Our life continues with greater zeal as each day unfolds itself with its newness. During this formative journey we did get a comprehensive understanding of the Rule of Life, beginning with the Vows. Sr. M. Josephine Rodrigues our formator gave us a challenging session and a detailed explanation on Following Jesus Master – the Father’s consecrated one (Poor, Chaste and Obedient Christ). The cost one has to pay for living the evangelical counsels in this modern world was well presented, inviting us to give our everything in radical discipleship. This made us realize that in poverty we give all that we have, in chastity all that we are and in obedience all that we will become. The sessions also motivated us to live as joyful witnesses by observing the vows and thus glorify Him by embracing the vows. In other words this can also be called journey of Christification.
Sr. M. Paulcy Thelakkadan gave us an impetus on this journey of Christification with the topic ‘Until Christ is formed in us’ and ‘Co- responsibility in formation’. She imparted her vast Pauline knowledge on how this Christification has to take place in the lives of each of us. Like St. Paul our patron when we too embark on this process we will be able to say one day it is no longer I who live; but Christ who lives in me. This transformation of our lives can be evaluated in our relationship with one another and in our communities. Sr. M. Romana Puliclimavil gave us a greater clarity on this, during the session on a ‘Community life and Sense of belonging’ with practical examples. To build a joyful community is in our hands. When we feel one with this spiritual family, we will get a foretaste of heaven here on earth. The sessions on ‘Intercultural formation of consecrated women’ by Sr. M. Rose Ngade helped us to understand each one in the community according to their cultural background, which will make us compassionate and kind towards one another and avoid prejudices and fixations which rise due to our own cultural glasses.
Sr. M. Celine Cunha with her experiential knowledge gave us insights on ‘Principles and structures of Communion’, the sessions were lively and we got a better understanding of the functions and structures which govern our congregation, helping us to understand the role of all and thus to see those in authority as the ones chosen by God to lead and guide us. Having studied about the structures of communion, Sr.M. Prescilla Patrao gave us insights on ‘Communion of goods, book keeping, accounts’ etc. These sessions helped us to be more responsible in use of goods so that all can benefit the fruits of proper administration. After this the articles of the Rule of Life on ‘Mission and Co–ordination’ was presented by Sr. M. Victoria Gaurea. The inputs invited us to read the signs of times and to carry out our mission with creative fidelity. The Liturgical Apostolate plays a vital role in our lives; Sr. Mary Gracelet beautifully presented the ‘Principles of Liturgy: norms, rites, music and Liturgical gestures’ etc, these helped us to understand the need of worshipping the Lord in Dignity and Sr.M. Shyla Kolery presented the sessions on ‘Evangelization through Art and Beauty Ref. Document of the Church SC’. We could understand the vast and beautiful dimension of our mission of communicating Christ through art and beauty. This path of evangelization on which we are called to tread is a challenging one, and Sr. M. Saly Muthuplackal presented the ‘Challenges and Opportunities of Evangelization’ also the ‘Skills of communication’ which is a powerful tool in today’s modern world. The sessions enlightened us and invited us to offer Christ to the world through the fastest means of communication. With all the inputs on our Rule of Life there dawned a holistic understanding of our vocation as Pious Disciple.
The inputs on Psychology helped us to discover ourselves. It is said that the heart is the seat of all emotions. The sessions on ‘Understanding one’s emotions and mindfully dealing with it’ which was presented by Sr. M. Regina Sebastian, helped us to understand our emotions and the art of balancing it was taught to us, so that we can live our community lives in peace and harmony. With a balanced life it is easy to develop one’s personality and this was well explained by Sr. M. Gincy Thekkanath who taught us the basics of ‘Personality Development’ and the different traits which will help us to have healthy personality and with a well developed personality one can relate with others with greater maturity, this was explicitly taught to us by Sr. Ann Plathara DSP. This online webinar on ‘Psycho- sexual dimensions in interpersonal relationships’ enabled us to understand the need of relating with others in freedom and maturity. We now early look forward for the sessions on ‘Anthropology: Various levels of responsibility’ by Sr. M. Kumudini Toppo and ‘Ongoing Formation’ by Sr. M. Josephine Rodrigues. To be is, to be related, we are really grateful that all these sessions which helped us to relate with God, others and with oneself, it was a rejuvenating experience inviting us to follow the Lord with greater love.
The First profession, the celebration of the Nativity of our Mother Mary, the free day and our Picnic added color to our trimester course. Being part of these celebrations, being with nature, being with ourselves and interacting with the people of simple faith in the interior villages of Mysore enlarged our horizons to see God’s beauty in everyone and in all things. As we are approaching the closure of our Trimester course we entrust ourselves to the care our Mother Mary that she will lead us to her son and our Master Jesus.
Juniors from Mysore
