There is no End to Charity

Bangalore – “Until there are no longer poor and neglected to be assisted there is no end to our charity,” this is an inspiring quote from our Founder that motivates every Guanellian. The Cooperators and Lay members in Bangalore are working towards experiencing the true Guanellian spirit. Following their mission experience in Nazareth Illam, they spent a day at Don Guanella Aged home which cares for abandoned elderly men. The day was spent with the Grandpa’s grooming them, chatting with them, feeding them and cleaning their worship space. It is absolutely true that you can only understand the feelings of others when you spend time with them. As a regular practice we gather for an hour of Adoration on the last Sunday of every month, helping to spiritually nourish the Grandpa’s. Most Saturdays the members volunteer to do service. These Good Samaritan acts by the Cooperators and Lay members’ draws the attention of their family and friends who are awestruck by the service and in turn wins many good hearts that come forward to support the mission.

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Novena and Feast

Bangalore – The GPN community celebrated our Founder’s feast on October 23rd. A novena to our Founder began on October 15th to prepare for the feast, and was followed by a solemn procession featuring a relic of our Founder. The Rosary was prayed from the Don Guanella Home for the Aged to the chapel. A flag was blessed and hoisted by Fr. Soosai Rathinam, Provincial Superior. Then 150 members of the laity participated in the novena mass.
The novena reflected on the Founder’s life on various topics shared by fathers, brothers, sisters, Guanellian Cooperators, the Guanellian Lay Movement and our aged people. To prepare themselves intensively, the whole community fasted on Friday and offered a half-day adoration. During the Novena, all aspired to live in the spirit St. Louis Guanella. On Sunday, October 23rd, the Guanellian community anticipated the celebration of the feast of St. Louis Guanella. The Holy Mass was presided over by Fr. Sagaya John, Director of NBCLC. The event was attended by the Guanellian family, benefactors, Cooperators, lay faithful and friends. Approximately three hundred people attended the celebration, were filled with the spirit of our Founder and shared a festive meal.

Birthday of Mother Mary

Bangalore – The elderly of the aged home organized a novena for the Nativity of Mother Mary with intention of praying for the construction of a new facility. Every day as a family they gathered, recited the Rosary and offered special prayers for the same intention. Some of the lay cooperators also participated. At the culmination, the feast was celebrated on September 9th. Mother Mary processed around the campus in a decorated car, blessed by Fr. Soosai Rathinam, Provincial Superior. It was vivifying to see the Guanellian family walking along with Mary, praying the Rosary. As recommended by Pope Francis, they also prayed for peace in the world, especially in Syria. The procession ended at the chapel for Benediction, in which all received the blessings of the Lord. The elderly continue to pray for the dying in the Wednesday Mass and during the daily Rosary. Prayer intentions are welcome.

Aged People Visit Our Lady of Velankani

Bangalore – Faith is fundamentally important for the fulfillment of experiencing God. In the first month of the Year of Faith, the elderly of the Don Guanella Aged Home exercised their faith on a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Velankani Shrine in the Nagapatinam District of Tamil Nadu with Fr. Samson, Fr. A.P. Samy and Bro. Xavier (regent). November 24^th began their journey of faith, with seven inmates who were able to walk and four staff of our community who are non-Christians. They inaugurated their faith by the blessings of Our Mother; they also enjoyed some sightseeing, boating and other places. Sincere thanks to Fr. Samson and his family for providing meals while on the journey and arranging vehicles for local travel. They returned safely on November 26^th.

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