PG Scholastics meet in Dharwad

On : 2021-10-20

“Jesuit formation is not about the mass-production of young religious, but a highly customised formation to prepare men for the mission,” this concluding remark by Fr Francis Fernandes, The PCF of Karnataka summed up the post-graduate scholastic meet held at Dharwad.

On October 14, 2021, fifteen scholastics of various Jesuit provinces pursuing PG studies in Karnataka came together at Vidyaniketan, Dharwad for one-and-a-half-day programme.

The highlights of the programme:

• Reflection on UAPs: The programme began with points for reflection and an hour of recollection. After spending sufficient time in recollection, prayer and silence, the scholastics were broken down into smaller groups for the spiritual conversation on UAPs.
• Input Session: Fr Lawrence Fernandes from Satyanilayam, Chennai addressed the group virtually summarising three important documents of the Society of Jesus focused on intellectual dimension in formation. After the presentation, he took up the questions posed by the scholastics and answered them.
• Fr Provincial’s Address: Emphasising on Jesuit charisma, Provincial, Fr Dionysius Vas said, “Intellectual depth is applicable not merely in education ministry, but it is about intellectual dimension in every apostolate one is being prepared for. As you pursue your studies, you should be asking yourselves, how my field of studies will contribute to the big questions posed by the data driven world, which is getting revolutionised by AI.” Before signing off he wished the scholastics all good luck and asked them to stay focused.
• Faith Sharing: A couple of questions were given as guidelines to share how our formation at this stage is building our dreams for the Society and how one is making efforts to find God in everything.
  

 

Apart from these serious sessions, the PG scholastics were happy to mingle with the UG Scholastics. While eucharistic celebrations, adoration, and community prayers in common nourished the spiritual bond between the UG and PG Scholastics, the friendly volley-ball match, fun-filled recreation and fellowship at table proved that they are truly friends in the Lord.

Fr PCF conducted an evaluation of the programme and expressed his sentiments. The programme concluded with a sumptuous lunch.

- Sch. Sandeep Gonsalves SJ