Flag Hoisting

Vadapatti – In the evening on January 25th St. John de Britto Church feast began. The main celebrant of the ceremony was Rev. Dr. Fr. J. Jaya Raj V.G of the Archdiocese of Madurai. He hoisted the flag of St. John de Britto, followed by the celebration of Mass for the first day of the novena. The concelebrants were Fr. S. Periyanayaga Samy, SdC; Fr. J. David, SdC and Fr. Vanathaiyan, SdC. The parishioners happily and actively participated in holy Mass. After Mass, Fr. J. Jaya Raj released the Novena Book and Parish Family Card. It was a remarkable and joyous day because it was the first year of the parish feast. By the grace of God and the cooperation of the parishioners the event was a success.

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Installation at Sivakasi

Krishnaperi – God is so gracious and showers His blessings to those who trust in Him, His arms protect us and His light leads us. The Divine Providence Province bore one more child according to God’s plan. The wing of Divine Providence grows larger and larger. Jesus says, in My Father’s home there are many rooms for the people likewise, there is room for everyone in the Servants of Charity especially for the special ones, God’s good children and the orphans. Jesus takes the children and says unless you become little children you cannot enter the kingdom of God. Don’t stop them; let the children come to Me. These words remind us to live a life pure in heart, a life of holiness. For these small ones a new community was installed at Krishnaperi.
On July 15, 2015 the Guanellians landed in Sivakasi, which belongs to the Archdiocese of Madurai, with the permission of Archbishop Antony Pappusamy, DD., STD. On that auspicious day the residence emerged with the help of Fr. S. Periyanayaga Samy, Fr. Vellington in a ceremony blessed by former Provincial Fr. Soosai Rathinam. After three years, St. Paul’s Boys Home, the mission of Sivakasi took shape. On October 6th, new Provincial Fr. J. Ronald installed the community in a Holy Eucharistic celebration. During Mass, as is the tradition of our congregation, the new superior, Fr. S. Periyanayaga Samy, made a profession of faith. Father provincial assigned a new obedience to the fathers. Fr. S. Periyanayaga Samy is Superior of the community and Parish Priest of Krishnaperi mission. Fr. J. David is 1st Councilor and vice superior, administrator and director of the boys home. Fr. A. Arockia Vanathaiyan is councilor, assistant director of the boys home and assistant parish priest in Krishnaperi. Let us support the new community with your powerful prayer.

Soosai Thottam is Expanding

Madurai – St. Guanella Karunai Illam is a place for the homeless which is currently housing fifteen people who do not have family to support them; some like to roam the streets and highways. We have started a project for the vagrants; half of which is already complete. The whole project will include space for 60 people and at present four rooms, accommodating four persons each, are in use and according to local culture they are very comfortable. The next phase, the dormitory, will house 40 persons. A day care center for differently challenged and intellectually disabled people is currently caring for 30 persons at this House. Some are elderly and some are deserving youth and good children. The local Government is very pleased with our service to the vagrants and the deserted youth. They also asked us to include whoever comes to our home as homeless.

Mission Experience

Cuddalore – The third year brothers of St. Joseph Seminary went on a mission trip to two important mission stations of the congregation. They spent four days at Madurai and Thalavadi. They went in two groups of five; taking turns at each mission. There they experienced the real Guanellian way of life. They served the developmentally disabled people and handicapped children; getting a rich and educational experience. This strengthened their spirit; making them more eager and enthusiastic for their future apostolate. The confreres appreciated their readiness and ability to carry out the small acts of charity towards the poor and needy. After the mission exposure they returned to the seminary with rich experience and fond memories.

A Solid Foundation

Madurai – The foundation for St. Guanella Karunai Illam, a house for the homeless and mentally ill, was laid on January 31st at Soosaithottam by Provincial Superior, Fr. Soosai Rathinam, and his councilors, Fr. Visuvasam and Fr. Kulandai. Many neighbors who attended the simple celebration expressed their support for this new initiative. It will be a unique effort to show the world that we are united with the vision of the Founder, St. Louis Guanella, in his love for the poor and needy. This house will become a place where the poor can realize that they are loved by God and cared for by Divine Providence. The construction work is moving right along. Pray for a speedy completion of the work.

Canonical Visit at Yesuvanam

Sivangagi – October was very special to all Guanellians because it is the month of the Founder. It was especially so for the Yesuvanam community because the Provincial Superior visited them October 8-10th. During the three days of his canonical visit, he enlightened and enriched the entire community. The visit began with recollection and Mass. The confreres from Dindugal, Madurai and Yesuvanam gathered at Soosai Thottam, for a one day Recollection led by Fr. Soosai. He gave a talk on belongingness and fraternal living from the “Bond of Charity”. After the Recollection, the confreres met the Archbishop of Madurai, Rev. Dr. Anthony Pappusamy, they celebrated Holy Mass followed by lunch. On Oct 9th Fr. Soosai personally met each priest and seminarian at Yesuvanam. The visit was complete when the confreres met the Bishop of Sivagangai, Rev. Dr. Soosai Manikam.

Superior General visits Soosai Thottam

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Madurai  – On February 1st in the name of St. Louis Guanella, the superior general, Fr. Alfonso Crippa, and Fr. Gustavo De Bonis visited Soosai Thottam. The confreres and Guanella Karunai Illam mission beneficiaries welcomed them wholeheartedly. Their presence at Soosai Thottam brought marvelous joy and spiritual nourishment especially for fifteen guests that came to see the mission. Fr. Crippa praised the work being done at Madurai for the good of the needy brethren. His visit boosted the movement of grace and brought conversion, that is a renewal of quality of life to the confreres; their personal life, fraternal life and Guanellian mission. It also helped improve their ability to serve the beneficiaries. Fr. Crippa witnessed the presence of the Lord in each confrere and their mission. Mr. Manogar, a benefactor, and his family provided a meal for the community in honor of the superiors.

Christ Born in Our Hearts

MADURAI – Love begins at home and spreads to your neighborhood, to your community, to your nation and to the whole world. Spread love to all those you meet, let everyone feel the love of Christ. The real love of Christ was revealed  on December 21^st at Soosai Thottam, the mission house of Guanella Karunai Illam. Mr. Manogar, a benefactor, and his team members helped us celebrate Suppose Christmas with beneficiaries. Their presence with the Guanellian priests expressed gratitude toward the poor and needy brethren. They offered meals to everyone and they served with love and affection. Nagamalai Puddukottai parishioners and our local supporters offered Christmas gifts to the beneficiaries.  May this Christmas be so special that our poor never feel lonely again and they remain surrounded by loved ones throughout their life!

New Seeds in the Guanellian Garden

Madurai – On October 24, the feast of St. Louis Guanella was celebrated in grand manner. The Vicar General of the Madurai Diocese, Msgr. Joseph Selvaraj, the Economer link for India of the Divine Providence Province Fr. Visuvasam SdC, and the parish priest of Nagamalai Pudukottai, Fr. Cyprian, inaugurated the new house and celebrated the holy Eucharist with the Guanellian confreres, neighboring priests and religious, the good children from Yesuvanam and the Guanella Karunai Illam community participated. Further, “Guanella Karunai Illam” the new Madurai mission station was opened by the chairman Mr. Dharma Raj, the president Mr. Alagu Malai and Councillor Samy. The director of Guanella Karunai Illam, Fr. John Dass Sdc, Fr. Lawrence Thambu Samy and Fr. Anandhan welcomed and honored everyone.

“As long as there are poor to be assisted…”

Madurai – The beginning of Guanellian missions in India is the Madurai Mission.  On September 4th this year, a new mission for wandering, aged and mentally ill persons began. This house is called “GUANELLA KARUNAI ILLAM”. Things are going well at the center with seven people, brought in by car and bike, to care for. There are many more deserving poor people nearby who want to come to the center. St. Guanella’s dreams are coming true in India at Madurai. Please pray for this new mission.