Laity and the charism of Betharram

Laypeople aware of the spiritual and fraternal witness of our fathers and brothers of India earnestly desired to signal their closeness to our communities.
Like the deer that yearns for running streams and green pastures, they come to drink from the same source as our brothers.

When we enter the Betharram premises, we feel very homely. We feel it as a place of welcoming and a lot of warmth among the fathers and brothers. Their simplicity, humility and their reaching out to the elderly for their spiritual needs touch us and attract us.

Some of us do gather every Friday for the adoration, rosary and Eucharistic celebration in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Whereas some other come on special occasions and significant events like feasts, thanksgiving days, inauguration of the academicals year, medical camp, teachers day, cultural events and so on. Some of us do come to teach the aspirants on weekly base in order to keep ourselves in touch with this community.

Christianity is all about love in action, respect and commitment – that is what we see in this congregation. Yes, Betharrmites spirituality “Here I am” influences us. We have been influenced very much and have become especially in our families more prayerful, helpful and understanding towards others. This Sacred Heart Congregation helps us to place all our trusts, our hopes joys and sorrows unto the Heart of Jesus. Their spirituality and their witness challenge us to be faithful to the Lord in all circumstances; to be simple in our daily living and to be available to everyone who is in need of us all. We pray that they will go from strength to strength in the vineyard of the Lord. May God bless all the Betharram fathers and brothers !

Companions from Mangalore & Bangalore (India)

The Companions of Betharram in India began in two different ways. The first was through the local (mainly Malayali) Christians who have been coming to mass at our house chapel at Shobhana Shaakha Bangalore for nearly 20 years now. They feel close to us and are grateful for the pastoral care that we have given them.

The second group began with the teaching involvement of generous Mangalore Christians (mainly Konkani speaking) who volunteered to give English classes to our young students. This they have freely done for over 10 years. Then since 2011 they became more involved with us as their generosity extended to helping with building our new House of Formation. They got together to supervise the quality of construction, monitor costs, and they raised a large portion of the total expenditure by going to the Gulf countries and asking support from their cousins and in-laws.

More recently a group of a dozen or so came to Betharram on pilgrimage (July 2014) and were greatly encouraged both by the welcome they received and by their closeness to the source St. Michael’s spirit and vision. They appreciate the simplicity of our family spirit and our willingness to be close to the poor and broken-hearted.