8th June - A New Beginning
On the 8th of June 2011, I left for Pune, India to further my studies at Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth. I left with mixed feelings – sad and excited - sad, because I was leaving behind my parish community which I had come to know and love and excited because after 8 years of being in the priesthood, I was once again going to be a student.
My adventure already started the minute I landed in Chennai. My journey from Chennai to Pune was a long one and I nearly missed my flight. I was waiting at gate 3 for the connecting flight from Chennai to Pune. I didn’t pay attention when they change the earlier schedule. Just 10 minutes before the departure I heard the announcement calling my name – Mr George, please get into gate 7. I was wondering who this Mr George was. Just about 5 minutes before the flight departure I heard the announcement calling me Mr George Packiasamy. One of the cabin crew members saw me at gate 3 looking around like a lost stranger and took me to the Kingfisher flight to Pune. The moment I got onboard the plane, everyone was just staring at me. I felt so embarrassed.
My first impression when I reached Pune was that it was crowded, noisy, dirty and dusty. But since this was going to be my home for the next 2 years, I realised that I had better get used to it.
When I was shown to my room at the university, the first thought that came to my mind was, “Where am I going to keep all my things?” The room was small with only the basic amenities. I was so used to having lots of space in the parish house where I was able to keep my things, especially my books all over the place. Now I had to learn how to arrange everything in the small space that I have.
My home for the next two years
Food was another surprise. The staple diet at the University seems to be chapatti. The food is not bad, but I miss the option of having a variety of food to choose from like how we have in Malaysia. I really miss my favorite pork-free Chinese food – keow teow, wan tan me, mee hon and dim sum.
Another thing which I have to learn is getting used to the different accents from classmates who are from various parts of India like South India, Kerala and Northern India. Who knows? Maybe they also think that I speak funny. One or two words I generally use now are “namasthea” and “acha”.
I attended my first Mass on 12th June (Sunday Mass). It felt strange sitting in the pews instead of behind the altar. Now I know exactly how the parishioners feel when we priests are celebrating Mass!
15th June - First Day of Class
I started my classes on 15th June, 2011 on Theological Method and Research Methodology for this term. This subject is taught by Rev Fr Thomas Kuriacose, SJ, Dean of Theology. I have to take 2 other Biblical Classical languages – Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Syriac and Sanskrit. I decided to take Basic Biblical Hebrew for 30 classes for this year term and Latin will be next year on my 1st term. These are two credit subjects. I’m learning Hebrew and it’s like learning my ABCs all over again and I have lots of assignments to do. Hebrew is taught y Rev Fr Sunny Kunnel, SJ.
In my Master’s programmes in Systematic theology, I have to do 11 courses excluding writing Guided Research papers and at the end of each year I have to submit for defence a Dissertation on a topic that I will specialize. What is this Systematic Theology? Systematic Theology is basically to do independently research and to communicate the theology into the present context. I hope this subject will help me to increase and deepen my theological perspectives in today’s context and to reach a better understanding of knowledge of God.
18th June - President's Mass
The College President, Rev Fr Job Kozhamthamdam, SJ celebrating Mass
The president of the College, Rev Fr Job Kozhamthamdam, SJ, came to celebrate Mass with Post Graduate students at Post Graduate Block Chapel at 7.00 am. There were 60 students who participated in the Eucharistic celebration. He officially welcomed the post graduate students for this academic year 2011/2012. He encouraged us to be more enlightened and enriched as we begin this academic year. In his homily he reflected on today’s Gospel (MT 6: 24 – 34) – “No one can serve two masters” that our concerns are to stay focused in our studies and stay committed in serving God. He also added that we should grow in apostolic zeal like St Paul in the 1st reading (2 Cor 12: 1-10) – “My grace is enough for you…” In our weaknesses that we will be made strong when we stay focused in Christ who gives us power, strength and healing for us to grow in establishing of Kingdom of God and in our lives of those around us.
During the celebration, I felt an inner peace. I was glad that I was able to see beyond all my worries and concerns about many things. I realised that I have to stay focused in my studies and to grow in simplicity. I have renewed my spirit of faith in this Eucharistic celebration to see everything in my life has come from His loving hand.
June 26 - Feast of Corpus Christi
Truly, the Eucharist is the Bread of Life and the Real Presence of Jesus
Today the universal Church celebrated the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). For the past 8 years I have celebrated the feast of the Corpus Christi in the parishes and chapels in a great manner and filled with reverence. Today, on this solemnity I attended Mass NOT even celebrated. The Mass was celebrated in Hindi at my postgraduate block college chapel at 7 am. Truly, it didn’t bring any significance of the feast for me. I just sat quietly in my pew and watched the celebrant and others as well. Around 12 Sisters and 40 other priests joined in this Eucharistic celebration.
Corpus Christi Mass
After Mass and breakfast as usual I did pray my breviary (the Office of Readings for the feast of the Corpus Christi). One of the phrases that touched my heart was the 2nd reading from the works of St Thomas Aquinas, "No sacraments contributes more to our salvation than this, for it purges away our sins, increases our virtues, and nourishes our minds with an abundance of all spiritual gifts." How precious for us Catholics to experience this Body and Blood of Christ each time when we part take in this banquet. Deep down in the heart of each of us has a yearning to live forever. Only the Eucharist, Christ Himself, can satisfy that thirst and hunger for the eternal. In Eucharist that you and I can experience so much peace and joy when we live a true devotion to the Eucharist and receive Jesus in the Holy Communion with great reverence, faith and love. Amen.
Just to share a few words in Hindi.
The feast of Corpus Christi – “Prabhu Iesu Pwaan Sharr Aur Raketka Parve”
The Body of Christ – “Prabhu Kah Sharir”
Go in the Peace of Christ – “Prabhu Ke Shanthi Mem Jain”
Notice anything different about me?
