Novitiate – Tindivanam

St. Louis de Gonzaga Novitiate in Tindivanam has a rich history of 45 years in forming novices. The vocation and formation of novices were initially held in the Pondicherry Generalate under the guidance of Mother Kanikkai Mary. During the tenure of Mother Denis Mary, significant changes took place in the congregation in response to the Vatican II. As the number of candidates increased, a new Novitiate building was constructed on a land given by Right Rev. Dr. Michael Bosco Durai Samy. The building was blessed and inaugurated on October 4, 1976, by Bishop Venmani Selvanathan.

Over the years, the Novitiate has nurtured and trained numerous novices under the guidance of various sisters and their teams. The novices undergo canonical and practical training, including community and field experiences, retreats, and preparation for vows. Inter-Novitiate programs are conducted in collaboration with other Novitiates. The Novitiate also benefits from the Lumen Institute, which provides professors and pastoral guidance.

The Novitiate continues to focus on its purpose of forming novices. It serves as a place of growth and spiritual development for the novices, preparing them for religious life in the congregation. The Superior General at the time of establishment was Rev. Mother Dennis Mary.

Various important events and celebrations take place in the Novitiate, including religious feasts, entrance day, novices’ day, parents’ day, and international festival day. Community and village experiences, as well as Ashram experiences, are provided to the novices to deepen their understanding of religious life and spirituality.

The Novitiate has undergone renovations in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2012, 2017, and 2021, to ensure a conducive environment for the formation of novices.

Due to changes in the number of novices, the Novitiate was temporarily shifted to Kathampallam in 1998, under the leadership of Rev. Mother L.C. Maria. However, less Number of  the second-year novices were later brought back to Tindivanam on 01.05.2019 under the guidance of Rev. Mother G. Rajamani, the Superior General.

St. Louis de Gonzaga Novitiate continues to play a vital role in the congregation’s formation process, shaping the novices into dedicated and committed religious individuals.