pope Francis’ call to Religious to Wake up the World together with the General Chapter Reflection Preparation on Witnesses of the Redeemer. He stressed the need to be attentive to the cries of the people, to hold the concerns and pains of our people close to their hearts as they prepare intensely for ministry in this crucial year in their formation.
Fr. Assisi Saldanha welcomed the young Redemptorists into the community of Mt. St. Alphonsus and explained the dynamics of the community together with the challenges ahead in the context of the ongoing pandemic.
Fr. Joseph Royan the Assistant Director concluded the program with a few words and then invited the group to a high tea after the singing of the Salve Regina.
Joseph Ivel Mendanha, C.Ss.R.
