The Jesuit staff at Dhyan Ashram
Dhyan Ashram Jesuit Community is one of the largest in the province. Most of the members are our young Juniors, immediately after their first profession. A seniors community of ten Jesuits cater to the different ministries of the house. Two of them belong to the Patna Province and the rest to Calcutta Province.
Fr T Masillamani, SJ
Rector and Director of Novices. Fr Masillamani has a Masters degree in Spiritual Theology from Jnana Deepa, Pune. He has been involved in Jesuit formation and Retreat and Counseling ministries for many years.
Fr Sebastian Xalxo, SJ
Minister of Dhyan Ashram. Fr. Sebastian Xalxo, SJ, has served in various institutions, including St. Lawrence High School, Raghbpur; Pandua; Kalna; and Chamrusai, holding positions such as Superior, Teacher, Parish Priest, Minister, and Boarding Prefect. Currently, he serves as the Minister of Dhyan Ashram.
Fr. Davidraj, SJ
Dr. Fr. Davidraj SJ. Ph.D, D.Litt has been a Teacher, Administrator, Chaplain of youth, Principal of Schools, Professor, Religious Formator. Presently the Juniorate Dean.
Fr George Ponodath, SJ
Director of the Retreat House. Fr George was born in Kerala, specialized in communication by doing a Masters in Film and Television at London University, and spent almost a quarter of a century working at EMRC, Kolkata. Now he is actively involved in retreat ministry and has authored a book, “Cave of Plenty”.
Fr Pierre Jacob, SJ
Spiritual Father of the Juniors. Fr Pierre is from Belgium, and has been living in India for the last 45 years as a Calcutta Jesuit. He has been involved in Jesuit formation from the Novitiate till the tertianship. He is also a much sought after retreat and spiritual director.
Fr Joseph Kootinal, SJ
Teacher and counselor of the Juniors. Fr Joe belongs to Patna Province and has taught English literature in various juniorates for 22 years. He was on the staff of Atmadarshan, Patna, for 10 years, where he was fully engaged in counselling. He is well known in India and abroad as a master in Inner Child Workshops.
Fr Thamacin A, SJ
Teacher in the Novitiate and Juniorate and retreat director. Fr Thamacin has a doctorate in Botany, and was the Principal of St Xavier's Collegiate School, Kolkata. Prior to that he was the director of the Pre-Novitiate and was actively involved in retreat ministry.
Fr Inigo Xavier, SJ
Socius to the Novice Master and treasurer of Dhyan Ashram. Prior to coming to Dhyan Ashram, Fr Xavier was involved in education and pastoral ministry among the Santals in different parts of West Bengal.