India – Sacred Heart Novitiate turns 25 in Province of St Joseph, Hyderabad
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21 January 2020

(ANS – Manoharabad) – The Sacred Heart Novitiate Manoharabad of the Province of St. Joseph Hyderabad celebrated its Silver Jubilee on 11th January 2020. Celebrations started with the Holy Eucharist presided by Most Rev. Thumma Bala, the Archbishop of Hyderabad diocese, concelebrated by Rev. Father Thathireddy Vijaya Bhasker, Provincial, Fr Jose Mathew, the delegate for formation of South Asia, Fr John Samala, the first Novice Master, Fr K.M. Sebastian and Fr Sebastian John, the latter Novice Masters, Fr Noel, the 3rd Provincial of Hyderabad Province, other Priests who worked in the Novitiate as administrators, as well as other Salesian Priests, priests, other religious.

The Holy Eucharist began at 10:15 am. There was a welcome dance by the Presentation novices followed by the words of introduction by Cleric Banka Sagar Babu, the Practical Trainee of the Novitiate. The Archbishop’s sermon was very challenging and thought-provoking. He invited the religious to put on the armour of Christ and serve the people with respect.

Celebrations continued with the words of welcome by the present novice master, Father Kannadipara Mathew. He gave a short history of the Novitiate, including the number of Salesians who passed through the institution. He thanked the Father Provincial and the Father Economer for the wonderful renovation of the building.  He spoke about the pioneers of the Sacred Heart Novitiate, especially Fr Benjamin Puthota, the first Provincial of Hyderabad, and Fr John Lens, the great Belgian Missionary who spent the last years of his life at Manoharabad. There was a floral homage paid to Fr Benjamin Puthota and Fr John Lens.

The Father Provincial congratulated the Archbishop, as he celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his priestly life, and spoke about the Archbishop, about his love for the Salesians. He also mentioned the hard work of the former novice masters and other Salesian staff members, expressed his appreciation for the community's hard work for the success of the Jubilee celebrations. He also expressed words of appreciation to former novice masters, Salesian staff members, the 3rd provincial of the Hyderabad province, namely Fr Noel, and Fr Jose Mathew, the delegate for Formation, the present novice master and other staff members.

Fr John Samala, the first novice master, shared his devotion to St Joseph and mentioned three miracles he had experienced at Manoharabad.  Don Bosco novices, as well as the Presentation novices, stole the hearts of the audience with their winning steps. The celebratory programme concluded with a hymn to our father and founder, Saint John Bosco. Finally there was a delicious Jubilee lunch served. After lunch, everyone moved on with happiness and joy, a certainly unforgettable jubilee celebration.

The beautiful singing of the Don Bosco Novices and the Presentation Novices under the guidance of Fr Mattukoya Mariadas, SDB, and the new priest Fr Naresh SDB, caught everyone's attention. The hard work of the novices was seen in the beautiful decoration of the house under the guidance of Fr Charan, the Dean and the Administrator of the house, and of the Assistant Br. Banka Sagar. Fr Pandicherry Joseph, the confessor, gave practice to the novices in all the readings.

Also noteworthy, the two MCs, Fr Sandeep and Fr Upendar. People appreciated the hard work of Fr Sarath, the vocation Promoter, Fr Thambi, the Previous Administrator, and Fr Neerkishan, the liturgical animator. Sister Biji and the community of Presentation sisters and Sister Vijaya and the community of JMJ decorated the stage and the altar with beautiful flowers. Their love for the Salesians and the Sacred Heart community was shown in their doing, especially in the flower decorations and Mass arrangements.

The community was busy not only in the external preparations for one month but also in the spiritual realm. Fr Kannadipara Mathew, the Novice Master, a man of Prayer, led the whole community in a prayerful atmosphere with special prayers for the success of the Silver Jubilee.

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