50 years of religious life of the P. Martin Van Ooy

50 years of religious life of the P. Martin Van Ooy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- P. Cláudio sends these notes of India

I arrived at the India Sunday, day 3, on of the hour initiating the celebration of the 50 years of religious life of the Superior of the District, P. Martin van Ooy. The celebration occurred in the minor seminary, in Kumbalanghi, Cochin, Kerala. In this seminary they are 22 seminaristas, 11 that intermediate school and others frequentam 11 that they had after entered the conclusion of the secondary studies. These study English to be able to initiate the philosophy in the next year and make a first experience of contact with the congregation, with its espiritualidade and mission. P. Martin is Dutch, made its first religious profession in day 8 of September, and has 50 years. It worked per many years in Indonesia and has 12 is in India. It is the first present dehoniano in this country. Today, day 8, celebrated the Jubilee with much simplicity in Aluva, where it is the philosophy seminary, with 25 students at the moment. Seven will initiate the postulancy one soon. The community wakes up very early. Today, one day normal of lessons, the jubilee Mass was celebrated to the 5.30. In the coffee of the morning (colazione), a simple cake to commemorate. The seminaristas had that to leave fast for the Institute the Carmelites where others study philosophy together with 9 congregations. To the 8,30 the Advice of the District congregated itself, until the hour of the lunch. A little of the reality stows gift to know more, of the concerns, necessities and perspectives of future of this dehoniana community, that still it needs new missionaries to help to develop its mission. E the verb to develop here is appropriate. It is a District in Franc and fast growth. After 12 years of presence it has 36 religious Indians, 5 of perpetual votes, 4 of them priests, and 31 of temporary votes, 26 studying theology. They are being formed in the perspective missionary. Now, and for some few years, need very new missionaries, especially religious that they can dedicate the formation to it of the young.

Saudaçoes.

P. Claude Weber

This is an electronic translation of father Weber’s note to www.dehon.it