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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Feast of a Saint

Chennai – Don Guanella Major Seminary was glad to celebrate the feast of St. Louis Guanella on October 24th. In view of the solemn feast, the flag was hoisted by the Provincial Superior on October 15th and the novena began. Each day was organized with different themes and by a different resource person of the community. Different groups animated the nine days, including the Guanellian Lay Movement, Guanellian Youth Movement, Don Guanella Special School, Don Guanella Evening School and Don Guanella Major Seminary under the direction of the community fathers. On the final day there was a solemn celebration which included the religious from neighboring communities, GLM, GYM, Beneficiaries and other well wishers of our mission. The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Provincial. After Mass a festive meal was shared with all the guests.

Celebrating the Founder

Bangalore – The Guanella Preethi Nivas community and the parishioners began the Novena by hoisting the flag on October 14th. The inspiring words of our Founder were displayed everywhere. The Novena was conducted by the Philosophy students with great excitement. One day of the Novena was led by the Guanellian Sisters; one day the Cooperators and GLM members conducted the Novena. It was great to see how each one made efforts to make each day a different experience. The parishioners lit candles and wrote down their petitions. Everyone prayed together for these intentions.
On October 21st GPN celebrated the Feast of St. Guanella with a solemn Mass at the Tent of Love on the quote of our Founder, “It is better to be poor than to be a sinner”. Parishioners, benefactors, beneficiaries, Guanellian Fathers, Brothers, Sisters, Cooperators, GLM Members and religious from other congregations participated in the Mass. Fr. Peter Sebastian was the main celebrant and Fr. Adaikalam preached the Homily. The virtues that our Founder practiced were expressed in a simple way that attracted many. The Celebration concluded by processing to the flag with lit candles and hearts aflame. Fr. Ligori lowered the flag and blessed everyone with a Relic of St. Guanella. The community was thankful for celebrating the Feast with so many faithful.

Parish Feast

Kumbakonam – It was indeed a great joy for our Parish to celebrate the Parish Feast of Our Lady of Divine Providence. The feast began on May 7th with a flag hoisting and solemn Mass celebrated by Fr. T. Deva Doss, VF. For each of the seven days of novena the Rosary was prayed followed by a Novena Mass celebrated by diocesan and other religious priests. During the homily, the priests shared their reflections on Mother Mary and the virtues that we must learn from her. Every day after Holy Mass, the parish people shared different sweets and snacks with one another. The culmination of the celebration was on the eve of May 12th. Msgr. A. Amirthasamay, Vicar General of Kumbakonam, presided over the solemn Mass and blessed the procession which followed. The car carrying the statue of Our Lady of Divine Providence was processed through the streets of our substations. On the following day, Fr. M. Phillip Santiagu, Procurator of Kumbakonam, celebrated the feast day Mass and lowered the flag ending the celebration. The guidance of the Parish Priests, Parish Council, and Pious groups made this celebration a successful and fruitful one, bringing us the intercession of Our Lady of Divine Providence and the grace of her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Laity Honors St. Guanella

Bangalore – Every year the Guanella Preethi Nivas family proudly celebrates the Novena to our Founder as preparation for his feast. On October 18th the Guanellian Cooperators & Guanellian Lay Movement members lead the Novena. Many members came, though it was a work-day. In our formation we are taught how our Founder clung to the Eucharist to fuel himself to do God’s work, so the evening began with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. During Adoration there was a reading from the Constitutions: articles 1 & 2 and a reading from the Gospel. Fr. Fernandez shared a reflection, he began by asking us if we were proud to be part of the Guanellian Family? When the Church did not trust his vision and his own family didn’t understand him, it was the Laity who encouraged and supported him. They knew Fr. Guanella was doing something extraordinary, good in the eyes of God and they admired his work. Hence, Fr. Guanella believed that where the Clergy & Religious cannot reach, the Laity can and they are an integral part of the Guanellian mission; each might have different opinions, but our Founder confided more in the Laity. The Laity should remember that you have not chosen to do this work but it is God alone who called each one to do his mission. We must remember always to give credit to God alone and He will reward us for our good deeds. On the day of the Feast the foundation stone was laid for a Multipurpose Hall at GPN, this hall will be utilized for the evening tuition children, activities of the aged home and more. As our Founder believed the laity are important for the mission, Fr. Gnanaraj, Superior, and Fr. Adaikalam, Delegate (GC&GLM), had the names of the members written on the bricks, which made them feel more responsible towards the mission and the house, and blessed the site for the future structure. A chariot for St. Guanella was beautifully decorated by the Guanellian Youth. It was blessed and the Religious, laity and benefactors (Christian and otherwise) processed to the Chapel reciting the Rosary. Solemn Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Anthonysamy, Chancellor from the Diocese. There was a sumptuous meal offered to all Feastday participants.

Flag Hoisting, Novena and Rites

Chennai – In the footsteps of St. Guanella we walk to Christ. October is a special month in his honor at Don Guanella Major Seminary. A novena to the Founder began on October 15th when Fr. Soosai, Provincial Superior, hoisted the flag. Mass followed, celebrated by Fr. Soosai and during which three brothers received rites in the Church: Bros. Anil Merugu and Raja Rathinam received the declaration of Intent and Bro. Thambusamy received the order of Acolyte to serve the Lord at the Altar. After Mass, the community gathered for a meal and to congratulate the brothers.

Hallowed Be Thy Name

Chennai – Don Guanella Evening School attended the novena to our Founder, St. Louis Guanella, at Don Guanella Major Seminary for the third day of the novena October 17th. The theme of the day was “Hallowed Be Thy Name.” The children performed a skit and dance, explaining the bond between God and St. Guanella. Fr. Francis, the Vice-Rector along with the Theology brothers, enlightened the children with a talk, providing examples from the life of the saint. The children were also given a chance to share their knowledge about Fr. Guanella. It brought fullness to the Guanellian family by bringing all of his children together.

Feast of Our Lady of Periyanayagi

Kumbakonam – January18th was the Parish celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Periyanayagi at the substation in Perumpandy. It began with a flag raising and solemn Mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. Kuriakose, SdC. During the nine days of novena, a Rosary and Holy Mass were celebrated by several priests from the diocese of Kumbakonam. Every day during the homily, they shared their reflections on Mother Mary and her virtues.
With the help of our sisters, three ANBIAMS animated the Holy Mass during three days of the novena in a meaningful way. From January 19 – 24th, the following the priests celebrated the Novena Mass; Fr. Karunakaran, Fr. Devadoss, Fr. Bosco, Fr. Suvakin, Fr. Gnanapragasm and Fr. Pushparaj. Rev. Fr. Henry Pushpa Raj, Director – Pastoral Center, Kumbakonam, presided over the final Mass on January 25th, and blessed the car procession following Mass.
This car carrying the statue of Our Lady of Periyanayagi, was driven through the streets of our substations. The following day, Fr. Bosco celebrated the feast day Mass and lowered the flag, marking the end of the celebration. The guidance of our parish priests and tireless sweat of the village leaders made this a successful celebration, bringing us the intercession of Our Lady of Periyanayagi and the grace of her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.