RACHANS LUKOSE FROM SPAIN

The Provincial of Spain invited all the Jesuit students doing studies in the city of Madrid for a Eucharistic celebration and agape. There were around 55 Jesuits from different parts of the world. It was a golden opportunity for us to come to know each other and to experience the universality of the Society of Jesus. 21 Indian Jesuit students in Madrid gathered together to celebrate Christmas. Singing of carols in our mother tongue aroused nostalgic feelings. The Department of Spirituality organized Christmas celebration with a Eucharist and agape. It was a wonderful experience for me to be in this surrounding and join students from other nations to celebrate the joy of Christmas. A few days before Christmas we decorated our house and prepared a crib. On the eve of Christmas a special prayer was said before supper. After Dinner the entire community gathered together for a game called bingo with lots of typical snacks of Spain. Then the Community gathered in the Chapel for the Eucharist followed by Carol singing in Spanish, Portuguese, French, and English languages. The India Cultural Association of Valladolid invited me to offer Mass in Malayalam. Valladolid was the former capital of Spain which is 200 kms away from Madrid. Around 40 people were present for the Eucharistic celebration. They prepared a ‘nadan’ Kerala meal for all the participants. I am told that there are around 70 Keralites working there. It was a welcome change for me and I enjoyed it thoroughly. All the students in our Community set apart a day for sharing on the theme ‘my spirituality in daily life.’ It was a grace-filled occasion to be part of such a sharing! I visited Alcala on 29 December and saw some important places connected with St Ignatius. I prayed for our Province and particularly for the sick and old members of our Province in that hallowed place. May the New Year 2011 be grace-filled for one and all!