After the difficult time of pandemic in India, especially in April, May and the beginning of June of this year, daily life slowly returns to normal, although it is still far from its fulness.
Thanks to Divine Providence, beautiful events took place in our Marian community. All temporary professed Marians renewed their vows regardless of the raging epidemic, and Brother Inigo made his perpetual profession on June 27, 2021, in the presence of his closest family and his few confreres now attending the Divine Mercy Seminary. On the same day, eight new men started their novitiate: six candidates for the priesthood and two for the brotherhood. They will study under the guidance of the Novice Master, Fr. Jeno, who was one of the first Marians ordained in India. Also, on July 3, 2021 Deacon Amal Raj, MIC was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Emeritus Susaimanikam, a supporter of our mission.
Thanks to God, our seminarians were able to return to their theological studies at the Pradodhanaw Mysuru seminary in Karnataka, although there was a one-month delay. We have six seminarians taking theology courses, from which Br. Inigo will be ordained a deacon on Sept. 30, 2021, and will complete his studies in November. Brothers Manoj and Paul Francis are in their second year, while Brothers Sesu Raj, Suresh Kumar and Maria Selvam have begun their first year.
At the Divine Mercy Seminary, Brother Venish awaits an opportune moment to make his perpetual vows, as the first religious brother in our community. We trust that it will take place in the presence of a larger group of family and confreres as soon as all health restrictions ordered for the time of pandemic are removed.
We give thanks to the Lord through the intercession of Immaculate Mary and our holy Father Founder, St. Stanislaus Papczyński, for all the graces granted to the Marian community in India, but we still ask everyone to continue their prayerful support of our confreres so that they may grow in the Marian vocation.
Rome, July 16, 2021
Fr. Jan Migacz, MIC
Delegate of the Superior General in India