As the year dedicated to Formation for Mission drew to a meaningful close and the year dedicated to Mission began, ANBAHAM, our formation house in Tiruchirappalli, was blessed with a special visit from Fr. Edward Joseph C.Ss.R., the Provincial Superior of the Bangalore Province from 12th April 2025 to 13th April 2025. His presence over a weekend was a time of encouragement, reflection, and renewal for both formees and formators.
This past year, the student community at Anbaham comprised 20 formees, not counting a few who discerned to discontinue their journey during the year. Among those who remained were 2 aspirants just beginning to explore their vocation, 5 first-year college students, 7 in their second year, and 6 postulants completing their third year of undergraduate studies. Together, they formed a vibrant and committed community.
The formation program was holistic and deeply engaging. The students were exposed to a wide range of experiences – pastoral outreach, media involvement, and pilgrimages to shrines – providing opportunities to integrate their faith with real-life mission work. Their academic formation included foundational subjects such as psychology, Catholic moral teaching, Scripture, Redemptorist history, Religious life, and the Redemptorist charism in mission. These classes helped root their vocation in a strong intellectual and spiritual foundation.
Throughout the year, several moments of fraternity and community building enriched their journey. These experiences not only strengthened bonds among the formees but also helped them live out their Redemptorist identity in community.
The highlight of the closing period was undoubtedly the Provincial’s two-day visit. Over the weekend, he spent quality time with the students and the formator offering guidance, affirming their efforts, and reviewing various aspects of the formation process. His presence was both pastoral and personal – listening, advising, and sharing in the life of the house.
On Saturday, he joined in the community’s devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, a cherished Redemptorist tradition. The following day, he celebrated the liturgy for Passion Sunday with the community, marking a powerful spiritual moment for all present.
The Provincial’s visit left a lasting impact. His encouragement and guidance renewed the students’ zeal and strengthened their resolve to walk in the footsteps of Christ the Redeemer.
We are truly grateful for his presence and support as we now move forward into the year of mission and into the forthcoming formative year with deeper purpose and renewed commitment.
Fr. John Paul Xavier C.Ss.R.
Director of Orientation Program, Tiruchirappalli.
Province of Bangalore.
Common events of the Formation Program:
