Visit to Bhopal

Br. Leonard, regency coordinator, recently traveled to North India to visit with six SCJs who have been assigned there as part of their regency experience. Aji, Bhaskar, Jijo, Sajeevan, Sunil, and Xavier, soon after First Profession in May 2003, began their regency year in Nagpur, Maharashtra to learn Hindi, in the context of the Church of North India. After receiving a solid foundation in Hindi during their 6 month stay in Nagpur, they continued their regency experience in Madhya Pradesh, where they are now living and working in the slums of Bhopal. They are deepening their knowledge of Hindi as they respond to the needs of the poor in programs supervised by the local regency directors, Fr. Anand, of the diocese of Bhopal, and Sr. Annie, of the Dominican Sisters.

"During our meetings, we reflected on their experiences so far, observing that there are only six more weeks left of the regency program. I was invited to where they are living. Except for Sajeevan, who serves as administrator at St. Joseph Parish, the rest live in 2 and 3 room, sleep on the floor, very simple flats in the slums, where they cook (very well) for themselves, pray together, and recreate, with many visiting neighbors whom they spontaneously welcome. Besides visiting families in the morning, they conduct classes for children and adults. It was good to see that everyone is doing well. All of them are to be congratulated on the way they have accepted the challenges that came their way, as opportunities for growth, personally and as a community."

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