1. Historical Background: -
In April 1998 the National Council realized the need for a 3 Novitiate. Hence in India as there were about 60 pre-novices to go to the Novitiate. Hence they decided to start the 3rd novitiate at St. Gabriels training Institute, Uppal, Hyderabad and the Province of Delhi was requested to make Montfort Vidhya Bhawan, Jabalpur, the pre- novitiate from June 1998. It was accepted by the Provincial Council of Delhi under the leadership of Rev. Bro. Jose Thottiyil who just assumed office as the Provincial. The Provincial decided to shift candidates’ house from Jabalpur to Sardhana after about 10 years of its existence there. An evaluation showed that the rate of perseverance was very low in Jabalpur. It was an additional reason to shift it back to Sardhana, Hence the present building, originally built for class rooms, was got ready in a hurry by Bros. C.M. Simon, Gracious T.J. and Thomas Madapallikunnel. One of the classrooms was modified into a kitchen and part of the corridor was converted into a place for washing plates. The furniture, utensils and the crockery also were purchased for 15 candidates.
2. Blessing and the Inauguration: -
This new house for the candidates was named Montfort Bhawan and it was blessed and inaugurated by Bishop Rt. Rew Oswald Lewis. Co-adjutor Bishop of Meerut on 29th June, the feast day of Saints peter and Paul, at 7.00 a.m. It was a homely function attended by the neighbouring priests, religious, teachers and collaborators of St. Charles’ Inter College. It was also the Feast day of Bro. Patras Kujur, the local Superior and Principal of St. Charles’ community. There were about 100 people for the inaugural ceremony. Our Brothers from Delhi and Roorkee communities had joined us braving even a heavy downpour early morning on that day.
In his introduction to the Holy Eucharist, Bro. T.T. Mathew, the Rector, welcomed the gathering and highlighted the aims and objectives of this new house i.e. to give a religious formation to young Catholic boys who wish to grow in spiritual life and dedicate themselves in the service of people, sacrificing their own interests. He stressed the point that only a deep spirituality can give us peace and serenity in this world of stress and competition. During the homily bishop Oswald Lewis highlighted the lives of saints Peter and Paul which was a life of deep faith and self-sacrifice. The choir was well managed by Bro. Jeet Francis. At the end of the Eucharistic celebration Bro. V.J. Mani welcomed the new Brothers of the Province and presented him a bouquet of flowers. It was followed by felicitation of Bro. Patras. Then all the guests were served a good breakfast prepared in our new kitchen. At the end Bro. Patras thanked the Bishop and all the guests.
3. The Staff:
In the year 1998-99 Bro. T.T. Mathew (Rector) was the only staff hers. Bro. Jeet Francis was part of St Charle’s Community. But he used to supervise the candidates in the absence of Bro. T.T. Mathew: in the year 1999 to 2001 Bro. K. M. Thomas was the Vice Rector. In June 2000 Bro. T.T. Mathew was transferred to St. Gabriel's Hr. Sec. School, Jabalpur and Bro. Gracious T.J. became the Rector. After one year Bro. Gracious went to Lucknow for his B.Ed. studies and Bro. T.T. Mathew was reappointed as the Rector in June 2001. In the same year Bro. K.M. Thomas was transferred to St. Montfort School. Bhopal and Bro. Sunil Soreng replaced him as the Vice Rector. Bro. K.M. Thomas was remembered by the candidates for his skill of paper cutting, decoration and talent in games. Bros. T.T. Mathew and Sunil Soreng were doing their best to give a sound initial formation to our future Brothers. Sevak Gabriel and Joshy Jose were taking care of the candidates for a year by giving them timely support and guidance. The staff members introduced them into a simple life style and deepen respect for divine and human. The following year Bro. Joshy Jose assisted Bro. Benny TL the Rector. In their tenure, they helped the candidates to grow spiritually and emotionally. They helped them to be sensitive to the needs of the poor and the privileged. Bro. Joy Thomas and Bro. Sunil Ekka were together for two years and gave them a spiritual guidance and moral support for their overall learning. In their tenure, Montfort Statue was erected in front of Montfort Bhawan. They helped the candidates to grow in Christ and lead a life of disciples and become more responsible and faithful to God and his work. In 2009, Bro. James Ekka became the Rector for four years (2009-2013) assisted by Bros. Sunil Ekka, Kiran Katta, Balla Joseph and Joseph Gabriel. They were able to provide the initial formation faithfully and helped the candidates to understand their call. They gave them spiritual direction and assist the whole person in terms of unfolding in the company of Christ. In his tenure, Solar panel and water heating system were made available for the house. Bro. Sunil Ekka became the Rector in 2013 and continued till 2018. He was assisted by Bro. Joseph Gabriel. In his tenure, Language lab was installed, renovation of the toilets and kitchen, shed for drying clothes, inverter was installed in the first floor, and a car was part of Montfort Bhawan for the first time. Montfort Bhawan had a tremendous change in his tenure. The staff members made them more authentic and tolerant in their dealings with each other. The following year, Bro. T.T. Mathew became the Rector, assisted by Bros. Balla Joseph and Joseph Gabriel. In his tenure, Montfort Bhawan was repainted interior and outside. He insisted in language proficiency and helped them to grow in various aspects of their life. They helped the maintain a consistent and a predictable pattern of behaviour and certain personal conviction inspired by values.
In the year 2019, Bro. K.M. Mathew became the Rector, assisted by bros. Joseph Gabriel and Rajan Bilung. For the first time in the history of Montfort Bhawan and St. Charles’ Inter College, Bro. K.M. Mathew was appointed as Campus Superior. He did his level best to help both school and formation house grow and cherish the maximum. The staff members helped the candidates to enter into the sense of their depth-being to deepen their Christian faith in themselves and in God. In the following year, Bro. Prashant Kullu became the rector assisted by Bros. K.M. Mathew and Abinash Soreng. Though the world suffered by Corona Pandemic, these Brothers were able to provide the knowledge andkept them busy learning the experiencing God’s call. The staff members created a family atmosphere among the groups of the formees and foster unity in spite of their diverse backgrounds.
In the year 2021 to till date, Bro. Alex Diamond is the rector and assisted by Bros. Prem Murmu (2021-2022) and Rocky Kerketta (2022-23), In his tenure the yoga and spoken English by Bro. T.T. Mathew was made as annual feature. Due to frequent trespassing by outsiders into the Montfort Bhawan campus, it was felt an urgent need to raise metallic fence along the road, from Montfort Bhawan till the stadium wall. It was constructed with the help of Montfort School, Roorkee. The musical instruments were purchased for the better formation of the candidates. In the ground floor, new wiring had been done and in the same floor new inverter was installed.
The new LED TV was purchased. To fulfill the urgent need of the house, the complete washroom renovation in both the floors and interlock construction in front of the Montfort Bhawan is in its process. This construction will be over by middle of June, 2023. To mark the 350th birth anniversary of our founder Montfort, Montfest-"23 was organized for the candidates with lot of competitions and activities. We participated in Carol singing competition organized by Meerut Diocese both consecutive years. The last two years, the number visiting professors have been called to help them grow and understand the holistic formation towards the fullness of life.
4. The Candidates
We started this house with 17 candidates (Kerala-04, Bihar-04, Orissa- 06, U.P. - 01, T.N. - 01 and A.P. - 01). At the end of the year and objective evaluation was done and 5 were found not suitable and asked to stay back after the holidays. Two of them decided to do +2 in their own vernacular and return after that. Two of them stayed back on their own. So the remaining were only 08.
In the year 1999 we got only 06 new boys (A.P.-02, Kerala-02, and M.P.-02). At the end of year two were found not suitable and asked to stay back. One did not come back on his own. So the remaining were only- 03.
In the year 2000, 17 new boys were recruited (A.P.-03, Kerala-09, M.P.-04, and TN.-01). One of them was sent away during the year. Eight of them did not come back after the holidays. So the remaining are only-07.
In the year 2001 we had recruited 23 new boys. (AP.-04, Jharkhand-06 Kerala-13). Out of these seven have passed +2. Thus at that moment there were 31 candidates (3rd yr-02, 2nd yr-06, 1st yr-23). All of them had the right disposition and were doing well. Bros. Gracious, Benny, Thekkemuryil, Bartholomew, Sunil Soreng and Cyriac Francis made extra efforts in promoting vocations last year.
At that moment there were six novices at Eachinkadu, five pre-novices at Jabalpur who were the 1st & 2nd batches of Montfort Bhawan. There had been only one drop-out after intermediate that time. He was asked to stay back as he was not found fit. We have been getting good vocation from the beginning to till date.
5. The Building: -
Since this building was originally built for class-rooms and not for a formation house, we had to certain modification and additions to have the minimum facility. In the year 1999-2000 one dormitory, five toilets cum bathing rooms and a bigger septic tank and a soak-pit were built. It was entirely financed by the Province. In the year 2000-2001 one more dormitory and six more toilets cum bathing rooms were added by Bro. Gracious. It was partially financed by our Generalate and partially by our Province. The next year a library cum language lab, a multi-purpose hall, a room for the vice- Rector and a store room were being built at an estimated cost of Rs. 625000/- (Rs. Six lakhs twenty five thousand only). This also was fully financed by the Province. With the completion of these Montfort Bhawan had accommodation for 50 candidates. We intended to recruit an average of 15 candidates every year.
6. Conclusion: -
Montfort Bhawan had overcome its initial hurdles and had taken off very well and still continuing its primary aim with vim and vigour. It has certainly made progress during the last 25 years of its existence. The introduction to spiritual practices, methods of personal spiritual activities, growth in prayer life, gospel values and their personalization are taken with utmost interest. The candidates have been feeling at home and are helped to grow as well integrated personalities.