By Lalita Roshni Lakra

Delhi, Feb 14, 2020: The national CRI (Conference of Religious, India) organized a day-long seminar for young religious (nuns) on Feb 9 at CRI House, Okhla, Delhi.

There were about 45 young women religious from different Congregations of Delhi.

Salesian Father Joe Mannath, secretary of national CRI and a well-known psychologist, was the resource person. He dealt with “health of body, mind and heart.”

“For physical health, we need to have good food, regular exercise, good hygiene and cleanliness, sufficient sleep and good medicine. We should not become a burden to oneself and others,” he said.

The exercise was given as what participants need to do to be physically fit. The tips were to learn new things, write, develop study skills (memory, concentration, reading, writing, time management), get involved in different age groups, take an active interest in younger people, not to live the past and put down the present and not to make family or religious community a graveyard of the mind.

“We should become a life-long learner,” Father Mannath reminded.

He also addressed on multiple intelligence (verbal, logical, visual, intra-personal, inter-personal, kinesthetic, musical and naturalistic).

“We should never call anybody stupid because different people have different gifts,” the priest said.

Then he dealt with human emotions. He said, “No emotion is good or bad in itself.”

“We take responsibility for our happenings. Others cannot help or hurt you. They cannot give us happiness. Everybody should have faith, love and purpose,” Father Mannath said.

He also spoke about negative emotions (anger, sadness, fear, jealousy and hurt).

He further said that in religious formation, human formation is weak point.

Mannath, a writer, explained about Emotional Intelligence (EQ) (understand what one feels, why one feels, and how to handle it).

“We need to dream dreams. Celibacy needs big dreams. We have to integrate our sexuality is in loving and joyful,” he said.

This group of young religious was advised not to take decisions when they are moved by strong emotions, like anger, jealousy, depression, sexual attraction.

Issues in life depends more on EQ than IQ.

Again one question was given to the group as what does one needs or wants to do to be emotionally balanced and fully alive?

Present-day religious need to have good friends—to have good friends, we do not need to be rich or handsome or beautiful or brilliant.

“Decide to do three good deeds every day, but help without expectations. Do not wait for the funeral day (do it today, Do it now!),” Father Mannath said.

Speaking on listening skills, he religious need to enlarge their circle of friends

“Celibacy without a large heart is impossible. In missionary life, there is no point of ‘mine’ and ‘not mine’. Everybody is mine. Three don’ts needs to be promoted: do not speak ill of people, do not destroy confidences, and do not tell lies,” the CRI official said.

Spirituality means to live lovingly, wisely and responsibly. One should not waste energy on silly things.

Abraham Lincon had said, “If I do not forgive, I will still be in prison.”

Those who love deeply, never grow old. They may die of old age but they die young, he shared.

How to deal with Jealousy: To admit the feelings, Praise him/her. Learn from people, tackle one’s insecurity. God gives each one what we need. We should never do what jealousy suggests.

Intense emotions blind people: the role of parent/ formator and superior. It is vital in human formation.

“We have chosen what is right rather than what is pleasant. We need to keep the person, home and surroundings clean. We all made new friends from other community Sisters as we make the same vows, and serve the same Lord,” the CRI official said.

He wished at the end to keep physically fit, mentally open and eager to use one’s brain for doing good, emotionally balanced and alive, able to relate warmly and caringly, and deeply rooted in God’s love. These were the five areas we tried to cover in one day.

Sr. Renu Raphael from the religious of Jesus and Mary shared what challenges the young religious face in their communities and their work.

“We liked the cartoons drawn by Fr. Mannath on the whiteboard while delivering his talk. All enjoyed doing action songs during breaks,” Raphael said.