Sustainable development goal 2 - Achieve food security

Feeding the poor has been an activity of charity for centuries and even today.  Montfort always championed the cause by taking a poor person in all the places he was invited and raising the awareness of the society and composed so many canticles. Today the world has moved from charity to right based approach. Food Security for all is one such awakening of the global society. We, Montfortians, want to network with all in achieving this goal.

Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

2.1 By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round

2.2 By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons

2.3 By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment

2.4 By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality

2.5 By 2020, maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and their related wild species, including through soundly managed and diversified seed and plant banks at the national, regional and international levels, and promote access to and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, as internationally agreed

2.a Increase investment, including through enhanced international cooperation, in rural infrastructure, agricultural research and extension services, technology development and plant and livestock gene banks in order to enhance agricultural productive capacity in developing countries, in particular least developed countries

2.b Correct and prevent trade restrictions and distortions in world agricultural markets, including through the parallel elimination of all forms of agricultural export subsidies and all export measures with equivalent effect, in accordance with the mandate of the Doha Development Round

2.c Adopt measures to ensure the proper functioning of food commodity markets and their derivatives and facilitate timely access to market information, including on food reserves, in order to help limit extreme food price volatility.

TO WHOM SHALL WE GO?

To whom shall we go when we are in a crisis? To whom shall we go when we labour and

are heavy laden because of our weakness and all of its consequences? To whom shall we

go when we need help? To whom shall we go when troubled by guilt? To whom shall we go

when we are filled with fear, when we are anxious and worried? To whom shall we go when

we become seriously ill? To whom shall we go when there is trouble and lot of problems? To

whom shall we go when we are filled with doubt, when we need guidance and when we need

strength? To whom shall we go when we lose our faith? To whom shall we go when all alone?

To whom shall we go first in every crisis, in every need?

Going to the right person is very important. In purely material terms it is acceptable to go to

those who are experts in their own fields. For the broken-down car we go to the mechanic.

For repairs to the house we go to the builder. For the rewiring of the building we seek an

electrician.

It is in spiritual crises that people blunder horrendously. Over and over again we wander from

one counsellor to another. Now there is no denying that sometimes those counsels can give

some help, but very often their words do not reach the heart of the problem. To whom shall we

go? Some take different direction, they go their own way.

To whom shall we go for answers to these questions? The psalmist tells us, ‘Vain is the help of

man’. To whom shall we go – in every crisis, in every need, material or spiritual? Jesus tells us:

‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ Go to Him,

whatever the dilemma. Go to Him for forgiveness. He has come into the world to deal with its

greatest problem, human sinfulness and rebellion against its creator. He has taken the guilt of

our sin to Himself and so has suffered under its load – not for His own wickedness, for He had

none, but for ours. Receive that peace which we know our sins have been forgiven by Jesus

Christ.

Go to Him, for He has all the resources of heaven and earth at His command. Go to Him, for

He is accessible always. Wherever and whenever we need Him, He is there. ‘I will never

leave you nor forsake you’, He says. He is never indifferent to our condition, never annoyed

that we are troubling Him again, never untouched by our pain, and never too preoccupied with

other things. He won’t mock us, nor turn us away. Instead, He invites us to come to Him, and

He promises us rest. Go, then, to Him. To whom else can you go? The answer must be

“Jesus”. He is “the Christ, the Son of the living God”. He alone has “the words of eternal life”.

Bro. Clement Kandulna

Our Montfortian Foundation

We trace back our foundation to St. Louis Marie de Montfort and the community of Brothers that gathered around him. The founding-Charism was at work from the early days of Montfort’s missionary life. Disciples began to gather around him from 1703, just 3 years after his ordination, Marie Louise Trichet being the first. At the height of his career as the “Apostolic Missionary” he desired to form a company of vagabond priests like him, in accordance with the trend of the time, to carry on with his preaching mission; he called it “The Company of Mary”. He wrote a Rule for it, prayed for it and tried hard to establish it but divine providence took its own time to realize it. 

Montfort’s formal involvement in education mission began in 1711 as part of his commitment to the Bishop Champflour of La Rochelle where he was invited to preach missions and to participate in the diocesan plan of organizing school education for the poor children. For the next 5 years Montfort worked relentlessly for the renewal and revival of the Catholic community both in the Dioceses of La Rochelle and Lucon. Apart from preaching missions Montfort participated in the implementation of the diocesan education policy. Along with the diocesan schools Montfort also organized schools by himself with the support of the Bishop and entrusted these to his disciples. The first of these schools he organized was for the girls which he entrusted to his beloved disciple Marie Louise Trichet and her companions in 1715. This group of Religious sisters is known today in the world as the “Daughters of Wisdom”.

Montfort organized a second school for boys in which he himself was involved in its organization and management. It led to the formation of the community of the Holy Spirit which came to existence officially on Pentecost day, 1715 (June 9, according to tradition, as much of the early documents were lost) when four of his disciples took the Vows of Obedience and Poverty in the hands of Montfort and joined him, at La Seguiniers (a parish, Notre-Dame-de-Toute- Patience, near the town of Cholet in Nantes). At the time of his death (28 April, 1716) Montfort had this community of the Holy Spirit comprising of these 4 Brothers attached him.

“He entrusted them to the divine providence in order to carry on his work, particularly through charitable schools” (R.L.p.9) as it is evident from his last Will:

“… I confide to His Lordship the Bishop of La Rochelle and to Fr. Mulot my small piece of furniture and mission books, to be preserved for the use of the four Brothers who joined me in a life of obedience and poverty; namely, Bro. Nicolas of Poitiers , Bro. Philip of Nantes , Bro. Louis of La Rochelle and Bro. Gabriel, who is at present with me, for as long as they continue to renew their annual vows, and for the use of those whom divine providence will call in to the community of the Holy Spirit …  and the two pieces of land given by the lieutenant of Vouvant’s wife, and a small house given by a good lady of rank. If there is no possibility of building there, it should be put at the disposal of the Brothers of the Community of the Holy Spirit to conduct Charity Schools …” (Last will of Montfort).

It is the tercentenary of this event that we are celebrating. In 1722 the community of the Holy Spirit was re-constituted under the superior ship of Fr. Mulot and settled at Saint-Laurent-sur-servre, near the community of the Daughters of Wisdom governed by Marie Louise de Jesus. It became the community of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit where the Brothers and the priests lived together. Besides teaching in the schools the Brothers devoted themselves to the works of the mission and rending material services.

During the period when Fr. Gabriel Deshayes was the superior General of the Montfortian communities (1821 – 1841) he gave a new impetus to the teaching Brothers. Eventually he constituted them into an autonomous Institute. In doing so Fr. Gabriel Deshayes revived the community of the Holy Spirit for Charitable schools which Montfort had started in his time. It became independent after the death of Fr. Gabriel Deshayes in 1841 and was legally recognized in France in 1853 under the name of the Brothers of Christian Instruction of St. Gabriel.

Formulated by

Bro. Paulose Mekkunnel s.g.

NEW EDUCATION POLICY PROPOSALS

As educationist you will have read through with curiosity and concern the Draft Education Policy of the Government of India that I had sent yesterday. Though unofficial, we have a chance to look at it and respond to it in our own way. This is not the time for minor changes, opinions, or remarks. If you have any serious policy proposals in the field of education, please send it to me. As Montfortian Education Office we have some channels of communication with the framers of the policy. I shall synthesise and forward it to them.

As you must have seen, the Chapter IX is the important part of the recommendations. You may have the local educationists groups for interactions or by your community or yourself alone could make a study and present some response. If there are some major concerns the policy is not addressing, or new insights into greater effectiveness, or Montfortian emphasis you want to see realized, please write in a few sentences or a page and send it to me. Of course you are also free to communicate through your own contacts.

Montfortian education is not consumers of education or providers of this service but a comprehensive mission for human growth and wellbeing. So, policy frameworks, strategy layouts and programme developments are all important. Our engagement is part of our achievement.

Bro. Mani Mekkunnel

Secretary General

Montfortian Education Foundation

New Delhi

MONTFORTIAN EDUCATION IN INDIA

Montfortian Education in India has been a huge success in India, not in terms of what could be done but in relation to our achievements globally.At the beginning of the 20^th Century when Montfortian Education made its presence here in 1903 the educational scenario of India could not be spoken in percentages. It was in single digits. In 1947, when India became an Independent Nation, she had a literacy rate of 15% only. By the end of the century we reached over 75% with more than 90% of children in schools.Though not a completed mission, it has been a success story of turning and churning 1200 million people of a vast multicultural nation. Montfortian Education has been part of this success story. We have grown with it and have become 7 Provinces with a pan-India presence. With dead and living heroes we have the indwelling joy to experience and express a magnificat.We kept the Montfortian dream of being with the poor as can be read in the ardent discussions and decision of Provincial Chapters of seventies and eighties.I am presenting you with a Video of Mr. Shashi Tharoor, a person of international stature and candidate to U.N. Secretary General. He presents the history of education in 20^th century with data, analysis, interpretation and projection.During the last century we were part of a struggle with first generation learners, teachers and educators.  The 21^st century throws up new challenges. It includes demographic changes in Montfortian Brotherhood, quality education for a globalized world and breaking the barriers of our learning and teaching space.The Brothers have to get back to the School of Wisdom to perceive the new, propose innovation and provide ‘life in full’ education.

Watch and listen to the presentation of Shashi to understand the context of the challenges and the opportunities for Montfortian Education: Click Here (https://youtu.be/kcW4ABcY3zI)

Bro. Mani Mekkunnel

MEF

Secretary General

PILGRIMAGE AND NATURE SPIRITUALITY

Montfort was a pilgrim and he always undertook pilgrimages and visited places of divine manifestations. The Calvary he made was noted for the hill and not so much for the images he placed. The objection of the government also was for the hill. The mountains of Lourdes will speak volumes for those who listen. Apparition is not an ‘event of history’ but a ‘phenomenon of life.’

As you explore the new lands and landscapes the spiritual depth and enlightenment are important for a pilgrim.

The following 6 point reflection is part of Montfortian Education content and value. Fr. Tom sj who was the Chairman of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) articulates them well in his recent book: “ A New Way of Being School”.

1.     Nature presents a highly organic unity of structure and functions, a miracle of networking. It demonstrates the miracle of Integration. While remaining fully involved, the many processes and products result without fanfare, often in silence, and are effected through close collaboration and exchange and sharing of resources. Thus Nature mirrors so well the face of God.

2.     In spite of such diversity and complexity of its processes, Nature remains simple. In all this flurry of activities, processes and products, there is naturalness, an effortless ease that is truly mysterious. Even in the face of serious adversities, it shows remarkable powers of resilience, apparently without tension.

3.     Nature possesses great power and immensity. Think of the sea, the wind, the great mountains, the solar system etc. Yet Nature also remains humble.

4.     Nature is a very good and continuous learner. Sensitive to the constant challenge for survival in the face of such rapid changes, it readily adapts, adopts, renews and re-creates. Even a casual contemplation of Nature makes us realize that it has amission.

5.     Nature is prodigal in its gifts, in terms of both giving and receiving. It does not hide any of its many secrets but like an open book, it makes itself available to learn from and to be made use of. Nature is so transparent, so honest, so generous. Nature does not charge us for its innumerable gifts and services, giving us these free. It repeatedly demonstrates its ability to give without counting the cost and shows the amazing quality of abundance.

6.     What is the secret, that magical formula that Nature uses to achieve the highest levels of performance, of efficiency combined with effectiveness? Nature is a marvellous example of synergy and interdependence.

We humans are the stewards of Nature, not its boss. We recognize that we are but part of Nature, albeit only a small part. But we humans are nevertheless a significant part of that universe because we have the four unique endowments of Self-Awareness, Conscience, Creative Imagination and Power of Choice.

By reflecting deeply on the principles enumerated above, we will discover how to respond effectively. Since, like Nature, we mirror God so profoundly, the invitation is to pattern our being and acting on that model. God is the ultimate model of synergy and relationship.

There is so much to learn from Nature as to how to cope with the many real demands from life:

Ø To learn to do the very best we can and then to Let Go of those several aspects that we cannot hold in our control.

Ø To maintain our naturalness and integrity, without masks, without pretence, without showmanship.

Ø In spite of the power and position we enjoy, to remain humble and unassuming, as Nature does, though it has such awesome power; the wise perception of our ancient seers: “Look how the trees grow. They make no noise.”

Ø To be courageous in decisions and still remain linked to others;

Ø From Nature we too can learn to give and to receive. Both are difficult but both contribute equally to our peace and well-being. Only when we abuse Nature do we incur the consequences, breaking ourselves against it, as we deal with a force greater than us. The invitation and challenge is for us to discover ways to remain in tune and in harmony with one another and with these natural principles rather than become a competitor or worse still, try and become a conqueror.

Ø Learning from Nature, from contemplation its miracle of synergy and networking, in seemingly effortless and quite pursuit, we are challenged to new ways of being and becoming fully human, truly alive and thus so like God. Which quality in Nature makes it both efficient and effective? Which quality do we, as humans, stand most in need of learning from Nature?

Bro. Mani Mekkunnel

Secretary, Montfortian Education Foundation

22 April 2016