Superiors meet at DGMS

“Seek out your superiors and learn from them. Do not hide nor shy away from them for the sake of your pride, for true pride is perceived, not in perceived skill, but in improvement.” 
― Megan Webster

Chennai – The Indian Guanellian leaders of the local communities came together for a two-day revitalizing course January 28th and 29th  at Don Guanella Major Seminary. Fr. Battista and Fr. Theophilus shared their life experiences, convictions and better ways for leadership in the modern religious world. Apart from them, the realistic and inspirational witness of Rev. Fr. Rathinam, Provincial Superior, gave wisdom, strength and enthusiasm to the participants. He shared his dreams, visions, difficulties and possibilities expecting the encouragement and partnership of the local leaders. The open forum paved the way for understanding each other and improving one’s fatherly effectiveness. They prayed together for the growth and well-being of the Guanellian family; and for a joyful, safe and better tomorrow for the recipients and confreres through the providential guidance of the Father.

Annual Retreat at St. Joe’s Seminary

Cuddalore – The Annual Retreat at St. Joseph’s Seminary was held January 13^th to 16^th for the Minor Seminarians. Rev. Fr. Ligory, the Rector of Don Guanella Major Seminary was invited to preach the retreat on the theme “Vocation Discernment.” Fr. Ligory was very simple in presenting his thoughts on the topic and he made the students seriously think about the vocation that they have received from God. He invited them to be truthful, sincere and committed to their call and to imbibe the spirit of our founder St. Louis Guanella.

Permanent Vocational Orientation

Chennai – After Theology courses were complete, the students of Don Guanella Major Seminary jumped into the camps to prepare themselves for perpetual preparation. They are experiencing different communities through various ways. They spent several days during October in the Thalavadi Community. The regular programs were arranged by Fr. Ligory in order to enjoy their stay with the special children. Basic orientation was given to help them attend to the needs of the poor while understanding the pastoral necessities of the community.

In November, they arrived in Yesuvanam; experiencing a warm welcome and orientation by Fr. Gnanaraj. Fr. Praveen organized a short seminar on ‘The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith.’ There was also a talk on ‘Administrative Skills in the Ministry’ by a Salesian priest.  A valuable talk, ‘Challenges in Religious Life,’ was given by a Servite priest. The Students share experiences and spend precious time with the ‘good children’ of Anbagam every day. Fr. Gustavo De Bonis joined the group to present ‘Guanellian Spirituality and Charism’

Witnessing Life; Vocation Promotion

Tamil Nadu – Vocation Promotion is the mother of all ministries and it is a challenging one in Tamil Nadu, like any fast-growing state. Witnessing the life of Jesus Christ is another foundation for vocations. The theologians of Don Guanella Major Seminary ended their semester and had a week of holidays. After celebrating the one year Canonization anniversary of St. Guanella locally, the days were made useful by vocation drives in various dioceses of Tamil Nadu. They visited the students from Catholic schools; finding flourishing faith formation in traditional catholic families and gives counter witness to the poor. What a blessing from God this short period has been for carrying out the fruitful ministry of visiting families and students to promote vocations to the Servants of Charity.

DGMS Honors Founder with DGES

Chennai – In the evening on October 21^st, the Evening School children and staff were invited to participate in the first day of the ‘Triduum to the Founder’ on the theme “Guanella and His early years”. The service was organized by the IV Year Theologians of the Don Guanella Major Seminary. The service began with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The children were allowed to carry the relic and the portrait of St. Guanella during the procession. Bro. Arputharaj presented the early years of St. Guanella’s life in such a way that the children took active participation. The children were allowed to kiss the relic of our founder. After the prayer service a delicious dinner was served during which the Don Guanella Evening School Children performed a dance to the hymn of our founder.