CFIC INDIA

Our Founder
CFIC IN INDIA

Blessed Luigi Maria Monti, the founder of the Congregation of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception (C.F.I.C), a consecrated religious, called father by veneration, was born at Bovisio, small village of Milan on 24th July ,1825 to the pious parents Angel and Teresa Monti.

He was ardent to grow in the faith inherited from parents. When he was 12 Years old his father died and he became the full responsible of his family. Attracted by his zeal, industriousness and spiritual life, numerous friends joined him in prayer and other charitable activities. Eventually the group was called by the people, the company of Friars and they dedicated more time in reciting rosaries, singing psalms and reading spiritual books etc.

All the great events have a humble beginning. The story of CFIC in India is also not very different. It was the fruit of providential coincidence between the dreams of Fr.Giovanni Cazzaniga, the superior general of CFIC in the year 1973, for an opening in India and the desire of Fr.Mathew Chemmarapally,a diocesan priest ,to join a religious congregation.

In the month of September 1969 Fr.Mathew met two CFIC religious, Fr.Peter Broghi and Bro. Romeo Simoni at Cheruvandor, Kottayam. By end of the year he received an invitation from the superior General and he presented it to his Bishop. After a long silence he was permitted to join the congregation .Thus Fr. Mathew left for Rome in June 1971.After a few weeks, a group of youngsters from different parts of Kerala reached Rome. Fr.Mathew was admitted in the novitiate in September 1971 at La Storta, Rome.

Provincial Superior's Message

'Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! shout, daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you; righteousness and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey on a colt, the foal of a donkey"

(Zechariah 9,9).

We are in the advent season which is a time of preparation for the celebration of Christmas. Our preparations for Christmas celebration is mainly a preparation of heart which should ultimately lead us to a renewal of heart. Renewal of heart is required for receiving Jesus in our life. We should make our hearts as simple and humble as the manger in Bethlehem. it should be free from all worldly tumults as that beautiful and silent night in which Jesus was born. Our heart should be exultant and joyful as that of the angel who sung "glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased'(Lk 2,14), on the birth of Jesus on that beautiful silent night. Let us be so simple and lowly as the shepherds who got the angelic announcements of the birth of Jesus. We should be so sensitive and receptive to the signs of God’s love and concern in our day-to-day life experiences as the magi who would decern the birth of Jesus, the King of the universe even in a manger and in a lowly situation.

In this unfortunate situation of Covid-19, they approach Christmas with a lot of anxiety and restlessness. But Covid-19 will only affect our common spiritual and physical preparations and celebrations.

The restriction on the common forum should not discourage or make a lazy in our preparation. Instead, it should turn our attention emphasis on the individual and personal level of preparation. The personal level of renewal is the most desirable thing in welcoming Jesus during Christmas.

Covid-19 should also increase our responsibility toward needy people. In Christmas, we remember God’s gift of His only Son to humanity which was in need of liberation from the slavery of sin (Jn 3,16). Indeed, this gift of God Himself is the most important message of Christmas which is to be followed in our Christian and religious life. Self-giving which consists of great sacrifice, helping the needy is what Christmas celebrations demand from us especially during this unfortunate situation of a pandemic.

Covid-19, I use this occasion to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May infant Jesus bless you all with his choicest blessing and the intercession and protection of our Blessed Mother Mary be with you all. Seeking the special care of our Blessed founder Luigi Monti in all our endeavors.