Delhi: Inauguration of Navjivan Renewal Centre
Published Date: August 7, 2013
A centre for holistic human wellness.
Navjivan, a new Jesuit Renewal Centre in Delhi for holistic human wellness was opened on the feast day of St. Ignatius of Loyola. It intends to respond to the needs of the times and to promote renewal and transformation of life of individuals, groups and society at large. Also it will take initiatives to enter into dialogue with followers of all Religions in the region.
Navjivan was blessed by Most Rev. Anil T J Couto, Archbishop of Delhi, and inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Varkey Perekkatt SJ, Provincial of Delhi on 31st July 2013 in the presence of Most Rev. Kuriakose Bharanikulangara, Bishop Of Faridabad, Most Rev. Franco Mulakkal, Bishop Designate of Jalandar Diocese, many Religious Priests, Sisters and Laity.
When the Provincial, Fr. Varkey Parekatt cut the ribbon and opened the building, Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi and Archbishop Kuriakose Bharanikulangara of Faridabad, Bishop Franco of Jalandhar blessed the building and its members. The building is constructed very tastefully with over 50 rooms and conference halls.
It was a great spectacle at St. Xavier’s Delhi where the Province was inaugurating the long cherished Renewal Center Navjivan. Started as a place for the retired Jesuits in 2010, the present leadership of the Province broadened the place into a Renewal Centre.
T. K John led the liturgy of the blessing and felicitations. The director of Navjivan, George Mlakuzhy presented brochure of the coming year 2014 brimming with a wide array of programs.
The focus groups for Navjivan Renewal Centre in 2014 are priests, religious, lay leaders in the Church and Society, high school students, teachers and principals, youth, their leaders and animators, married couples, parents and family, social activists and NGOs working for the liberation of the poor and the marginalized.
Various types of programmes are planned for the coming year. Apart from various kinds of retreats, workshops on national issues and courses on spirituality and legal aid, special programmes for youth, teachers, principals etc are prepared.
Navjivan resource persons are experts in scripture, spirituality, counselling, education, inter-religious dialogue, theology, psychology, law etc. Moreover, the centre is well equipped with modern facilities like self- contained single rooms (many of which are air-conditioned), air-conditioned conference hall and classrooms, a large hall, workshop rooms, a good library, a chapel, lounge and a serene campus with green lawns and shady trees etc.
Fr. Varkey mentioned that Fr. P.T Augustine managed to get the whole building plans approved without paying any ‘commissions’ to the Corporation officials. Probably that was a Herculean task.
Detailed information can be downloaded from the website www.navjivanrenewalcentre.in
Jose Vattakkuzhy SJ.
