The Prior General in the Vicariate of India: “Our brother friars are very aware of the importance of community”

In the early part of this year, Father Alejandro Moral, Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine, toured the seven communities that comprise the Vicariate of Our Lady of Grace in India

Accompanied by regional Assistant General, Father Anthony Banks, and the Vicar Father of Kerala, Wilson Viswanath Injarapu, the Prior General was able to see first-hand how “well-organized the Vicariate is” and the crucial role it plays in the growth of the Order across Asia and around the world, as a key source of Augustinian vocations.

“The visit,” Father Wilson shared from India, “provided invaluable opportunities for the Prior and his assistant to spend time with the friars and candidates from various communities, strengthening the bonds of fraternity, spiritual growth, and vocation development within the Vicariate.”

An overview of the Vicariate of Our Lady of Grace in India

The Vicariate of Our Lady of Grace in India currently consists of seven houses spread across four different states —Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh— each one with its distinct languages and cultures. The Vicariate’s presence includes three parishes: Mary Queen Help of Christians church in Mariyapuram under the Archdiocese of Verapoly; and, in the Diocese of Calicut, there are St Thomas Church in Thalapuzha and Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church in Panamaram.

In addition to pastoral and parish work, the Order has established two schools and four seminaries, each one playing a significant role in promoting education and spiritual formation. The Vicariate also oversees a missionary project in Indore, although it currently has no residents.

In total, it numbers 46 solemnly professed friars, including a number stationed in Rome, Spain, Cuba, Australia, and Portugal.

Highlights from the Renewal Visit to Kerala by Father Wilson

Over the course of the visit, there was time for recreation, celebrating the Eucharist, engaging in conversations with the friars, and experiencing the joy of Augustinian spirit within community - inspiring a call from the General Curia for the brothers to maintain this positive disposition. 

Father Vicar highlighted some of the most notable moments of the visit:

1. Monastery of Our Lady of Consolation, Hyderabad (6th-7th January): The tour began at this monastery, which houses candidates in the early stages of formation. Over two days, the Prior General and the Assistant General held in-depth discussions with friars and candidates about the challenges of formation and the future direction of the Order in India.

2. Santa Monica Community, Pollachi (8th-9th January): Mutual excellence in academics in combination with a firm grounding in spiritual formation was emphasized, with visits to students and friars at Santa Monica School.

3. House of Studies of Saint Augustine, Aluva (10th-11th January): While in their presence, the Prior and Assistant General provided spiritual guidance to candidates in formation and celebrated Mass at Mary Queen Help of Christians Parish.

4. Mother of Good Counsel Ashram, Thalappuzha (12-13th January):This meeting helped strengthen pastoral relations with this community, which serves two parishes.

5. Saint Augustine Minor Seminary, Edacochin (14th-15th January): Discussions focused on the criticality of creating a nurturing environment that fosters both spiritual growth and academic success.

6. Saint John Community, Kollam (16th-17th January): Augustinian education was the primary focus of talks, in particular the importance of integrating the values of the Order’s charism into both curricular and extracurricular activities. Both Father Alejandro and Father Anthony reaffirmed the value of improving the student-teacher ratio in classrooms.

Reflections, Challenges, Observations, and Opportunities: The Prior General’s Perspective

“Currently, there are two schools where the teachers welcomed us warmly and affectionately. We have Hindus, Shiites, Sunnis, and Christians.” 

Throughout the visit, the Prior General and Assistant General noted the vibrant and fraternal spirit of the Vicariate. “I was delighted to see how happy our brothers are in all the communities. They are working very well across very diverse environments, offering education and formation without distinction of creed. In our schools, we have Hindus, Shiites, Sunnis, and Christians. I saw the friars joyfully carrying out their mission. We have at least three brothers, as required by the Constitutions, in each community. They are Augustinians who are very aware of their own particular role and what needs to be done to cultivate their shared mission.”

However, they also identified some challenges, not least a lack of resources for new communities and the high costs of formation programmes. They emphasized the need for expansion, with new schools and communities, as vocations grow. On this point, the Prior General shared with the Curia's communication office the hope of establishing a new school: “Another school would greatly help us economically, and enable the continued development of the Vicariate.”

The visit, in Father Wilson Ijanparu’s words, “marks a milestone on the path toward establishing a Province in India, reaffirming continued commitment and support within the worldwide Augustinian family.”