The small write up as mentioned in the heading is incomplete. It is “I am proud of being a Norbertine”. I am proud of being an “Indian Norbertine”. I have number of reasons and events to cement my claim.
We the Confreres of Norbertine Canonry of Jamtara celebrating 100 years of our presence in Indian sub-continent. The credit goes to Archbishop Emiritus Allen, Madras-Mylapore. He was a Dutchman coming from Tilburg thus he invited the Ditch Norbertines to his archdiocese. In 1923 three of the Dutch Confreres landed in Madras-Mylapore. After working six years in Phirangipuram, Guntur they moved to Central Province (Jabalpur, 1929).
Now to the point of my accretion. I was present 46 years in the journey of 100 years of our Canonry. I had ample of opportunities to learn about the Norbertines that includes Indian and international communities.
What is special about us is the ‘informal’ way of relating to people in our parishes, missions and institutions. We relate to people without any discrimination and treating them our brothers and sisters. This approach is very rare and unique hence appreciated by the people.
We the Norbertines in India do not shy away from the hard works. Each Confrere takes his task seriously and he contributes his might to develop the Canonry.
There was a time just before 1996 that we had very few schools in our hand. Then the boom started mushrooming of educational institutions all over India. It may be in a remote places where most backward people inhabited example Hansa, Keolari and Kuruvikulam etc. Today these educational institutions are flourishing and the credit goes to the leadership of the Canonry, Confreres and the generous friends and benefactors.
Our communities are established in and around most backward people’s place. In Quilon we are existing for the ‘fisherfolk’, ‘tannery workers’ in Sembattu, slum dwellers in Bandra East, Tribal population in Hansa, Bargaon, ‘Schedule Caste’ people in Kuruvikulam and most backward people in 3 missions in Banaras diocese. This phenomenon is very special and adds uniqueness to the Norbertines in India. We cater to the needs of the people who are pushed back by the society to the edge of the hill.
We have not forgotten the less fortunate tribal, uneducated boys and girls of Mandala and other tribal populated. The “Bends Home” and Indore and “Jogni Rural Employment Centre” empowering them through technical education and providing them job opportunities.
The land mark achievement is the Abbey’s Church. It took almost 98 years to have our own Abbey Church. People admire the structure of the church. The architecture of the church depicts the North Indian culture and style. The interior of the church links our relationship with the Western Abbey church. Grand Choir gives us the feeling of our oneness with our Mother, brother and daughter Abbeys.
It was a desire of the Canonry that we must have our presence in Madras-Mylapore Archdiocese it is where three of our three of our Dutch Confreres landed at request of the Archbishop. We tried many times but could not succeed in getting a place. Our Dutch Missionaries worked in Phirangipuram parish. Here they started a school, minor seminary. Even today we can find their name in the school board. The magnetic blue metal huge Infant Jesus Church has become a Cathedral of Guntur Diocese.
By God’s grace the Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore has invited us to his diocese in April 2023 and handed over the Morai parish which is in outskirt of Madras(Chennai) next to huge defense establishment called Avadi. Chennai being a capital of Tamil Nadu we are happy about the gift given by God to remember our presence in India for 100 years.
The above achievements and our accomplishment makes all our Confrere to feel proud. We are happy that we are the followers and the disciples of St. Norbert our Founder. Formally, people in India do not know about a saint called St. Norbert but they begin to know and appreciate. Another reason we are happy and proud is that we are one of the oldest and greatest Order of the Catholic Church and we are part of it.
After having said about the global and regional growth of the Norbertines now I would like to share my personal reasons for being proud. First of all today whatever I am it is because of the Norbertine Community. I was just High School (11 STD) failed student. I could not score 35 marks in final examination. Like Gajani Mohamed I tried four time and only 5th time passed. The Norbertine community encouraged me in my weakness and appreciated and motivated to develop my talents. The community trusted me and believed in my talents. The community gave me many opportunities to hold many important offices. The Canonry twice sent me to General Chapter and elected as member of Prelate’s Council.
I am happy and content and have no regret. I owe my life to the Norbertine community. I went to the brink of the grave but the community pulled me out (Cardiac Arrest). I must admit there were few draw backs, had to cross troubled water but these did not deter me to move forward. I have no regret but satisfaction.
Therefore I am proud of being a Norbertine. May St. Norbert intercede for us that we may see 200 years of our presence in India!
Benjamin O. Praem
