From May 22 to June 7, 2018, the Delegate General for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (GPIC) made a fraternal visit to India.
Friar Joseph BLAY was accompanied by Friar Alphonse VAZHAPPANADY Vice-Secretary General for Mission Animation (SGAM), who was already in India for his vacation. The purpose of the fraternal visit was to animate the friars in the areas of GPIC and missionary work. The animation effort was focused mainly on friars in initial formation.
On May 24, 2018, Friars Joseph and Alphonse went to the Provincial headquarters where they met with twelve newly professed and three other temporarily professed friars who are spending a year experiencing fraternity in community.
The next day, they met twenty-three novices in Puthenchira. The morning was dedicated to a retreat led by Friar Joseph. He preached on the theme: “What Creation Says about God”.
At Nirmalaram, Friar Joseph and Friar Alphonse spent three days with the friars and minor seminarians. The Rector devoted all of May 29 to the two General Delegates so that they could interact with the students.
On May 31, 2018, Friar Joseph went alone to Kolbe Ashram, a formation house for postulants, and to Alwaye where the clerical students reside. He met with twenty-five postulants on Friday afternoon and led a retreat for fifteen clerical students, to begin the new academic year. The following day he joined the friars to attend the inauguration of the new academic year of the Pontifical Institute of Alwaye (PIA). He addressed the Franciscan clerical students in the afternoon, and in the evening, spent time with the Rogationist Fathers who invited him to speak to their thirty-eight students.
The main part of the visit took place in Coimbatore. Friars Joseph and Alphonse were there June 4- 6, 2018. In Snehalaya and Coimbatore, they visited a community of four friars and another of two Franciscan nuns; they treat thirty-five HIV patients. The work they do merits a report of its own.
On June 5, 2018, the friars of Coimbatore organized a solemn ceremony to commemorate the 2018 World Environment Day. Some religious, students from three nearby schools and twenty soldiers representing the Rapid Action Force (RAF) of the Indian army, participated in the ceremony and planted some trees as a symbolic gesture. Finally, Friar Joseph was asked to give a short speech.
The visit to India was very fruitful. We thank all the wonderful Indian friars who showed hospitality, fraternal warmth and collaboration.
Friar Joseph BLAY, Delegate General for GPIC
