Fr. Michael Fernandes, sdb, conducted a seminar on the theme: "Canon  Law and Religious Life," on 17^th & 18^th  August 2019, for the Sisters of the Province of Nagpur. About 50 of us  participated in these sessions, which were held at Snehalaya, Nagpur.

Fr. Michael Fernandes has a  doctorate in Canon Law from St. Thomas Aquinas University, Rome.  He is a former provincial of the Salesian Province of Mumbai;   a visiting professor  at the National Vocation Service Centre, Pune and at St. Pius X Seminary, Mumbai. He is a Tribunal Judge for the Dioceses of Mumbai and Pune.  He continues to be a Missionary, Lecturer, Formator and Spiritual guide to several persons and Institutes.  He is the Founder Director of the only Canon Law Office in India,  situated in Pune.

The topics that he dealt with were Leadership in Religious communities he touched upon basic human requirements, value of positive strokes, attention to younger members and the importance of relationships; Canon law for Superiors spelled out the role of Major Superiors and Animators, along with their provinces and all the responsibilities that it entailed, few insights into the Novitiate and Profession of vows; Spiritual Direction he said, is the gathering of two persons - the spiritual director and the directee.  It focused on religious experiences since it is concerned a person\´s actual relationship with God.  

These were some of the very important insights and reflections that were shared with the group. Many expressed their appreciation and awareness of several aspects of which they were ignorant. These very informative and valuable sessions challenged the sisters to think more deeply and to form resolutions which they could live by.

Sr. Cecile Coutinho

Province of Nagpur

India