SCJ Students of Theology, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh

First Year Theology: (l to r) Colin, Balaiah, Ajit, Showe Reddy, Roy, Abraham, Lenin, Michael.

Second Year Theology: Rinu, Hrudayaraj, Jojappa, Martin, Jojappa, Vimal, Sunderaj, Jayaraj, Bhaskar, Darmaraj, Christy.

Third Year Theology: Jijo, Jose, Michael, Aji, Sanil, Sunil.

Fourth Year Theology: Thomas

There are 29 SCJs in the Eluru community. Presently they are living in 3 separate buildings. Below are photos of the construction of the new community residence that will hopefully be completed in April, 2007. It is 7 kilometers outside of Eluru.

Final Vow Celebration

On the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgen Mary, also India's Day of Independence, Br. Thomas Vinod Chittilappily professed his Final Vows.

Many SCJs and friends celebrated with Br. Thomas at the SCJ Novitiate, Sacred Heart Ashram, in Nambur, Andhra Pradesh.

Br. Thomas was born in Kochi on December 27th, 1979. He is the eldest of three sons of Mr. Augustin and Victoria. He did his schooling in Fort Cochi and in Kannamaly. He joined the SCJs after his SSLC as a candidate in the year 1995 as one of the first eight students. He completed his minor seminary studies in Fort Cochi, Chandiroor and in Kumbalanghy. His study of philosophy was done at Sacred Heart philosophy college in Aluva. He made his First Profession of Vows on May 7th, 2003. His regency period was spent in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. He did his first year of Theology at St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary in Aluva, Kerala, and is continuing his studies at Vijnana Nilayam School of Theology, in Janampet, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh.

6 SCJs and friends concelebrated the Eucharist with Fr. Martin (District Superior), with Fr. Thomas (L) (Britain) and Fr. Kusmaryadi (Indonesia.)

After the homily, it is traditional to lay prostrate during the singing of Litany of Saints, before the Final Vow Profession.

Before the Profession the celebrant prays:

"Lord, hear the prayers of your people. Be your grace, prepare the heart of your servant for his religious consecration. May the fire of the Holy Spirit purify him from all sins and make him burn with your love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen."

Br. Thomas professes the Vows of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience

After the blessing of the professed, the Cross, the sign of his profession, is presented to him.

"Receive this cross as a sign of your perpetual commitment to Christ in the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus."

All the SCJ religious welcome the newly perpetually professed religious as a sign of his lifelong membership in the Congregation.

The celebration continues...

Dear Friends in Christ,

With immense joy and happiness I express my heartfelt gratitude towards you for accepting the invitation and coming here to pray for me on this special occasion. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus shower upon you His blessings and love. Thank you for everything.

with love and prayer,

Br. Chittilappilly Vinod Thomas, SCJ

Tsunami Boats

The SCJ Community in Kumbalanghy sponsored an event on August 9, 2006 where over 100 fishermen affected by the tsunami were given boats so that they can support their families.

Fishermen from the District of Kannamaly in Kerala gathered to hear speeches from public officials such as the panchayath presidents, MLA officials, and the former Minister of Fishing.


Frs. Martin, and Teja, Br. Leonard, and Fr. Wayne (visiting SCJ from the USA), and Fr. Carlos (SCJ from Venezuela) helped distribute the boats as each fisherman’s name was called out, passing out paddles to each of them.

Although it was pouring down rain, the fishermen gladly chose one of the 100 boats displayed in the field. Some of them put the boat in the water and began paddling as far as 15 kilometers away to their home.

This was the second boat distribution in a few months; totaling 200 boats.

The SCJ India District had also provided tsunami aid to villages in the last few months, giving out fishing nets, constructing houses, and putting up 32 water towers.