Life of the Congregation (1)

The Region Saint Mary of Jesus Crucified and the Region Saint Michael Garicoits shared with us and with the whole Congregation, the joy of the final profession of our three brothers Br Katé Dédé Constant (Vicariate of the Ivory Coast), Br Antony Siluvai and Br Jacob Biso Puliampally (Vicariate of India). These brothers share with us the importance and the joy of their commitment while moving the first steps in the Congregation as final professed members.

Br. KATE Dédé Constant, scj

My dear Betharramite Brothers, borrowing the words of the Apostle St Paul in his second letter to Timothy, I wish you grace and peace. May they be given to you from God the Father and Our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Tim.1,2.)
I knew the Betharram Fathers in Abidjan while I was living with one of my uncles who in 2004 was a Betharramite Lay Associate. I was then in my first year in preparation for my BTS in agro-food. After two years postulant in the community and Philosophy at the Major Seminary in Abidjan I was admitted to the novitiate in 2008. I made my first Vows of poverty, chastity and obedience on 28th July 2010 in Abidjan at Adiapodoume. After first Vows I began Theology at the Missionary Formation Centre at Abodo (Abidjan) for four years during which I had a year’s experience in the hostel for Street Children in Abodo, Foyer Akwaba, in 2012 with the Christian Brothers. When I had obtained my Theology diploma I worked for a year at the Tshanfeto Centre as Teacher’s Assistant in Adiapodoume. During the academic year 2015 – 2016 I was sent to Dabakala to live with my brothers and the Djimini people, the “Here I Am” of the Incarnate Word through the charism of St Michael Garicoits. And it was in that year that after ten years of spiritual, human, religious, intellectual and social formation that the Lord gave me the Grace of calling me to Perpetual Vows, through my Superiors in the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Betharram.
It was an experience and the one I had made with the Incarnate Word through St Michael Garicoits. He was the Apostle of the “Here I Am” who helped me to commit myself in my Congregation. I discovered the joy of giving myself for others , especially in community, at the Foyer Akwaba with the street children, at Tshanfeto with the young unschooled, in family for my parents, brothers and sisters, for my friends and for all God’s children. I discovered the joy of self sacrifice for others for Love, rather than for any other motive. The joy to be found in work, the mission and in prayer. I would like to place my ministry under God’s Grace. In my prayer I ask that his Grace will never be in vain for me (1 Cor. 15,10). I am learning all the time and I continue to learn to be humble, devoted, gentle and obedient. This is why I depend every day on the help of your prayers. For me a vocation is a sacred call which needs to be carefully nurtured and the best way to do this is through prayer. This is why I depend on your prayers to help me to nurture my vocation.
A very great thank you to all my Brothers in St Michael Garicoits and in Jesus Christ for all your help. May God reward you a hundredfold. Forward all the time!!

Br. Jacob Biso Puliampally scj

After completing my studies as I was deciding about my future I came to know about the Betharram Congregation from Fr. Paul Manavalan. He visited and told me something about the congregation, I spoke to Fr. Biju Alappat and joined the seminary in the year 2006, after completing my initial formation I entered the novitiate. It was during this time I came to know more about our congregation and I began to love. When I did my first profession I decided with the help of God that this is my life and I will live it faithfully. During my theology and international session at Betharram, I came to know more about our congregation. There are certain faces I like to remember and thank such as Fr. Biju Paul Alappat whose concern for the vocation influenced me, Fr. Michael Tidkham whose availability I admire, Fr. John Chan Kunu whose patience touched me, Fr. Stervin whose zealous pushed me to go ahead always in living our spirituality. I remain grateful to all my formators. As I am a member of our congregation I am Happy and I would like to say only one thing which I learned from the life of St. Michael and all the circumstances that I under went. It is God who works and everything happens according to His plan and on His time, wait for His time in obeying the superiors. Thank you all fathers and Brothers. Please continue to pray for me.

Br. Antony Siluvai scj

From my early days I had a great desire to become a priest and when I expressed my desire to my parents, at first they were hesitant to send me. I was fortunate to get into a Catholic School, where God blessed me with the right knowledge of God and prayer life which helped me to get into a deeper spiritual life. As the days went on, my desire of becoming a priest increased day by bay and when I completed my studies, I knew nothing about the ways and means of it, nor any idea of Religious life. At this juncture, I met Fr. Livin of our Congregation. He just introduced only the name of the Congregation and I joined the Congregation in the year 2004. My formation during the initial stages helped to get to know more about the family of Betharram, which made me to realize that God has placed me in the right place – in the family of Betharram. After the initial formation, I entered the Novitiate, where, with the providence of God, I experienced more and more the fraternal love of the Betharram family. With this experience I made my first profession which gave me joy and made me to feel one with the family and the final profession which I made recently, firmed up my deep desire to serve the Lord and the joy was in no bounds. With all my sincerity, I am very much grateful to God and all my formators who have been nurturing me all these years of formation. With immense joy and happiness I am proud to express that I am the member of the Congregation and through the Congregation member of the Universal Church. One thing that which I learned from the founder - St. Michael is that God has his own time and own plans which will accomplish according to his will and we are to surrender to his will. Once again, I wholeheartedly thank each and every one who have helped me to grow in this religious life and I also request all the members of the family, so that I remain loyal and faithful to the Congregation and Holy Mother Church.