Help for the training of 25 Norbertine novices

The Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré—also known as the Norbertines—was founded in France in the 12th century and has around 1,600 members on six continents today.

In 1960, Dutch Norbertine Fathers founded what is now the Abbey of Jamtara in India and just two years later, in 1962, accepted its first Indian novices.

Father Arul Amalraj, the present superior, gratefully remembers the work of those early Dutch missionaries: “Their tireless work, sweat, and immeasurable commitment laid the foundations for the growth of the Abbey of Jamtara today,” he says. “A small sapling grew into a mighty tree, which now offers shelter and shade to many people.”

Today, 91 Norbertine brothers and priests belong to the Abbey of Jamtara. And priests from the Abbey are currently working in 22 parishes in seven of the different states of India, administering the sacraments, giving catechetical instruction to children, young people and adults, working in the youth and family apostolate, and organizing retreat days of prayer. They accompany the people on their path of faith and help them with the various problems they encounter. They are also committed to helping the poor and the homeless, for example by providing free schooling, offering vocational training, and helping to build homes for these families in need. There are a further 10 Norbertine priests from Jamtara currently working in the United States and in Germany.

Vocations are plentiful, but the abbey is experiencing financial strain due to the pandemic and subsequent general crisis and is therefore struggling to accept all the young men who would like to join them.

At present, there are 69 young Indian men studying for their vocation. Twenty-five of them are already in the seminary and studying theology and philosophy. We are proposing to support these 25 young men with $11,480 so that they may continue their studies.