DVK Bulletin January 2017

Convocation -2017 Volume 1: Issue 2 : January 2017Epiphany of the Excellencein Ecclesiastical Education CMI Dharmaram School of TheologyDear Friends, “History of Theology be partJoyfully we bring you the second issue of of theological education.”the DVK e-bulletin, covering some of theactivities of the month of January 2017. “The Church is proud of DVK for her excellent leadership inThe fortieth Convocation held on 31January 2017 was the culmination of the theological training andacademic celebration of Dharmaram Vidya formation.”Kshetram of this year. His Beatitude George Alencherry,His Beatitude George Alencherry , Major Chancellor of DVKArchbishop of the Syro Malabar Church andthe Chancellor of DVK blessed theacademic community with his presence,leading the Eucharistic celebration, andpresiding the Convocation.Indeed, January 2017 was a month ofDenha – Epiphany of the Lord, calling us tobe humble, holy, and committed.Thanking you for your accompaniment,P. Paulachan Kochappilly, CMI 1

DVK FORTIETH CONVOCATION, 31 JANUARY 2017 Dharmaram Vidya Khetram, the prestigious Pontifical Joice Parappillil Athenaeum of Philosophy, Theology, Canon Law and Formative Spirituality and Counselling, celebrated its fortieth Convocation on 31 January 2017. His Beatitude Mar George Alencherry, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church and the Chancellor of DVK presided over the ceremony. Dr. Philippe Channaux, the renowned scholar and professor of Church History at Lateran University, Rome delivered the Convocation address. The academic community assembled in students harvest the fruit of their hard work and dedication by winning the esteemed Dharmaram Chapel for the degrees. He invited the academic assembly to grow in generosity and commitment. In Eucharistic celebration, which was addition, His Beatitude reminded the solemnized by His Beatitude Mar George assembly of its noble task of living a holy Alencherry. He skillfully compared the life and witnessing the holiness of God convocation day as a day of harvest for manifested in Christ. DVK as on this spectacular day the 2

The convocation ceremony was held in JBCAuditorium. All the candidates, the officials,and His Beatitude entered the auditorium in afabulous academic procession. Theconvocation ceremony began with the readingfrom Wisdom 6:12-20 by Dr SebastianMullooparambil, CMI, Controller ofExaminations. Prof. Dr Paulachan Kochappilly,President, extended the formal and verycordial welcome to the Chancellor and theconvocation assembly. The fortieth convocation of Darmaram Vidya Keshetram declared open by the Chancellor Mar George Alencherry at the request of the President. Prof. Dr. Jose Nandikara, CMI, Dean, Faculty of Philosophy, Dr. Joy Philip Kakkanattu, CMI Dean, Faculty of Theology, Prof. Dr. Francis Thonippara, CMI, Director, Vinayasadhana, and Prof. Dr. Varghese Koluthara, CMI, Director, Institute of Oriental Canon Law presented the candidates for Baccalaureate, Licentiate, Master of Arts and Doctorate. Thereafter candidates of various degrees made the ‘Profession of Faith’ and the Chancellor awarded the Degree to the students.. 3

Prof. Dr Philippe Channaux, scholar and professor of Church History at Lateran University, Rome delivered the convocation address. His meticulous and eminent address was centered on the Historiography of Vatican II and its relationship with the papacy. His scholarly speech mirrored the interpretation given by the pontiffs from Pope John XXIII to Pope Francis on the council.His Beatitude Mar George Alencherry,Chancellor of DVK, in his Presidentialfocused on the need for teachinghistory of theology in ecclesiasticalinstitutes. Remembering thecontribution of late Father John BrittoChethimattam, CMI to ecclesiasticaleducation, His Beatitude congratulatedDharmaram Vidya Kshetram in servingthe Church in an outstanding manner.He suggested to think of introducing asubject on History of Theology in theacademic curriculum as the need of thehour. Such an effort will result in bettercontextualizing of theology and wouldassist in addressing the contemporaryneeds as efficient pastors.Sr. Susmitha CSST, Student representative felicitated thenew graduates and Fr. Justin Alukka CMI, on behalf ofgraduates expressed his gratitude to Dharmaram VidyaKshetram for having marvelously contributed in moldingtheir dreams. Subsequently, the Chancellor officiallydissolved the convocation at the request of the President. 4

On this occasion, Prof. Dr Thomas Aykkara, CMI, Rector released a few books published by Dharmaram Publications. Dr Jose Kizhakkekuttu, CMI, Registrar, proposed vote of thanks to the dignitaries, graduates and all the Faculty members and all whose hard work made the day successful and memorable. The DVK anthem marked the conclusion of the Convocation ceremony. The convocation day gifted the academic community a ray of hope and new impetus to embark on the journey towards knowledge, wisdom, and compassionKuriakose Elias Chavara Study HouseWe are given not only the academic education Bro. Leo Antony, IB.Th.but also given training in arts, sports, etc.Liturgy of Hours, Eucharistic Adoration, formators from the bottom of my heart to see usMonthly Recollection, Spiritual directions are as the members of the same family even thoughgiven to the students to deepen their spirituality. we are different in our backgrounds toTo participate in the liturgy actively the classes participate in the priesthood of Jesus. Let thisfor different liturgical rites, choir practice and Chavara Study house be the field which givesoratory training are provided. birth to many holy and committed priests who will produce hundred fold yields in the years toAs the one among the first batch, I can say come.proudly with honesty that this seminary is a highstandard formation house. Each day’s time tableis set to focus on the complete development ofthe seminarians. The love and concern of FrWilson, our master and other Fathers help us tounderstand the value and beauty of our vocationand to live according to it. I congratulate all the 5

Journey of Wisdom at DVKCinderella SequeiraLiving and leaving is a part of the same great My experience in dvk Being a lay person amidst religiousplan of God who patterns great things for us. brothers, sisters, and fathers in this greenOne such great design fashioned in the mind and serene campus is itself a great andof the Almighty was the six years of my gratuitous blessing of God. The primacyexperience here at Dharmaram Vidya given to God in and through our dailyKshetram. This six-year-plan of God came into schedule of Holy Mass and prayers is anplay in March 2011 and is playing out until invaluable source of replenishment. Thethis very day. When I first stepped into the beauty of the campus and its maintenancecampus of DVK along with my dad I was by dedicated workers breathes beauty andsixteen and a half years old, a teenager with a passion. The pruning of plants outdoorshunger to be inspired. I remember with and the pruning of our young mindsimmense gratitude the first person who met indoors took place simultaneously everyday.me, Fr. Saju Chackalackal CMI followed by Fr. Great minds ensured that at the end of our education we bloom into joyous gardensPaulachan Kochappilly CMI. and not uncouth jungles. These great minds here in Dharmaram are not just professors or lecturers but are gurus who live out their philosophies in their relationships. The one statement I will always carry in my heart until the day I meet my Creator, is a one- liner uttered by Rev. Dr. Paulachan Kochapilly CMI, the President of DVK in his inaugural address at the opening of the academic year 2015-16 is that “Salvation is Relational.” No one can dream of being saved with severed relationships. At the end, all that we will be accountable for is our relationship to God, neighbor, creation and oneself.These six years have gifted me some of the most inspiring people in the form of teachers,friends, religious sisters and fathers, seniors and juniors, the non-teaching staff and many suchrelationships, some of whom, I am sure, will last a lifetime. Life in DVK has given me anexposure to these people of various national and international cultures, language and food habitsthat challenged my comfort zones and helped me to break out of my cocooned mindset andgrow to accept and appreciate people with their differences. This great institution has inspiredso many priests, religious and lay persons to lead a perspective driven life and have a Christ-centered orientation where we learn to grow in faith both in God and also in others and myself. 6

The exposure that the students of DVK have these life-changing years of formation for meto the Christ University campus enhances our to move into a more challenging world, toopportunities to greater horizons in sports, proclaim the Gospel wherever we are not onlydance, theatre, music and various other fields through our words but through our very lives.of extra-curricular activities. I had the As I leave the DVK experience now, I am trulyopportunity to be a part of the Theatre-in- grateful to all those people who dedicatedEducation department in my first year of their lives to help me to live it thoroughly andstudies followed by membership into the enjoying it fully.Christ University Choir for the next five yearswhich demanded daily practice sessions, life changing years of formationcommitment and hard work. The music keptme alive from one day to the next and helped 7me to face daily struggles with joy and cheer.The Choir conductors, Miss Sherin Jacobfollowed by Mr. Jason Kishander are exemplaryperfectionists in music and taught us disciplinein music and life, to sing for the glory of Godand to have the spirit of team work asopposed to individual glory.The hunger to be inspired is forever a littleless than satiated under the banner ofishbhakti param jnanam – Devotion to theLord is Supreme Wisdom. Dharamaram VidyaKshetram has taught me to stay hungry andseek the Lord’s wisdom, to inspire and stayinspired, to be a servant and to lead byexample. I truly believe that God discerned

My experience in this temple of learning… Sr Maria Goretti, DQM“How good and pleasant knowledge, with eminent Vinayasadhana, Rev. Fr. it is when Brethren live personalities who showed the Thomas Kollamparambil, the together in harmony” light of truth and love. As the Director of Adyayana, Rev. Fr. lessons of psychology and Wilson Chakkiyath, the (PS 133:1) spirituality were taught I was Animator of DiplomaTime is at hand. Days, weeks in fact learning how to be spirituality, and to all myand months have far gone, really human and how can I be professors and my friends. Atleaving ever memorable and a befitting instrument in the this juncture I thank God forcharitable feathers behind. It hands of the Lord to ignite the the gift of each one of themis almost time for me to say hearts of many with the same and pray for God’s blessingsgoodbye to Dharmaram spark that I have received on them.family. What else should I say from Dharmaram.other than “Thank you O It was a new experience for I would suggest my MajorLord, for your love is ever new me to be with such a big Superior to send someoneevery morning.” Yes I recall community having 65 here every year because Ithe day I landed at the members at Adhyayana of firmly believe that the soil ofbeautiful airport of Bangalore. DVK and to interact with so Dharamaram is indeed fertileI was uncertain about the days many fathers, brothers and to grow in God’s wisdom andahead of me. But today I can sisters. The fraternal love and knowledge and it brings forthsay with certainty that I have togetherness of everyone of the seeds sown here in to aknown and grown, seen and Dharamaram family were magnificent tree to becomemarveled at the enigmatic admirable and praiseworthy. the true shade for theways of the Lord who The different activities and afflicted.designed every step of mine programme conducted herewith a beautiful plan. I was were systematic and well I wish that may Dharamaramindeed in a wonderland, in the organized. I specifically ever shine and be fruitful andgarden of virtues and experience special concern spread the Kingdom of God and warmth of love from every worldwide. faculty member of DVK though I was a foreigner and I did not have a community here. I personally am obliged and thankful to Rev. Fr. Paulachan Kochappilly, the President of Dharamaram, Rev. Fr. Francis Thonippara, the Director of 8 8

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Dr Geo Pallikunnel, CMI The Managing Editor Dharmaram Journals Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram Bangalore-560029 Email: [email protected] Tel:0091-80-4111-6105 Mob:9742576995subscribe and support to spread the Good News in the Context of our time and space 1 11 1

Samavartanam 01 Feb. 2017Go forth as the Wisdom of Jesus! 12

Congratulations!Books published and released on the occasion of the fortieth ConvocationContact: 13Prof. Dr Francis Thonippara, CMI, Director, Dharmaram PublicationsDharmaram College, Bangalore 560029Office: +91 80 4111 6137 email: [email protected]

CongratulationsContact: 14Prof. Dr Francis Thonippara, CMI, Director, Dharmaram PublicationsDharmaram College, Bangalore 560029Office: +91 80 4111 6137 email: [email protected]

Congratulations Admission open Contact: Dr Jose Kizhakkekuttu, CMI RegistrarDharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Dharmaram College, Bangalore 560059 Telephone number: +91 80 4111 6302 [email protected] Office Telephone number: +91 80 4111 6333 Website: www.dvk.in application form can be downloaded from the website. 15