The 39th Common Juniorate Program was organized by Tenali Province in the year 2025. The journey of 13 junior sisters along with their formators from 6 provinces namely East Africa. Tenali, Madurai, Guwahati , Pune, and Amravati was more emotional and a long awaited day. Our hearts were filled with love and our faces with radiant beams to greet one another and extend our love, as a family of the Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod.
The 39th Common Juniorate Program 2025 was graciously hosted by the sisters of Province of Tenali. Sr. Ponni the junior Mistress of the Province of Tenali welcomed the gathering with her Inaugural Address. The main celebrant for the Eucharist was Rt, Rev, Bishop Chinnabathini Bhagyiaha, co – celebrant Fr. Showry Raj Parish priest, Sr. Helen Daisy province animator of Tenali, her counselors, sisters of various communities and all the participants of the program. Sr. Helen Daisy Tenali Provincial declared the 39th CJP open.
The theme for our 39th CJP program is “Consecrated to be a Prophets of Pascal hope”. Bishop Chinnabahini’s sermon was very practical and meaningful. His reflections on sculpture and marble were very much applicable to each of s. “Like a block of marble, we must carve away at our inner depths to reveal the masterpiece within”.
we assembled in the hall for prayer service conducted by Sr. Ponni and junior sisters of Tenali province. “Chiseled to be a radical prophet of paschal Hope”, was the theme for prayer service. The sculptor Michael Angelo, chiseling the statue of David was enacted out very meaningfully.
We were given a marble imprinted with our names on it, to offer to God as a symbol to allow ourselves to be chiseled for a Prophetic life. The entire prayer was a deep reflection of our call, purpose, time to delve deeper into one self and be aware of my excess to chisel away.
After prayer service Sr. Helen Daisy enlightened us with her reflection on the theme “Consecrated to be Prophet of Paschal hope”, her reflections were based on who could be called as consecrated person and what is the foundation of hope? how do we participate in Paschal mystery in our life?
After the break, we were each given a coloured heart, which served as a creative ice breaker to introduce ourselves to one another. The human sculpturing activity allowed us to physically depict our group dynamic, while the of web of thread exercise helped us visualize our expectations from CJP. We also enjoyed games like brain-teasing puzzles and a lively balloon dance. These activities not only helped us gain a deeper understanding of each other but also made for a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining experience which was conducted by Sr. Zeena junior mistress of Pune province.
At 3:30 p.m. we came together for orientation session by Sr. Ponni the junior mistress of Tenali. Sr. Ponni conducted a short prayer with a meaningful hymn. She read the letter from mother general addressed to the Formators and Juniors, explained in detail the aim, objectives and common thrust of 39th CJP program and each one was assigned with daily duties and responsibilities as individuals and as a group. We were requested to utilize each and every opportunity to go deeper into one self and to grow in the love of our vocation and Ccongregation.
A day is dawn with its beauty filling everyone’s heart, rising with gratitude the sisters were assembled in the hall to witness the great event - The sharing of life, vision and mission of our sisters in various Provinces and individual sharing started. Through the presentation of Amravati province we were given a glimpse of our first house - Mother House in India and the apostolic life of the sisters of Amravati Province. Then continued the presentation of Guwahati and East Africa.The continuation of the presentation begun at 9:00am by the Province of Madurai, it was creative, innovative and informative with cultural dipictions.
Then the Province of Tenali begun their presentation which was very traditional, creative and detailed information was given. In the afternoon at 3:00pm Pune Province begun their presentation which was reflective, inspiring and the theme was “The sound of Silence”. It was truly an eye opening experience, inspiring us to embrace creativity. The culture and the traditions of each Province were quite distinct, fostering a sense of deep respect and admiration.We truly valued the spirit of inter-nationality, embracing diversity that unites us. We congratulated and sincerely appreciated everyone for their dedication and efforts. On the whole we were delighted to get to know that each sister breaths the breath of our Vision “TO MAKE THE GOOD GOD KNOWN AND LOVED”, was the message we received from all the presentations of different provinces.
The wakeup call on the 4th day session was “ Pilgrims of Hope”. We were privileged to have Fr. Amalanathan SJ amidst us. Sr. Sahaya Mary introduced and welcomed Fr. Amalanathan, the resource person for the day. On the occasion of the Jubilee Year, Fr. Amalanathan’s session titled
Socio-Cosmic Today and Our Response : The first day focused on the theme “Socio Cosmos today and our response,” presented by Fr. Jerry Rosario. Sr. Divya from Madurai Province addressed the Welcome note to Father, it was innovative and creative with different cosmic elements. Justice and Cosmic Consciousness Fr. Jerry introduced various dimensions of justice—gender, economic, political, cultural, religious, ideological, environmental, and cosmic justice—urging us to recognize and respect the dignity of all creation. We were invited to reflect on our commitment to Christ and the values we uphold, emphasizing self-auditing, self-analyzing, and self-actualizing as steps toward greater self-awareness and maturity. Discernment was highlighted as a process of choosing between different goods, and the importance of committing to a chosen path with discipline and dedication was emphasized.
“Human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” Sr. Priyanthi gave orientation on understanding the lives of transgenders. Sr. Priyanthi began the session with a profound orientation on the lives of transgender individuals, focusing on their struggles, challenges, and experiences.
The session began with a deep reflection on the legacy of Mother Claudine Echernier and Fr. Peter Mermier, emphasizing their unwavering faith and commitment. Sr. Priyanthi skillfully shared the challenges faced by the Sisters of the Cross, highlighting three major crises that demand attention and reflection. The session conducted by Sr. Amala began with forming a group in order to point out all our expectations from the class. Everyone had unique and inspiring desires that we would like to accomplish through the lives of our 15 Mother generals. The session took us into the hearts and minds of our generals, where we were challenged, disturbed, motivated, comforted, loved, nourished, consoled, above all very much drawn towards their prophetic courage to face the challenges in hope, their dedication and commitment infused us, their forgive and missionary zeal enabled us to feel the sentiments of their love for the good God. “Your life becomes meaningful only if it blossoms with love.”- Mother Veronica Pollien:
The session begun with great enthusiasm of knowing the expansion of the mission in our congregation. Through on line our Srs. Kulandai Teresa(from Latin America), Elsy John(from Nepal) and Alphonse (from Israel) who shared their living experiences of joys, happiness, challenges and paschal mystery with us.
Sr. Bromadine began by introducing the term spirituality, emphasizing that it refers to the way individuals seek and experience their relationship with the divine. Spirituality is not limited to religious rituals, but rather, it encompasses a personal and transformative experience that connects individuals to God, others, and themselves. Ignatian Spirituality,Saletians Spirituality, Franciscan Spirituality, Carmelite Spirituality , Benedictine Spirituality , Dominican Spirituality. Sr. Bromadine provided valuable insights into the concept of spirituality in religious life. Sr. Bromadine highlighted the diversity of spiritualities across various religious communities, each shaped by their founders and mission.
Fr. Michael began the session by posing the fundamental question, "Who is a human?" He emphasized that the human person is a profound mystery, a composite being made up of body, mind, and soul, with each dimension contributing to the overall identity.The integration of these four aspects is crucial to understanding the human person. The mind (our intellect), heart (our emotions and desires), body (our physical being), and soul (our spiritual essence) must all function in harmony for the person to flourish. Fr. Michael emphasized that true well-being is achieved only when all these elements are integrated and working together, not in opposition to each other. The healthy sexual identity are :At home- ness with the self, At home- ness with same sex, At home - ness.
In the evening we went to Kollipara for Graduation function for the UKG kids. Tiny hands big dreams was the theme for the function. We do appreciate all the sisters and faculty for their tireless efforts to train the children so well that they were very confident in their speech, actions and dances.
Our day began with these inspirational quote “I am the pilot, and I will never let you down, trust me completely”. The session began with the prayer and we were divided into different groups to bring forth some ideas on the topic “OBEDIENCE”. God continues to call His people for His Mission. “Obedience is the key that opens ever door.”In the evening the Four Agreements to Live a Consecrated Life. which offered us a framework for deepening our commitment to a life of consecration. These agreements focused on aspects such as: - Be Impeccable with your Word, Don’t take anything Personally, Don’t make Assumptions, Always do your Best.Overall, it was a spiritually enriching and reflective day, with opportunities for personal growth, communal reflection, and deeper understanding of the religious vocation. Glory be to God.
The sun has risen, and with it comes a new day filled with aspirations and affirmations. Sr. Specioza led us through a rich and inspiring session on “Poverty,” inviting us to “empty the jar of our hearts.” She presented poverty not as a lack, but as a call to sharing, simplicity, and responsible stewardship, rooted in joyful dependence on God’s unfailing love. The session explored: To close the day, the group watched a movie on St. Francis of Assisi, a powerful portrayal of his radical love for poverty and unwavering trust in Divine Providence. His life served as a poignant reminder of the joy and freedom found in total surrender to God.
Sr. Zeena, which helped us become more in touch with ourselves. The day began with the impactful poem “Disturb Us, Lord” by St. Francis Drake, setting a reflective tone for the session on The Vow of Chastity, facilitated by Sr. Zeena. A sobering fact shared was that 55 members have left religious life between 2019 and 2025—a wake-up call for all. Sr. Zeena led insightful discussions on key topics: falling in love with God, expressions of celibacy, the four pillars of consecrated life, and the difference between chastity and celibacy. mission.
In the afternoon, we journeyed to the serene Bapatla Beach, where we enjoyed the natural beauty and spent some refreshing, joyful moments by the sea. Later, we visited another community where we presented a cultural program, expressing our unity, talents, and joy in the Lord. We then shared supper with our sisters, enjoying stories, laughter, and companionship. Thus, our day ended—filled with spiritual depth, joyful celebration, and communal bonding.
Sr. Lisa began with a brief overview of the importance of community life in both religious and daily living. She engaged us with reflective questions about our own experiences in community and drew inspiration from the Acts of the Apostles. The session continued with a talk on A Journey with Christ, where Sr. Lisa emphasized that walking with Christ deepens community bonds and nurtures love, forgiveness, and service. She also introduced three types of communities, Human Community, Trinitarian / Christian Community, Religious Community.
The day was devoted to interiorisation, a sacred pause for deep reflection. With hearts open, we entered into silence and prayer, contemplating the meaning and demands of the consecrated life. We reflected especially on the three evangelical counsels: obedience, poverty, chastity and community life. Each counsel spoke to us uniquely, revealing both its beauty and the quiet struggles it entails. Our reflection also drew us into the richness of its gifts.
The celebration of Holy Thursday began with a meaningful and prayerful service. As a community, we participated in the symbolic re-enactment of the Last Supper of Jesus by washing one another’s feet. This act of humility and fraternity served as a reminder of Christ’s commandment to love and serve one another. Bread and wine also shared as symbols of the Holy Eucharist, calling to mind Jesus’ words: “Do this in remembrance of me.”
During the day, there was sharing session on the Paschal Mystery, as experienced and lived by our junior sisters.
This session proved to be both enriching and inspiring. Through their personal testimonies, we witnessed how God continues to work in their lives amidst various challenges. It was edifying to see how they were able to overcome them through prayer and spiritual direction. In the evening, we participated in the Maundy Thursday celebration at the parish.
The day began with a meaningful Way of the Cross led by the Junior sisters. It was deeply touching, with reflections rooted in the realities of the world. The sisters put a great deal of effort into enacting the sufferings of people through the stations, making the experience powerful and reflective. We then had a recollection talk by Sr. Madonna, on the theme “A Call to Radical Love and Total Self-Giving.” focus on the Cross and its significant meaning in Religious Life. Then joined the parishioners in the Way of the Cross , had the Renewal of Vows, as Good Friday holds special significance for our congregation.
We began a new session on Leadership, facilitated by Sr. Anitta. She opened the session by defining the true essence of leadership and its importance in today’s world. We explored how leadership plays a vital role in both personal and communal life. The session covered the seven key traits of a good leader, encouraging us to reflect on how we can develop and embody these traits. Authoritarian Leadership Style, Transactional Leadership Style, Delegative Leadership Style, Democratic / Participative Leadership Style, Transformational Leadership Style.The celebration was filled with reverence, joy, and deep gratitude for the Resurrection of Christ. It was a beautiful and spiritually uplifting way to end the day, leaving us renewed and truly blessed.
We were blessed with the opportunity to visit the Our Lady Shrine in Vijayawada and the All Saints’ Church. We departed around 9:45 a.m. and reached our destination by 11:15 a.m. Climbing the mountain was both a joy and a challenge for each of us. Despite the scorching sun, our hearts were filled with happiness as we made our way to visit Our Lady and offer our prayers to her. Finally, upon reaching the shrine, it was a truly thrilling experience for all of us. We enjoyed a delicious meal at a hotel and savored both the food and the warm company of one another. We are truly grateful to our good God who brought us together for this special day. In the evening, after visiting the St Michael’s curch, Thank you, dear Lord, for all the graces and blessings you continue to shower upon us.
Our first session, led by Sr. Savari, was on the theme "Rooted and Grounded in Christ." She began by posing thought-provoking questions: What does it mean to be rooted? Why rootedness in Christ is very important today? How can we remain rooted in Him amidst weariness?Sr. Savari beautifully compared our rootedness to the jasmine flower. It echoes the words: “Nothing for me, but everything of you.” Ultimately, we are called to be people who bring Christ to others by who we are. Sister guided us in a meditation on the chakras.
Pope Francis : A wave of grief touched us with the sorrowful news of the passing of Pope Francis. It brought pain and deep agony to our hearts. We thank God for the gift he was to us and to the world. May his soul rest in peace. Dearest Holy Father, we will miss you profoundly—never forgotten, forever treasured in the divine hearts of each of us.
Our morning session focused on the theme “Mission Consciousness to be Joyful Witnesses”, led by Sr. Fatima Kattar, Province Animator of Madurai. Drawing from Jesus’ mission, rooted in His Abba experience, she inspired us to embrace our sacred purpose. Quoting Pope Francis, she affirmed: “I am a mission on this earth.” We are sent with a divine purpose, not by accident. She addressed themes like Frontline Ministries, Eco-Consciousness, and reaching out to the peripheries.Sr. Fatima Kattar led a session on "Mission Consciousness," emphasizing our responsibilities in mission and sharing inspiring stories of our sisters’ work worldwide. Participants creatively presented stories of ordinary people making a difference, highlighting how small acts can bring meaningful change.
"God is the source of all energy generated throughout the Universe," and this same energy is alive within us to glorify His name. A small screen made a big impact today during the session on "AI and Social Media," conducted by Fr. Arocika Selva. Fr. Selva Kumar then led an enlightening session on “Responsible Use of New Media,” emphasizing: The importance of responsible media use, especially for religious. Rome’s Call for AI Ethics and safeguarding human dignity. Magisterial reflections on AI and social media. Pope Francis’ call for discernment, dialogue, and the common good. The role of digital media in ministry—supporting catechesis, mission, and spiritual accompaniment. The vision of a Virtual Church for Smart Evangelization. Practical tools and platforms for religious communication and ministry.nspired by Pope Francis' invitation to engage responsibly in the digital world, we reflected on how media can be a powerful tool to share Christ’s message and foster hope.
We arrived at our convent in Secunderabad at 7:30 AM, where our sisters warmly welcomed us. The joy of reunion filled the atmosphere, and after a refreshing breakfast together, we set out for our destination: Ramoji Film City—a place many of us had long dreamed of visiting.Attended various live shows that displayed the magic of entertainment.Witnessed the behind-the-scenes processes of movie making, learning how films are created. Explored numerous film sets and shooting locations, bringing us closer to the cinematic world we usually only see on screen. The visit to Ramoji Film City was truly exciting and memorable.
we reflected on the 47 days of the CJP programme, gathering the fruits from each session. Later, in groups, we shared and consolidated our insights, We thanked God for the grace to recognize both our strengths and vulnerabilities, and we offered ourselves to be transformed as His true witnesses. After supper, we completed our sharing and offered suggestions about the program.
The morning commenced with a time of reflection on our 47-days journey in the CJP program. This period has invited us to connect deeply with our inner selves, journeying back to the roots of our being. Through this inner exploration, we have become more aware of the present moment, leading us to praise and thank God with renewed sincerity.
