Catholic Ashram Palda

Vision:

“Inspired by the Divine Word, we promote, assist and accompany our formees through spritiual, intercultureal and intellectual pursuits for a World Wide Mission”.

Mission:

We, the followers of the Divine Word, inspired by our Founder St. Arnold Janssen, live and work, admire and appreciate, preserve and promote multiplicity, in-depth Spirituality and intellectual pursuit for a Worldwide Mission and deepen our Religious and Missionary Vocation in the present challenging Scenario. We strive to grow in human, spiritual, academic and missionary and pastoral dimensions.

According to the chronicle of Palda, we learn that Palda property was bought in part in 1948 and the rest of the property was purchased later. Although SVD missionaries came to India in 1932, it took 16 long years to recruit vocations to the SVD society. In view of training indigenous missionaries, a formation house was envisaged. A small house was blessed on August 22, 1951, on the feast of the Queenship of Mary who is the Patroness of this house. This formation house was named as Catholic Ashram Palda so that she could be identified within the mission context. The present house was completed in 1954 and much of the credit goes to Br. Damasus SVD whose engineering expertise made it possible for the house to stand tall against so many odds. The seminary owns 56 acres of land, a good supply of irrigation water and electricity.

Ever since the Divine Word Missionaries came to India, in the year 1932 their farsightedness enabled them to ponder over the idea of establishing a formation house to train more zealous and indigenous missionaries for the future. Hence, before the World War II ended, some attempt was made to purchase land, where a central formation house for the Region could be constructed. A middle man agreed to negotiate the terms and a good amount was given to him. He had purchased land at Lausipura, Near Rau south of Indore, towards Mhow but not for the SVD society, rather in his own name and he never transferred it to the mission SVD. However, the pioneering missionaries were not discouraged, but persevered in their strong will to further pursue the matter. It was Fr. Stanislaus Wald SVD, the then Regional Superior, along with Fr. George Proksh SVD, who made fresh attempts toward the purchase of the land. On 21August 1944, both of them went to inspect the farm, the bungalow and other facilities in Palda village. That was a rainy day. This land was in Holkar State. The lawyer of Indore Catholic Mission, Mr. Sharma gave his professional opinion regarding the property. The mission could not normally purchase agricultural land. Further no building could be erected except on that part reserved on the Patwari’s map. Application for the sale of the land has to be put up by the party that owns the land to the Subaha (land Officers) of the Holkar State. Exception form the rule can be granted only by the Maharaja when it was forwarded through the Subha.

Towards the end of 1932, the first two Divine Word Missionaries reached Indore to take up the evangelization task from the French Capuchins. Soon more of them followed the first two, in the first few years they busied themselves in settling themselves and expanding the missionary activities in Indore mission. There was a realization at least among some of the pioneers, that a formation programme to promote indigenous vocations to the Society would be ideal. The eight Indian diocesan priests of the diocese are a great help in keeping the mission going. Even the Bishop’s fourteen seminarians won’t be enough to fill up all the vacant places. That is why the Divine Word Missionaries from the very beginning considered it so necessary to open a seminary to train Indian students for the priesthood. When the Visitator General came in 1937 he further stressed this project and even the place was selected. Came the World War II and the missionaries were interned. After the war this chosen place was not available anymore. A more suitable site was found three kilometers out of Indore city limits in the village of Palda, a beautiful green nook with a good well and many trees and a few houses. According to the chronicle of Palda, we learn that Palda property was bought in part in 1948 and the rest of the property was purchased later. Although SVD missionaries came to India in 1932, it took 16 long years to recruit vocations to the SVD Society. In view of training indigenous missionaries, a formation house was envisaged. A small house was blessed on August 22, 1951, on the feast of the Queenship of Mary who is the Patroness of this house. This formation house was named as Catholic Ashram Palda so that she could be identified within the mission context. The present house was completed in 1954 and much of the credit goes to Br. Damasus SVD whose engineering expertise made it possible for the house to stand tall against so many odds. The seminary owns 56 acres of land, a good supply of irrigation water and electricity. Ever since the Divine Word Missionaries came to India, in the year 1932 their farsightedness enabled them to ponder over the idea of establishing a formation house to train more zealous and indigenous missionaries for the future. Hence, before the World War II ended, some attempt was made to purchase land, where a central formation house for the Region could be constructed. A middle man agreed to negotiate the terms and a good amount was given to him. He had purchased land at Lausipura, Near Rau south of Indore, towards Mhow but not for the SVD society, rather in his own name and he never transferred it to the mission SVD. However, the pioneering missionaries were not discouraged, but persevered in their strong will to further pursue the matter. It was Fr. Stanislaus Wald, the then Regional Superior, along with Fr. George Proksh, who made fresh attempts toward the purchase of the land. On 21August 1944, both of them went to inspect the farm, the bungalow and other facilities in Palda village. That was a rainy day. This land was in Holkar State. The lawyer of Indore Catholic Mission, Mr. Sharma gave his professional opinion regarding the property. The mission could not normally purchase agricultural land. Further no building could be erected except on that part reserved on the Patwari’s map. Application for the sale of the land has to be put up by the party that owns the land to the Subaha (land Officers) of the Holkar State. Exception form the rule can be granted only by the Maharaja when it was forwarded through the Subha.

Thus there were hurdles after hurdles. All the same no hurdle was capable of shattering the unwavering faith of the pioneering fathers in the providence of God. It was Fr. Francis Simons SVD (later bishop of Indore who further pursued the matter and tried to get the necessary permission from the Maharaja Holkar of Indore. He mentioned the matter to Miss Henessery the American nurse of the Maharaja’s son Richard, who used to come to church with the nurse. The nurse agreed to mention the matter to the Maharaja at fitting occasion. At last she did put in a word with the Maharaja, whose response to the matter was quite a favorable. In January 1948, Frs. Simons SVD and Hofstee SVD were invited to tea with the mother and sister of Her Highness Maharani who was an American. To the utter surprise of the fathers, when they arrived, the maharaja himself was present to receive them. When all were enjoying the high tea, the maharaja called Fr. Simons aside and had a talk with him in his office. Soon after this audience, permission was granted to purchase the land at Palda.

Formation Programme:

During the initial years, Palda had three years formation programme consisting of the Intermediate Course of the University of Indore and the study of languages like Latin, English and Hindi. Such a programme was necessitated by the fact that the candidates joining the Palda were Matriculates and so they had to be given the chance to do the two year Intermediate course. Nearly a decade later, as Palda was able to get Intermediate candidates trained in the respective regional minor seminaries of the SVD society, the formation program at Palda was reduced from three years to two years. By 1976 the programme was further subjected to revision and review and it was felt to have compulsory for all the students. As the present programme equally focuses on Spirituality, Integration and Studies. It is popularly known as the SIS Course.

 Highlights of Catholic Ashram Palda

04/11/1932           Arrival of Divine Word Missionaries. The German pioneering SVDs who landed in India toyed for eighteen years with the idea of starting a formation programme for Indian candidates for priesthood. Frs. Valentine Zimmermann SVD and Stanislaus Wald SVD visited many Indian seminaries and took the initiative to recruit and train candidates from Kerala, Mangalore and Orissa

21/08/1944           It was Fr. Stanislaus Wald SVD, the then Regional Superior, along with Fr. George Proksh SVD, who made fresh attempts toward the purchase of the land. Both of them went to inspect the farm, the bungalow and other facilities in Palda village. That was a rainy day. This land was in Holkar State. The lawyer of Indore catholic mission, Mr. Sharma gave his professional opinion regarding the property. The mission could not normally purchase agricultural land. Further no building could be erected except on that part reserved on the Patwari’s map. Application for the sale of the land has to be put up by the party that owns the land to the Subaha (land Officers) of the Holkar State. Exception form the rule can be granted only by the Maharaja when it was forwarded through the Subha.

12/01/1948           Frs. Simons SVD and Hofstee SVD were invited to tea with the mother and sister of Her Highness Maharani who was an American. To the utter surprise of the fathers, when they arrived, the Maharaja himself was present to receive them. When all were enjoying the high tea, the maharaja called Fr. Simons SVD aside and had a talk with him in his office. Soon after this audience, permission was granted to purchase the land at Palda.

08/02/1948           Property was bought for Palda. It is 56 acres of land, a good supply of irrigation water and electricity.

20/12/1949           The property of Palda finally became for the Divine Word Missionaries. The farm house existing on this property was converted into a novitiate in this house.

02/07/1951           Palda – an old farm house, with no electricity or running water, no approach road nor any pathway leading to the farm house, all around only shrubs and thorny bushes.

04/08/1951           One of the first year novices, Frt. Bonaventure Sequeira, during the 30 days retreat. There was a conference on death after which he went up to the terrace of the unfinished new building to mediate and fell down from the edge of the terrace and died on the spot.

21/12/1951           Brother Novices enter the novitiate and the clerical novices are shifted to Palda from Mhow.  Rev. Fr. Stanislaus Wald SVD becomes the Rector and Novice Master. Clerical novices – George Anathil, James Arackal, John Plammoottil and Joseph Puthumana, Brother Novices – Andrew Kiro, Christopher Bilung, Herman Lakra, Vincent Tirkey and Regis Chittilappally.

21/06/1952           Digging of the foundation for the new building begun. Br. Damasus took charge of the construction and in spite of shortage of materials.

04/07/1952           Juniorate section began with 39 students in the first year and 15 in the second.

22/08/1954           The main house of the Catholic Ashram is completed and blessed. His Excellency Archbishop Martin Lucas SVD the former Internuncio of India performed the blessing ceremonies amid jubilant rejoicings.

20/06/1956           Frs. Engelbert  Zeitler SVD and O’Reilly SVD leave for Poona with Scholastics to continue Theology and Philosophy. Novices are shifted to Khurda. At the request of the Hindi Catholic Literature Committee Father S. Wald was assigned the task of translating the Old Testament into Hindi.

30/10/1957           Silver Jubilee of the arrival of SVDs in India

26/05/1958           Permission for the cemetery is obtained

07/06/1958           The Maharaja of Jhabua visits the Ashram

07/10/1958           Electricity is supplied to the Ashram

04/02/1959           Very Rev. Fr. John Shutte SVD, Superior General visits

15/06/1959           Palda Bridge is completed by Fr. Karl Ritz SVD and Brother Novices

02/10/1959           Ordination of the First Batch. It was a historic day in the annals of Indian SVD. The first batch of Indian SVDs was getting ordained on this memorable day. Ordination of Fathers George Anathil SVD, Joseph Puthumana SVD and Chacko Arackal SVD. All arrangements were made on the open ground of Palda. Suddenly strong winds gushed and torrential returns of monsoon rains began to pour. The roof of the platform was blown away. It was impossible to continue the programme so everybody began to walk briskly to St. Raphael School hall where the ordination ceremony was completed.

05/08/1961           Palda gets a new van. Palda hockey team defeat Daly College team

29/06/1963           Fr. Alois Kloepper SVD leaves for Bangalore to buy cows and the cows arrive after 10 days.

01/01/1972           Dental Clinic is shifted to St. Patrick’s. St. Arnold’s Seva Sadan

06/03/1972           First tube well, water was struck at 32 feet

02/07/1972           Lost in the vicinity of Palda : Within 48 hours after the election of the new regional, the ex-regional Fr. Kloepper was off from his residence. None of us knew exactly where he might be. Yes he was off to Palda and has occupied one of the smallest rooms on the ground floor. As he was interviewed to comment on his future activities, he refused to say anything definite except that he is feeling at ease after having spent six years in the office of the Regional and 20 years here in the country. He has left the country for some months to his home town, Germany and then the future programmes will be made now to the press

07/03/1973           Fr. George Anathil’s name is announced to be the Bishop of Indore

02/03/1974           Gobar Gas plant is installed.

21/10/1974           Nearly 48 students and staff taken ill due to food poisoning.

15/01/1976           Feast of Bl. Arnold Janssen is celebrated for the first time.

21/02/1976           Mr. Butch, the director of City Improvement Trusts of Madhya Pradesh Government agrees to have the proposed Ring Road through our compound to be diverted.

20/04/1976           Madhya Pradesh Bishops pay a visit

10/03/1977           Sr. Genievive gives a talk to the community on symbolism in Hindu liturgy.

01/03/1978           All India SVD Education Meeting is held

26/02/1979           Very Rev. Fr. Henry Heekren SVD  visits.

24/09/1980           The First Provincial Assembly of the Central Indian Province and Chapter are held.

19/06/1981           The First Regional Convention of Religious Brothers in Madhya Pradesh is held. Twenty four brothers from five religious congregation four priests and a layman participated in the convention.

17/09/1981           Fr. Valentine Zimmermann is laid to rest RIP

01/10/1981           A National Convention of SVD Brothers in India is held. Fifty participants including the three Provincials and a few other priests attended. Br. Max Staudinger represented the Generalate. The convention was called to formulate a relevant programme for the Brothers Formation in India.

26/01/1983           Golden Jubilee of SVDs coming to India.

30/11/1983           International Cricket Players Mr. Roger Benny and Mr. K. Srikant visit Palda

02/10/1984           The Palda community celebrates the Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee of bishop George Anathil SVD and Fr. Joseph Puthumana SVD.

23/08/1985           Br. George Tirkey, a member of Palda staff passes away.

25/02/1986           New Basket Ball Court is blessed

27/12/1988           Electric Oven is bought from Belgaum for baking bread

21/01/1989           Very Rev. Fr. Henry Barlage SVD  is accorded a warm welcome

23/03/1989           Br. Sudhir Bilung SVD a member of the staff is called to his eternal abode. RIP

01/07/1989           SVD Brothers’ Convention is held

04/04/1991           Installation of 80 C Solar Water Heating System of 500 lpd is installed

28/07/1991           Possibility of exchange of land between Radha Swamy Satsang and Palda is taken into consideration.

01/11/1991           Allotting a piece of land 40’x60’ for a community hall to be run by IDA. House Council unanimously favoured the request by Kum. Nirmala Lote.

06/01/1992           A charka Centre for the people of Kumarbatti was started in Palda by our Palda community in collaboration with the Khadi Gram Udyog. The building for the centre was supervised by Fr. Ittoop Panickulam SVD. It was inaugurated by the collector of Indore Mr. Ajit Jogi. About forty people find employment at the centre.

10/03/1992           Building graves in the cemetery in Palda is approved and the necessary amounts are granted by the Generalate. Provincial Fr. Ignatius Thottappilly  SVD requested Fr. George Thottian SVD to start the work

16/03/1992           Palda plunges into literacy drive: Accepting the request of IDA (Indore Development Authority) the students of Palda have joined hands with the social workers as well as with the volunteers from the village in intense literacy drive in the village nearby formed a group called “Blessed Arnold’s Literacy Mission (BALM). The literacy programme was officially launched at a gathering in the middle of the village where the students of Palda staged NUKKAD plays and other items highlighting the importance of being literate.

05/12/1991          Palda had instituted a “Patriotic Song Competition in memory of Guru Gyanprakash (Fr. George Proksch SVD).

14/07/1992           SIS students start to help the inmates of Jyothi Nivas

04/01/1993           Sr. Rani Maria (who was murdered in a bus on the way to Indore from Udainagar) gives a talk to the students on social awareness

17/10/1993           Possibility of selling or transferring some land to religious congregations is taken up at Provincial Council and letter is sent to the Rector, Palda.

12/02/1994           Very Rev. Fr. Henry Barlage SVD visits Palda

26/02/1994           Fr. Emmanuele Bargellini, Prior General writes to Provincial Superior to grant permission to entomb Swami Abhiskananda from Palda Cemetery.

28/03/1994           Provincial Council agreed to the request of transfer of mortal remains to the cemetery in Shantivanam, Tamil Nadu.

03/05/1994           SMA Sisters request a piece of land for Nursing Home (old football ground).

18/04/1995           Palda Garage Contract with IDSSS lease is given for 3 years

25/11/1995           INC Council decides to have college centre at Palda in the premise of Freinademetz house.

21/01/1998           Palda Garage is run by SVDs

01/07/1998           College Students begin their classes at various colleges in Indore. Vidya Sadan (St. Joseph Freinademetz House) accommodated the collegians.

31/01/1999           New kitchen is blessed.

06/02/1999           Two lay missionaries, Mr. Michael and Mr. Peter from Holland spoke to the community about Mary the Mother of all nations.

05/10/1999           Bishop Leo Cornelio is accorded a warm welcome

08/11/1999           A new Tractor is bought for the community

24/02/2000           Land Development Committee meets chaired by the Rector, Fr. A. Joe SVD. Discussion regarding allotting to school, parish, communication college, SVD Institution,  Missiological research centre, Cultural Research, plots for catholic families are discussed. 

30/06/2000           Compound Wall is completed.

15/10/2000           Celebration of Jesu Khrist Jeyanti and 125 years of Divine Word Missionaries service to the Word in the world.

26/11/2000           SIS students defeat Novices in Basket ball match.

15/01/2001           Rev. Fr. Chacko T. J. SVD  the Provincial Superior of INC inaugurates the Golden Jubilee year of Catholic Ashram Palda

31/01/2001           Minor Seminary Formation personnel gather for a meeting.

01/03/2001           Letter of termination the auto garage run by Mr. Ashok is sent.

17/10/2001           Golden Jubilee of Catholic Ashram Palda. To date a total of 2738 students have gone through the formation programme of Palda.

18/10/2004           Registration of the exchange of land to Radha Sami Satsang is done.

18/05/2006           Permission to repair the terrace was unanimously passed by the House Council

01/06/2007           Palda Parish (Holy Spirit Church) was erected. Fr. Manuel Pereira becomes the first Parish Priest.

04/12/2008           Letter of permission to buy a jeep is sent to the Provincial Superior

01/07/2010           Fr. Anuranjan Dung Dung SVD becomes the second Parish Priest of Holy Spirit Church

26/08/2010           Letter of permission to buy bolero is sent the Provincial Superior

10/09/2010           Letter to the Superior General regarding an English Medium School at Freinadementz House is sent to Rome

01/06/2011           Fr. James Joemon Alackal SVD becomes the third Parish Priest

04/07/2011           A New school is opened in Catholic Ashram Palda Campus, named, St. Arnold’s School Palda. It was a proud moment for the members of the Central Indian province and especially for Catholic Ashram Palda   when the new St. Arnold’s School (the third school in Indore) was blessed and inaugurated   by Fr. Dominic Emmanuel SVD, the INC Vice Provincial Superior. Many SVD Confreres, Religious Sisters, parents and students were present for the function. Fr. Dominic Emmanuel SVD cut the ribbon and Fr. Mark Mathias SVD, the secretary for Education in the Province, broke the coconut according to the Indian tradition. The school has begun with 41 students studying in Nursery and K.G 1 sections and the school is housed on the first floor of the St. Joseph Freinandemetz building. In the staff, the school has Sr. Sarita SJSM as the headmistress, a lay teacher and a lady helper. With new premises the school has a bright future. Presently the Presentation Sisters of Coimbatore are collaborating with the administration.

10/11/2013          New Presbytery was blessed by Fr. Nicholas Martis SVD, the Provincial Superior INC.

17/11/2013          New Parish Church was blessed by Most Rev. Leo Cornelio SVD and Most Rev. Chacko Thottumarickal SVD.