Novitiate:
The novice grows into the knowledge of and intimacy with Jesus, through a process of inner transformation which leads her to make a whole hearted commitment to Jesus through the evangelical counsels as the handmaid of the Lord for God’s work according to the Charism and spirituality of the Congregation.
Transformation unto the Likeness of Christ
Rosa Mystica Novitiate Kinnikambla:
Fr Founder Mgr RFC Mascarenhas who was interested in the all round growth of his daughters of Bethany Congregation paid special attention to the young girls especially those under formation. He realized that religious training can be effective only in a calm and healthy atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of a city. So he decided that these growing young buds of the Congregation should bloom breathing the salubrious air of the garden of the Mystical Rose and had it transferred from the Mother House to Rosa Mystica in 1952. On 31st May, 1952 a group of 13 novices entered the novitiate here with Sr Aurora as their novice directress. Rev Fr Marcel OCD officiated at the Eucharist and Rev Fr John Pinto, the Parish Priest of Hospet preached the homily. There were 13 parish priests who concelebrated during vestittion of 13 novices. A modest storied building was provided for the use of the novices which is now being occupied by the sisters after another spacious novitiate building was built for the novices in 1964 by Mother Macrina, the then Superior General. This is the ‘Power House’ of the Congregation where the future members are helped to be transformed into the likeness of Christ and from where prayers of praise and supplications rise incessantly before God.
Rosa Mystica, Novitiate - Kinnikambla
Sr Sharan Bs Novice Directress with her team Sr Shalet BS and Sr Evangeline BS and Novices
Bethany Novitiate, Barasat:
Bethany Novitiate, Barasat was born out of the felt need of the Northern and North East Provinces to have a Formation House keeping in mind the cultural context. In 1993, Sr Agnella BS, the then Superior General, expressed this need to His Grace Henry D’Souza, the Archbishop of Kolkata, who suggested a plot of land at Barasat. Sr Agnella entrusted the work to Sr Canisia, the Provincial Superior of Northeast Province. Accordingly, with the help of Mr George Philip the land was bought and registered in 1993.
On February 2nd 1995, feast of the Presentation, the foundation of the Novitiate at Barasat was laid in the presence of many Bethany Sisters from nearby communities and sisters and fathers from Barasat area. Late Msgr John D’ Noronha blessed the Foundation stone.
By June 1996 the building was ready for occupancy. On June 13, Bethany Novitiate was blessed by late Henry D’Souza, the Archbishop of Kolkata and was inaugurated by Sr Agnella BS, the then Superior General, in the presence of an august gathering. The Superior General, the Provincials from all the 5 Provinces and many religious and priests witnessed the grand occasion.
On the very day, 10 postulants were initiated into the Novitiate by the Superior General in a meaningful ceremony. Sr Joy BS was appointed Novice directress and Superior of the house with Sr Hilarita BS as her assistant and Sr Gilbertine BS for house management. After two years the first batch of novices made their First Profession on June 13th 1998. Sr Joy the first Novice directress was elected as the General Councillor in 1998.
The list of the Novice Directresses since its inception:
Sr Joy BS 1996 - 1998
Sr Lucy Maria BS 1998 - 2000
Sr Erasma BS 2000 – 2006
Sr Mary Diki BS 2006 – 2012
Sr Selina BS 2012 – 2015
Sr Ruth BS 2015 –
At present under the able & dynamic leadership of Sr Ruth BS, and with the help of Sr Monica Dung Dung, Sr Cleopha and Sr Alveena Clare it continues to form the novices with their active and vibrant assistance. The 25 promising & joyful novices belonging to Northern, Eastern and North East Provinces add to the beauty of the Church and the Congregation.
Sr Ruth BS Novice Directress with her team Sr Cleopa BS, Sr Monica BS, and Sr Alveena Clare BS and Novices
Bethany Novitiate - Barasat
Bethany Convent, Bogadi, Mysore.(09.07.1989)
Mother Sylvine, the then Superior General, and Sr Dymphna, the then Provincial Superior of Bangalore Province, felt the need to open a study house in Mysore Diocese for the Sisters to pursue their studies in various disciplines, in the Manasa Gangothri University Mysore. Most Rev. Francis Michealappa, the Bishop of Mysore, blessed the building on 9 July 1989. Sr Leata and Sr Misericors became the pioneers of this new community, engaging themselves in the socio-pastoral ministry in the surrounding area. The house served the needs of the sisters for their spiritual and academic pursuits.
Another purpose of establishing Bethany Convent, Bogadi, was to provide for the formation of various groups of Sisters. From 1993-2007 the house accommodated the formation of ‘Come and See’ candidates.
The General Chapter held in 2004 directed the Administration to have Inter-Province Formation Houses. Thus the third Novitiate house of the Congregation for the Novices belonging to Western and Bangalore Provinces was canonically erected on 16th June 2007 by Most Rev. Thomas Vazhapilly, the Bishop of Mysore.
Sr Jyoti, the Superior General, Sr Bonita, the Provincial Superior of Bangalore Province, Sr Rose Ann, the Provincial Superior of Western Province with their councillors were present. 13 novices were initiated to the Novitiate on 15th June 2007. Bethany Novitiate community from 2007- 2016 has catered to 8 batches of novices, numbering 100 of them, under the guidance of Sr Clarina, the Novice Directress and Sr Sharlet Mendonca, Sr Precilla Braggs, Sr Ranjitha, Sr Simprose and Sr Veena Laveena as assistant directresses successively.
At present there are nine, II year novices; Sr Clarina is the Superior & Novice Directress, Sr Veena Laveena, the asst and Sr Laeta, Sr Gracilda and Sr Anil, as members of the community.
Year of establishment: 09.07.1989
Bethany Novitiate - Bogadi
Sr Clarina BS Novice Directress with her team Sr Venna Lavena BS, Sr Gracilda BS, Sr Laeta BS and Sr Anil BS and Novices