English 
The international novitiate in Rome was joined by a new novitiate in India in Medchal. On 2 January in the Shraddha Sadan house in Medchal, Hyderabad (India) three young women, Sravani, Suseela and Anjela Toppo, after a week of prayer, joyfully accepted the challenge to begin the novitiate journey towards missionary religious consecration under the guidance of Sr. Jacintha Xavier, Mother Teacher. Here is what they say…
We, the novices of Shraddha Sadan, are filled with joy and gratitude as we reflect on the incredible gift of our religious missionary vocation. As we step into the next stage of our formation, we were blessed to have a five-day retreat led by Sr. Shyla Rayappan. This retreat was a time of deep reflection and renewal, where we explored themes that touched our hearts and strengthened our connection to God.
Silence: A Sacred Encounter
Silence became a sacred space for us during the retreat — a space to listen to God’s voice. Just as Elijah encountered God in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11-12), we, too, found His presence in stillness. Silence allowed us to experience awe and reverence for God’s holiness, focus on His presence during prayer and meditation, discover inner peace and rest, echoing the beauty of the Sabbath.
Prayer: A Heartfelt Conversation
Prayer is the bridge that connects our hearts to God. Through it, we express faith, trust, and love. We explored the four forms of prayer, remembered easily by “ACTS”:
- A – Adoration – Praising God’s greatness. (CCC 2628)
- C – Confession – Seeking His forgiveness. (CCC 2629)
- T – Thanksgiving – Showing gratitude for His blessings. (CCC 2637)
- S – Supplication – Humbly presenting our needs to Him. (CCC 2634)
Vocation: Answering God’s Call
Vocation is a call from God, often in response to the needs of others. We reflected on the lives of prophets, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Jesus, the Apostles, and St. Paul, drawing inspiration from their journeys. To follow Jesus, we were reminded to deny ourselves, take up our cross, follow Him with unwavering faith.
Mission: Living for God
Pope Francis inspires us with his words: “I am a mission, you are a mission, we are the mission of the Lord.” We learned that our every action should align with God’s Word, reflecting His kingdom on earth.
Mother Giuseppina Rodolfi captures the beauty of our purpose: “The apostolic life! Is there anything more beautiful on earth?” Blessed Paolo Manna adds, “You go, but it is not you who go. It is Christ who goes in you and with you.”
Mary: Our Guiding Light
Mary, the Immaculate Queen of the Apostles, remains a profound inspiration for our journey. Her life, filled with grace and holiness, teaches us to walk closely with God and to share His love with the world.
Msgr. Maria Balconi reminds us: “Your vocation is the vocation of Mary—to give Jesus to the world. With Jesus, every word becomes eternal life.”
A Day of New Beginnings
On January 2nd, we concluded our retreat with a celebration of light and hope under the theme “Remain in Me and I in You.” Carrying lit candles, we processed to the sanctuary, offering plants as symbols of our growth and commitment.
Rev. Sr. Theresa shared uplifting words, encouraging us to embrace the Novitiate as a time to deepen our relationship with the Lord, learn from His teachings, and live by the Constitution. We were honoured to receive the Constitution and guiding sources from Rev. Sr. Theresa Nazareth, the Province Leader of Hyderabad.
The presence of the sisters from Nirmala Dhyana Sadan added warmth and joy to the occasion. We concluded the day with a delicious meal, feeling blessed and inspired to continue our journey with God.
Sravani, Suseela and Anjela Toppo, Hyderabad
