DVK eBulletin February 2017

Human Formation -2017 Volume 1: Issue 3 : February 2017 Person and Mission of Jesus “LEND AN EARAND LEND A HAND”Dear Friends, “Lent is a time of intimate friendship – with the Lord and our brethren. Lent invites usPeace be with us! to lend an ear and lend a hand. Listening to the voice of the Lord and cryDharmaram College, the continuation of the of the people demands the silence of theMannanam epoch making event of Seminary desert. The word ‘listen’ contains the sametraining in 1843, has a rich heritage and a letters as the word ‘silent’.great legacy in imparting leadership in the Lent prepares one to win over thefield of formation of ministers and leaders in temptations and to design a new course ofthe Church. life of conversion to experience the inner joy and peace of the Easter.”2017 marks the sixtieth year of the Rev. Dr Paul Achandy, CMIbeginning of Dharmaram College in Vice Chancellor, DVKBengaluru. Thanks to the great visionaryand missionary architects of the Major Study 1House of the Carmelites of MaryImmaculate.Celebrating the event of Dharmaram Collegeand her contribution to the Church and incommitment to the continuation of thelegacy of priestly formation for our times, weorganized yet another successful seminarcum workshop on Human Formation inMajor Seminaries. Congratulations!P. Paulachan Kochappilly, CMIPresident, DVK

HUMAN FORMATION IN MAJOR SEMINARIES Dharmaram College, on the have ‘shepherds after the heart Dr Shaji George Seminar cum Workshop occasion of the Diamond of the Good Shepherd.’ It was Kochuthara, CMI Jubilee of its foundation in a providential coincidence that Bangalore in 1957, conducted the seminar began on the Convener a four-day national level birthday of St Kuriakose Elias seminar cum workshop (10-13 Chavara who gave pioneering February, 2017) on “Human services in the field of priestly Formation in Major formation, beginning with the Seminaries,” to appreciate and foundation of a seminary in celebrate the gift of priesthood 1833 at Mannanam, even and to evaluate the before the community was effectiveness of human canonically established in formation, and its relation to 1855. the intellectual, spiritual and pastoral formation, so that we The Church has always considered the therefore a necessity for priests so that they formation of future priests as one of its learn not to be dominated by their most demanding and important tasks. limitations, but instead to build on their Formation involves various dimensions, talents” (November 2015). He has namely, human, spiritual, intellectual and repeatedly emphasised the importance of pastoral. Pastores Dabo Vobis as well as cultivating human qualities of compassion, subsequent documents of the Church has understanding and mercy, and thus to highlighted human formation as the basis of become “shepherds with the smell of the all priestly formation. Pope Francis has sheep.” reminded us that, “Human formation is 2

This seminar was organised under the guidance of Rev. FrPaul Achandy, CMI, the Prior General and the Vice-Chancellor of DVK. The organisation of the seminar wasentrusted to Rev. Fr Thomas Aykara, the Rector ofDharmaram College. More than 140 priests from 46major seminaries in India participated in the seminar,including 25 from Dharmaram. This seminar wasorganised in collaboration with other major seminaries inIndia. The Rectors De Nobili College, Pune, St ThomasApostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, St Joseph PontificalSeminary, Aluva, Sacred Heart Seminary, Poonamallee,Chennai, St Peter’s Seminary, Bangalore, Kristu JyothiCollege, Bangalore, St Mary’s Malankara Seminary,Trivandrum, Oriens Theological College, Shillong, St PiusCollege, Mumbai were members of the AdvisoryCommittee of the seminar. The seminar was inaugurated by Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, President of the CBCI and Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Church on 10 February 2017. Fr Thomas Aykara, CMI (Rector) welcomed the gathering, highlighting the CMI-Dharmaram legacy in priestly formation. Rev Fr Paul Achandy, CMI presided over the meeting. Fr Thomas C. Mathew (Vice- Chancellor, Christ University) felicitated the participants. 3

More than twenty papers by experts fromvarious parts of India, and by Sr KatarinaSchuth from USA were presented anddiscussed in the seminar. ArchbishopBernard Moras (Bangalore), Mar AntonyKariyil, CMI (Mandya; Pro-Chancellor ofDVK) and Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios(Bishop of Mavelikara) presided over theEucharistic celebrations on the seminardays.The concluding session was held in theJBC Auditorium at DVK on 13 February2017. His Beatitude Mar GeorgeCardinal Alencherry (Major Archbishopof the Syro-Malabar Church; ChancellorDVK) gave the concluding message.It was indeed a rich experience to see somany Rectors and formators committedto the ministry of priestly formation withlove and care. We hope that this seminarand the follow-up would result in fruitfulpriestly formation and effective andfaithful priestly ministry. The papers ofthe seminar will be published within afew months. 4

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Fr. Ullas V. Mathew VC give up. He began to think enthusiasm with an academic about what he could be more vigor, a juridical eye and aAs I reflect on my past three than what he was already. drive for perfection is instilled Because he knew that the in me. Winston Churchillyears of life in the Dharmaram contrary may once force him would always inspire himself to ponder over what he could saying: “Never give up.” Icampus, my mind is bursting have been. borrow his words and inspire myself. Thank you so much mywith joy, gratitude and His voyage in the sea had a dear professors and the dramatic mood always. members of the administrationsatisfaction. Once Sometimes, the sea told him team of the DVK for your love, that he has to go to further care and support for me. I willRabindranath Tagore said: depths to know more… never forget my days over here sometimes it forced him to on account of many faces forgo his sleep, entertainment here. God bless all the staff, and picnics to reach new students and non-teaching horizons in distance… staff of this athenaeum. sometimes he had to face“You can’t cross the sea merely storms, big waves and icebergs in the voyage but theby standing and staring at the accompaniment of some experienced and benevolentwater.” If I recollect on the life sailors paved his road forward…finally, he is crossingbefore my admission in DVK, I the see as a good friend of it…am still able to come across a Robert Frost, renownedyoung man standing on the English poet wrote: “The woods are lovely, dark andshore of a sea, staring at it deep. But I have promises to keep. And miles to go before Iwith much hesitation and sleep. And miles to go before I sleep.” I know that I am stillidleness to touch it. But, in a beginner only. I inspire myself to travel miles andthe very first moment he miles before I sleep. Because what I saw as things taken fordecided to join this granted previously are not so in my perspective now. MoreAthenaeum, he hasdetermined that he should notbe a spectator anymore.Rather, he should leap into thesea to feel the warmth andaffection of it. Once his stepstouched that shallow water, hefelt like a foreigner since hewas not familiar with theenvironment there. Though hefelt like a stranger in thebeginning, he did not want to 6

Roots to the Wings: the Apostolic Christ-experienceand its Organic Growth in the Syro-Malabar Qurbana . The title of the research living of the heritage and work is Roots to the Wings: The Apostolic the handing down of the Christ-experience and Its Organic Growth in the same to the posterity. Syro-Malabar Qurbana. Thedynamic It is hoped that this study rootednessreveals itself in a constant movement will help to deepen the towards the future, i.e., from the “roots to the understanding of wings”. The “wings” here denotes the natural lexorandilexcredendi, and movement of organicCongratulations growth. provide an original We receive the apostolic patrimony from the liturgy contribution to Syro- lived and prayed down through the centuries Malabar liturgical and forming an unbroken chain of tradition. Hence there is pastoral theology. It might a pressingdemand to search for the roots of the propagate the right belief and worship for the right understanding and perspectives regarding inculturation as a spontaneous and natural organic growth of the Church and its liturgy in a cultural context.The search for the roots and traditions of the SMQ should go to the apostolic times for a genuine movement from the “roots to the wings”. 7

Sr Teresita, CSSTAllurement to Wildernessa Divine Pedagogy for RestorationIn the biblical narratives, “wilderness” has a allure her in to the wilderness.”significant role to play both substantially and Therefore the question arises “why didfiguratively. Wilderness a threatening and Yahweh choose this uninhabited locale fornot so pleasant environment is a location for the decisive moments of his relationship withsome of Yahweh’s most profound and Israel? We find the biblical based answer totransformative encounters with ancient this question in the pages of the thesisIsrael. In fact it seems to be the preferred defended under the title, “I will Allure her tolocation of the theophanies of Yahweh. the Wilderness and Speak to you Tenderly”However, in Israel’s memory this arid, dusty, (Hos 2:14): Understanding Retribution andisolated, uncivilized, undomesticated place Restoration in Hosea 1-3, in thewitnessed her bare vulnerabilities in her Department of Licentiate in Biblicalrelationship with Yahweh. Theology, DVK on January 3, 2017 by Teresita CSST under the guidance of Dr. JoyProphet Hosea’s imagination of wilderness Philip Kakkanattu CMI.brings in mainly two aspects of thisrelationship combined with his overarching The study revealed that Yahweh chosemarriage metaphor. In his understanding, wilderness to have an exclusive relationshipthis barren land becomes a place of with his people. God of Israel does notretribution and restoration in Yahweh’s abandon his people in the misery of theirdealings with Israel. In a retributive tone vulnerability. He uses it to reclaim them withYahweh declared “I will make her like a his enduring love.wilderness” and with a tenderness of aloving husband, Yahweh announced, “I will 8

The 28th convocation day of Jnanodaya was Jnanodaya Graduation 2017 Fifty five students from nine congregationsheld on 3rd March 2017 at 3.00 pm at JNA attended the course in the present academicauditorium. It is an institute of Theology and year. Sr. Albina CMC, Sr. Kochurani SH andReligious Sciences affiliated to DVK. The Sr. Libina SH have obtained the 1st, 2nd &chief guest of the day was Rev. Dr. Thomas 3rd rank respectively. Sr. Sobha SH, superiorAykara CMI, the rector of Dharmaram. Rev. of Santhidham and Sr. Marykutty SCHSADr. Paulachan Kochappilly CMI, the felicitated the students during thepresident of DVK presided over the function progrmme. A handwritten magazine namedand conferred the certificates to the Jnanospita prepared by the students wasstudents. Sr. Dr. Lisieux Therese CMC, released by Sr. Regis, superior of Jnanodayadirectress Jnanodaya together with the and handed over to Sr. Marykutty SCHSA.students presented the report of the The students performed a beautiful prayeracademic year through powerpoint dance as well as a group song.presentation. 9

Sr Alba Rodrigues, PBVM and had a great passion for what they taught. Two hours was very little time, to explore topicsTales from the Heart . . . that are the subject of years of study. Yet it was a thrilling experience to be a part of aSentiments of deep gratitude arise in my heart, programme that has grown organically andas I take time to gather the blessings of the enriched the lives of many over the years. I wishCBTS Programme that was organized on this to place on record the untiring efforts of Fr.beautiful Dharmaram Campus. It has been a Anto Amarnath and his team, in meticulouslygrace-filled experience interacting with a group organizing this programme, and for ensuringof eager and wonderful persons, as we delved that we have been enriched by it.into the riches of our Christian Tradition during My hope is that, this programme will develop24 Saturday evenings, beginning on 6th August into a more extensive one, so that many more2016. people with be motivated to keep learning onDuring this time, we had the opportunity, to an ongoing basis. This I believe, will contributehave a peek into a vast array of interesting greatly in enriching the lives of those whotopics. The huge spectrum, encompassed not ardently seek to enrich their Christian life withonly different themes in the Bible, but also deeper knowledge and understanding of thedifferent aspects of Theology and Church Christian faith.History, Faith and Reason, Liturgy and the This programme has created in me an interestSacraments, Canon Law, the Dignity of Human to continue this journey of exploration, into theSexuality and the Sacredness of life, vast treasury of our Christian Tradition. PaoloEvangelization and Ecology and to crown it all, Coelho in his book the Alchemist, states thesea class on Cosmology! magical words, “When you truly wantAs I turn the pages of the months gone by, I something, the entire universe conspires inrecall that learning happened at different levels. helping you to achieve it.”Besides receiving a lot of valuable knowledge, As we leave this sacred sanctuary of learning, Ithis course led me on an inward journey that offer this blessing to each participant of thishas been life transforming. Each Saturday Programme: May the lingering fragrance of thisevening, left me in a very reflective space, as I experience, continue to make us seekers ofmarveled at the pearls of wisdom, that each wisdom. May wise persons and spiritual guidesprofessor so generously shared with us. It was cross our path, and provide us with ongoingclear to see, that they were experts in their field assistance, on our journey of awakening to our highest spiritual potential , as well informed and effective Christian Men and Women. 10

The most comforting place for expose the students to confidence and accountabilitya child is the mother’s womb. experience the daily life by venturing into newAfter its complete challenges of poor people. activities. Looking at the lifedevelopment the child enters The exposure programme for situations of the people in theinto a new world filled with lot Vinayasadhana, Diploma and village, we came to know howof challenges. Dhamaram MA/LTh was conducted at privileged we are to enjoy theVidya Kshetram, beloved Kolar District from 16th – 20th mercy of the Lord in our dayMother protects its sons and January, 2017 under the today life. The inspirations anddaughters carefully forming guidance of Centre for Social insights we received throughand framing to face the Action (CSA). The main this training programme is thatchallenging world. DVK is objective of the five days we the consecrated people areknown as a hub of knowledge programme was to be available called to be in the service ofspreading its fragrance to to the people, to promote the Kingdom of God, withoutdifferent parts of the country awareness about education, our witness, there’s a dangerthrough its committed motto, cleanliness, guiding the self that our charity would growDevotion to Jesus is the help groups, above all to cold. The experiences in thewisdom (Ishabhakti Param inspire and to be inspired by villages taught us to be aJnanam). Jesus called His them and to share our insights channel of blessings, happydisciples for a dual purpose to and learning with the people and contented in life. Webe with him and to be sent whom we meet and with whom thank Our Director andout. Following the pattern of we come in contact in our animators and other staffJesus, DVK After training its service by our interaction. members for having initiatedstudents with various skills of this program and forcounselling and spirituality has A Unique Experience encouraging us by theirmade a venture to send its As a group we had an presence during exposurestudents into the field for a enriching and heart throbbing camp.first hand and action reflection experience in the villagesexperience. working with God’s people. Fr. Anthony MadanuTrue to its nature and Identity, We could achieve andDVK takes up different accomplish our goals andprogrammes to enrich the objectives. It was a time offormation of students. One of learning and developing oursuch programme is socio personality to faces thepastoral camp conducted to challenges of life. We gained 11

Bibin Andrews Dharmaram - a real Garden of Dharma I fell in love with at first sight. My M.A. Philosophy Course in Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram (DVK) has opened me a new window that let me have an access to a wider world, hitherto unknown, that rendered me a weltanschauung. DVK spread before me a new horizon where I found a blend of Eastern and Western approaches to philosophical thought. DVK, I am confident, has given me the essential confidence and necessary verve to stand upright in this era of changing ideologies and post-modern theories. I acknowledge the role of DVK Central Library and Faculty of Philosophy in shaping and enabling me to look at life with a new pair of eyes. I am happy to say, though being from a Syrian Orthodox background, I have always felt at home in DVK. I have come to realize there are only parallels not opposites in religious beliefs. In DVK I have grown amidst the ambience of human companionship and camaraderie of nature. My stay in DVK Research Centre with priests from various places, different dioceses and congregations gave me new lessons in my life,A Temple of Wisdom especially on my way to priesthood. In this Temple of Wisdom I have found the real 'gurus’,to Enhance our Vision who exude the sparks of wisdom around them. It is from them I got my share of light to move forward with firm steps in my life. The authorities in charge, teaching faculty, and non-teaching staff, I met here, are readily available and accessible and they made my learning here a fruitful and enriching experience. I thank Almighty God for giving me the opportunity to have been part of this DVK family. I express my sincere gratitude to my superior H. E. Archbishop Mor Severios Kuriakose, Chief Metropolitan of Knanaya Archdiocese for his relentless support, my parents for their love and prayers, and all my well-wishers for their concern and care during my study and stay here in DVK. I am proud of DVK and proud to have been a student of DVK. 12

“O give thanks to the Lord,for he is good;for his steadfast love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1). My encounter with DVK Garden Sr N Sasikala DMIWith profound gratitude I raise better than yesterday and every vinayasadhaana Psycho-my heart to God Almighty for tomorrow should be improved spiritual program has certainlyHis divine assistance and upon today. With pride and enhanced my personality. It wasblessings that has illumined my confidence I assure that the a holistic approach whichmind during the course of this DVK will bear much fruit in the touched all the area of ourstudy in DVK. years to come by equipping core personality. It was men-“Look back and experience; many more people like us as women learning togetherLook forward with hope; Look heralds of growth and inner program and we have learnt toaround and find reality; Look transformation. be more respectful to eachwithin and find confidence” I proudly say that what I am other.I deem it a great privilege to today is partly due toappreciate the untiring efforts Vinayasadhana. I was happy to Today it is essential to haveof DVK for availing Formative be in this sacred place of knowledge of some basic skillsspirituality and counselling formation in-view of my future in psycho-spiritual approach toprogramme for those who ministry. This place has been a be an effective formator. Theaspire to be of help to people blessing for my own growth. It study and stay in this renownedwho are willing to journey is wonderful to be with the institute has paved the way fortowards development and multi- culture and multi- an integral approach towardsperfection. Growth is an linguistic community. I have life.everyday affair and it takes enjoyed the genuinecourage to go through its encouragement and supportprocess. Every day has to be from all staff members. This 13

. Dr Geo Pallikkunnel, CMIELEVATION TO THE DIVINE STATETHROUGH HOLY QURBANAThe Divine plan for humankind and this time-orientation and the communitycreated universe is integration into which symbolize the whole cosmos andChrist (Christification) and elevation to the humankind are symbolically movingthe Divine. The whole economy of towards the Lord. The wholesalvation (mdabbrānutā) is moving Eucharistic Liturgy is illumining,towards this end in Christ by the power sanctifying and vivifying, by that elevateof the Holy Spirit. God, who is light, the human being and this cosmos toholiness, and life, illumines, sanctifies the Divine. Specifically, the Liturgy ofand gives life to the human being and the Word illumines, the anaphorathe whole creation in Christ. sanctifies, and the Body and Blood ofConcretely, this happens in the Church, Christ gives life. In short, through thethrough its liturgy, especially in the Divine Liturgy the human being and theEucharistic Liturgy. This study tried to cosmic reality are elevated to the Divineunderstand this concept, premise and state through illumination,subject, and process of elevation to the sanctification, and vivification in Christ,divine state in the Eucharistic Liturgy and by the power of the Holy Spirit.(Holy Qurbana) in the Syro Malabar This study based on the early FathersChurch of the East Syriac tradition. The and liturgical commentators of the Eastsaving plan of God is the undercurrent Syriac tradition opens up a new vista inof the Eucharistic Liturgy in the Syro the study of the Divine Liturgy of thisMalabar tradition. The liturgical space- tradition.Contact:Prof. Dr Francis Thonippara, CMI, Director, Dharmaram PublicationsDharmaram College, Bangalore 560029Office: +91 80 4111 6137 email: [email protected] 14

Dr Francis Aykaraparampil, CMIJosiah Royce (1855-1916) is neither an Community” of unselfish loyalty, unconditionalabsolute idealist nor a Christian apologist rather love and universal harmony, was in the back ofhe is an ethico-sociologist. He lived at a time in Royce’s mind from the beginning of hisAmerican history when individualism was academic life, though he explicitly enumerates itpromoted in all walks of life. Hence, he only in the later period. Third, this workexplored the possibility of finding out the creatively applies the ideal of the Belovedmeaning of life by leading humanity towards a Community to the globalizing tendencies of theBeloved Community. This book is worth reading modern world and argues that it can be afor the following reasons: First, this book Roycean response to its negative social effectsconvincingly defends that the seemingly such as materialist individualism, profit-making,disconnected notions of “the Absolute unity” homogenization and devaluation offrom Royce’s early writings, “the ethical self” communion. Fourth, this book invites us tofrom the middle period, and “the universal explore more on the Roycean thought of thecommunity” from his later writings are logically Beloved Community for a renewed humanity inand systematically well-connected. Second, it this globalized and globalizing world.also proves that the ideal of the “BelovedContact:Prof. Dr Francis Thonippara, CMI, Director, Dharmaram PublicationsDharmaram College, Bangalore 560029Office: +91 80 4111 6137 email: [email protected] 15

Dr Geo Pallikunnel, CMI The Managing Editor Dharmaram Journals Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram Bangalore-560029Email: [email protected] Tel:0091-80-4111-6105 Mob:9742576995subscribe and support to spread the Good News in the Context of our time and space 16

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. 17