|
Divine Word Centre, Chennai |
The Archdiocese of Madras Mylapore is in the State of Tamilnadu and includes the city of Madras and the District of Chingelpet. According to tradition, Christianity was introduced into Mylapore and its suburbs by the Apostle St. Thomas. He was martyred on St. Thomas Mount near Mylapore in 72 A.D. and his remains were buried in the sepulcher which lies in the Cathedral Basilica. The old diocese of Mylapore was erected by Pope Paul V on 9th January, 1606.
The Formation Board was constantly monitoring the changing formation in 1995 and found the urgent need to change the section of college education with philosophy, hitherto followed in Vidya Niketan, Mysore from 1983. The General Council approved the recommendation of the Formation Board to separate philosophy from college studies and one more house to be opened in South Indian Province for college studies. The Archdiocesion Council accepted the Society’s application and offered three acres of land (The land is a gift to the Archdiocese by the British and after Independence in 1947, it was ratified by the Indian Government with the condition that the said land has to be used only for religious purpose).
In April 1996, the Provincial Council appointed Fr. Ashok Kumar, a former Provincial as the first Rector of the proposed new house and entrusted him with the task of constructing a suitable house. Fr. Kulandaisamy who was appointed as the first prefect of the students arrived on 20th May, 1997 and the first batch of 20 students arrived on 25th May, 1997 who hailed from 8 different states. In December 1997, Fr. Salete Nathan was appointed to take Fr. Kulandaisamy place as he went for studies.
The students are admitted in the renowned and prestigious Loyola College, run by the Jesuit Fathers, which will give them a foretaste of philosophy and theological training, later in Bhopal and Pune! Fr. George Mepurath joined the staff as prefect and Fr. Augustine Karamel as spiritual director, in May of the same year. In June 1999 Fr. Francis Thuruthimattam joined the team as procurator. Fr. A. Jesu arrived on 16-10-2000 from Rome after completing his studies on Spirituality and Counselling. It was a day of joy and fulfillment when 17 reached the novitiate.
The present staff consist of Fr. A. Jesu (Rector & Moderator), Fr. Kingston (Moderator) and Fr. Augustin Karamel (Spiritual Director)
