CMIssion for July-September 2017

Radhakrishnan 149 Chavara Cultural CentreRelevance of Chavara Cultural Centre in KochiThe historical relevance of Chavara Cultural Centreestablished by CMI congregation to cherish the memory andevaluate the contributions of Saint Chavara for theenrichment of cultural legacy of Kerala is to be understoodin this context. Saint Chavara firmly believed in inclusivephilosophy and he provided space for every type of processof generation of knowledge. The main motto of ChavaraCultural Centre has been the promotion of dialogue ondiversified streams of beliefs and faiths. It provides culturalspace for an atheist who has always been in quarrel withGod. The centre does not encourage debate because the aimof debate is to argue and win; instead it promotes dialogueby firmly believing in sharing one’s experience with the rest. I have been associated with Chavara Cultural Centrefrom 1972 onward, first, as student and, later, as a teacher atMaharaja’s College, Ernakulam. Fr. Albert Nambiaparampilwas a frequent visitor at our college, while I was a student,to interact with teachers and students in order to ensuretheir participation in the cultural activities of the Centre.There was a galaxy of well-known intellectuals and scholarswho actively participated in the cultural discourses in theChavara Cultural Centre, including Prof. M. Krishnan Nair,Dr. M. Leelavathy, Prof. M. K. Sanu, Prof. M. Achuthan,Prof. K. Ramachandran Nair (a scholar par excellence in theeastern and western thoughts), Prof. T. Ramachandran(popularly known as T. R.), etc., provided inputs along withFr. Albert who was also a professor of philosophy inorganizing seminars on philosophy of science, philosophyof religion, philosophy of beauty, philosophy of history, andphilosophy of language. I do remember the active presenceof reputed scholars in respective fields from all over India.The seminars conducted in the Centre provided a rareopportunity to listen to the multi-cultural, multi-religiousand multi-philosophical dialogues.

Carmelites of Mary Immaculate 150 CMIssion April-June 2017 The idea of Chavara Cultural Centre was budded in asmall meeting of intellectuals under the presidentship ofMahakavi G. Sankara Kurup, a Jnanpith award winner, whowas later nominated to Rajya Sabha by the President ofIndia. Justice Joseph Vithayathil, Sri Thilakan VasudevanPillai, Fr. Canisius CMI, and Fr. Albert Nambiaparampilwere present in that meeting held on 8 August 1971. Therules and regulations of Chavara Cultural Centre weredrafted by Justice Joseph Vithayathil and, in the firstparagraph of rules and regulations, it has been made clearthat the main intention of the Centre is to provide openspace to the public for “socio-religious and culturedevelopment,” which is consistent with the inclusivephilosophy propagated by Saint Chavara.Interreligious DialogueIncidentally, Fr. Albert, the first director of Centre, had anopportunity to participate in the inter-religious conferenceheld at Sasthamkotta, Kollam, in 1971, organised by AkhilaBharata Ayyappa Seva Sangam under the eminentleadership of M. K. K. Nayar, a great civil servant andcultural leader. The first inter-religious conference in Keralahistory was held at Advaitha Asramam, Aluva, on the banksof River Poorna under the leadership of Sree NarayanaGuru. In an inscription, kept at the entrance of theconference, he wrote: “It was not intended to argue and winbut to know and be known.” Since Saint Chavara alsopreached the philosophy of all-inclusiveness throughdialogue, the Chavara Cultural Centre took the rightdecision to convene the third inter-religious conference inKerala at its Centre. The conference was organized underthe joint leadership of Sri M. K. K. Nayar and Fr. AlbertNambiaparampil in 1981. I had the opportunity toparticipate in the proceeding as a young journalist. Iinterviewed an Iranian journalist who had not even heard of

Radhakrishnan 151 Chavara Cultural Centrethe term secularism and he admitted that, in accordancewith his belief and faith, the term secularism wasblasphemy. He admitted that since secularism wasblasphemy nobody ever dared to use the term in publicspace in Iran. He was not able to understand the necessity ofproviding public space to ideas which did not agree withone’s religion or other. I remember that nobody couldconvince him of a pluralist space even if only one religionwas in practice for the fact that multi-dimensionalexperience of a single religion by one and the same personat different occasions could not be ruled out. The conference decided to issue a communiqué at theend of the business sessions and a draft was prepared; aBuddhist monk belonging to the Mahayana tradition,however, could not accept the term ‘God’ included in thedraft declaration, as the Mahayana tradition does notbelieve in the existence of God. The atheist group ofparticipants who were in constant quarrel with God andreligion argued that man could live without god andreligion. There were participants who could not digest thevery idea of necessity of pluralism because they believedthat pluralism was an unnecessary luxury in a society thatwas led by monolithic ideologies forgetting the fact that, ifthey were in such a society they would never be permittedto spell out their ideas. In continuation with the inter-religious conferences, Chavara Cultural Centre took theinitiative for the formation of World Fellowship of Inter-Religious Councils (WFIRC) for expanding the span of inter-religious activities.Promotion of Literature, Fine Arts, and CinemasChavara Cultural Centre promoted activities related toliterature, fine arts, and cinemas in Kochi and Kerala. Theclassical as well contemporary trends in literature, fine arts,and cinema have been discussed at the Centre. I do

Carmelites of Mary Immaculate 152 CMIssion April-June 2017remember the protagonist role played by M. V. Devan, thewell-known artist and cultural leader of Kerala, inpromoting dialogue between artists and the writers.Discussions on political ideologies have not been alien to thecultural space of Chavara Cultural Centre. A well-maintained library of the Centre has a collection of 25,000books, which includes classics of both western and Indiansystem of thoughts and literatureInter-Religious Festival CelebrationRecently, the Chavara Cultural Centre has adopted newpractical steps to propagate the philosophy of inclusivenessengraved by Saint Chavara. Saint Chavara being as ardentfollower of Jesus Christ practised the philosophy of all-inclusiveness as specified by Jesus Christ in the context inwhich he lived. Chavara Cultural Centre designed programsin the present context in the form of celebrating variousfestivals relating to different religions. The Ramzan isregularly celebrated in the Centre ensuring the participationof scholars of different religions, deliberating on socio-philosophical dimensions of the month Ramdan. Every yearone day during the year of Ramdan is earmarked for thecelebration of EID Dul Fitar. The centre provides spiritualspace for the performance of prayers and other rituals forthe Muslim brethren. It gives an opportunity to the public tolisten to the spiritual content of the Holy Quran. On Easter Sunday, Chavara Cultural Centre celebratesthe resurrection of Jesus Christ for the redemption ofhumanity. It is the festival of hope and love, and the Centrecelebrates the festival with brothers and sisters from the restof the society. Usually, there would be an intellectualdiscourse on the New Testament and the life of Jesus Christ,followed by a breakfast shared by all. The Malayalam month of Karkidakam is celebrated asthe month of Ramayana by Hindu community and Chavara

Radhakrishnan 153 Chavara Cultural CentreCultural Centre joins hands with everyone to mark theoccasion with meaningful programmes. There would be atraditional rendering of Ramayana by an expert followed bythe discussion on Ramayana amidst experts from variousreligions. Rama and Ramayana are the basic components ofIndian culture; how these components provide a pluralisticspace for the mighty and the meek together in socio-culturalsphere of the contemporary society. The discussions andrendition of Ramayana is usually followed by the sharingKarkidaka kanji, a unique medicinal preparation. Apart from these practical steps formulated by the Centreto propagate religious harmony, it also gives importance tothe formulation of general ideas relating to contemporaryissues by conducting dialogues.Redefining the Mission of Chavara Cultural Centre in theNew EraSaint Kuriakose Elias Chavara has inspired thousands ofyoungsters and helped them re-define and re-read the signsof time. Chavara Cultural Centre is involved in many otherrelated areas which are in line with the vision and thoughtsof Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara. For example, SaintChavara being a great visionary offered us a very goodvalue-based orientation to the families. He can be called thefather of Kerala Catholic families and has given manyadvices for the upbringing of a value-based familyportraying it as a heavenly plan as mentioned in the Bible.So, the Chavara Family Welfare Centre, established topropagate the values of Catholic families visualized by SaintKuriakose Elias Chavara has become the internationallyknown Catholic Website, namely, “ChavaraMatrimony.com,” which is one of the most prominentinternet-based website to unite Catholic youth in value-based family formation as propagated by Saint KuriakoseElias Chavara.

Carmelites of Mary Immaculate 154 CMIssion April-June 2017 Chavara Cultural Centre has initiated similar activities insocio-educational-cultural arena like forming the ChavaraFilm Society, in 2007; for empowering youngsters, theCentre started its education wing in 1980 by organisingprofessional programs on ICWAI in association with CochinChapter of Cost Accountants, and by offering job-orientedcourses in hospitality and commerce streams. Now ChavaraInstitute of Management and Media Studies (CIMAMS) is awell-known professional training centre and about 1,000youths have benefitted out of its programmes. The FrenchGovernment’s education wing “Alliance Franchise”operates from the premises of the Centre. This Centreimparts languages classes, especially in French.Joining Hands with Like-Minded InstitutionsIn the last decade, Chavara Cultural Centre has expanded ithorizons by making its presence globally felt by addingmore relevant objectives to its stated vision and mission.Chavara Cultural Centre is being assessed by the UnitedNations to provide a Consultative Status in socio–culturalspace. The marginalized and socially ostracised in thesociety also are taken care of through “Chavara Inspire,” acharitable society, which has been launched under theauspices of the Centre, with the motto of ‘bettering the lives’of visually challenged, children living with HIV and thelikes. Chavara Inspire provides them with financial support,specialized job-oriented trainings, helping them with jobplacements, and, thus, creating positive vibes among them.Vodafone has joined hands with the Centre in providingemployment to such socially ostracized, and many benefitout of this noble venture. Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara is a home grown saint,who knew the common man of caste and creed andappreciated the art forms cultural practices; he was a poetand avid promoter of drama and related art forms. Chavara

Radhakrishnan 155 Chavara Cultural CentreCultural Centre, following the footsteps of its founder, isfocusing on the promotion and preservation of traditionalarts by providing platform for artists. To make the platformmore attractive and beneficial, the Centre has startedconducting festivals by name “Chavara Fest” in 2009 and itsinstant success and benefit to the masses motivated theCentre to conduct more such fests in Kochi as well as inother places with CMI presence. During the Onam season inSeptember 2017, Chavara Cultural Centre joined hands withChavara Bhavan, Kainakary, in organizing the “KainakaryChavara Fest 2017” at the birth place of Saint Chavara and ithas become “The Festival of Alappuzha.”

CMI Healing Ministry AMALA INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES, THRISSUR Fr. Francis Kurissery CMI Director, Amala Institute of Medical SciencesAmala Institute of Medical Sciences (Amala Cancer Hospitaland Research Centre), a Christian minority teachinghospital, was established in 1978 and is run by theDevamatha Province of Carmelites of Mary Immaculate(CMI), an indigenous religious congregation founded by St.Kuriakose Elias Chavara. It has formally adopted the vision“To be a foremost teaching hospital known for its excellencein holistic healthcare, quality education and research” andkeeps striving to realize its mission of inclusive and qualityhealthcare to all. Amala Institute of Medical Sciences, well known for itseco-friendly ambience, sitting on the famously idyllic slopesof the Vilangan Hills, had its humble beginnings as a small90-bed hospital. The late Padma Bhushan Fr. GabrielChiramel CMI, the then-Provincial of Devamatha Province,is the founder of the hospital and, right from day one, hewas ably assisted by Fr. George Pius Ukken CMI, who, in1993, succeeded Fr. Gabriel as its Director.Amala Cancer Hospital and Research CentreIn 1973, Shri V. V. Giri, the then-President of India, laid thefoundation stone for a cancer hospital on an 18-acre plot ofpineapple grove on the foot of Vilangan Hills, under theaegis of Kerala Cancer Society. But this stone did not sprout,and, for the Cancer Society, it remained an unfulfilled wish.The office-bearers of the Society met with Fr. Gabriel, thethen-Provincial, in 1976, and implored him to help them outby starting a cancer hospital. 156

Kurissery 157 Amala (AIMS) Thrissur Fr. Gabriel and his team of Councillors discussed anddebated over the matter since it was “a road not taken” asfar as the CMI Congregation was concerned. At the sametime, the Devamatha Province did not want to shy awayfrom the healing mission entrusted to his disciples by JesusChrist. This mission is very clearly summed up by St.Mathew in his Gospel: “Jesus went around visiting all thetowns and villages. He taught in their meeting houses,preached the Good News of the Kingdom, and healedpeople from every kind of disease and sickness” (9:35). Trusting in the providence of God, construction workswere started in September 1976 on the present site of 35acres, of which 17 acres was obtained as lease land from thegovernment. (Later, in 2002, Amala purchased this leaseland from the government for the purpose of starting themedical college).The hospital with 90 beds was blessed byMar Joseph Kundukulam, Bishop of Thrissur (as it wasthen), on 25 March 1978, the Feast of Annunciation(commemorating the historic event of Angel Gabrielannouncing the good news to Blessed Virgin Mary), and,after a month of free medical camp, it was inaugurated byShri Neelam Sanjeev Reddy, the then-President of India, on25 April 1978. The hospital departments included Oncology, GeneralMedicine, General Surgery, Paediatrics, OBG, andPathology. Fr. Gabriel, a vintage visionary and an eminenteducationist, wanted the hospital to be a mission hospitalgiving due attention also to teaching and research, and hisdream was to give quality, affordable, inclusive healthcareto all, especially to the poor and the marginalized.Challenging task, though, in the changed social scenario,what with the entry of corporate hospitals into thehealthcare sector, and the prohibitive cost of everythingrelated to healthcare. This hospital is also a monument tothe Gabrielian vision of conceptualizing and starting

Carmelites of Mary Immaculate 158 CMIssion April-June 2017institutions with people’s participation. The institution isopen to all irrespective of religion, caste, creed, ornationality.The Nomenclature ‘Amala’“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose / By any othername would smell as sweet.” It was Shakespeare who said itin Romeo and Juliet. But Fr. Gabriel would not settle for anyname. After much discussion and debate it was decided tochristen the new hospital ‘Amala’ (a name proposed by Fr.Cyriac Kanichai CMI). The name ‘Amala’ was chosen fortwo reasons: First and foremost, it stands for Our Lady ofImmaculate Conception (Amala). Secondly, Amala connotesthe idea of a cancer hospital, or any other cancer hospital forthat matter, as a place where malignancy (mala) is treatedand the patient is made whole (amala). Cancer meansmalignant growth, and treatment protocol is directed toeradicating malignancy.Amala Cancer Research CentreAmala Cancer Research Centre was established in 1982 andwas registered as an independent society in 1984 with pureresearch in Biochemistry, Immunology, Pharmacology,Virology, Mycology, Tissue Culture and Cytogenetics, andapplied research in Radiation Oncology, Surgical Oncologyand Medical Oncology. This centre has the affiliation fromCalicut University, MG University, and Kerala University ofHealth Sciences (KUHS) for pursuing PhD programmes. Thecentre, which is also recognized by the Department ofScientific and Industrial Research, has already produced 103PhD holders.Amala Ayurveda and Homoeo HospitalAmala Ayurveda Hospital and Research Centre and AmalaHomoeo Hospital and Research Centre were started in 1983with the intention of bringing 3 streams of medicine under

Kurissery 159 Amala (AIMS) Thrissurthe same roof and, thus, realizing the aim of impartingholistic healthcare. The Ayurveda Hospital has got NABHaccreditation.Amala Institute of Medical SciencesIn 2002, the Kerala government made a path-breaking policydecision to allow self-financing medical institutions in theprivate sector. There was much pressure on Amala Hospitalfrom different quarters to start a self-financing medicalcollege. Taking into account the crying need of the society, adecision was taken to start a self-financing medical college,braving heavy odds. Thus, thanks to the amazingperseverance, relentless efforts, and pioneering spirit of thethen-Director Fr. George Pius Ukken CMI, Amala Instituteof Medical Sciences, affiliated first to Calicut University,and, then, in 2010, to Kerala University of Health Sciences(KUHS), was started in 2003 with an annual intake 100MBBS students. In Amala, we are committed to anadmission procedure that is fair, transparent, and non-exploitative. In fixing the fee, Amala is led by the principlesof equity and affordability. The fees from the students, asapproved by the statutory bodies, are received throughbank. The seats go to the worthy, and not to the wealthy.The rank obtained in NEET is the only criterion foreligibility. There are reservations for various sections,though, as approved by the Admission SupervisoryCommittee.Post-Graduate courses in healthcare were started in 2011.Presently, the College offers 17 PG programmes(MD/MS/Diploma) spread over General Medicine, GeneralSurgery, Paediatrics, OBG, Orthopaedics, Dermatology,Anaesthesiology, Ophthalmology, Radiodiagnosis,Psychiatry, Respiratory Medicine, Radiotherapy, Pathology,Community Medicine, and Biochemistry. PG programmes

Carmelites of Mary Immaculate 160 CMIssion April-June 2017in super specialities include DM (Cardiology) and MCh(Neurosurgery).Amala College of NursingAmala College of Nursing was started in 2005 with anintake of 50 BSc students. In 2011, MSc was started in Med-Surg, Psychiatry, and Maternity with a total intake of 13candidates. The college was recognized by KUHS as aResearch Centre in 2016. The motive behind starting thecollege was women’s empowerment and strengthening thehealthcare sector. It has brilliant staff and excellent facilitiesto train the students to be kind and compassionate,knowledgeable and serviceable nursing care professionals.Other Training ProgrammesThe other academic programmes offered at Amala includeDiploma in General Nursing (GNM), 2-year Diploma inMedical Lab Technology, Radiation Technology, anddiploma courses affiliated to BSS Vocational EducationMission offered under the auspices of the Government ofIndia.Amala Marching into the Future with a Mission39 years on, now, by the grace of God and through theunfailing intercession of Our Mother Amala, and thanks tothe sincere and dedicated efforts and munificence ofthousands of generous people, including the Directors suchas Fr. Dr. Paul Achandy CMI (2008-2011, now CMI PriorGeneral), and Fr. Walter Thelappilly CMI (2011-2014, nowProvincial and Trustee-in-Chief), the sprawling AmalaCampus is home to a 1100-bed multi-speciality teachinghospital, NABH accredited Amala Ayurveda Hospital andResearch Centre (1983) Amala Homoeo Hospital andResearch Centre (1983), Amala Cancer Research Centre(1982), Amala Medical College (2003), Amala NursingCollege and Research Centre (2005), Amala Nursing School

Kurissery 161 Amala (AIMS) Thrissur(1983), various para-medical diploma and certificatecourses, and Bethany Gram (a hospice for the seniorcitizens). Amala is committed to translating its vision into realityby employing the best possible staff, providing state-of-the-art facilities in an eco-friendly ambience, impartingaffordable, inclusive, quality healthcare to all, catering to thephysical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the students andpatients, following merit-based admission procedure,challenging the students to become forward looking,dedicated healthcare personnel with competence, integrity,and compassion as their hallmarks, instilling in the staff andstudents respect for life at every stage of its growth and inall its manifestations, inspiring the students to reach out tothe poor and the marginalized, especially those in the ruralareas, and promoting innovative research that will benefitthe humanity. Realizing that in a country like India ‘smallaim is a crime’, and armed with trust in the unfathomableprovidence of God, Amala dares to dream of a day whenthis institute would become a medical university whichwould be the preferred destination of patients, students andresearch scholars.

From the Vatican THE HOLY SPIRIT, PROTAGONIST OF ANY AUTHENTIC DISCERNMENT Address to the Newly Bishops Appointed on 14 September 2017 Pope FrancisDearest Brothers,With great joy I welcome you in this moment, almost at theend of your Roman pilgrimage, organised by theCongregations for Bishops and for the Eastern Churches. Ithank Cardinal Marc Ouellet and Cardinal Leonardo Sandri,and the dicasteries they preside over, respectively, for theirgenerous efforts in organising this event, which now allowsme to meet you personally and to consider with you, newPastors of the Church, the grace and responsibility of theministry we have received. Indeed, not by our merit, but by pure divine benevolencewe have been entrusted “the ministry … to testify to thegospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24; also Rom 15:16) and“the ministry of the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:8-9). This year, theprogramme of your days in Rome has tried to penetrate themystery of the Episcopate through one of its central tasks,that of offering to the “the flock, in which the Holy Spirithas made you overseers” (Acts 20:28) that spiritual andpastoral discernment necessary for it to reach theknowledge and fulfilment of God’s will in which all fullnessresides. Let me, therefore, share some reflections on this subjectthat is increasingly important in our times, paradoxicallymarked by a sense of self-referentiality, which proclaims theend of the time of the masters, while in his solitude the realman continues to call out the need to be helped in facing thedramatic issues that assail him, to be paternally guided in 162

Pope Francis 163 Authentic Discernmentthe not always clear path that challenges him, to be initiatedin the mystery of his search for life and happiness. It is precisely through authentic discernment, which Paulpresents as one of the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor 12:10) and St.Thomas Aquinas calls “the superior virtue that judgesaccording to those higher principles” (Sum Theol., II-II, q, 51,a, 4, to 3) that we can respond to this human need today.The Holy Spirit, Protagonist of Any AuthenticDiscernmentNot long ago, the Church invoked upon you the “SpiritusPrincipalis” or the “Pneuma hegemonikon,” the power that theFather gave to the Son and which They transmitted to theholy Apostles, that is, “the Spirit that supports and guides.” One has to be aware that such a great gift, of which withgratitude we are perpetual servants, rests on fragileshoulders. Perhaps for this reason the Church, in her prayerfor episcopal consecration, derived such an expression fromthe Miserere (Ps 51:14b) in which he who prays, afterexposing his failure, implores that Spirit to allow himimmediate and spontaneous generosity in obedience to God,so fundamental to those who lead a community. Only those who are led by God have the title andauthority to be proposed as leaders of others. One may teachand grow in discernment only if familiar with this innerteacher who, like a compass, offers the criteria todistinguish, for himself and for others, the times of God andHis grace; to acknowledge His passage and the way of Hissalvation; to indicate concrete means, pleasing to God, toaccomplish the good that He predisposes in His mysteriousplan of love for each and for all. This wisdom is the practicalwisdom of the Cross, which, though it includes reason andprudence, transcends them because it leads to the verysource of life that does not die, namely, to “knowing the

Carmelites of Mary Immaculate 164 CMIssion April-June 2017Father, the only true God, and He Who sent Jesus Christ”(Jn 17:3). The bishop cannot take for granted the possession of agift of such a high and transcendent gift, as if it were a rightacquired, without falling into a ministry devoid offruitfulness. It is necessary to continually implore it as aprimary condition for illuminating any human, existential,psychological, sociological, and moral wisdom that may beof use to us in the task of discerning the ways of God for thesalvation of those who have been entrusted to us. Therefore, it is imperative continually to return in prayerto Gabaon (1 Kings 3:5-12), to remind the Lord that beforehim we are perennial “children who do not know how tosettle” and to implore “not long days or riches, nor the lifeof enemies,” but only “discernment in judging among Hispeople.” Without this grace, we will not become goodmeteorologists of what can be seen “in the appearance ofheaven and earth” but rather we will be unable to “evaluateGod’s time” (Lk 12:54-56). Discernment, therefore, is born in the heart and mind ofthe bishop through his prayer when he puts the people andsituations entrusted to him into contact with the DivineWord pronounced by the Spirit. It is in such intimacy thatthe Pastor matures the inner freedom that makes him firmin his choices and behaviour, both personal and ecclesial.Only in the silence of prayer can one learn the voice of God,perceive the traces of His language, have access to His truth,which is a very different light, that “is not above intelligenceas oil is above water,“ but much higher since only “he whoknow the Truth knows that light” (Augustine, ConfessionsVII, 10.16).

Pope Francis 165 Authentic DiscernmentDiscernment Is a Gift of the Spirit to the Church, to WhichShe Responds with ListeningDiscernment is the grace of the Spirit to the holy faithfulpeople of God, Who constitutes it a prophetic people,endowed with the sense of faith and that spiritual instinctthat makes it capable of feeling cum Ecclesia. It is a giftreceived in the midst of the People and is oriented towardsits salvation. Since from Baptism the Spirit already dwells inthe heart of the faithful, the apostolic faith, bliss,righteousness, and evangelical spirit are not strangers tothem. Therefore, although vested with unavoidable personalresponsibility (see Directory Apostolorum Successores, 160-161), the Bishop is called to live his own discernment as aPastor as a member of the People of God, or in an ever-ecclesial dynamic, at the service of the koinonìa. The bishopis not the self-sufficient “father and master,” nor is he thefrightened and isolated “solitary pastor.” The bishop’s discernment is always a community action,which does not disregard the richness of the opinion of hispriests and deacons, of the People of God and of all thosewho can offer him a useful contribution, also throughconcrete and not merely formal contributions. “When onedoes not consider his brother in any way, and considersoneself superior, then one ends up becoming proud evenagainst God Himself.”1 In serene dialogue, He is not afraid to share, and evensometimes change, his discernment with others: withconfreres in the episcopate, to whom he is sacramentallyunited and, then, discernment becomes collegiate; with hisown priests, for whom he the guarantor of that unity that isnot imposed by force, but rather is woven with the patienceand wisdom of an artisan; with the lay faithful, because they1Dorotheus of Gaza, Communion with God and with Men, Edizioni Qiqajon, 2014, 101-102.

Carmelites of Mary Immaculate 166 CMIssion April-June 2017retain the ‘sense’ of the true infallibility of the faith thatresides in the Church: they know that God does notdiminish in His love and does not deny His promises. As history teaches, the great Pastors, in defending thetrue faith, have been able to converse with such a storepresent in the heart and in the awareness of the faithful and,not rarely, have been supported by them. Without thisexchange “the faith of the most educated can degenerateinto indifference and that of the most humble intosuperstition.”1 Therefore, I invite you to cultivate an attitude oflistening, growing in the freedom of renouncing one’s ownpoint of view (when it is shown to be partial andinsufficient), to assume that of God. Without letting oneselfbe conditioned by the eyes of others, make efforts to get toknow with your own eyes the places and the people, thespiritual and cultural “tradition” of the diocese entrusted toyou, to respectfully enter into the memory of its testimonyof Christ and to interpret its concrete present in the light ofthe Gospel outside which there is no future for the Church. The mission that awaits you is not to bring your ownideas and projects, nor solutions that are abstractly designedby those who consider the Church a home garden buthumbly, without attention-seeking or narcissism, to offeryour concrete witness of union with God, serving theGospel that should be cultivated and helped to grow in thatspecific situation. Discerning, therefore, means humility and obedience;humility with regard to one’s own projects; obedience to theGospel, the ultimate criterion; to the Magisterium, whichconserves it; to the norms of the universal Church, whichserve it; and to the concrete situation of people, for whomwe want nothing other than to draw from the treasure of the1John Henry Newman, On consulting the faithful in matters of doctrine , Morcelliana, Brescia 1991, 123.

Pope Francis 167 Authentic DiscernmentChurch what is most fruitful for their salvation today (Mt13:52). Discernment is a remedy for the immobility of “it hasalways been so” or “let us take time.” It is a creative processthat does not just apply schemas. It is an antidote againstrigidity, because the same solutions are not valideverywhere. It is always the perennial today of the RisenLord that demands that we do not resign ourselves to therepetition of the past, and have the courage to ask ourselveswhether the proposals of yesterday are still evangelicallyvalid. Do not let yourselves be imprisoned by the nostalgiaof having only one answer to apply in all cases. This wouldperhaps calm our anxiety regarding performance, butwould leave us relegated to the margins and to “barren”lives that need to be watered by the grace we conserve (Mk3:1-6; Ezek 37:4). I recommend a special delicacy with the culture andreligiosity of the people. They are not something to tolerate, or mere tools tomanoeuvre, or a “Cinderella” to keep hidden because theyare unworthy of access to the noble salon of the conceptsand higher reasons for faith. Indeed, it is necessary to carefor and engage in dialogue with them, because besidesconstituting the backbone of the people’s self-comprehension, they are a true subject of evangelisation,which your discernment cannot ignore. Such a charism,given to the community of believers, cannot but berecognised, called upon and involved in the ordinary pathof discernment made by the Pastors. Remember that God was already present in your dioceseswhen you arrived and will still be there when you are gone.And, in the end, we will all be measured not by countingour works but on the growth of God’s work in the heart ofthe flock that we keep in the name of the “Pastor and keeperof our souls” (1 Pet 2:25).

Carmelites of Mary Immaculate 168 CMIssion April-June 2017Called to Grow in DiscernmentWe must strive to grow in incarnate and inclusivediscernment, which dialogues with the consciousness of thefaithful which is to be formed and not substituted (AmorisLaetitia, 37) in a patient and courageous process ofaccompaniment, so as to mature the capacity of each one –the faithful, families, priests, communities, and societies – ofall those called to advance in the freedom to choose andaccomplish the good God wants. Indeed, the activity ofdiscernment is not reserved to the wise, the perspicaciousand the perfect. Rather, God often resists the haughty andshows himself to the humble (Mt 11:25). The Pastor knows that God is the way and trusts Hiscompany; knows and never doubts His truth, nor despairsof His promise of life . But of these certainties, the Pastor isseized by the humble darkness of faith. To send them to theflock is therefore make obvious proclamations, but tointroduce to the experience of God Who saves by sustainingand guiding the possible steps to be accomplished. Therefore, true discernment, though definitive in everystep, is an always open and necessary process that can becompleted and enriched. It cannot be reduced to therepetition of formulas that “like high clouds send little rain”to the real man, often immersed in an reality that cannot bereduced to black or white. The Shepherd is called to makeavailable to the flock the grace of the Spirit, Who knowshow to penetrate the folds of the real and to take account ofits nuances to reveal what God wants to achieve at all times.I particularly think of young people, families, priests, thosewho have the responsibility for leading society. In your lips,may they seek and find the steadfast witness of this Word,which is “the lamp for the steps and light for the way” (Ps118,105). An essential condition for progressing in discernment isto educate ourselves in the patience of God and His times ,

Pope Francis 169 Authentic Discernmentwhich are never ours. He does not “rain fire on the infidels”(Lk 9:53-54), nor does He permit the zealots to “rip out ofthe field the darnel” they see growing there (Mt 13:27-29). Itis up to us every day to welcome from God the hope thatpreserves us from all abstraction, because it enables us todiscover the hidden grace in the present without losingsight of the longanimity of His design of love that surpassesus. Dear Brothers, I beg you to keep scrupulously beforeyour eyes Jesus and the mission that was not His but of HisFather (Jn 7:16), and to offer to the people – confused andlost today, just as they were yesterday – what He was ableto give: the chance to encounter God personally, to chooseHis way and to progress in His love. Keep your gaze today fixed on Him today, Feast of theHoly Cross, a permanent place of God’s discernment in ourfavour, contemplating the depth of His incarnation andlearning from it the criterion of every authentic discernment(1 Jn 4:1). May the Virgin, who keeps her gaze firmly on her Son,keep and bless you and your particular Churches.

Appeal CONTRIBUTIONS SOLICITED FOR FREE BIBLE AND CHRISTIAN LITERATURE DISTRIBUTIONFinancial contributions are solicited from the readers of theCMIssion and the well-wishers of the CMI Congregation,including the ACMI members, to extend a supporting handto the CMI Department of Evangelisation and PastoralMinistry to promote the free distribution of the Bible(especially the New Testament) and some basic Christianliterature. Title of the Account: General Department of Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry Account Number: 0313053000000182 Name of the Bank: South Indian Bank IFSC Code: SIBL0000313 Purpose of the Bank Transfer: “CMI Christian Literature Distribution” 170

Mission Meditation BEING A DISCIPLE OF JESUS MEANS… Fr. Benny Mukalel CMI Provincial, Mar Thoma Province, ChandaIn the Gospel of St. John 1:43-51, we see Jesus encounteringfirst Philip and Nathaniel. The question posed is ‘What itmeans to be a disciple of Jesus?’ What it means to followJesus? There are four aspects to which I would like to drawyour attention out of the dialogue and interaction in thestory that John records for us. The scene is set: Jesus decides to head for Galilee and theencounter with Philip takes place. The first point we noticehere is actually very easy to miss. Right at the start of the story, John says: “Jesus foundPhilip.” If you go through the autobiographies of great men, youwill find some of them at least trying to find out a teacher ora master or a guru. Very often, there is detailed descriptionabout how they spent many years seeking out a spiritualleader to follow. Thus, we read Plato choosing Socrates,Aristotle choosing Plato, and coming to India, we haveSwami Vivekananda choosing Sri RamakrishnaParamahamsa. But that is not the case with us Christians;that is not even an option for us. Because John says: “Jesusfound Philip.” Philip did not find Jesus, but Jesus foundhim. “You did not choose me but I chose you” (Jn 15:16). Sothe truth at the heart of the Christian story is not that youand I have found Christ, but Christ has found us. Everyonehas been the finding of Jesus Christ. Throughout thescripture what we find is this: right from the Genesis, Adamand Eve, after eating the forbidden fruit, found themselvesnaked, they hid themselves. God comes looking for them. InChapter 3:8, God calls out Adam: “Where are you?” So, 171

Carmelites of Mary Immaculate 172 CMIssion April-June 2017right from the beginning of time, God has been seeking usout and finding us. This is very important because theknowledge that God has sought us out, rather than viceversa, is crucial in keeping us humble before God. Even ourfaith is not our own decision. The second aspect is what Philip did immediately aftergetting the invitation. He went out and told his brother; so,the second aspect of being the disciple of Christ isproclamation: tell others about Jesus. Another importantthing that we should note here is: the effectiveness of Philip.Even after getting a cynical reply from Nathaniel, he waseffective in bringing Nathaniel to Jesus. We may not beadept in the technical knowledge of evangelization; what isrequired is the awareness that “I am found and chosen byChrist; so, I need to be passionate for Christ; and he will dothe rest. Thirdly, to be a follower of Christ means keeping ongoing despite the hiccups. Philip was countered byNathaniel’s cynical rely: “Can any good come out ofNazareth?” The passion of Philip is head on collision withthe cynicism of Nathaniel; but Philip persisted; he did notgo for a theological debate about the merits of Nazareth. Hejust said “come and see.” So, come what may in our effortsat proclaiming Christ: cynicism, rudeness, or apathy. Wejust say, “come and see.” Don’t lose our confidence. Alwayskeep in mind that if our proclamation is welcomed, that isgoing to be a life-changing event as it happened withNathaniel. Fourthly, to be a disciple of Christ means we are calledinto a life of peace and blessing; this was the experience ofNathaniel. For this, we need to maintain a personalrelationship with Christ. If this happens, we will see heavenopened and angels ascending and descending. In short,being a disciple of Jesus means being found by God, being adisciple of Jesus means telling others about him, being a

Mukalel 173 Being a Disciple of Jesusdisciple of Jesus means not losing confidence and alwaysbelieve, and if welcomed, it is going to be a life-changingand, finally, being a disciple of Jesus means receiving peaceand blessing from God.

CMI Mission Watch NEWS FROM CMI MISSIONSNew Mission Novitiate in North IndiaBlessing of the new novitiate house in Budhini (Saint PaulProvince, Bhopal) for the formation of the novices from theNorth Indian Provinces was held on 14 June 2017. His GraceArchbishop Leo Cornelio, Archbishop of Bhopal, blessed thenovitiate. Fr. Paul Achandy CMI, Prior General, Provincialsand their representatives from all the North Indian CMIProvinces were present.First Death Anniversary of Fr. George Thanchan CMIThe first death anniversary of Fr. George Thanchan CMI,former General Councillor for Evangelization and PastoralMinistry, was observed on 4 July 2017 at 10 am at PriorGeneral’s House, Chavara Hills, with a Requiem Holy Mass,special prayers and commemoration meeting. Bishop MarGratian Mundadan presided over the Eucharisticcelebration and Bishop Mar Vijay Anand led the Office forthe Dead. Fr. Varghese Koluthara gave the homily. MarGratian Mundadan, Sr. Sibi CMC, Superior General, Fr.Sebastian Vaniapurackal, Vice-Chancellor of MajorArchiepiscopal Curia, Fr. Jose Kuriedath, Provincial, Fr.George Edayadiyil, Rector of Dharmaram College, Fr.Paulachan Kochappilly, President of DVK, Fr. Joby Pulickal,and Fr. Antony Elamthottam shared their memories and lifeof Fr. George Thanchan. Fr. Saju Chackalackal took theinitiative to print the doctoral thesis of Fr. Thanchan, titledThe Juridical Institution of Major Archbishop in Oriental CanonLaw: With Special Reference to Syro Malabar MajorArchiepiscopal Church (A Historical Juridical Study), asnineteenth in the series titled “Dharmaram CanonicalStudies,” which was released by Mar Vijay AnandNedumpuram. In the evening members of Chavara Hills 174

News 175 News from CMI Missionscommunity along with Dharmaram representatives andother CMI members and family members reached SagarBhavan and prayed at the tomb of Fr. George Thanchan.Budding CMI Missionaries’ Entry into Novitiate76 postulants made their official entrance to the novitiate onthe feast of Nativity of Our Blessed Mother on 8 September2017 in various CMI novitiate houses: Velanthavalam (5),Ampazhakad (9), Punalur (11), Kozhikode (18),Neriamangalam (20), and Budhini (13).ACMI in South AfricaThe solemn inauguration of ACMI (Associates of CMI) inSouth Africa was held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, WestPark, Pretoria, South Africa. Fr. James Thazhoor CMI gavethe Inaugural Address. Fr. Sibichen Kalarickal CMI led theSeminar on the same day on \"Amoris Laetitia\" and theChavarul. Sr. Kusumam Rose CMC also addressed theaudience.

News from Chavara Central Secretariat KAINAKARY CHAVARA FEST 2017Kainakary Chavara Fest 2017 was celebrated, for the firsttime, at Chavara Bhavan, Kainakary, on Saturday, 2September 2017. This interreligious cultural fest of thepeople of Kainakary was jointly organized by ChavaraBhavan (Kainakary) and Chavara Cultural Centre(Karikamury, Ernakulam). The programme, arranged in thecontext of Onam celebration, began with variouscompetitions for different age groups from Kainakary andsurrounding areas, arranged at KE Carmel School,Kainakary. After a modest Onam lunch in the school premises,which was partaken by more than 500 people, a solemnprocession of about 750 people was begun at 2:15 pm,consisting of one group from KE Carmel School and anotherfrom the Changamkari Bhagavati Temple (Kainakary); aftermerging together at Chavara Jetty, they moved in solemnprocession towards Chavara Bhavan, the venue of theconcluding celebrations. Chenda melam, Sinkari melam,and various other native art forms, such as Kathakali,Theyyam, Kuchipudi, Mayilattam, and Mohiniyattam alongwith Markham Kali, added colour to the procession andshowcased the uniqueness of Kerala culture. The processionwas led by a group of local and state level cultural andreligious leaders, including Dr. Sebastian Paul and Dr. K. S.Radhakrishnan. Public meeting began at 3:45 pm, which was presidedover by the Kainakary Panchayat President Mrs. SheelaSajiv; Dr. Radhakrishnan and Dr. Sebastian Paul were thechief guests and Fr. Sebastian Thekkedathu and Fr. SajuChackalackal, two CMI General Councillors, along with Fr.James Madathikandam, were the special guests. During theprogramme, five eminent persons from Kainakary were 176

Chavara Central Secretariat 177 Kainakary Chavara Fest 2017honoured for their contributions to enhance thesociocultural situations of Kainakary. They were thefollowing: Kainakary Baby (Kathaprasangam), KainakaryThangaraj (Drama), Antony Thomas Valiyaveettil(Vallamkali), Lijin Jose (film director), and Binoy Job (CEO). This meaningful and relevant programme, necessary touplift the cultural and unity quotient of Kainakary wasmade possible through the initiatives of Fr. RobyKannanchira, Director of Chavara Cultural Centre,Karikamury, and Fr. Thomas Kallukalam and Fr. JamesKaroor of Chavara Bhavan, Kainakary, along with thePanchayat Ward Members and a group of committedvolunteers, including Fr. Joseph Ayyankari, Principal of KECarmel School, Mr Boban, and Mr Joppan. Celebration of Kainakary Chavara Fest will be an annualfeature connecting the people of the locality and celebratingthe uniqueness of Kaninakary through various culturalcelebrations, especially by scheduling it during the Onamseason.

Chavara Family Apostolate CHAVARA FAMILY DARSHAN RENEWAL Fr. Wilson Tharayil CMI & Fr. Johnson Panthalanickal CMIPreaching retreat was one of the major priorities of the CMICongregation from its inception. As we all know, SaintChavara himself was a great retreat preacher and his focuswas much on family renewal. Even today his instructions onfamily remain very relevant. In the context of hiscanonization, the Department of Evangelization andPastoral Ministry of the CMI Congregation has taken upfamily ministry with new vigour and enthusiasm byforming a retreat team of three members, namely, Fr. WilsonTharayil, Fr. Johnson Panthalanickal, and Fr. ThomasIrumpukuthiyil, under the leadership of Fr. James Thayil,Director of CSR Pariyaram. The aim of the new team is tofacilitate and spread the vision of Saint Chavara intofamilies. The new team is constituted within the CSR communityat Pariyaram and the first retreat for couples was conductedruing 28-30 July at CSR. The whole CSR team was activelyinvolved in the family renewal by way of preaching,facilitating prayers, and offering opportunities forconfession and counselling. The inaugural ceremony wasblessed by Fr. James Thayil CMI in the presence of all themembers of CSR on 28 July at 6 pm. Being the first in aseries of retreats, only ten families (couples) joined this firstfamily retreat under the auspices of Chavara FamilyApostolate. The introductory sessions were well animatedby Fr. Wilson Tharayil CMI so that the couples could getacquainted with each other and the whole atmosphere ofCSR in the very beginning itself. 178

Tharayil and Panthalanickal 179 Chavara Family Darshan The programme was enriched with preachings,celebration of Holy Mass, adorations, confession,counselling, discussions, screening of short films, etc. Therewere various topics related to Saint Chavara and histeachings. Some of the themes covered in this family retreatare: ‘Family, an Abode of Love’, ‘Let You Be Charitable andLovable to Each Other’, ‘Holy Eucharist and Holy Family,the Centre of the Family’, ‘The Day in which You Do Not DoAny Good Will Not Be Counted in the Book of Eternity”,‘Children Are the Treasures Entrusted to the Parents byGod’, and ‘St. Kuriakose Elias, a Major Source of Inspirationfor Modern Families’. As we could incorporate the life andteachings of Saint Chavara the topics assumed a uniquenessof its own. The retreat day began with the Holy Massfollowed by two sessions in the morning and one session inthe afternoon. The couples were also happy to remain insilence at the Sannidhi during intervals. The retreat endedon Sunday evening at five o’clock with EucharisticAdoration and anointing prayers. All families participated eagerly in the retreat and theyappreciated this type of renewal. Some expressed theirdesire to come have follow up programmes so that therenewal that they have gained could be further enhancedand retained. The evaluations showed that it is the first timethat most of them heard about the teachings of SaintChavara which are related to family life and have directbearing on their family life in the contemporary times. On the basis of their evaluation and suggestions, it wasdecided to conduct a follow up programme, including visitsto the families of the participants as well as one daygatherings during the coming months. The CSR communityis also desirous to continue the three day format of familyrenewal programmes every month at CSR for marriedcouples.

CMI APP (CMI Mobile Application for Android and Apple Phones) Mobile application offering updated information related to CMI Congregation and Syro- Malabar liturgical readings is available on Google Play Store (Android) as well as on App Store (iOS/Apple). Information offered on the CMI App: (1) On the CMI Congregation: Brief History, CMI at a Glance, Daily Heavenly CMIs, Contact Details of Various Institutions, etc. (2) Liturgical Support: Syro- Malabar liturgical readings along with the daily saintsComing Soon: Reminders (such as special CMI days like feastsand observances, Liturgical Feasts, feasts and birthdays of CMImembers, Heavenly CMIs, etc.Coming Soon: Work is also in progress to make the Liturgy ofHours (Canonical Prayers) by Father Abel CMI (in Malayalam)available on the CMI App.All CMI members (and anyone interested in the ministries ofthe CMI congregation) are invited to install this free App andto make use of it on the go. 180

Eucharistic Community in Chile

Reg. No. M6-19443/06 (R. Dis) Infant Missionaries from Peru Edited by Fr. Saju Chackalackal CMI; Published by the Department of Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry, CMI Prior General’s House, Chavara Hills, Post Box 3105, Kakkanad PO, Kochi 683 011, Kerala, India; Printed at Viani Printings, Ernakulam North, Kochi 683 118