Salesian Bulletin Magazine

Fr. Maria Arokiam Kanaga, a name that is celebrated among the Salesians of South Asia has become a name often recalled for a different reason today. Mention the name of Fr. Maria one would immediately think of a personality that is friendly, effervescent, happy and above all intelligent. A three-time elect to the General Chapter was indeed ‘a stone set part’ for greater responsibility in the congregation. His three consecutive representation to the General Chapter and the élan with which he carried out his assignments are vivid manifestation of his love for the congregation and commitment to instill Salesian spirituality.

Unfortunately today every election is scrutinized so much that makes people happy or leaves disappointed. A cleric asked me whether it is true that Regional Superiors have no power to act. I was wondering what made him ask that. He even blamed it on a superior who commented that Regional Superior does not have much power. Yet another confrere was surprised to hear the news of Fr. Maria elected in spite of the fact that many Provincials were queued up to take the post of the Regional Superior.

One of the newly appointed Rectors in the Province of Chennai is of the opinion that Fr. Maria is gentle and straight forward in approaching issues and people directly. True to his belief, Fr. Maria openly speaks of the power that he is going to wield. In his words “The post of the Regional Councillor is not primarily one of authority but of animation and of being a spokesperson. Several South Asian confreres in the Chapter knew me for the animation work I used to do in the province of Chen-nai and elsewhere in India.”

The fact that the southern provinces have witnessed his natural ability for animation, has given him an edge over his administrative capabilities.

Even the General Chapter seems to have raised the issue of depleting animation environment in the Provinces and that seems to be a dangerous trend in the South Asian Region too. At a time when a matter like animation needs greater attention, person like Fr. Maria could be an asset to carry forward the agenda of animation of the congregation, feels an elderly confrere.

He himself assures that animation will be the watchword. He affirms that “The General Council has two main jobs, namely animation and governance. It governs first of all by animation! Unlike political and legal authorities, authority in religious congregations is first and foremost moral and spiritual. Of course, there is also the legal authority according to the canon law and the constitutions. But it remains a fact that religious authority governs mostly by animating!” If animation is the top priority of the Regional Superior one cannot by-pass the fact that Fr. Maria is indeed ‘the stone set apart’ for this task. The fact that the southern provinces have witnessed his natural ability for animation, has given him an edge over his administrative capabilities too.

Many think that Fr. Maria has to deal with varied expectations and that might mount pressures on him. Does he view expectations of people as pressures? Fr. Maria thinks “High level of expectations are pressures indeed. It is not easy to live up to all the expectations that people have. But, naturally all will not think that I am just the right person for this job. Hence pressure levels from expectations will be within limits, I expect. I pray God for the grace to offer my best, without giving too much in to any type of pressures.”

His students recall and admire how he used to be bubbling with ideas. The constant generation of ideas and the capacity to create a vision for the undivided province of Chennai were his strong points. The New Vision and a Third Model that used to be the hallmark of the undivided Chennai Province, was the brain child of Fr. Maria.

Thanks to his indomitable will and his persuasive approach as Vice Provincial of Chennai that has taken Tamil Nadu provinces cater not only to the poor in rural areas but also to scale new frontiers in the provinces.

SPCSA in New Delhi is something which anyone looks up to. A lot has been accomplished and many more things wait to be carried out. Fr. Maria believes that SPCSA in Delhi certainly has its identity and at the same time that it has not become a strongly contributing centre to the ordinary house and Salesians in South Asia. We may have to strengthen its structures and make them strongly present in the provincial and local levels.

He is articulate (as he is always) when he speaks of the GC 26 and its impact that is in store for South Asia. As realistic as he is, he seems to have found the GC eminently a practical chapter. Its aim is not to create doctrinal clarity, but to get the Salesians and communities to commit themselves to the roots of their own vocation by returning to Christ, Don Bosco and the poorest young people. I think that this chapter will have more influence on the congregation than the previous ones.

The Story of Bible Stories

Salesians were caught in the web of rumours as it was approaching the time of transfers. It was the summer of 2006. The expected and the unexpected transfers were being announced, as I could guess from the faces of confreres. The turn of events brought changes also to Don Bosco Bulletin both expected and unexpected. After two months of hard work, the magazine was taking a good shape with the help of salesians interested in spreading good salesian literature. Many came forward to help me.

After two or three issues, Fr. Anthony Manayil came forward to proof read the magazine before it went for printing. Br. Frank volunteered to do Wit and wisdom stories and Inspiring stories. Many others volunteered to help me.

I was still restless as I could not zero in on anyone to write something special for the salesian family about the salesian world and something interesting from the bible.

As the member of the editorial team Fr. Maria Arokiam Kanaga made it a point to visit me whenever he came down to Chennai . Some time in September, I met him in the Citadel, the provincial house of Chennai.

I asked him, “Fr. Maria ! I need different sort of an article for the Bulletin. “What kind of article?”asked Fr. Maria.

“I want someone to write on Bible and Salesian issues with touching, practical and down to earth stuff with a kind of flair that will enthral everyone who reads and puts him/her in perspective.” I had some vivifying examples to explain, lest I should miss the point.

“I understand! I get what you want from me. I will send two or three stories. After reading them tell me, if that is what you are looking for,” replied Fr. Maria.

I thanked him hoping that he will send me some interesting stories for publishing.

There was an unfailing response from him in four days with three attached stories. I was glad he could get what I asked for. The three articles went on with great success. The first story appeared in the October 2006 issue. 18 stories have been published so far. There were number of letters pouring in appreciating his style of communicating a profound truth from the bible. I know from some of the letters which I published in the letters to the editor, that the readership and circulation has increased particularly because of the appeal of the bible stories which we termed as “From the Gospels, At a Tangent.”

I know he is shouldering a greater responsibility. I know from the joy that he derives from writing good literature, that in spite of the new responsibility as the new Regional Superior of South Asia, he will continue to contribute for the Bulletin!

Glorious Steve

Challenges of new era are aplenty. Fr. Maria representing the Rector Major has plenty to do. It is not going to be an easy task for him yet he can immensely contribute to interpret the dreams of Don Bosco in South Asia and congregation at large. He has to play a pro-active role in congregation’s commitment to ‘New Frontiers’ to be realized in South Asia in its full. Fr. Maria endowed with natural qualities to lead will be tried and tested in his new responsibility. The onus is on him to prove our trust in him.

BORN TO LEAD
Fr. Maria Arokiam Kanaga SDB was born on 4th October, 1956 at Varadarajanpet, in Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu.

He was enrolled in Don Bosco School, Varadarajanpet in 1964 and in 1974, he arrived at Tirupattur as aspirant.

He served as Pre-novitiate from 1974 to 75 and became Novitiate in 1975 to 1976 at Yercaud. He was professed on 24th May, 1976.

Fr. Maria did his post graduation in Philosophy at Yercaud, in 1976-78 and did his M.Phil at Pune in 1978-80.

He then went to Rome to study Theology in 1982. He went on to do his doctorate in UPS, Rome in 1985.

He made his profession perpetual on 24th May 1982.

Starting his ordination on 25th May 1986, he served as the Principal at Yercaud from February 1988 to May 1992.

In 1992, he became Rector and served as the Correspondent of Tirupattur Don Bosco.

He was there till 1994, after which he took office as Rector at Poonamallee Sacred Heart Seminary in 1994.

In May 1996, he become the Citadel-Vice Provincial.

From May 2002 to May 2003, he served as the Rector at Yercaud.

And in May 2003, he was the Rector and Secretary at Tirupattur Sacred Heart College.

In May 2008, he takes up office as the Regional for South-Asia.

Fr. Victor Irudaya Raj, for whom Fr. Maria was the Rector in Poonamallee seminary, recalls, “As I know him he can adapt himself to any situation and work and contribute intellectually under any condition”. I wondered how he had taken the turn of events as he was earmarked by our Rector Major to take up a responsibility in Rome. He told me rather calmly and politely that it is typical of himself and that he was looking forward to a more peaceful life and time of reading and reflection, things that he was not doing for some time (I wonder!). He seemed to have longed for the intellectual and formative atmosphere of UPS to help him renew himself. He agrees that he missed that opportunity. He is hoping he could do it during his travel and works as recommended by the Rector Major to General Councilors. Sure he will keep up his intense level of study and reflection.

Mind you, as you admire his intense intellectual exercises never miss out on his skills to make you laugh. Fr. Amalraj Susai sdb, the Salesian Provincial of Trichy recalls what Fr. Maria said immediately after his election as the Regional Superior and he seems to have commented ‘Il signore mi ha tirato con i miei capelli a portare qui’ (The Lord has pulled me by ‘my hair’ (referring to his bald head) to this responsibility). He always boldly claimed that he practiced what he preached and later revealed the truth that he practiced (rehearsed) his sermons before preaching. His humour has no bounds. He has done it in person and through his writings. Now Fr. Maria you can have your laugh, not the last certainly.

A. Raj sdb
rajsdb@gmail.com