In the framework
of meetings of the Enlarged Council of the Delegation of India, the Perpetual
Profession of Brothers Praphul Guria and Simon Raj took place on 30 April in
the Community of Madurai.
“Brother, you
speak by your life and you pray by what you are”. With these words, which the
Brothers chose as the motto of the celebration, after almost a month of
preparation, Brothers Praphul Guria (from Jharkhand) and Simon Raj (from Tamil
Nadu) said their definitive yes to the Lord as Brothers of the Holy Family.
Many Brothers
were able to be present, as there were meetings of the Enlarged Council of the
Delegation taking place during these days. Most of the family members who
attended the ceremony came from Brother Simon’s side. Priests, religious men
and women were also present. There was representation from all the Indian
Communities. The Madurai community, together with the Brothers who were in the
house, really got down to work and together we tried to make the event of
Perpetual Profession as solemn as possible, with a lot of decoration and music.
The Eucharistic
celebration was presided over by the Bishop Emeritus of Sivagangai, Mgr. Susai
Manickam, and concelebrated by several priests, including the parish priest of
Br. Simon and a professor of Br. Praphul. The Brother Delegate received
perpetual vows on behalf of the Provincial and the whole Institute. At the end
of the ceremony, thanksgiving by the Brothers, messages from the Provincial and
General, and the typical Brother and family photos. The event concluded with a
fraternal and family meal with the tasty “mutton biryani” (Indian paella) from
Tamil Nadu and fruit-salad for dessert.