Visitation: Visiting the Provinces of the Institute of Charity gives me a fascinating opportunity to see the Church at work in various countries and cultures.

Recently I was in India, the world’s largest democracy and now with a population greater than China.

My time there reminded me of Pope Francis’s description of the Church as a building site. At first this image may seem a bit odd, but in a talk to seminarians Pope Francis explains that the image suggests that the Church is never complete. There is always further work to do.

In India nothing is at a standstill. With a massive population, internal and external migration, a growing economy, and fast unfolding changes in family life, it is imperative that the Church too remains at work. Like building site workers, we too need to be on the go, thinking ahead, ready to adapt. The Holy Father puts it this way: preconceived answers to today’s complex and changing realities will not work. People expect us to listen, to adapt, to teach and to serve in ways that speak to today. What is essential is to proclaim God’s mercy through being close to people and refining the art of discernment (cf. Pope Francis: Address to seminarians in Naples, 16 February 2024).

Provinces and Mission: Our main mission in India is in the southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka where we have our three formation communities and where we serve in five small but growing parishes. This is the work of faith building among communities of people some of whom are new to the Christian tradition. Our priests and brothers in India also minister in schools, give spiritual retreats, are assistant priests in parishes led by the diocesan clergy, and we seek to collaborate with the Rosminian Sisters and with other convents and pastoral outreaches close to us.

In an increasingly multicultural world, I see our Provinces – which are the natural ‘borders’ for Religious Orders – as being at the service of the Institute as a whole.  In other words, provincial borders are not absolute; they can be seen as launching pads, rather than fences, encouraging us to be generous in our availability (sacred indifference) to serve where needed most.

No Province better illustrates this than our Indian Province. Twenty-two priests of the Indian Province carry out their ministry in other Provinces of the Institute. I am truly grateful for this generosity among our Indian brothers. Theirs is a ‘mission within a within a mission’: an incalculable help weaving a history of service and charity.

True to the building site image of the Church, I was delighted to be able to bless a new university hostel which we are constructing on our land. It will serve university students in the area and in this way a small new ‘shoot’ of our apostolate of charity is emerging. 

Ordinations: Another particular source of joy for me during my visit was the ordination of two our brothers. An ordination is always a great occasion when we witness the Church in its fulness. Two images from the home parishes in which our two brethren were ordained, remain with me. Fr. Abin’s parish church is built on large rocks, visible under the foundations. This reminded me that the entire Church is built on the rock of Peter and we today are all called to uphold and strengthen the Church. And in the liturgy of Fr. Jith’s ordination, the evocative ritual of arathi occurred at the doxology. This offering of incense, light and flowers echoed the newly ordained’s offering of his life to the Almighty in obedience, poverty and chastity. For we Rosminians it also evoked the commitment to live temporal, intellectual and spiritual charity. I recalled too Father Founder’s last words of offering to the Lord at the end of his life: adore, be silent, rejoice.  

Retreat and Assembly: With our brethren serving in different places, it is very important that from time to time we gather together as a whole body. During this visit I was very happy therefore to lead the annual spiritual retreat and Assembly. Anointing was our theme. Our opening Mass had the reading of David’s second anointing – as King of Israel.  Already as a boy David had been anointed. It struck me how when we reflect on our own vocational journey, we can see how the Lord in various ways has been anointing us along the way. He watches us, he strengthens us, he blesses us with irrevocable gifts (cf. Romans 11:29) in order that we too may anoint others with word, sacrament, presence, service, charity and even – as Pope Francis reminds us – with a loving healing glance.

The Rosminian Sisters in India are doing great work in the education and health sectors among others. I was delighted to be able to join in the celebrations of the twenty-fifth anniversary of Rosmini Convent School in Cheriyatura, Trivandrum. Many stories were shared and the appreciation for Sisters from the past and of today was much apparent. Today the school welcomes many girls from the neighbouring Muslim communities as well as local Catholic girls. What a powerful mission of witness to unity in our often divided world.

Sri Lanka: Last year I received an invitation to visit some projects serving poor communities in Sri Lanka. Time is always precious but being in India I took the opportunity, with Fr Francis Menachery the Provincial in India and with Fr William Stuart of Ireland, to visit this magnificent island nation and to see first hand various works for the poor. As seems to be the case everywhere, the poor are so often exploited and used.  I was edified by the work the Church does to uphold rights and educate the children of the poor. God willing perhaps one day we will bring our humble offering of Christ’s universal charity to this land too.

Thank you and let us pray: I thank again Fr Francis and all those who made my visit so enjoyable and satisfying, and I pray that our communities may thrive in love and service.  I invite you readers also to join me in praying for ‘new shoots’ of growth in the Institute and in the people we serve. May we open our hearts to service, communion, and joy just as the Holy Spirit conquered the heart and life of Blessed Antonio Rosmini. 

Pd. Marco Tanghetti IC

Superior General.