Servants of Charity

Dear Confreres,

Easter joy and peace be with you all in the midst of lockdowns and restricted life styles, in a moment when we need it more than ever. Along with the global community, we the Servants join ourselves in combating the pandemic and its effects on society. In the name of the Province I express my heartfelt condolences and prayers to the communities and the family members of those who have died in our facilities due to this Covid 19. There are still those who are suffering from this infection who need to be supported and carried in our prayers. 

I congratulate you above all for your participation and involvement in addressing this situation and for having collaborated with the government through your simple acts of charity, risking your safety and well-being. Let us continue to have the courage to go out and visit the sick and to accompany the medical staff and volunteers as directed by our Pope.  

It is God’s punishment for human disobedience; it is nature’s reaction for meddling with the basics of the globe; it is something else a new conspiracy to create a new economy and world order; it is bio war. So many views and explanations are widespread today. Many solutions and antidotes are proposed but people at large are afraid of whom to believe, which one to follow. 

Whatever may be the points of view, for us Christians and above all for us religious it is a moment of testing our faith in the Lord. Without formal exam schedules, formal questions; to be routed in my faith when things happen as if God does not exist, as if he does not respond to our prayers; to be routed in my priesthood when I do not have any common liturgical celebrations, when I do not officiate them, when I do not preach; to be faithful to my prayer life when the common and organized prayers are missing; to be more reflective and contemplative when annual retreats and recollections are missing; to be more united with my community confreres when our common moments are reduced; to be content and satisfied when I have to live on the bare minimum; to share with others when I am lacking many things. 

The apostles felt tested after the death of Jesus, it was very evident on the faces of the two disciples going to Emmaus. They were very sad and disappointed even though Jesus was traveling with them, because their thoughts were centered on what was happening in Jerusalem and not on Jesus and His powerful words. But while returning to Jerusalem after meeting the Lord in the breaking of bread, they were joyful and courageous even though Jesus was not physically present with them because Jesus was the center of their lives. Let us keep our faith alive.

Let us continue to pray for our communities worldwide who are battling with this corona situation

Let us continue to pray for the beloved mother of Fr. Peter Sebastian who is bedridden.

Thank you for your prayers for the niece of Fr. Francis.

The Annual Retreat in India is cancelled for the time being

Fr. Ronald J, SdC

Provincial Superior