The second novitiate course of the year 2022, organized in Pushpadaan (Calicut), the theme of which was “With Empty Hands”, has just ended. The participants came from 7 provinces: 9 from Manjummel; 2 from South Kerala; 6 from Malabar; 3 from Delhi; 6 from Andhra Pradesh; 5 from Karnataka-Goa; 3 from Tamil Nadu. Fr. Antony Ittikunnath was the coordinator of this session. Specialists from different fields gave lectures on various topics related to religious and Carmelite life. The course was solemnly inaugurated by Father Thomas Marottikaparambil OCD, Provincial of the Province of Manjummel, on April 3, 2022, in the presence of the 34 friars.
Once a week, the friars met in groups to discuss topics based on the spirituality of St. Therese of Lisieux. On Sundays, the brothers had the opportunity to go for outing. On some days, the brothers showed their talents by doing manual and gardening work, followed by sports activities. Every Thursday, the friars carried out housework during the day and gathered in the evening for fraternal meals. We could also use the multimedia conference room to watch edifying films and short films made by our brothers. A regular confessor from outside the community had been appointed, but the friars were free to turn to any priest in the community for confession and spiritual guidance. Every Saturday evening, the friars animated Eucharistic adoration and vespers.
The session ended with a week-long retreat preached by Father Augustine Steejen, OCD. It officially ended on May 15, 2022.
