(JUNE 1, 1967) Not long after their arrival in India the Irish fathers became acutely aware of the need of receiving Indian vocations who could be formed in the spirit of St. Dominic and who would further the presence and mission of the Order in India. Hence in 1967 a bungalow (Glenmay) was purchased from Mr. and Mrs, Hogshaw in Pachmarhi in the Satpura Hills in Madhya Pradesh about 160 miles away from Nagpur to serve as the novitiate house of the Order’s Indian mission. The house was re-christened Mariyalay and the first batch of four novices was received in June of that year.
Community Appostolate
ST. DOMINIC ASHRAM, NAGPUR
In the year 1967, St. Dominic Ashram that was nearing completion was made a house of the Order. Later this house was set up as a priory in 1969 to serve as a house for the formation of students for the Order. The foundation stone of St. Dominic Ashram was blessed by the Master of the Order, Aniceto Fernandez, who had come to the Eucharistic Congress held in Bombay in 1964 and then spent some days in St. Charles Seminary with the friars and seminarians. All the Indian Dominican friars – over a hundred priests –have had part if not the whole of their student training
ST. DOMINIC CONVENT, ASHOKNAGAR, MANGALORE
The church and convent of St, Dominic, Asoknagar, Mangalore, was a project started by Fr. Dennis Lewis of the Roman Province of the Order in 1968. For some years it remained part of the Roman Province till the Master of the Order transferred it to the Indian Vicariate of the Irish Province in 1972. It was raised to the status of a convent in 1987. For some years it served as then novitiate house, house for postulants and later also for students, but all through it has been a parish for the people of the area. St. Dominic Priory, Mangalore Diocese of Mangalore. The Dominican friars in Mangalore also serve the spiritual needs of religious in the diocese and beyond.
ST. DOMINIC CHURCH, VASANT VIHAR, NEW DELHI
The Dominican community at St. Dominic Church, Vasant Vihar, ministers to its parishioners and other needs of the church in the Archdiocese of Delhi. Its parish community is made up of English and Hindi speaking people some of whom are there by reason of work while others are permanent residents of the city.
ST. DOMINIC, MOIRA, GOA
The novitiate was moved from Pachmarhi to a large house given to the Vice Province by Fr. Victor Dias in Moira, Goa. With this the Dominicans returned to Goa once again. This was like a homecoming for the Order as Goa still has many landmarks of the earlier Dominican presence and ministry in this territory. Adjacent to the house gifted to the order by Fr. Victor Dias anew novitiate building was constructed on higher ground in the same plot of land. This house can accommodate between eight and ten novices and six priests. Besides the formation of novices the fathers have the care of two chapels where Mass is celebrated for the people and other retreat, teaching and preaching apostolates.
ST. THOMAS PRIORY, ORLIM, GOA
The Dominican Philosophate, named Gyanadhara, is presently located at the vicinity of St. Michael’s Parish, Orilm in the Priory of St. Thomas Aquinas. Gyanadhara completed sixteen years since its inception in 2001and fifteen batches have passed out of the institute. Five trained friars in Philosophy assigned to the priory are able to manage 80% of the subjects taught. It was part and parcel of the vision of the Philosophate to educate the brothers in Thomistic Philosophy so that they become familiar with the method of philosophizing of St. Thomas Aquinas. Fr. Vinoy Paykattu, who holds a PhD in Philosophy, is the present director. He is also the director of the yearly renewal program for the religious, called IGNITE. Besides running Gyanadhara, the community is entrusted with the responsibility of the pastoral care and administration of St. Michael’s Parish, Orilm and media & communication. We strive honestly in the true Dominican spirit, on the one hand, to cooperate with one another in fulfilling the responsibilities, and on the other hand set aside space for everyone to venture into new initiatives always aiming at salvation of souls.
ST. MARTIN, POYIL
This Community was established in the year 1998. The friars are involved in faith formation of the laity by engaging themselves in AA programs, Counseling, Retreat, Masses and confession for the in and around parishes in Alakode and Therthelly. Friars are also able help both Syro-Malabar and Latin rite faithful. Monday to Saturday we have Adoration and Mass in the chapel attached to the house.
ST. PATRICK MINOR SEMINARY, ITANAGAR (ARUNACHAL PRADESH)
St. Patrick’s Community, which was established on 26th of June 2015, consists of six members, namely Frs. Paul Mathew (Superior), Paulson Deepak, Jiwandan Majhi, Anthonyswamy, Richard Kiro and Meckanzie Mendonsa. The community is housed in St. Patrick’s Minor Seminary of the diocese of Itanagar. Following a contract entered with the Diocese of Itanagar, the community is entrusted with the formation of the Diocese’s minor seminarians. Four members of the community are engaged in this ministry, which also includes preparing them for +2 examinations. Apart from this, the community members are actively involved in various pastoral ministries in the parish as well as around the place. St. Paul’s Church, which is a sub-station of the parish, is wholly taken care of by the community.
Two members are residing at Yangte, a mission station begun by the Salatians, and now entrusted to the community for the time being till the Province makes a final decision about its taking over. This place is about 180 kilometers away from the diocesan headquarters, and predominantly consists of the Nyishi Tribe. The two community members residing there take care of the local church and visit the neighbouring villages which are part of this mission. They also manage a village school.
ST. DOMINIC PROVINCIAL HOUSE, BENGALURU
Apart from being the provincialate Satyanilaya: the community whis comprised of 8 fathers are actively involved in various ministries in and around Banglore. We have a small parish at Kunnur and Fr. Naveen Rodrigues is the in charge of the Parish. We also take up for Retreats, Recollections, Confessions in many convents and in Logos retreat center
ST DOMINIC, IGATPURI
This house was established in the year 1996. The community in Igatpuri, has two main apostolates, that is one taking care of a parish in which all the members are actively involved in pastoral apostolate. Second is taking care of Dominican center for training and retreats. In this center priests and religious come and make their retreats. Even lay people and other denomination also have their retreats and training programs.
DOMINICAN FATHERS, SARIHAJAN
Dominican spirituality centre organized two days residential retreat in Hindi on 4th and 5th of August 2018. 250 to 300 people participated in this retreat. We also organized one day retreat in Karbi on 12th of August 2018, 150 people took part in it.
On 28th of August St. Dominic’s Parish Sarihajan organized Bible Sunday and youth Sunday. On this day there was drawing competition for children and also quiz competition was held for the parishioners. Same day year of youth flag was hoisted.
ST. ALBERT, NAGPUR
St. Alberts Community was established in 1987 in view of training the diocesan Seminarians from North Indian dioceses. There are about 180 student brothers studying in St. Charles Seminary, Nagpur. St. Albert priory consists of ten friars who are engage themselves in teaching and forming future priests. Some important events that took place during this academic year are depicted in the slide show here
Vande Mataram 2018 – celebration of different cultures of India on the occasion of the Independence of India. It was a colourful event with all the regions depicting their cultures and differences – unity in diversity. The celebration was also organized at different tuition centres, where our brothers help the poor children in their education.
Solemnityt of St. John Mary Vianney – on the occasion of the Solemnity of St. John M. Vianney, St. Charles Seminary organized a procession at seminary hills on 3rd august.Tthe brothers from all the formation houses participated. We recited the rosary and sang marian hymns during the procession. we said novena prayer to st. John Mary Vianney. We distributed sweets to the different study houses. The cassocks for the first year theology students were given during the Holy Eucharist on 4th august, Vianney day.
Solemnity of St. Thomas Apostle – was celebrated with a syro-malabar rite mass at st. Charles Seminary. Rev. Fr. Anthony Moonjanattu from Chanda diocese was the chief celebrant.
Adivasi Divas was celebrated with the holy Eucharist with a special touch from Chota Nagpur on 5th August. Rev. Fr. Basil Tirkey, OFM, was the main celebrant.
ST. MARTIN, NAGPUR
The community of St. Martin’s, Nagpur, was established on 21st January 2009. Presently, it consists of four friars. In keeping with the twofold thrust of the Dominican Order, viz. Preaching and Salvation of Souls, the community has been actively engaged in various ministries such as spiritual, social, pastoral, educational, etc. The community is acclaimed locally as well as globally for its involvement in carrying out social responsibility, particularly working for the rights of women and children
