Maiden days in the scenic hilly land

The JCSA-JCAP international tertianship began with abundant blessings and positivity on 1 September 2024. Twelve tertians and three instructors embarked on their journey from Chennai International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo on 31 August 2021. Fr. William Sequeira, the outgoing tertian instructor, joined Fr. Donald Miranda and Fr. Sajeev, the current tertian instructors to give a good kick-start to the programme and form a solid foundation for it. Two Vietnamese and two Europeans (a Pole and an Irish) had also arrived in Colombo a couple of days ago. The entire group gathered outside the airport, where tired but eager faces expressed their enthusiasm for getting to know one another. Fr. Sachintha, the minister of the house, arranged a bus to journey to the Arrupe House, which was about a four-hour journey from the airport. A brief stopover at a motel rejuvenated the group before continuing their journey.

The international tertianship programme is housed at Arrupe House, adjacent to the Fatima Retreat House, Lewelle, Kandy. Nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka, Kandy is a breathtaking tapestry and treasure trove of natural beauty with its scenic landscapes. Surrounded by lush hills and tea plantations, this city offers a serene escape into nature. The daily feast for the eyes is the stunning greenery that surrounds our area. The natural beauty and tranquil ambience of the Arrupe House fosters a meditative environment, calming the mind.

September is an ideal time to start the tertianship programme in Kandy, as the region experiences pleasant rainfall. The rhythmic pitter-pattering of raindrops composes different melodies in our ears constantly. Its thrum soothes our mind. The silent neighbourhood, the awe-striking scenic flora and green carpets around the mountains, the majestic Mahaweli Ganga river, the pleasant climate, dust and honk-free roads, peaceful congestion-free walking zones, low traffic corridors, the melodious twitters and chirps of the birds, friendly faces with positive vibes, and the rejuvenating thrum of the raindrops combine to create a conducive atmosphere for the tertianship at Arrupe House, Kandy.

The programme’s first month focused on preparing for the 30-day Spiritual Exercises. Sessions on Sri Lanka’s cultural, political, ethnic, geographic, and linguistic context, and St. Ignatius’ Autobiography and Spiritual Diary cultivated a receptive mindset for the upcoming Spiritual Exercises. Overall, the initial days of the tertianship programme set the perfect tone.

 



Fr Clement J Santhanam SJ

Comments

  1. SajeevNovember 21, 2024 at 5:53 PM

    A good recap of our first days in Kandy. You have captured the peace and beauty of our surroundings with mouth-watering relish. Congrats Clement.

    ReplyDelete

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