Imbibing the real spirit of service and care towards the prisoners from the bible verse, "I was in prison and you visited me" (Mt 25: 36), Jesus Fraternity is currently functioning actively in our seminary. The prime intention of this group is to pray and work for the welfare of prisoners and their families. The activities of Jesus Fraternity in our seminary in this academic year commenced in the first week of June itself. The freshers were extended a convivial welcome to this group. The group has a strength of over 30 seminarians. We do have prayer sessions, adorations, and monthly jail visits. We function under the guidance of Prison Ministry of India. Every Friday except on first Friday 'Sparsam', a prayer service with fasting is being conducted. The brothers lead the session from 1:00 to 1:30 pm. Every first Friday 'Tefillah', the adoration of the blessed sacrament is conducted from 1:00 to 1:30 pm. Primarily Sparsam and Tefillah are intended for the prayers for prisoners, their family members and jail authorities. Every batch is actively participating in the chain rosary of Divine Chaplet. The night prayer session exclusively for the batch leaders (two from each batch) is being conducted once in every month under the title Re-ignite. Some other special programs conducted along with prayer sessions augmented the vigour and vivacity of the ministry. Rev. Fr. Varghese Karipperi visited the seminary as the Chief Guest on August 4, 2022 for Vianney Day celebrations. Rev. Fr. Francis Kodiyan MCBS helped us in this venture. An online quiz titled EOLAS ONLINE TRIVIAcovering the topics like the biography of St. Maximilian Colbe and brief history of Jesus Fraternity was conducted in four rounds in the four Thursdays of the month of July, 2022. The seminarians in our own seminary participated and grabbed the prizes which were distributed on August 4 by Rev. Fr. Varghese Karipperi. Bro. Shon Theruvankunnel (I Prize), Bro. Martin Neelaparampil (II Prize) and Bro. Sachin Kaithatharaputhenveedu (III Prize) turned to be the winners. The Vianney Day program was fully coordinated and executed by the members of Jesus Fraternity. Also, the members launched a band titled Lighthouse - A band that radiates hope' and performed during the program. The leaders of Jesus Fraternity in the campus were blessed to attend an online 'National Meeting' arranged on August 14, 2022. The festal celebration of St. Maximilian Colbe was marked by the celebration of Holy Qurbana on August 13 by Rev. Fr. Robins Kumbalakkuzhy of Mananthavady diocese, a new priest who was actively involved in the initiatives of Jesus Fraternity from 2018 to 2021. Moreover, the State Director of Jesus Fraternity, Rev. Fr. Martin Thattil paid a blessed unit visit in our campus on November 10, 2022 and celebrated Holy Qurbana along with an enriching homily on the next day. He also found time to meet the office-bearers and Unit Director. Also, he had a meeting with all the members of Jesus Fraternity in our community. The monthly Jail visits to Thalassery Subjail were conducted in the months of August, September, December and January. The distinctive events in those visits included magic shows, musical performance, instrumental music, thought provoking reflections, Christmas cake cutting and distribution. Also, each visit is accompanied by intentional prayer services and mortifications to the best our abilities. Prayer is Power. The visits were fruitful only on account of Divine mercy and providence. The sharing of monthly jail visit experiences following the subsequent prayer service in the chapel was truly an eye-opening moment of reflection, introspection, gratitude and surrender before God. Also, we do eagerly hope to visit nearby jails during the upcoming vacation. By God's grace it is an honour for us to be His instruments in praying for the prisoners and their family members. We are enthusiastically participating in the ventures associated with Jesus Fraternity along with timely guidance of our Director, Rev. Fr. Abraham Nellickal and proper consultation with the State Director, Rev. Fr. Martin Thattil.
