Lenten Recollection 2022

The Seminary organised a one-day recollection for the community on Ash Wednesday, 2nd March 2022, which was preached by Fr Jose Parappully of the Sumedha Centre, Jeolikote, Uttarakhand, on the theme: “Formation for Celibacy”.

In the first talk, Fr Jose began by quoting the scriptural verse from Colossians 3:12 which sums up the theme on Affective and Celibate maturity. It states, “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience.” Fr Jose said that the primary reason for the underlying common issues which many seminarians, religious and priests face is due to the inadequacy in the preparation for a Celibate lifestyle. In the course of the formation period, it is essential for Seminarians and religious to give significant amount of their time and priority towards the aspect of their human formation which would help them to be decent humans and hence result in being good priest and religious.

In the second talk, Fr Jose spoke on the importance of growing in Psychosexual and Celibate Maturity. He referred to the challenges of Celibate Chastity, highlighting six points on the ability and willingness to accept one’s sexuality. Based on these six points, we had to evaluate ourselves on where we stand. Father also spoke on the issue of online pornography that is prevailing in the lives of many, having a disastrous impact on their personal and social lives. He highlighted the reasons and also the remedies to deal with it along with the Church’s teaching on this issue. Father also explored the issue of boundary violations due to sexual attraction in the context of ministry. He insisted that it is important for us to realize that Jesus of Nazareth is the ultimate reason for our celibate chastity and so it is paramount that we cling to him, know more about him and grow in authentic intimacy with him.

The recollection then ended with a solemn Ash Wednesday Eucharist in which we prayed especially for the people of Ukraine, that through the intercession of our Lady, God may grant peace, tranquillity and put a substantial end to this menace.

Br. Cris Veigas

II year Theology