Back in Penang Seminary

I have not updated my blog for a long period of time and finally today I have decided to resume my postings once again. My enthusiasm in updating my blog was waning gradually due to certain circumstances. I was not sure where to begin my story line now. Let me take a deep breath! I reached Malaysia on 23rd Dec, 2011. I could not return to India after my Christmas and New Year break due to some issues with my visa and now if everything goes well I pray and hope that I can enter India again in June this year.

At the moment I am staying at College General Seminary in Penang. I have been here since 4th January, 2012 to do my studies through distance learning. I have not discontinued my studies just because I could not return to India. My Dean of Studies has allowed me to do my assignments and send them via internet to the respective lecturers in JDV Pune, India. I was given 3 assignments on Religious Pluralism; Hermeneutics in the Old Testaments; Guided Paper on Christian Anthropology. Thank God I have completed 2 papers within these past 5 weeks and I have one more paper on Christian Anthropology which I need to be complete by end of March. After that the JDV College in Pune will be closed for summer break. During the month of April and June, I shall continue to stay here in the Penang seminary and start doing my research on my final paper (Dissertation). When I return to India for my 3rd semester I shall also take extra efforts to do my final paper and return before Christmas for good. “Insha Allah! It is just a plan that I have in my mind right now.

Ever since I returned from India I felt a little upset for not returning to my college for studies on time. Initially I could not accept the fact that my visa problem is causing me to stay back in Malaysia till June. Then I realised that it is not my will but His will. Thank God, my studies were not interrupted. I must be grateful to my college dean and my lecturers for allowing me to do the distance learning. I am also grateful to the Rector of the College General, (Penang Seminary), Fr Gerard Theraviam and Archbishop Murphy Pakiam for permitting me to stay here in the seminary. During the day, I spend time in the library doing my studies and during the weekends I help out by celebrating Masses in the nearby parishes in the Penang Island and other places as well.

Since I came to the seminary in January, Fr Gerard welcomed me warmly and I was staying alone in the seminary because the students were on their semester break till 14th February. I occupied my time with my studies and assignments. Penang Island is not a new place for me. I stayed here for eight years for my priestly formation (1995 – 2002). Many lecturers and formators have formed my life in this seminary. This college has a lot of sentimental values for me. This seminary and Penang Island have also taught me what is life all about and I have found meaning in my life here. During my seminary days I loved reading spiritual and psychological books. One of the books that really touched my life during my early formation was “Man Search for Meaning” written by Victor Frankl, a psychologist. It was recommended by the late Fr Francis Regis and it was the last book that I found in the bookstore in Penang Island.

Life is moving as usual. The seminarians are now back from their break and I am following their programmes such as rising, attending morning and evening prayers, studies, games, manual labour and other activities. I hope that my daily routine will also serve as an example to our future priests.