Notes from Rome By Fr. Joe Roesch, MIC Can you tell us a little about your background? I was born and grew up in a small village called Pulickanmoi. I come from a small family, just one brother. I lost my father when I was 8 years old. After high school, I joined the Marians in 2010 in Karumathur, Madurai. I came to know the Marians through a diocesan priest, Fr. PS. Sebastin, who is my vocation promoter. I was ordained in 2019 as one of the first fruits of the Marians’ work in India. During my first two years as a priest, I was appointed as a parochial vicar in a diocesan parish in order to gain pastoral experience. For the past year I have been living at our Generalate House in Rome and studying for my licentiate in the theology of spirituality in the Angelicum University, which is run by the Dominican Fathers. What are your impressions of Rome? My time spent in Rome has been very special since I am having completely new experiences. I am getting new insights, learning a new spirituality, and experiencing a new hope, a new vision, a new strength, and a new community that nourishes my vocation as well as my future ministry. I can honestly say that my stay here has been glorious! You recently went to Poland for the first time. This was the fulfillment of a longtime dream and desire of mine. I had many different experiences there. I was able to touch and to experience the places and the monasteries where our Founder, St. Stanislaus Papczynski, lived, and visit and pray at his tomb. Our Shrine dedicated to St. Stanislaus is located in Gora Kalwaria, which is not far fromWarsaw. It was one of the best places we visited and gave me unforgettable memories which I will always carry with me. Also, the museum in Marianki near the Founder’s tomb helped me to learn more about the history of the Marians. Lastly, I was able to come to know many of my Marian brothers in Poland face-to-face. Their way of living in our Marian community inspired me and provoked many thoughts and ideas. Please tell us about the Marian mission in India. Our Marian mission is blooming day by day with God’s abundant blessings. There is still much to develop, but we already see the bright growth that gives us hope for the future. At present, we are four Indian Marian priests who are preparing ourselves to be strengthened and be models for the up-and-coming Marians. So far, we are concentrating on formation and the foundation of the Marian Congregation in India from which we will spread the Marian charism and spirituality in the future. I am pretty sure that, after 10 years, there will be rapid growth of our Marian mission of India. Please keep us in your prayers! A PILGRIM’S PROGRESS In this issue, we will have a chance to meet Fr. Sebasthi, MIC (known by his nickname, Fr. Bastin), one of our first Marian priests from India who is currently studying here in Rome. Our ministry in India is our newest, begun in 2010, and is growing by leaps and bounds. Fr. Sebasthi, MIC Father Joe Roesch, MIC, is the vicar general of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. He lives in Rome. Listen to his new podcast, reading and reflecting on St. Stanislaus Papczynski’s book “The Mystical Temple of God,” on TheDivineMercy.org/podcasts. Marian Helper • Winter 2022-23 • Marian.org 7 Meet Fr. Sebasthi, MIC.
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