Classes and exams over; our fifteen pre-novices went on a little Kolkata darshan before they started a three days retreat. The visit started with Mother House on April 12. We had a mass at Mother’s Tomb. From there we proceeded to the Indian Museum. The rest of the morning hours were spent there. We had lunch at Prabhu Jisur Girja and then went to visit Birla Technological Museum. Some of the shows there were interesting. Our dinner was at St Lawrence’s and on the way there we also visited Birla temple. Before dinner, the pre-novices had some time to chat with the candidates.
The next day we visited the Science City. Though the day was very hot we enjoyed learning through games.
The three day retreat began on 14th evening at Dhyan Ashram. It was directed by Fr Cyriac. On 18th morning the pre-novices returned to Arunoday.
(Click on the photos for a better view)
In Bengali, the word 'Arunoday' means sunrise. Arunoday, dedicated to the Rising Sun, Jesus, is the pre-novitiate of the Calcutta Province of the Society of Jesus. The house is situated at Malancha, on Taki Road, near Barasat, about 30 kms from Kolkata.