RE-READING CONSECRATED LIFE

The penultimate module of the 29^th Sumedha Sadhana was “Re-Reading Consecrated Life” in the 7^th and 8^th weeks of the programme.

It was facilitated by Dr. Varghese Kalluvachel SDB. Dr. Kalluvachel, a Salesian of Don Bosco from the Province of Kolkatas,  has a doctoral degree in Religious Life from the Claretian Institute of Consecrated Life at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome and another in Philosophy from the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome. He is currently  professor of Consecrated Life at the Salesian University. 

Dr. Kalluvachel is also an alumnus of the Sumedha Sadhana programme.

This module on “Re-Reading Consecrated life” was introduced for the first time this year as part of Sumedha Sadhana to honour the Year of Consecrated Life - 2015.

Kalluvachel’s presentation of the history of the evangelical vows and of community life was found especiaslly useful by the participants. They found it a very relevant contribution towards deepening their psychospiritual integration. It led to a deeper understanding of religious life and provided inspiration and motivation to live it more meaningfully.

The last module of the Sumedha Sadhana programme – Spiritual Retreat- commenced on 25th July. This Sumedha Sadhana programme concludes on August 2. It is facilitated by Dr. Jose Parappully, the Director of Sumedha Centre.

The next Sumedha Sadhana (SS-30), the last for this year, commences on October 2 and concludes on December 3.

HEALING AND TRANSFORMATION THROUGH GROUP THERAPY

Weeks 6 and 7 of Sumedha Sadhana were devoted to Group Therapy. There were three 90- minutes sessions each day for nine days.

In Group therapy participants had the opportunity for further healing and transformation, building on the experiences of the previous five weeks.

In the atmosphere of freedom, caring and trust that the group provided, participants were helped to face their emotional brokenness and their fears, their dysfunctional defences and their unhelpful patterns of living and relating, and to move toward greater healing and wholeness by adopting and practising healthier attitudes and behaviours.

Dr. Jose Parappully SDB, Dr. Johny Padinjar and Sr. Maria Goretti Kanakarathinam FMM facilitated the group process.

Participants found the therapeutic processes followed very helpful. Some comments:

“Group therapy helped me to walk bravely into the unknown and discover my dysfunctional behaviour and realise my own strength too.”

“Group therapy helped me to reflect and find out the dark areas of my life. It helped me especially to understand and deal more effectively with my feelings.”

“It has brought me out of shame and has given me respect, dignity. I no longer feel I am a victim, but a survivor”

“It was useful to understand my life and how to improve it. It gave me clear insight as to what I have to do to live life joyfully.”

The day following the conclusion of the Group Therapy, the participants had a day to relax together as they went on picnic to three of the major lake areas around Nainital – Naukuchiatal, Bhimtal and Sattal.

SEXUALITY, CELIBACY AND INTIMACY AT MIDLIFE

The 5^th week of Sumedha Sadhana was devoted to an exploration of Midlife Dynamics and Psycho-Sexual and Celibate Integration. It was facilitated by Jose Parappully.

The Dynamics explored included: Emotional Awareness of One’s Mortality, Reassessment of Life and its Priorities; Re-Visioning of Dreams, De-Illusioning, Reclaiming Shadows; Integration of the Animus and the Anima, Sexuality, Celibacy and Intimacy, and the Midlife Call.

Jose Parappully used insights from various psychological theories, as well as tools and techniques from the Intensive Journal, Psychosynthesis, Bioenergetics and the Expressive Arts to help participants explore these issues.

Sumedhan celebrated the the Solemnity of St. Thomas the Apostle of India with a syro-Malabar Liturgy presided over by Fr. tony from the Thuckaly Syro-Malabar dioceses. He was assisted in the singing by Fr. Antony of the same diocese

During the week we also celebrated the Baptism of the newborn baby girl of our cook Punita. We also celebrated the birthday of Punita’s son Arpit who turned seven on July 3.