Deeply Rooted, Branching Outwards

My Tertianship experience at Kandy can be summed up as an imagery of an ordinary water plant. Even a small twig pruned from a tree and planted in a water bottle comes to life. Tertianship is a time to be pruned and to be planted. The weather, the ambience, the campus, and the surroundings are conducive to the holistic growth of an individual, meeting one's basic needs. The food is delicious and is filled with a lot of variety. Though struggling economically, the country and the province of Sri Lanka are very hospitable and warmly welcoming. The companionship of fellow Tertians guided by the Directors, who are, in fact, our elder brothers, provide constant spiritual accompaniment that gives greater meaning and a sense of common purpose.  The Retreat and the Experiment give you an occasion once again to have a personal experience of the Ignatian tradition. There is sufficient time for familiarity with the sources throughout the program. There is a whole world outside our window, and the Tertianship program includes visits to places of common interest from one end of the Island to another. The people, in general, are peace-loving and gentle all over. The beauty of a water plant is in what it signifies: slow, steady and yet continuous growth. Through this stage of our formation, we have the unique opportunity to work on ourselves and grow. Looking forward to branching outward, this phase of my life has given me an occasion to reorient myself, grow stronger in my convictions, make conscious and deliberate choices and thus become a fitting instrument of God’s fruitful service. It is indeed more a blessing to give than to receive.
Ryan, SJ (Kar)