Sunday, October 26, 2014

Visit to Subhatoo, near Simla, Himachal Pradesh

This church is about 150 years old and built by British army. The whole area of Himachal Pradesh where you find Simla is a mountainous area. The church is now looked after by the Capuchins who live 150 km away from the Place. Friar Patrick drives every week end to look after the spiritual needs of the Catholics who are migrants from North India. 
Those of you who don't know the history of Prem Jyoti custody, read below: 
mother province, St. Francis Province Kerala from its very inception was having the mission area of Delhi and the states of Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh as its mission territories. Ever since, those friars of the true province were working committed to stabilize the mission. They were able to reach to new mission stations, take care of parishes and establish new schools. The Heady stabilization and the expansion of the mission prompted the general superiors to raise the mission to the status of a Provincial Custody – Prem Jyoti Custody; this took place on 22nd November 2003. Br. Godwin Gama was appointed as the first Superior Regular of the Prem Jyoti Custody.  In 2005 Fr. John Paul became the Superior Regular and Frs. George Kooliath and Lennie Connully were the councilors. After their successful service Br. Christi Kuriappilly became the Superior Regular. There after Fr. Godwin Gama was elected as Superior Regular and the councilors were Frs. Christy Kuriappilly and Fr. Joseph Joyson But due to the ill health Fr. Godwin Gama returned to province on 30th June 2011. At present the Superior Regular is Fr. Prasad Cyprian and the Councillors are Frs. Thomson V.A, Alex Joseph, Earnest K.S. and John Baptist. Presently there are twenty nine friars. The first two years of initiation formation of brothers is done at Nav Jyoti Gurukul, Bawal, Haryana. The third year brothers are sent to Portiuncula Ashram, Patiala. Initially the mission Head Quarters was attached to St. Joseph’s Ashram, Jwala Nagar, Delhi, later it was shifted to Yamuna Vihar on 7th August 2006. Now the custody is getting expanded to seven fraternities and three schools. The fraternities are rooted to the surroundings by its social activities such as free tailoring, tuition and computer centers.

 Friar Patrick who is a passionate rider....rides every week end to this beautiful place...
 A very old picture of St. Francis of Assisi....it is here in the church right from the beginning

 A wooden altar well decorated and gives you a feeling of European architecture

 A life-size statute of Jesus, made of Wood, standing and watching over a little flock of Catholics who are faithful to Him
 A tomb stone of one of the early missionaries
 Names of the victims of Plague
The few Catholic Families who without fail attended Sunday Eucharist....there are about 20 families....all are not able to come because of distance and also expensive to come by transport.

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