Saturday, February 14, 2015

St. Padre Pio Minor seminary and Friary at Byrnihat, Meghalaya

 These are minor seminarians for the entire north east capuchins. The study house belongs to the custody of Normal. There are students from all the 7 states. They all speak different languages and don't understand each other. The rector br. Mathew, who has licentiate in Missiology is doing a fabulous job. The students are good in studies and very good singers. All north easterners are basically good singers and it is natural to them. We spent one day with them....they are good brothers and let us pray that they all become capuchins.....

 This is the Grotto where the brothers come to pray rosary......

 The cook ran away.....the brothers took up the challenge and now they cook....till they find a new one...we enjoyed their cooking.....it was not spicy...north eastern people don't eat spicy food...but boiled with less spices....they are all getting ready for the Lunch.....brothers you are already celebrating the VIII PCO on the Grace of working.....keep it up...and pray that you don't find a cook...

Every Saturday and Sunday the neighbors come for the Mass to the minor seminary....mass is celebrated in Khasi language.....after the Mass we distributed some sweets....Hugo was the Santa clause....
 After spending one night and morning at the minor seminary we left for Byrnihat friary which is about 60km......we reached around 11pm and were received with a warm welcome......these three friars Paul, Mathew and Beeny are looking after 60 villages with 12000 catholics.....they have a school with 1200 students.....boarders about 45 and around 30 acres of land....the community is fully involved in the mission...it is tough to learn the languages....because they are no way connected to any Indian languages....purely tribal languages...

The whole campus and the interior of the church....weekends the friars are found in the villages....60 villages with good presence of the Catholics......but on Sunday close by Catholics come the friary church.....with girls and boys.....it is a solemnity ....singing....oh my God....it is good to be here and to build some tents...

 we went around to see the Land which is surrounded by an ever flowing river....but water and surrounding is polluted because on either side they have an iron industry and Beer brewery.....friars receive nothing but only bad air and smell....

Paul celebrated his 47th birthday and we joined him thanking the Lord...he did his Theology here and opted to be a missionary.....first he did a year of post novitiate....he was working in Kerala before joining the Order....he is a happy and contended friar....has a lot of experience....he in the mission for 12 years.....knows tribal languages.....brother we are with you in spirit....he loves photography... 
 Br. Mathew was our driver....good one...has tremendous control....he drove us to different places...he has a degree in electrical engineering and has worked for some years....he loves his vocation...has a million dollar smile....very committed and faithful capuchin....man of few words...but he speaks through his smile....Brother, we are jealous of you because some of cannot smile like you....u smile in season and out of season....

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