HIGHLIGHTS 1952 - 2002

You will find here the important events that happened in the Province or one of its institutions during the past 50 years, and other events that had some effect on the history of the Province. Events concerning individual Jesuits are also listed, not to give a list of prizes but to show how the Madurai Jesuits have been sent on missions to various places and assignments. These events are selected from the Newsletters of the Madurai Jesuits Province.

2002

Jesuit Statistics At the beginning of this year the south Asian assistance has 3,915 members 433 more than the United States and 18.9% of the total number of Jesuits.
2002

Jan 12-13

Invited by the Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh Fr. Aloysius Irudayam attends the State-sponsored National Conference for Intellectuals and Activists on "the Dalit Agenda for the 21 st century" and plays a key role in drafting the 'Bhopal Declaration'. Jan The Botany Department of Loyola College organizes a 3-day national symposium on "Modern Trends in Biodiversity" for its golden jubilee.
2002

February 14

Blessing and official inauguration of Veeramamunivar Illam, the pre-noviciate in Vilangudi.
2002

Feb

Frs. S. Ignacimuthu and Britto Bonaventuure are awarded the Tamil Scientist Award for the year 2000, given by the Tamil Nadu State Council of Science and Technology.
2002

March 4-30

In cooperation with the Darwin Initiative and the Botanical Gardens Conversation International, Fr. V.S. Manickam gives training on Environment to 8 batches of 25 primary teachers each selected by the District Elementary Education Officers of 5 Districts.
2002

April 9-10

After meeting the Rectors, Superiors and works Coordinates, Fr. Provincial postpones for 3 years the division of the province. Meanwhile works and houses of the Society must increase in the North.
2002

June 26

Fr. S. Ignacimuthu becomes Vice-Chancellor of Madras University, one of the three oldest in India . As the Madurai province celebrates its Golden Jubilee, many of its members live their mission of outside the Province not counting those who are making higher studies abroad and the 17 Madureans now transferred to other provinces. Within India : At the service of the CBCI: in the Tertianships, Scholasticates and social Institutes of the South Asian Assistancy and the territories of Andhra, Darjeeling , Delhi , Karnatakla and Jamshedpur . Outside India : In the UNESCO programme for Somalia in the Jesuit Roman houses (Curia and Gregorian University) and in Australia, brazil East Africa, England, France, Germany, Guyana, Indonesia, Kampuchea (Cambodia), Seychelles islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, United States, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
2001

Feb 8-10

An international seminar on "Profile of Poverty and Network of Power", is organized in DACA by Fr. Anand Amaladass.
2001

Feb 10

The Xaviers College of Education celebrates its golden jubilee year and releases a book "Reflection on Education" as audiocassette and a souvenir.
2001

March 24-28

An Asssistancy - level workshop on Environment brings 60 Jesuit from all over India to Shembaganur. Fr. Michael Czerny secretary for social Justice in the Roman Jesuit Curia, gives the Key-note address 21 other papers are presented.
2001

March 27-29

A hundred participants from 17 states attend the National Consultation on "Community College as an Alternative System of Education" organized in ISI, New Delhi, by MCRDCE, in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Recourses development.
2001

March

Fr. Signacimuthu is appointed a member of the Tamil Nadu State Council, one of the two Vice-Chancellors in the 12 member Council.
2001

May 27

In St Joseph 's college, valedictory function for 100 young scientists (80% from the rural areas) who for 3 years have attended Science Training Intensive Summer Courses directed by Fr. M.Elias.
2001

May

The services of Fr. X. Irudayaraj are lent to the archdiocese of Madras -Mylapore, to form Lay Ministers in the Diocese, and help prepare the Archdiocesan Synod.
2001

June

The High Schools in kuppayanalur (Chengai M.) becomes a Higher Secondary School .
2001

July 6

Fr. Alphonse manickam deferred in French his thesis "Jesuits and untouchabilishers in Tamil Nadu" at the Sovbonne University and was awarded Doctorate with distinction.
2001

July

Fr.S. Arockiam goes to South Africa , as professor of Theology in the National seminary in Pretoria .
2001

Aug 9-11

Tri Jubilee in Dindigul 150 years of the St. Joseph 's parish school 100 years of acquiring the present compound and 75 years of the school becoming St. Mary's High Secondary School .
2001

Sep

Fr. Alphone Manuel represents the Tamil Nadu peoples forum at the Durban Conference against Racism, and works closely with the National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights.
2001

Oct 21-28

Twelve members of the Madurai province take part in the South Asian Assistance Assembly in Bombay .
2001

Oct

Fr. S Arokiasamy works for the Synod of Bishop in Rome as consulting theologian to the secretary of the FABC (Federation of the Asian Bishops' Conferences).
2001

Nov 6

AHAL (Action for Human Rights And liberation) Centre, the new social action venture of the Province for the empowerment of the Arunthathiyars in the Northern districts is inaugurated and the Arrupe Boy's Home too.
2001

Dec 3-4

A seminar on "The New Madurai", organized in Loyola College by the Province and the department includes a symposium on St. Francis Xavier's life and mission in India .
2001

Dec 8

In a seminar for the staff of Loyola College , the pros and cons of a " Deemed University are exposed to the staff members who then freely share their opinions in a group - discussion
2001

Dec

As director of MCRDCE, Fr. Xavier Alphonse is a nominated member of the organizing committee of the world Conference of Community Education to be held in New Delhi in 2003.
2000

January

St. Joseph 's College, after submitting its Self-Assessment to the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), gets their highest rating, Five Stars. All our 5 Colleges will in course of time get the same highest rating.
2000

January 26

Golden Jubilee of the Republic of India , celebrated in our institutions in various manners.
2000

January

The Humanist Forum for Social Integration comes into existence at the initiative of the Conference of Religious of India (CRI), ably helped by Frs. Arockiadoss and Alhonse Manuel.
2000

Feb. 2

The Machado Science Block in Carmel School , Nagercoil, is blessed and opened.
2000

Feb.

Fr. VS Manickam organizes a Millennium Seminar on Medicinal Plants in St Xavier's College.
2000

Feb. 14-16

A seminar on "Human Rights" is given by a team from the Bangalore Indian Social Institute, for the Brothers of the Southern Jesuit Provinces in Secunderabad.
2000

Feb. 18

Fr. S. Rajamanickam is awarded the degree of Doctor of Letters (D. Litt) by the University of Madras , -- the senior most person (82 y. o.) ever to be granted this degree.
2000

Feb. 18-19

National Workshop, organized by the MCRDCE on Community Colleges as an alternative and innovative system of education in India . A resolution to that effect is unanimously passed.
2000

February

On the occasion of the Platinum Jubilee of Loyola College, inter-college cultural competitions on the theme, "Religion in search of Humanism" are organized all through Tamil Nadu.
2000

March 2

As high-point of the Platinum Jubilee of Loyola, Fr General Kolvenbach blesses the new Platinum Jubilee Building in honour of Frs. Kuriakose and Lawrence Sundaram.
2000

March

The Folklore Resourcs and Research Centre (FRRC) of St Xavier's conducts a Post Graduate Diploma Course on Folkfore in three centers (Nagercoil, Tuticorin and Palayamkottai).
2000

April 14

Fr. Provincial blesses and inaugurates the Animation Centre at Vallam (Chengai Mission).
2000

May 16-18

Province Assembly. "Walking with the Poor" and "Promoting the Culture of inter-religious harmony in our ministers" are the talks that inspire the pane discussion on our various ministries.
2000

June 22

On the anniversary of St John de Britto's canonization, three quarters of the Province members go on pilgrimage to Oriyur. Sixteen novices pronounce their first vows during this Millennium Jubilee Mass.
2000

July 16

The Pre-novices enter Veeramamunivar Illam, specially built for them in Vilangudi.
2000

July

Fr Manuel Alphonse represents in Geneva the International Catholic Movement of Professionals at the special session of the United Nations held to evaluate the 1995 Copenhagen Social Summit.
2000

August

Opening of the Loyola Community hall at Somasipadi in the Kilpennathur mission.
2000

August 15

Invited by the Human resourses Ministry in New Delhi , Fr S. Ingnacimuthu address the state Educational Secretaries from all over India on "Newer Trends In Education".
2000

Sep 21 - 28

In Loyola ( Spain ), Fr. General and al the provincials and regional assistance reflect on creative fidelity in the religious commitment and ministers and on inter-provincial cooperation.
2000

Sep

Frs C. Amal and Vinny Joseph invited by the bishop of Mannar, visit the Internally Displaced persons camps and JRS projects in Sri Lanka and meet relatives of the Sri Lanka in Tamilnadu camps.
2000

October 17 - 20

As editor of vidyajyoti, Fr. S. Arokiasamy attends the international Missiology Congress for the Holy Year in Rome .
2000

October 17 - 20

As editor of vidyajyoti, Fr. S. Arokiasamy attends the international Missiology Congress for the Holy Year in Rome .
2000

October 23

Fr. S. Ignacimuthu, -- the first Jesuit to assume such a responsibility in India .
2000

Nov 14

The 20th anniversary of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is celebrated by 43 JRS workers from Nepal , Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka with the international team from Rome , in Shembaganur. A Souvenir shoeing the work JRS throughout the world is released.
2000

Dec 8

The 4 th conference of the Jesuit Alumni Association of Tamil Nadu, is conducted on the theme "my duty is to serve". It ends with a public meeting.
2000

Dec 10

Fr. S. Ignacimuthu is nominated to a five-member Vice-chancellors committee to restructure the administration of the Universities in Tamilnadu. Fr. S. Ignacimuthu is nominated to a five-member Vice-chancellors committee to restructure the administration of the Universities in Tamilnadu.
1999

Jesuit Statistics At the beginning of this year, the South Asian Jesuit Assistancy becomes the most numerous in the Society: 3805 members, and 3752 for the United States .
1999

January 10

Inauguration of the Madras Centre for Research and Development of Community Colleges (MCRDCE), directed by Fr. Xavier Alphonse and the "1 st South Indian Conference of community Colleges" attended by 160 delegates coming from 14 existing CCs and 11 planned ones.
1999

Jan. 14-16

LIFE (Loyola Institute of Frontier Energy) organizes an International Conference on "Environment and Bioethics", attended by 150 scientists from India and abroad, during which 124 research papers are presented. The UN High Commissioner for Repatriates presides over the valedictory function.
1999

Jan. 16-17

The AICUF celebrates its Platinum Jubilee in St Joseph 's College, where Fr. Carty founded it. The movement has today 70 Units in Tamilnadu, and exists in 12 States in India .
1999

February 8

In Arul Anandar College, the archbishop of Madurai blesses the new chapel, dedicated to God the Father. Symbols sacred to the diverse religions adorn the glass frame.
1999

Feb. 11

The archbishop of Madras-Mylapore blesses the new church of Dhyana Ashram , dedicated like the old one to Mary, Mother of God.
1999

Feb. 22

More than 350 students from 11 Jesuit schools participate in the Silver Jubilee of LASAC.
1999

Feb. 28-Mar. 6

The Jesuit Provincial Superiors in India make two important statements, 1), to support the South Asian Theologians in their efforts to inculturate the Faith into the local culture and reality; and 2), to protest against the recent acts of violence against Christians in India.
1999

March 30

The Platinum Jubilee of St. Xavier's College, Palayamkottai, is celebrated.
1999

May

Fr. Ignacimuthu is elected to the Syndicate of the University of Madras for a period of 3 years.
1999

June 5

Fr. Vinny Joseph, National Director of JRS is invited to attend a seminar in London . About 450 students from all over India gather in Loyola for the Platinum Jubilee Convention of the AICUF. They prepare a 'Student Manifesto' that elaborates the real concerns of the nation for the marginalized and the oppressed.
1999

July 1

Fr. Provincial presides over the inauguration of the Sahayamatha Mission, an extended activity of the Chengai Mission with its headquarters in Kilpennathur.
1999

July 23

With the help of the Central and State Welfare Boards, SHEPHERD inaugurates in St Joseph's College a one year course on Computer Education for 25 rural girls, who get a monthly stipend of Rs. 250/-
1999

July 30

The Platinum Jubilee of Loyola College is officially celebrated.
1999

July

Fr. Sebasti L. Raj is appointed Director of the National Institute of Social Communications, Research and Training (NISCORT), the organizing and training centre of the CBCI for the Mass Media.
1999

August 6

Fr. Xavier Alphonse is appointed a member of the National Executive Council of the Human Resources Development Ministry to review and reactivate the 'vocationalization' of education.
1999

August

Fr. Leonard Fernando is appointed by the archbishop of Calcutta one of the three members of the Historical Commission for Mother Teresa's process of beatification.
1999

Sep. 8

Fr. Provincial blesses the foundation stone of the LIBA EXTENSION CENTRE in Loyola.
1999

Sep. 12

In Shembaganur, the new building of Inigo Siruvar Illam, for the boarders of PEAK, is blessed and opened.
1999

September

After an awareness seminar on the refugee situation to the students of Stds XI and XII, St Mary's School, Madurai , adopts a refugee camp of 300 families close to Madurai .
1999

October 8

The Jesuit Council for Educational Research and Training for secondary education (JCERT) is inaugurated in St Xavier's, Palayamkottai. A workshop on "Action Research" is then conducted.
1999

October 9

Fr. Francis P. Xavier takes charge as Provincial of Madurai in succession to Fr. D. Jeyaraj.
1999

October 11

DACA starts a 6-month residential computer Education Programme for 20 rural youth who have completed their higher secondary studies.
1999

Oct. 16-19

Fr. Leonard Fernando is appointed Editor of the ecumenical Indian Church History Review.
1999

October 30

After a consultative meeting, Fr. Provincial launches an assessment of the option for the Dalits, through a survey of the entire Province, -- the Assess, Renew and Plan (ARP) enquiry.
1999

Dec. 10

In St Joseph's Higher Secondary School, final function of the Silver Jubilee of LASAC, which has helped the younger generation to become involved in the school activities for a better society.
1999

Dec 11-16

The Provincial of France, Fr. Jean-Noel Audras and Fr. Edouard O'Neill Socius are on a short visit to the Madurai Province .
1998

Jan 24-25

Six hundred Jesuit Alumni of the Southern Provinces meet in Palayamkottai, and the speakers underline the role played by the Jesuit educational institutions in eradicating illiteracy and shaping the future of many young people through the quality education they offer.
1998

Jan. 26 to 31

Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Carmel High School , Kottar.
1998

Jan. 28-Feb. 1

The Platinum Jubilee of St Xavier's College, Palayamkottai, is celebrated.
1998

January

Fr. Lawrence Amalraj is called to Kampuchea to give 7 lectures a day for 21 days on Sociology and Development to Kampuchean students, who are "refugees in their own country"
1998

February 10

The renovated church of O. L. of Lourdes in Tiruchirapalli is dedicated.
1998

March 7-8

Sixty alumni of Arul Kadal together reflect on the impact of theologizing on their way of life in the mission field, and acknowledge its positive impact on their sensitivity to the poor and the Dalits. March Fr. Pappuraj, Principal of St Xavier's College, is a resource-person at a tri-national ( USA , South Africa and India ) Seminar on "The Role of Higher Education in Building Democracy", in South Africa . - Felicitated by St Joseph's College for being awarded the Bharat Ratna title, Dr. Abdul Kalam replies: "All that I am today I owe it to St Joseph's and to the Fathers and Professors of my college. The formation I have received in my Alma Mater has enabled me to serve the Nation creditably".
1998

April 10-12

Fr. P. T. Chelladurai attends the International Carnatic Music Conference in Durban , South Africa , and presents a paper on "Carnatic Music in Christianity", besides giving a concert.
1998

May 1 to 4

Inauguration of a Seminar of Thozhamai Illam, Kanyakumari, on its goals: On-Going Formation of the Christian Community; Dialogue and Fellowship of Religions; and Ecumenism.
1998

May

Fr. Sebasti L. Raj is appointed by the CBCI the Secretary of a Commission for one-and-a-half years. Visitation of all Priestly Formation houses in India . - Silver Jubilee of the Summer School of Carnatic Music, guided from the beginning by Fr. Chelladurai..
1998

July 31

The 450 th anniversary of the first papal approbation of the 'Spiritual Exercises' of St Ignatius reminds all Jesuits of the importance of this method of retreat for their personal life and apostolate.
1998

May

Fr. Sebasti L. Raj is appointed by the CBCI the Secretary of a Commission for one-and-a-half years. Visitation of all Priestly Formation houses in India . - Silver Jubilee of the Summer School of Carnatic Music, guided from the beginning by Fr. Chelladurai..
1998

July 31

The 450 th anniversary of the first papal approbation of the 'Spiritual Exercises' of St Ignatius reminds all Jesuits of the importance of this method of retreat for their personal life and apostolate.
1998

August

'Culture and Communication' and the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board organize in Loyola's Bertram Hall a "Theatre for Child-Labour Elimination" when 10 NGOs present street theatre performances highlighting this problem.
1998

Sep. 21-23

Fr. Francis P. Xavier is the only physicist invited to take part in the International Symposium on Phthalocyannies organized in Edinburgh , Scotland by the Royal Socirty of chemistry.
1998

September

DACA manages 60 Study Centres for school-going Dalit children in the rural areas of 4 districts. The teachers are given an orientation programme.
1998

Oct. 10-11

The Institute of Dialogue with Culture and Religion (IDCR) in Aikya Alayam is inaugurated during a seminar on "Religions in conflict: the challenge of communal Harmony".
1998

October

The Tamil Nadu People's Forum for Social Development, presided by Fr. Manuel Alphonse, conducts a workshop on "Dalits and Social Development".
1998

Nov. 11

As Director of SHEPHERD, Fr. Elias is interviewed for half an hour on the All India Radio.
1998

November

Fr. Yesumarian attends in Kuala Lumpur ( Malaysia ) the 1 st World Dalit Leader's Conference, at which 750 leaders share their views and concerns about the future of the Dalits. Dec. 1 to 6 Fr. Sebastian Anand reads a paper on Commonwealth Literature at the Conference organized by the Association of Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies, in Kuala Lumpur . Dec. 27 The Province Assembly reflects on the "Challenges of the Third Millennium to Our Mission".
1997

February

In Arul Anandar College , the Post Graduate departments of Economics, Philosophy and Rural Development together conduct a 2-day Seminar on "Towards a Just World Order", during which a report is released on the College's efforts to reach out to the neighbouring farmers. For example, the RDS department sponsors a newly opened Veterinary clinic.
1997

March 4-7

Fr. Francis Peter and his team organize in the Madras Institute of Indian Technology an All-India Seminar on "Teaching English to the Disadvantaged".
1997

March 7-8

The Loyola Institute of Frontier Energy organizes a National Conference on "Energy Crisis and Environment" during which 12 invited papers and more than 50 contributed papers are presented.
1997

March

Fr. Antoniraj is appointed for three years, Director, central Board of Worker's Education , by the Central Government.
1997

April 7 to 19

Fr. Ignacimuthu attends a meeting at the Kunming ( China ) Institute of Technology and presents the progress report of a research project of the Entomology Research Institute in Loyola, Madras .
1997

April 14

During a consultation on "Re-engineering to employment and life" bested by the Loyola Technical Institute, Madurai, the possibility of establishing a Community College there is explored.
1997

April26-May 16

The Jesuit Management of Loyola College conducts with lay partners a preparatory training camp for the std XII Dalit Catholic students.
1997

May

Fr. Leonard Fernando lectures in Innsbruck ( Australia ) on the Eucharist from the Indian viewpoint and guides a seminar on Liberation Theology in India . --- Fr. Xavier Alphonse goes to England and to the United States , to experience their systems of skill-oriented training.
1997

June 11

The St. Mary's Computer Academy is inaugurated in St. Mary's, Madurai .
1997

June 15-22

Fr. S. Arockiam represents the Province in Naples , at an International Congress on the Social Apostolate, organized by the Social Justice Secretariat of the Jesuit Curia in Rome .
1997

June 22

A hundred Jesuits celebrate in Oriyur the Goldn Jubilee of St John Britto's canonization.
1997

July 6

The Good Samaritan Home is inaugurated in Ongur, Chengai Mission
1997

July 31

The Madurai Community College is inaugurated in the campus of the Loyola Technical Institute.
1997

Aug. 2-22

JRS South Asia organizes an in-service Seminar, including one week of fieldwork among the Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu, for JRS field workers and resource persons from 17 countries.
1997

August 9

The 300 th 'thematic dance' organized by Fr. Michael Irudayam, "the Pageant of India", is staged by the Rosary Matriculation H.S. School , Chennai.
1997

August 15

The Golden Jubilee of India's Independence is celebrated by our institutions and communities. As part of this jubilee, a seminar on "Political thinkers in India " is held in Satya Nilayam on August 29 and 30.
1997

August

Fr. James Thamburaj participates in the 12 th World Youth Day in Paris , during which he presents an Indian dance on the theme of the Youth Day, "Come and See", and together with the Indian dancer interacts with the audience in two Parish churches of Paris .
1997

November 9

In Madurai , Foundation of the Doctor Ambedkar Cultural Academy (DACA) in the presence of 3,500 people. Six foundation stones of various buildings are laid during the celebration.
1997

December 4-6

Fr. S. John Britto, the Principal of St Joseph's College organizes a National Seminar on "Framework of Education for the Indian Context: a New Perspective" attended by 171 teachers of our Day and Evening Colleges, plus 124 other teachers representing 56 Colleges from 12 States.
1997

Dec. 18

On the 100 th birthday of Fr. Jerome D' Souza, a stamp in his honour is released by the Chennai Post-Master General, and given to Fr. Provincial during a ceremony presided by the Governor of Meghalaya, a former student of Fr. Jerome in Loyola.
1997

Dec. 20-21

Brother M Devadoss organizes a Seminar for our Brothers on "Legal Affairs" during which expert lawyers explain what different legal steps should be taken in out institutions and properties.
1996

Jan. 20 to 30

Fr. Francis P. Xavier serves on the organizing committee of the National Conference on "the Fundamentals of Crystal Growth" and reads the three papers during the conference.
1996

January 28

The All India Dalit Students Forum (AIDSF) is born, proposed by the AICUF during a 3-day consultation in Madras attended by some 60 Dalit students and intellectuals from various states of India .
1996

January

P. T. Chelladurai is awarded the title "Kalai Maamani" (the Great Pearl of Arts) by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
1996

March

The Chengai Mission gets a plot of land (9.46 acres) at Janakipuram near Maduranthangam registered in the name of the Loyola Institutes, Kuppayanallur.
1996

May

Fr. M. Amaladoss is appointed member of Fr. General's Theological Commission, that undertakes to study "How to preach Jesus Christ Today?" and "How do we understand Integral Evengelization?"
1996

July 5

Fr. Xavier Alphonse is appointed Director of Curriculum Developpment and Project Planning of the Community College that the archbishop of Madras-Mylapore has decided to found
1996

July 5

In St. Xavier's, Palayamkottai, the "Tissue Culture Unit" is inaugurated and the first floor of the Botany Research Centre is re-named as "Centre of Bio-diversity and Bio-technology"
1996

August

In Loyola College the newly started Loyola Institute of Vocational Education (LIVE) offers one-year Post-Graduate Diploma courses.
1996

October

A Grihini School is inaugurated by the KARISAL team for 20 young Arundhathiyar girls
1996

Nov. 23-24

St. Joseph 's College's Tamil department organize s a Seminar, attended by many religious and seminarians, on the new Inter-Confessional Tamil Bible.
1996

Dec. 22

The entrance of Brothers into the Society 450 years ago is celebrated at the Province-level in Loyola College . Many Brothers from several Provinces participated.
1996

Dec. 29

During a Conference of the 'All-India Association of Christian Higher Education' for Principals from all over India, Fr. Xavier Alphonse's book, "Changing Tracks: Community Colleges in India" is released. --. The first study on this topic in India .
1996

December

Fr. X. Irudayaraj is nominated Secretary of the TNBC Dialogue and Ecumenism Commission.
1995

Jan. 5-Mar. 22

General Congregation 34. Besides voting 'new' decrees on Pastrol Ministry, Lay Cooperation and Women, CG 34 desires that 'Complementary Notes' to the Constitutions be composed.
Feb.13 to 16

Feb.13 to 16

Arul Anandar College celebrates its Silver Jubilee. During the valedictory function, the endowment for the physically handicapped students is instituted.
1995

February

In the Chengai Mission, blessing and opening of a multipurpose hall in J P Nagar and of a reading room in Puliyur. The St. Joseph 's SHEPHERD Department organizes an exhibition on "Appropriate Technology and its Applications" for 8 days each in different villages around Tiruchirapalli.
1995

March 17-19

St. Xavier's STAND organizes an awareness for 80 women from 10 villages.
1995

March 25-26

General Body Meeting of the Spirituality & Dialogue Commission on the theme, "The environment is a concern of the Jesuit Life and Mission ".
1995

April 8-9

Concluding ceremonies of the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph 's College.
1995

April

To look after the refugee camps in Nepal, Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, Fr. C. Amalraj chooses the Bangalore Indian Social Institute as the headquarters of the JRS South India.
1995

Oct. 13-15

In Loyola College, Congress of Jesuit Alumni, with 450 members. Fr. General Kolvenbach asks them to commit themselves to the establishment of a more just world. They pledge to cooperate in the Jesuit policy of preferential option for the poor and to play a critical role in society at large.
1995

October 14

Fr. General presides over the centenary celebration, in Satya Nilayam, of the Sacred Heart College of Philosophy that began its existence in Shembaganur in 1895 and came down to Chennai in 1981.
1995

November 26

" Thiru Vivilyam ", the first Inter-confessional Tamil Bible translation, is solemnly released at Madurai . Fr. Michael Irudayam is the coordinator of the Translation Team.
1994

February 4

The tercentemary celebrations of St. John de Britto's martydom conclude in Oriyur, with Cardinal Lourdusamy, all the Tamil Nadu bishops and some 50,000 pilgrims coming even from Portugal .
1994

February

Golden Jubilee celebrations of De Britto HS School, Devakottai.
1994

June 12-24

In Loyola , Spain , Symposium on the Vocation and Mission of the Jesuit Brother. Br. Antony Sinnamuthu is member of its Planning Group, and Brother Ignacy Augustine too attends it.
1994

June

The University Grants Commission recognizes and approves two integral courses in Loyola College : Bio-technology, and Office Management - In Dhyana Ashram, the Madurai Province collaborates with the Madras-Mylapore Archdiocese to start a Centre for the Spirituality of the Laity.
1994

Aug. 2-16

National AICUF Consultation on "Towards a Jusst Society, . in solidarity we struggle".
1994

Sep. 15

Official Celebration of the 150 years of St Joseph's College, presided by the Governor of Tamil Nadu, who gives a clarion call to revamp the educational system.
1994

Sep. 24

The 1st General Body Meeting of the Dalit Commission is held in Kuppayanallur, and Frs. Provincial, Vice-Provincial and the other Commissions' coordinators are present.
1994

Dec. 7

In St. Xavier's, Palayamkottai, Fr. Provincial blesses the new Platinum Jubilee Building .
1993

January 6

Fr. Xavier Vedam's services are lent to the bishop of Kumbakonam, to organize and foster the Youth Services in the diocese. He resides in the Kumbakonam Diocesan Poastoral Centre.
1993

January 28

Fr. Raper, the International JRS Secretary and his South Asia representative urge the Southern Region Provincials to " move out for Refugeee work ". Fr. C. Amal is appointed. JRS National Secretaty.
1993

February 4

Fr. General writes a special letter to the Madurai Province members for the 3 rd centenary of St John de Britto's martyrdom.
1993

Feb. 23-Mar. 2

The Assistancy Major Superiors meet, till February 28 with Fr. General, and focus their discussions on the "Orientations for the Forthcoming GC 34". February The Loyola College department of Social Work is recognized by the University of Madras as a Research Department, entitled to conduct researches leading to Ph. D. in Social Work.
1993

March 1

Silent peace-marches for communal harmony and national unity are organized by most of the educational institutions of our Province.
1993

March 6

The 450th anniversary of St. Francis Xavier landing in India (in Goa ) is remembered in all our institutions, especially in St. Xavier's, Palayamkottai.
1993

March 13-14

76 Alumni from the 4 Southern provinces meet in Loyola, Chennai, and Fr. Louis Xavier invites them to reflect on their role as "leaders in service".
1993

May 4

Fr. General approves of Fr. Provincial's decision to allow Fr. Antoniraj to accept his election as President of the Scheduled Castes Integration Federation (SCIF) for a term of three years.
1993

May 6 to 9

For the first time 140 Jesuit Pastors of South Asia gather for a meeting called by their coordinator Fr. Jerry Rosario to reflect on the focal theme, "Creativity is the need of our times".
1993

May 23

The Secretary of the Society writes that Fr. General has decreed the canonical establishment of the Jesuit community in Kuppayanallur, the first in the Chengai Region.
1993

May 26

Fr. C. Valiaveethil goes to work for inter-religious dialogue in Maitri Bhavan, Varanasi .
1993

June 18

Fr. Donatus Jeyaraj succeeds Fr. Aloysius Irudayam as Provincial of the Madurai Province , and Fr. Sebastian Soosai succeeds Fr. M. Devadhas as Vice Provincial for Formation
1993

June 24

The South Indian Common Juniorate is inaugurated in Thiruvananthapuram.
1993

July 5

Claver House, the Jesuit residence in the Chengai Mission, is officially occupied, and two days later the Remedial School starts functioning.
1993

July 15

The karisal Team (Kamaraj Dt. Rural Institute for Social Action and Liberation) starts working in the sivakasi region among the child-labourers' families of the Arundhathiyar Dalits.
1993

August 13

In St Xavier's College, Palayamkottai, inaguration of STAND (Student's Training and Action for Neighbourhood Development), an attempt to link the college with the rural masses.
1993

Aug. 13-15

The National Council of the AICUF identifies the communalism and globalization of economy as the two greatest dangers threatening the very foundation of democracy and the secular nature of India .
1993

Aug. 25-26

The Jesuit Pastors of the Province reflect on the Basic Christian Communities and on the Basic Human Communities; and remind all that our pastrol action is to be concerned with all
1993

August 31

The 75 years Jubilee of the Apostolic School is celebrated in Madurai with Archbishop Casimir, S. J. as President.
1993

Sep. 7

Fr. M. Devadoss flies to Rome , then Somalia where he will be involved in the JRS activities.

Sep. 8

Fr. General decrees that the General Congregation 34 is to open on the feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord, January 5, 1995, and insists on its serious preparation by all the Provinces.
1993

Sept. 21-27

Fr. M. devadoss discusses with the UNESCO officials in Paris the collaboration between them and the JRS in Somalia . He will work with the UNESCO Educational Adviser to Somalia .
1993

September

The SHEPHERD department of St. Joseph 's College launches a total literacy compaign in 9 panchayats of the Manikandam block.
1993

October 14

Students from several Colleges attend a Seminar on Rural Poverty in India , organized by the department of Economics in Arul Anandar College
1993

Nov. 1 to 3

Invited by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Fr. M. Elias attends a meeting in Nepal convened to enhance and improve the collaboration between the UNHCR and the NGOS.
1993

Dec. 4

Fr. Britto Bonaventure, Principal of St. Joseph's College, is elected to the Syndicate of the (Tiruchirapalli) Bharathidasan University, -- the first Jesuit elected to this post after a span of 30 years.
1992

Jan. 27-30

Jan. 27-30 Fr. Louis Xavier attends in Bangkok a colloquim on Education organized by FABC (Federation of Asioan Bishops' Conferences).
1992

Feb. 21-23

St. Mary's parish, Madurai , celebrates the centuary of its Primary School.
1992

February

In Loyola College, the new Physics Block is opened - LIBA opens an Informatics Centre, which offers various modules of administration-oriented computer courses.
1992

March

In St Joseph's, SHEPHERD brings to the villages a Science Exhibition on the theme of "Water and Human Life".
1992

April 13

Fr. Provincial blesses the Documentation and Research wing of the Folklore centre in St Xavier's, Palayamkottai.
1992

April28-May 16

600 students of rural background improve their intellectual and leadership qualities during Summer Camps run by scholastics in Devakkotai, Keampanni and around Shembaganur.
1992

May 21-June 8

Seven Brothers undertake an agricultural tour to Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra, visiting various Universities of Agriculture, Government Farms, Factories, Gardens and Research Centres.
1992

June 1-6

Fr. K. M. Matthew is appointed by Fr. General one of the four Jesuit observes to the UN Conference on Environment & Development, in Rio de Janeiro , Brazil .
1992

August 1-31

The Culture & Communication Centre is involved in giving street-theatre courses and creating street-plays, later 'staged' in 300 villages, covering all the districts of Tamil Nadu.
1992

August 22-23

Our Jesuit schoolmen reflect on "Understanding slow learners and Remedial Work".
1992

August

Fr. Inchackal is member of the UGC committee to draft the theme paper for the All India level Vice-Chancellors' Conference.
1992

Oct. 12-23

Fr. Y. A. Lourdes as liturgist and Fr. V. M. Gnanapragasam as Tamil scholar take an important part in the revision of the Tamil Missal, under the leadership pf the archbishop of Madurai .
1992

Nov. 9 to 14

Fr. C. Amalraj represents the Assistancy at the Jesuit refugee Service annual meeting in Hbua Hin, Bangkok .
1992

November 27

Fr. General writes a letter approving the final Report of the Formation Reform Committee
1992

November

The Varasanadu area is one of the worst affected by the recent cyclone, with many deaths, 450 houses destroyed and some 1,500 damaged.
1992

December 21

In Palayamkottai, our institutions are in the vanguard in preparing a Peace March of students to proclaim peace and amity among various religions, in response to Ayodhya development.
1991

February 5

The former General Fr. Arrupe dies, almost 10 years after his paralytic attack. His successor Fr. Kolvenbach describes him as a man of three loves: for Christ, the Son of the Father; for the Lord's Church; and for the Society of Jesus.
1991

March 10

The 1st State-level convention of the Alumni of Jesuit Colleges and Schools is held in St Joseph 's College, with 600 delegates from 14 alumni associations.
1991

April 22

In Madras , public function to celebrate the Ignation Centenary.
1991

April

The CBCI appoints Fr. M. A. James as the Director of the pune National Vocations Service Centre.
1991

May 20-21

The province Days in this Ignation Year are an occasion for former and present Superiors and other Madurai Jesuits to share and relive the rich memory of the province in recent year.
1991

May

Fr. Mathew Moolel will become in August the first Jesuit Principal in the only College of sikkim . --- Fr. C. Amal assumes full-time responsibility of the Madurai Jesuit Refugee Service.
1991

July 17-21

Five former students from our Madurai Jesuit Colleges and Schools accompanied by Fr. Joe Lawrence attend the World Jesuit Alumni Congress in Bibao , Spain .
1991

August 21-23

Indian Jesuits in Social Action meet on the theme "Taking Sides with the Oppressed", explained as " to be one with the oppressed, specially the Dalits and Tribals, in their struggles".
1991

Oct 4-6

The Botany department of St. Xavier's College organizes, for the first time in South India , a National Symposium on pteridology, the science of Ferns.
1991

Dec 1

Fr. Sebasti L. Raj takes charge as Director of the Indian Social Institute (ISI) in New Delhi .
1990

January 17

Scholastic Dominic Royce is the first Jesuit to become an approved Bharathanatyam dancer when he gives his arangetram (approbation-performance) in the Bharathya Vidya Bhavan, Madras .
1990

January

JEPASA (Jesuit Pastors in South Asia ) is a new structure of our Assistancy; Fr. Jerry Rosario is its first Assistancy coordinator.
1990

Feb 11

With the approval of Fr. General, the La Salette shrine in Kodaikanal is gifted to the Madurai archdiocese.
1990

17

Provincial Congregation. A postulate asks Fr. General to immediately initiate the process for the formation of a dependent region-Chennai region.
1990

March 28

The newly formed Dalit Commission meets for the first time.
1989

March

The meeting of the Tamilnadu conference of Religious, decides never to Accept donations for admissions and never to open a new unaided English Medium school.
1990

June 12

A programmee for the development of the 23 villages of Varsanadu is planned during a meeting in the Madurai Archbishop's House.
1990

June 21

The Jesuit Chengai team starts in Palliagaram a "Remedial School for the Drop-outs", inaugurated by Fr. James Rodrigues, Rector of Loyola College.
1990

June

Fr. Muthupackiam's services are lent to the seminary of the Jalandhar diocese ( Delhi region).
1990

June 14-15

Fr. Provincial inaugurates 157 houses built for the families of the freed 'bonded labourers', in three villages of the Kodiakanal hills.
1990

August 6

The flow of refugees from Sri Lanka having greatly increases? Fr. C. Amal is entrusted to coordinate the efforts to help them.
1990

Sep 27

On this 450th anniversary of the confirmation of the Society of Jesus by Pope Paul III, the Jesuits all over the world begin an Ignation Jubilee Year.
1990

September

Fr. S. Arokiasamy is appointed Secretary of the CBCI commission for Clergy and Religious.
1990

December

After 5 years of experimental period, the Madurai Province makes a commitment to send Brothers, Scholastics and Fathers to the mission in Zambai, either on a short-term or a long-term basis.
1989

Jan 10-15

The operation MAGIS' (More Authentic Goals In Schools) training programme is conducted for the first time for 46 participating teachers.
1989

Jan 17-19

The Jesuit pastors reflect on the theme "Social - political situation in Tamilnadu" and make proposals with focus on the lay formation and the organization into 'Basic communities'.
1989

Feb 28

Launching of the massive survey work for the Province Dalit Research, covering 14 Catholic and 6 protestant dioceses.
1989

March 31

In Shembaganur, the team working Kodaikanal hill moves from the Sacred Heart college to Xaviers House in a field. PEAK (Peoples Education and Actiuon Kodaikanal) is thus founded.
1989

June 14-17

The 3rd AICUF National Convention, attended by some 300 delegates, adopts a new constitution that lays stress on the mass movement aspect of AICUF and Some consequent effects.
1989

June 18

A preliminary consultation is held on our planned future involvement in the Chengai-Anna district.
1989

July 16-Aug 1

Fr. Gellard, the French Provincial, visits the Madurai Province on the occasion of our 150 th anniversary. (Hence his name appears in some of the following items)
1989

July 19

The Devakottai school campus is expanded by the addition of a new block blessed by Fr. Gellard.
1989

July 21-22

Father Gellard visits Oriyur, where he gives to the shrine the crucifix used by St John de Britto, blesses and inaugurations the new school and hostel buildings as well as the resting hall for the pilgrims..
1989

July 22

Fr. Gellard declares open, in Arul Anandar College , the Toulouse Block, a gift of the French Province for the Jubilee of our Mission , and then blesses the RADAR Training Centre
1989

October

The services of Fr. Joe Antony are lent to the archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore to be the editor of The New Leader for two years (Note: In 2002 he still is the Editor of NL).
1988

January 17

Our High School hostel wardens decide that Catholics and others should not be separated in the hostels that these should admit only Std IX students, and that a Day Scholars Centre should be opened in all our schools for poor students.
1988

Feb 22

Fr. V.M. Gnanapragasam, appointed professor of Christian Literature in the Madurai M.K. University , join duty on this day.
1988

February

Fr. Provincial appoints a team to study the objectives, nature, scope, programmes, etc., of the recently inaugurated Jesuit Educational Research Institute (JERI).
1988

April 10

Social Scientist and Activists meet to discus the plan, prepared by Fr. Antoniraj, for a research project on the ordained priests.
1988

April 24

The Madurai Province 150 years jubilee celebrations conclude with a pilgrimage to Kalugumadai, where we see the grave of Fr. Capelli, an 18 th century Jesuit. Seven scholarstics are ordained priests.
1988

May

Fr. A. Lourduraj is re-elected to the Council and Board of Management of the (Protestant) Henry Martin Institute of Islamic Studies, Hyderabad .
1988

June 1

The new premises of St Joseph 's College Higher Secondary School are blessed.
1988

June 10

Inauguration of the provinces of Andhra, with Fr. John Bosco as its First provincial.
1988

June

The Archibishop of Madurai makes the Varasanadu region (one of the most backward in the diocese) a Mission of its own rights and entrusts it to the society of Jesus, that is already working there
1988

Sep 24-25

Ten thousand Christians cross the city of Tiruchirapalli to urge the Government to treat the scheduled caste Christians like their Hindu counterparts as regards the grant of concessions.
1988

October 25

The Fr. Jerome D Souza's block in Loyola College , is formally inaugurated.
1988

November

The Folklore Centre of St Xavier's College Palayamkottai, is inaugurated.
1987

January 28

The bishop of Palayamkottai blesses the Xavier Institute of computer Science, which is immediately put ton use by the students of the already accredited B.Sc Computer Science.
1987

February 25

The new Zen ignation centre in Dhyana Ashram is opened. The director will be fr. AMA, the first Zen master in India .
1987

March 1

The jubilee for the 150 years of the New Madurai Mission beings with a pilgrimage of the province to oriyur.
1987

March 23-25

The provincial congregation sends two postulates to Fr. General the immediate formation of the province of Andhra and the need for the Province to join hands with the Dalit Christian movements at the regional and national levels and support their struggles.
1987

March 25

Archbishop Casimir, S.J. of Madurai is transferred to the see of Madras-Mylapore.
1987

July 3

Fr. Aloysius Irudayam becomes provincial of Madurai, in succession to Michael Jeyaraj.
1987

July 27-30

A Symposium on "the Jesuit Presence in Indian History'. Part of the 15 th year celebrations, is convened by Fr. A. Amaladass. Twenty-two historians give their construction.
187

July 31

By a decree of Fr. General signed on July 24, the Mauritius Mission no longer depends on the Madurai Province after 29 years-and goes back to its dependence on the French Province.
1987

July

Fr. C. Amal takes full charges of MAITRI, both in Kodaikanal hills and in Mandapam, just as the work, at last in Mandapam becomes "one of educating, organizing and guiding" the repatriates. As a by-product of the bonded labour struggle, a Grihini school begins in Shembaganur to give an over-al though basic formation to illiterate young women.
1987

October 18

Fr. General Kolvenbach visits the colleges of our province, plus the Jesuit houses in Madras , Madurai and Dindigul. Besides releasing several books, he inaugurates some new ventures and finally attends the 'sound and light' show on The New Madurai Mission in St Joseph 's College.
1986

Dec 12-15

The National C.R.I Assembly held in Andhra Loyola College , on the theme "the emergency of the Theology of Liberation in India " as its main topic elects Fr. J. Kuriakose as its new President.
1986

February 4

Frs. D. Jeyaraj and Roche visit the houses to review the implementation of our domestic servant's employment rules.
1986

February 5

Pope John II visits Madras . April sec week Fr. Jerry Rosario is a member of a task-force called by Fr.General to Rome to study the problems of "our pastoral ministries today". He reads a paper entitled "afresh phase of freedom".
1986

June

First news in MNL about the SHEPHERD (science and humanities for peoples development) extension service in St Joseph 's college ten -day camps are held in 3 village, where St Joseph 's students do some hard construction work for the people.
1986

July 21

A computer Centre is opened in Loyola College. A three-credits course in computers is made compulsory for all students of statistics, mathematics, physics, chemistry, economics and commerce.
1986

October 11

Diamond jubilee of Loyola College. Two foundation stones are blessed and laid for the Loyola Institute for development services and for the Jerome D'Souza Administrative Block.
1986

Dec 5

The Satya Nilayam Research Institute is inaugurated.
1985

April 20

Fr. G. Casimir is chosen by the pope to be new Archbishop of Madurai. He is ordained to the episcopate on June16
1985

July 1

in Beschi College , inauguration of the South Indian Common Juniorate.
1985

July 5

In Shembaganur, a seminar is organized by MAITRI for the Ssi lanka repatriates in the Kodaikanal hills, who declare that they are treated like bonded labourers, and that MAITRI is their only source of consolation and contact with the outside world.
1985

Sep 24-26

Frs. Ignatius Hirudayam and Varaprasadam take active part in a seminar of the International Federation of catholic University in Tantur, Jersalem.
1985

Nov 1

Fr, Maria Louis is appointed the Holy See's Delegate to the Sacred Heart Brothers.
1985

Nov

By decision of Father General, the Indian Assistancy is to be henceforth known as the South Asian Assistancy.
1985

Dec 19

The Madras Television broadcasts in Tamil "Jesus is born even today" created and acted by Arul Kadal students as a relevant Christmas Message in today's context.
1984

Jan 27-28

The Platinum jubilee of St Mary's High School Dindigul celebrates its Diamond Jubilee.
1984

Feb 22-26

Centenary of the transfer of St Joseph's college from Nagapatnam to Tiruchirapalli. A sound and light spectacle brings out the history of the college and the Jesuit ideals of education.
1984

Feb

Fr. Maria Louis is appointed by the congregation of the Evangelization of he peoples as visitor of the Brothers of the sacred heart.
1984

April 3

The province's social centre IDEAS (Institute of development education, action and studies), built on the grounds of St. Mary's Madurai begins its first training session.
1984

July 3-10

The conference of India gives a statement on communalism the maner of facing it can become an expression of the Indian Jesuits commitment to justice and peace.
1984

August

The government of India sanctions R. 12 lakhs for a 3 years project of the anglade Institute of shembaganur for the "mass exposure of school students and teachers to the disaster of environmental destruction overtaking the country and to the need to develop programmes for eco-development".
1984

Sep 20

Archbishop Diraviam of Madurai blesses the IDEAS (Institute of development, education, Action & Studies) - AICUF building and encourages our work chiefly among the youth.
1984

Sep 21-23

Centenary celebration of St. Francis Xavier's Higher Secondary School in Tuticorin.
1984

October 6

In Dhyana Ashram the archbishop of Madras presides over the inauguration of the province's publishing house Vaigarai pathipakkam whose chairman is C.K. Swamy and releases its first book.
1984

Oct 27-28

Catholic Lutheran and church of south India leaders discuss together the problem of the Sri Lanka repatriates and refugees, and formulate a coordinated programme to help them.
1984

Nov 15

Fr. Vazhapilly is lent to the Karnataka province to work in the Nagaland college as principal for some years. He is the first Madurai Jesuit sent on a mission to the North East corner of India .
1984

Dec 27-30

Province Assembly with the motto, "towards liberation together with the poor'.
1984

Dec

Fr,. Rex pai is elected provincial of India .
1983

January 26

Br. K.V. peter, ex-post-master in shembaganur receives the padma shri medal and title.
1983

April 6-8

Provincial congregation. Frs M. Amaladossand J. Kurikose accompany Fr. Provincial as Electors to the 33 rd General Congregation.
1983

April 24

Fr. J. Kurikose takes charge as superior of the Andhra Region.
1983

May

Fr. Britto Joseph, our specialist in Naturopathy, signs a contract with the Holy Family Hospital , patna , to establish there a department of Indigenous Medicine and train the personnel for it.
1983

Sep 13

Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach is elected the new general of the Society of Jesus.
1983

Sep 13

From this day to October 10, 2734 repatriates and 720 refugees from Sri Lanka reach the Mandapam camp by sea. Helped by many religious sisters, the Maitri team, led by Fr. A. Augustine takes care of them as also of about 6000 reparties, resettled in the kodaikanal hills.
1983

Sep 23

Fr. M.Amaladoss, one of our delegates to the general congregation, is elected one of the four general participates in an International symposium on "Chinese-western cultural interchange" in honour of the 4 th centenary of Matteo Ricci's arrival in china.
1983

Dec 1-3

St Mary's High School Dindigul celebrates its diamond jubilee.
1982

January

Fr. Machado is appointed member of a state government committee to frame a Moral and social education syllabus for High Schools.
1982

Feb 27

The shembaganur 'extra-departmental" post office is handed over to the government.
1982

February

Our way of life, the Jesuit Madurai province Guidelines book, is sent to the houses.
1982

August

The provincials of India discuss the means to foster greater inter-provincial cooperation in the assistancy, and also to respond to the cal for workers coming from the regions of the world.
1982

October

Fr. P.T. chelladurai becomes principal of the government's evening college of music in Madras .
1982

December 8

The papal delegate, Fr. Dezza, convokes the general congregation to elect the new general.
1981

Jesuit statistics. There are this year 431 fewer Jesuit in the world, but the Indian Assistancy has increased by 86 and now numbers 3002, becoming the most numerous after the United States (5618)
1981

February 7

The Research Institution of entomology in Loyola organizes a National Seminar on "Research Advances in Entomology in India ". The world -famous Dr.M.S. Swaminathan, gives the final address.
1981

April 5

Fr. Michael Jeyaraj becomes Provincial of Madurai, succeeding Fr. Rex A. Pai.
1981

May

The Tamil department of St Xavier's College in Palayamkottai is recognized as a research centre.
1981

June 1

Frs S David and V. Diaz leaves the province for sunder nagar, and are our first Himalayan missionaries, at the services of the bidshop of chandigarh .
1981

July

Fr. A. Machado is appointed secretary-treasurer of the catholic educational council of Tamil Nadu.
1981

August 6

In a talk to Jesuits working among the refugees in Bangkok , Fr. General Arrupe states: "these (refugee) problems are not solved by human efforts (.); we do not pray enough ". The following morning, landing in rome , Fr. General is struck by a strong attack of paralysis.
1981

October

Our provincial Fr. M. Jeyaraj is elected to the executive committee of the National advisory council of the catholic Bishop conference of India .
1980

Feb 2-4

Celebration of the Silver Jubilee of Andhra Loyola College
1980

March 18

The Scholasticate of philosophy begins its transfer to Madras from Shembaganur, which becomes again a house of the Madurai Province . The Anglade Institute of Natural History begins there.
1980

May 18

Twenty of our media men demand the evaluation of the various periodicals published by the Madurai Jesuits, and the formation of an Editorial Board for each periodical.
1980

Jul 11-12

Fr. General Arrup's very active to Madras. He comes mainly to officially inaugurate Satya Nilayam.
1980

August

'Caritas India' asks Fr. Ceyrac to coordinate the work of 15 volunteers (including 4 Jesuits) sent from India to help the Kampuchean refugees in Thailand .
1980

October

On the appeal of Bishop of Kumbakonam, Fr. Pushpanather becomes Correspondent and Headmaster of the Higher School in Viragalur.
1980

October

Fr. Dhavamony represented the Holy See at the First General Assembly of Ecumenical Associations of African Theologians, at Taounde, Cameron.
1980

November 8

Three programmes mark in Madras the third centenary of the birth of Fr. Beschi, Veeramamuniva; a seminar; a public function; and a special feature on the Madras Television.
1980

Nov 14

Fr. General Arrupe writes to the entire Society about the urgent problem of the refugees and announces the formation of the Jesuit Refugee service (JRS), with non-Jesuit collaborators
1980

Nov 30- Dec 2

Centenary celebrations of St Xavier's Higher School, Palayamkottai.
1979

Jan 6-10

The Indian Major Superiors reflect on the decline in personal prayer, and the need of the "integration of our prayer with the apostolate, resulting on apostolic mobility".
1979

February 26

The Madurai Apostolic School celebrates its Diamond Jubilee.
1979

February 23

Fr. Gualbert begins teaching in a Government School Managed by the Jesuits in Bhutan .
1979

March 19

The schoolmen discuss self-evaluation of English medium in our schools.
1979

March 25

Loyola organizes a march of Madras Christians to the Governor's House to protest the anti-church atrocities in Arunachal Pradesh and other North Indians regions, and express serious concern about the Arunachal Pradesh Bill and the Freedom of Religion Bill.
1979

March

Fr Provincial appoints a commission to study the future of our properties in the Kodaikanal hills, in keeping with the decree of CG 32 and the new Statutes on Poverty.
1979

May 22-25

Four of our Brothers attend the First National Convention of Religious Brothers of India (NARBI) meant to encourage all Brothers in the process of renewal and adaptation
1979

June 10

The Auxiliary Bishop of Madras inaugurates the Regional Tamil Theologate, called Arul Kadal (the Ocean of Grace ), a phrase very dear to Veeramamunivar (Fr.Beschi).
1979

June 24

Inauguration of "Valarmathi", the new Juniorate in Cilve's, St Joseph's College.
1979

July

On retiring from University teaching, Fr. G. Thottungal goes to serve in East Africa .
1979

August

Beginning of LIBA (Loyola Institute of Business Administration), an evening course for people already employed. St Joseph 's its JIBA as a one-year post-graduate diploma course.
1979

Nov 25

Fr. General reminds all Jesuits of their commitment to fight atheism: "To meet this challenge facing the Church, we must adequately revise our manner of life and work".
1979

Dec 23

Fr. A.J Lawrence researches the island of Trinidad in he West Indies , his new mission post.
1979

Dec 26-29

Province Meeting on "Together toward Tomorrow". The assembly itself in favour of a preferential option for the poor and downtrodden in every sphere of our apostolate.
1978

Jan 2-6

Eight Madureans attend in Bombay the All India Jesuit Meeting on Formation.
1978

Jan 13-15

Provincial Congregation. A postulate on the need of a Regional Project of Theology, and another on the work among the exploited and humiliated Harijans and Tribals are sent to Fr. General.
1978

April 30-May

1 Local Superiors, Principals and Headmasters share on how ton make our institutions progress in the service of the Faith and the promotion of Justice. They decide to have only Tamil medium in the Higher Secondary Schools.
1978

May

The Syndicate of the Madras University gives the Autonomous status to Loyola and St Joseph 's Colleges. (Ultimately, all our five Colleges will become Autonomous).
1978

May

The Provincial of India decides that the scholasticate for the study of philosophy, now in shembaganur, will be transferred to Madras 9Lattice Bridge and will be called Satya Nilayam. June 8 A new retreat centre, "Inigo Dhyana Illam" is inaugratuted in a wing of Beshi college.
1978

June 14

The administration of St Paul 's Seminary is transferred from the Jesuits to the Ecclesiastical Province of Madurai. The Jesuits still serving in the Seminary from a separate community.
1978

July

AugustAugustThe tirunelveli Social service Society, directed by Fr T. Malayampuram, opens a Grihini school in Kuruvikulam for training illiterate girls of marriageable age in domestic sciences and family life.
1978

August

The PALMERA team (People's Action and Liberation Movement in East Ramnad0 selects the Kannankudi panchayat to launch non-formal education: 68.62 % of its people are illiterate.
1978

Sep 12-13

The demand to Fr. General for the proposed Regional Theology Project is finalized.
1978

Dec 30-31

In Madras , 1 st Regional Congregation of Tamil Religious Brothers-some 80 of them 9 congregations. Brother Paranjothi is to represent the Jesuit Brothers in the follow-up of the meeting.
1978

December

Fr. A. Pappuraj is appointed to coordinate the work of rehabilitation of the repatriates from Sri Lanka , divided into camps in Mandapam, Kottupatti near Tiruchirapalli and the Kodaikanal hills.
1977

June

In Shembaganur, Fr. G. Ignacy launches a 'Mini Project' in which he teaches certain subjects to First Year philosophers with an Indian approach in tune with Inculturation.
1977

July 23

The finance Commission publishes guidelines towards a better application of the vow of Poverty
1977

Aug. 30-Sep.3

Fifty Jesuits, diocesan priests, Sisters, Brothers and Lay people discuss "the Church and Society in East Ramnad " and inside on the defence and promotion of the Harijians as the primary task of the Church there.
1977

September 2

The Province has now a Vive-Provincial for Formation, no longer for Education.
1977

September 8

The Institute of Inculturation is dedicated in Aikya alayam, to commemorate the fourth centenary of the birth of Robert de Nobili, the founder of the First Madurai Mission. Sep 10-11 The Superiors reflect on Fr. Arrupe's letter on "Inculturation of the Spiritual life and the Apostolate" and takes up the report of the Inculturation Commission on our Province.
1977

October 22

The new Ministers Commission discusses the development of East Ramnad , the formation of a new Centre for Rural Studies, the Press Apostolate, etc..
1977

October 30

Madurai Jesuits reflect for two days on the caste factor as fostering an unjust structure in the parish milieu; and on the question of lay leadership for the task of liberation of the oppressed.
1977

Nov 13-17

A terrible cyclone causes untold damages first in Tamilnadu, then in Andhra Pradesh, chiefly in the districts of Vijayawada and Guntur . St Joseph 's college suffers most from the havoc
1977

Dec 11

The Headmasters and Superiors reflect about introduction of the Higher Secondary section in our High Schools.
1976

January

Fr. Loze, of our Province, becomes Secretary of the Jesuit Mission Secretariat in Rome .
1976

Jan 14-16

Golden Jubilee of Loyola College, marked by a Sciences & Arts Exhibition, an academic conference for Teachers & Students, another on Youth & Faith, and an Old Boys' Day.
1976

January

Fr. Lawrene Sundaram is appointed National Chaplain of the Newman Association in India
1976

March 19

The Postolic and Caritative Fund of the Society (FACSI) is inaugurated in Rome by Fr. General, as an expression of inter-provincial concrete in our apostolate.
1976

May 6-13

Many Brothers attend a Seminar on the documents of Vatican II and of our CG 32.
1976

June 10

Fr. General promulgates the Statutes of the Jesuit Conference of India and the office office of the Provincial of India. Fr. Ambrose, of the Karnataka Province , is the first Provincial of India.
1976

September

Fr. T.A. Mathias represents India for the second time at the General Assembly of he UNO, to work in the Committee on Humanitarian, Social and Cultural Concerns.
1976

December 5

Meeting of the Commission for Education, which expresses the need to prepare ourselves for the work of Non-Formal Education, mainly for adults and drop-outs.
1976

December 19

The 'Pay Commission' submits its final revision of wages to Fr. Provincial for his approval.
1975

January 26

The meeting of Superior decides that the Province will join in the operation "Ten Thousand Wells" started by the archdiocese for the help of the Ramnad district.
1975

May 10

The Provincial of Madurai, Fr. Casimir, is Appointed Regional Assistant in Rome.
1975

April 3

Before 14 Protestant and Catholic bishops, the book of Ruth is released, first fruit of the Ecumenical Bible Translation team.
1975

April 26-May

1 Our Brothers attend a seminar on Community Life, Holy Scripture and Social Justice.
1975

May 12

After studying the reports from the Province, Fr. General discontinues the office of Vice-Provincial for Pastoral Apostolate, whilst maintaining the post of Vice-Provincial for Education
1975

May

Fr. Dhavamony is elected Dean of the Faculty of Missiology in the Gregorian University.
1975

June 6

Fr.Rex A. Pai becomes Provincial of Madurai in succession to the new assistant Fr. Casimir
1975

June 17

In karumathur, the bishop of Tuticorin blesses "Christ Hall", the new Tamilnadu Region major Seminary for philosophers who will get a degree in Philosophy through Arul Anandar Colege.
1975

June

On the feast of the Sacred Heart, the foundation stone of UGARTE NAGAR is laid, a scheme to build 130 houses, out of which 25 for servants of the Sacred Heart College , on 8 acres of land donated by the sacred Heart College.
1975

July 10

A Survey of he East Ramnad is launched, guided by Fr. Houtart, who will process the data in Louvain Universality, Belgium.
1975

August 4-8

Fr. J. Kuriakose attends in Rome a Conference on "the role of the Jesuit-sponsored institutions of Higher Education in the service of the Faith and the promotion of Justice".
1975

October 5-6

All Rectors and Principals accept on principle to run Autonomous Colleges, in case this is granted to us by the U.G.C. and the Government
1975

October

In Rome , Fr. General Founds the "Jesuit Socio- Economic Development Secretariat (JESEDES) with Fr, Michael Campbell-Johnston of British Guyana as its 1 st Director.
1975

November 2

The Major Superiors of India appoint a committee to work out a programme of formation and study in the context of Inculturation. On January 10, 1976, Fr. Varaprasadam is appointed a member.
1974

February Fr. Ignatius Hirudayam is appointed Consultor of the Vatican Secretariat for Non-Christians.
1974

April 16

Province Meeting on "Inter-personal Relationships" where it is found that the vision presented by St. Ignatius in the Spiritual Exercise is the best help for such genuine relationships. --- The Provincial Congregation elects Fr. Varaprasadam and Gordon to accompany Fr. Casimir to the CG 32.
1974

May 4

Arivayala, a cultural troupe consisting of twenty scholastics gives its first performance at St Mary's Madurai .
1974

May 10-30

Fr. P.T. Chelladurai directs the first Carnatic Music Summer School, a yearly event till today.
1974

May 25-27

Some concrete guidelines on Poverty are decided upon, and the educational institutions are asked to educate "men for others" and to be instruments of Social Justice.
1974

Sep 8

Blessing and opening of the new premises of Aikiya Alayam, the Dialogue Centre.
1973

April 22

Fr. G. Casimir becomes Provincial of Madurai, succeeding Fr. D. Gordon.
1973

April

De La Salle College becomes Arul Anandar College (St John de Britto's Tamil names), and starts a new courseon Rural Development, Sciences and Services (RDSS).
1973

May 15

The Andhra Region officially takes charge of St. Patrick's Boys High School in Secunderabad.
1973

May 15-21

JEA seminiar on "Transforming our educational institution into agentsof social change". June 27 to 29 On the request of the C.B.C.I. Commision for Dialogue, Fr. Ignatius Hirudayam organizes a Tamilnadu Reginoal Get-Together on 'Preparing the Local Church for Dialogue'.
1973

August

The new Central Committee of AICUF defines it as a "a students' movement inspired by Christ's ideals of truth, love and justice embodying themselves through history".
1973

September 22

In Arul Anandar College, Karumathur, the foundation stone for the proposed Tamil Nadu Regional Seminary is laid by the Internuncio.
1973

October

Scholastic Francis Britto goes to serve in the Japanses Province .
1973

November 21

The Botany Department in St Joseph 's College is recognized as a Research Centre.
1972

January 15

The Jesuit theologate of Kurseong, is transferred to Delhi and called Vidyajyothi.
1972

February

The plan submitted by Fr. Michael Raj to the Tamilnadu Bishops and to our Provincial for restructuring the Mass Media Apostolate is approved.
1972

June 11

Fr. Chelladurai gives his public 'Arangetram' (First concert) in Carnatic music, -- the first catholic priest ever to do so.
1972

November 7

The director General of the Posts & Telegraphs in Delhi visiting the post-office managed for 60 years in shembaganur by Bro. Peter, writes in the visitors' book: "I f work is worship, this is its temple and Br. Peter is the High Priest".
1972

November 5

Inauguration of the Andhra Region, with Fr. J. Baliah as Regional superior. November The management of Campion School in Tiruchirapalli is givn back to the diocese.
1972

December 12

The Madurai Province takes charge of the 'de la Salle college' Karumathur on the request of the archbishop of Madurai . Its first Jesuit principal is Fr, V. Rajanayagam.
1971

January 6

Fr. General promulgates the statutes of the delegation for common works of the Indian Assistancy and appoints Fr. Parmananda Divarkar as the First Delegate.
1971

May 15-22

A JEA National Seminar is held in Shembaganur, with 100 participants, on "the aims and objectives of the Jesuits Education in India ".
1971

May 24

Fr. Rodney Hart leaves for the Philippines as a missionary, to work among the lepers.
1971

May 31 to June

7 Fr. T.A. Mathias represents the Holy see at a conference of Asian Ministers of Education and Ministers of Economic Planning, organized by the UNESCO in Singapore .
1971

September

Fr. Provincial promulgates the statutes for the administration of the Madurai Province and appoints two Vice-Provincials, --for Pastoral Apostolate and for education.
1970

January

A Centre of Ignatian Spirituality is set up in the Roman Curia of the Society to provide information and to encourage studies of the Jesuit spirituality.
1970

February 11

The Chief Minister of Tamilnadu opens the new Community Centres as he inaugurates the 125 th anniversary celebrations in St. Joseph 's College, Tiruchirapalli.
1970

February 15

Fr. T. Mathias goes to represent the Indian Jesuits at an East Asia education Conference in Taiwan , and then at a conferences on "Global Dimensions of Education" in California.
1970

May 11-17

The first "Assistancy Jesuit Conference" on the theme 'Jesuits in India Today' proposes the formation of a "Province for Common Works of the Assistancy" and of four 'Assistancy Secretaries'.
1970

June

Introduction, in Shembaganur, of an integrated course of philosophy and theology, over three years.
1970

Sep 5 to 10

Fr. T. Mathias is the official representative of the Holy see at the UNESCO conference on Higher Education held in Teheran.
1969

January 24

Golden Jubilee of the Apostolic School in Madurai.
1969

Jan 31-Feb 2

Diamond Jubilee of St Mary's High School, Madurai.
1969

April

Fr. Michael Raj becomes the Director of the Tamilnadu Catholic Audio-Visual Education Service, Tindivanam.
1969

May 1

Fr. D. Gordon becomes the Provincial of Madurai for the second time, succeeding Fr. Varaprasadam.
1969

July 18

The M.Ed course in St Xavier's teachers' College is formally inaugurated.
1969

December

The "Jesuit Survey Report on the Indian Asistancy" is printed.
1969

Dec 17-18

Conference of the Brothers of Madurai Province, during which important conclusions are adopted regarding the vocation, work and formation of the Jesuit Brothers.
1968

January

On the Madras Beach, the statue of Father Beschi, S.J., Veeramamunivar in Tamil (1680-1746), is installed among those of important Tamil writers.
1968

March

A Commission for Brothers is constituted to discuss the decree 7 (on Jesuit Brothers) of the GC31 and accordingly advise our Provincial.
1968

July

The Prime Minister of India appoints Fr. Jerome D' Souza to the National Integration Council
1968

August

The Madurai Report on the Survey demanded by Fr. General is finalized.
1968

October 31

A 3-day celebration of the Centenary of Mahatma Gandhi is held in Loyola College for all the University students of Madras city.
1967

January

A six-month Pre-Novitiate is started, even for candidates who have finished their P.U.C
1967

January 8

All Rectors and Principals, Superiors and Headmasters meet in Tiruchirapalli to reflect on the decrees of GC 31 propose practical suggestions to implement them in our Province.
1967

Jan 17-18

Fr. General Arrupe visits, in the Province, Madurai, Shembaganur, Dindigul, Tiruchirapalli and Madras, and makes twenty speeches.
1967

April 5

Fr. Dhavamony is appointed Consultor to the Secretariat for Non-Christian Religions in Rome.
1967

June 29

Archbishop John Peter Leonard, S.J. of Madurai resigns his see and transfers his powers to the archbishop-elect Rev. Fr. Justin Diraviam, of the diocesan clergy of Trichinopoly.
1967

July 31

By a decree of Rev. Fr. General, the Mauritius Tamil Mission becomes a Mission of the Madurai Province, -- the first foreign mission of our Province. Fr.J de Roton is the Superior of the Mission.
1967

December 3

Dr. Kothari, Chairman of the University grants commission discusses, in St.Joseph's Trichinopoly, with 9 College principals about Finances, Teaching Medium and Autonomous Colleges .
1966

April

The Indian Major Superiors appointed Fr. E. Ugarte chairman of a committee preparing a Plan of Jesuit Studies for Indian, applying the recommendations of the Vatican Council II and the CG 31.
1966

May

Fr. General orders a General Survey of the Society about the relevance of the Church and the Society to today's problems. In India, the Indian Social Institute is in charge, and Fr. Ugarte in the Madurai Province.
1966

June 10

Scholastic I.S.S. James joins the Hong Kong Mission and starts for Petaling Jaya (Malaysia) to learn the language. (He is now applied to the Indonesian Province)
1966

July 31

Fr. General reminds all Provinces of the task entrusted by Pope Paul VI to the Society regarding atheism. In the Madurai Province, FF. G. Ignatius and Louis Xavier are asked to look after this mission.
1966

Oct 16 to 20

Invited by both the Papal Secretariat for Christian Unity and the "Faith and Order" Commission of the World Council of Churches, Fr. Muthumalai attends ecumenical meetings in Geneva
1966

November

Fr. Ceyrac is invited by the Secretary General of Pax Romana to visit Africa for three months to share his experiences with the chaplains and students of that continent.
1965

February 11

Foundation of Vinukonda, the first Jesuit mission-station in Andhra after those established in the 18th century by the French Jesuits of the Carnatic Mission.
1965

February

Fr. Theo Mathias is asked by the University Grants Commission to be a member of an All-India Committee to advise on student integration in university life.
1965

March

Fr. TN, Sequeira is co-opted as a member of he Government's Kothari Education Commission.
1965

May 22

The General congregation 31 elects Rev. Fr. Pedro Arrupe as General of the Society of Jesus.
1965

August 25

In a letter to a meeting in France, Fr. Arrupe declares that "adaptation to the modern world" is to be a characteristics of his generalate
1965

November 17

Fr. Yedanapally leaves to spend six months in Bangkok to prepare with an international group of chemists a pilot project for teaching Chemistry in South Asia.

1964

The Jesuit statistics for 1963 show the Indian Assistancy to be numerically (2495) the 6th among 11 Assistancies. (This is mentioned here for comparison with later statistics).
1964

Jan. 7 to 9

Fr. S. Rajamanickam reads at an International Congress of Orientalists a paper on Fr. Robert de Nobili, whom Dr. Humayun Kabir acclaims as "the first Orientalist".
1964

Jan. 31-Feb. 2

The 1st Annual Study Conference on Social Action is held in Loyola College, with representatives from outside Madras .
1964

April 22

Fr. Arul Maria Varaprasadam becomes Provincial of Madurai, succeeding Fr. L. Fernandez.
1964

July 13

Bishop Mummadi blesses in Guntur the Loyola Public Academy, our second foundation in Andhra.
1964

August

Fr. M. Dhavamony speaks on "Christian approach to the Hindus" the 'Misology week' in Louvain , Belgium .
1964

October 5

Rev Fr. John Baptist Janssens, General of the Society of Jesus, dies.
1963

July 7

The Silver Jubilee of the Madurai archdiocese is celebrated. On this occasion a Catholic Social Welfare Bureau is opened.
1963

July

Loyola College, Madras, begins an M.A. course in Social Work with three fields of specialization: Industrial Relations, Medical Social Work and Rural & Community Development.
1963

August

The copies of he revised Custom Book of the Madurai province are sent to all the houses.
1963

october

Golden Jubilee of the Catholic Truth Society (C.T.S.), Tiruchirapalli.
1962

March 19

In Loyola College, inauguration of the Berchmans Hall, for the Jesuits undergraduate students.
1962

April

The district of sarugani in the Madurai archdiocese is entrusted to the diocesan clergy.
1962

May 31

By a decree of Fr. General, the Assistancy of India and East Asia is divided into Indian (plus Sri Lanka) and East Asia Assistancies. Fr. Jerome D' Souza remains Assistant of the former.
1962

October 2

Solemn Opening of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, which proved to be a turning point in the life of the Church and of the Society.
1962

November 14

Fr. M. Dorairaj, the first madurean missionary in Africa, starts for Mwanza, Tanganyka
1961

May

The JEA, -- the Jesuit Educational association of India is founded.
1961

September 20

The "Jesuit Board of Tamil writers" decides to become "Beschi Writers' Association", and to bring out quarterly religious books from the 'Beschi Publishing House'.
1961

December 3

First Centenary of the Jesuit Mission to the Indians in Mauritius island. Many of those missionaries were coming from the then Madurai Mission.
1960

June 20

The new church of St John de Britto in Oriyur blessed.
1960

June

Father Shouriah, the first Madurean going abroad as a missionary, leaves for the British Guyana Mission . --- The Beschi College Juniorate in Shembaganur is closed and the Juniors go to Loyola College for their undergraduate studies.
1960

July 30 Aug 1

Silver Jubilee of Campion High School, Trichinopoly., The school chapel is blessed.
1960

August 13 - 14

Fr. Provincial attends in Delhi the 1st meeting of the Conference of the (Men) Religious of India (C.R.I).
1960

September 27

On the anniversary of the approbation of the society of Jesus, the Malabar Region becomes the Independent Kerala Vice-Province; Fr. de Roton is the interim Vice-Provincial. On December 20, Fr. Edamaram is appointed its first Vice-Provincial.
1960

December 23

Rev. Fr. General appoints Fr. Mann, the Patna Vice-Provincial, Visitor of the Madurai Province. He comes to the Province, however, only on 23rd February 1961.
1959

June 1

On the repeated requests of Bishop Agnisamy S.J, of Kottar, the Province takes up the management of the Carmel High School in Nagercoil.
1959

August 15

In St. Francis Xavier's College, Palamcottah, the new church, in Indo- Saracene style, is blessed.
1959

October 22

Dr. Humayun Kabir, Minister of Scientific Research in the government of India, declares open the Post-Graduate Science Building in St Joseph 's College.
1958

January 4 to 6

In St Joseph's, Trichinopoly, 1st Tami Nadu Regional Conference of the AICUF. About 600 students attend. The study theme is "Religion and Culture".
1958

January 12

Archbishop Mathias of Madras, a Salesian, gives to the Jesuits the management of the retreat house (Dhyana Ashram) he has built. Fr. A. Muthumalai is its first director.
1958

May 28 to 30

St Xavier's College of Palamcottah hosts the 48th Madras State Educational conference, attended by 1500 teachers and presided by the Education Minister of the Government of India .
1958

July 31

Fr. Laurence Fernandes becomes Provincial of Madurai, succeeding Fr. Gordon.
1957

February 10

Five College of Trichinopoly gather together in St Joseph's for the Centenary of Madras university. Fr. Jerome D'Souza presides over the main function.
1957

March

Fr. Lourdu Yedanapalli presents a paper on high polymers at an International Symposium held at the National Chemical Laboratory, Poona.
1957

June to August

Several protests are organized against the threat of the Kerala government to nationalize the schools.-- chiefly after the contents of the Kerala Education Bill are known.
1957

October 1

The Jesuit General Congregation decrees the formation of an Assistancy of India and East Asia, and allows Fr. General to divide it, when it become opportune. Fr. Jerome D' Souza is its first Assistant.
1956

January 16

Today is the 3rd centenary the death of Robert de Nobili (Tattuva Podagar,) founder of the Old Madurai Mission. This is celebrated in our institutions at different times during the year.
1956

March 19

The latin archbishop of Verapoly blesses in Ernakulam the first Jesuit house in Kerala outside Calicut. Shortly later, another house is opened, this one in the Malankara archdiocese of Trivandrum.
1956

July 31

The feast of St Ignatius is this year celebrated with special solemnity and various types of celebrations in our institutions.
1956

October 10

The Kerala civil district becomes the Malabar Region, with Fr. de Roton as its first Superior.
1956

November

Fr. Jerome D' Souza represents India at a UNESCO meting in New Delhi.
1955

May 3

By decree of Fr. General, "the diocese of Calicut is united to the Madurai Province, in order that the Province of Madurai may develop the Malayalam speaking areas with works of the Society, so that a Province of Malabar may eventually be erected".
1955

July 1

Opening, in Shembaganur, of the Beschi College, affiliated to the Madras University, for the Juniors to prepare for University degrees.
1955

August 18

The Malabar District, with Fr. Zucol as Superior, is added to those of Madurai and Palamcottah.
1955

September

Pandit Nehru, the first Prime Minister of free India, meets the Trichinopoly people on the grounds of St Joseph's College. The Fathers have a short conversation with him.
1955

Dec. 1-3

After ten years of drought, a terrible cyclone causes awful ravages on the Eastern Coast of Tamil Nadu and inland up to Madurai.
1954

January 1

The first stone of the building of Beschi College, Dindigul, is blessed and laid. The first issue of the Tamil periodical Narkarunnai Veeran is published by Fr. Paul Wenisch.
1954

June 10

The novice-master Fr. I. Thomas and his novices occupy Beschi College.
1954

July 12

The Andhra Loyola College is inaugurated and opened in Vijayawada.
1954

Dec 29 - Jan 2

In Loyola College, Madras, a Pan Asian Catholic Students Congress is held with representatives from 9 Asian countries, plus Australia and New Zealand. The final Mass is celebrated by Cardinal Gracias, archbishop of Bombay.
1953

February 4

Father Douglas Gordon is appointed the first Provincial of the Madurai Province.
1953

June 13-16

Fathers Sauliere and G. Ignatius represent the Madurai Province at the Centenary celebrations of our Mother-Province, Toulouse in Vals, where many of our pioneers studied Philosophy.
1953

September 19

September 19 The diocese of Madurai becomes an Archdiocese with the suffragan diocese of Tuticorin and Trichinopoly.
1953

October

The decision is taken to transfer the Noviciate and the Juniorate from Shembaganur to Kattumadam, (Beschi College) near Dindigul
1953

December 9

The foundation stone of the Andhra Loyola College is laid by Governor Trivedi of Andhra.
1952

July 31

On the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, its General, Rev. Fr. John-Baptist Janssens, signs the decree that raises the Vice- Province of Madurai into a Province.
1952

August 15

On the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady and the 5th anniversary of the Independence of India, the above mentioned decree is proclaimed both in the Toulouse Province and in the Vice-Province of Madurai, The Madurai Vice- Provincial, Rev. Fr. Humbert Pinto, is appointed Acting Provincial.
1952

September 1

Centenary of our Mother Province, Toulouse: the new Madurai Mission was founded in 1837 by the Lyons Province. At its division in 1852, the Madurai Mission was entrusted to the Toulouse Province.
1952

December 3

All our institutions celebrate in various ways the 400th anniversary of the Death of St Francis Xavier.
1952

Dec 20-23

First National Congress of AICUF ( All India Catholic University Federation) in Madras .

As the Madurai province celebrates its Golden Jubilee, many of its members live their mission of outside the Province not counting those who are making higher studies abroad and the 17 Madureans now transferred to other provinces.

Within India : At the service of the CBCI: in the Tertianships, Scholasticates and social Institutes of the South Asian Assistancy and the territories of Andhra, Darjeeling , Delhi , Karnatakla and Jamshedpur .

Outside India : In the UNESCO programme for Somalia in the Jesuit Roman houses (Curia and Gregorian University) and in Australia, brazil East Africa, England, France, Germany, Guyana, Indonesia, Kampuchea (Cambodia), Seychelles islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, United States, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

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