The Congregation of the Rosarians
Our Ashrams
Our Ashrams
Amalambika Ashram
Amalambika Ashram originated from a resolution of the special General Chapter of the Rosarian Congregation held in 1991 which approved the foundation of a pilot Ashram more indigenous in life style and conducive to the formation of our members. A request made by Fr. J. Ephraem C.R. two years later to Rev. Fr. M.L. Aloysius CR the Prior General and his council for permission to start such an Ashram, was considered favourably.
Fr. Ephraem with due permission of the General Council went on a tour visiting some Ashrams in different states. While in Andhra Pradesh, he was introduced by his guide and friend Bro. Immanuel Kallakulam OFM Cap to his Excellency Bishop John Mulagada of Eluru who invited him to start an Ashram in his diocese. Later in November 1994 Fr. Ephraem was informed through Bro. Immanuel that the Bishop had a plot of land in the village of Darbhagudem which he was prepared to give for the proposed Ashram.
On 26th November 1994 Fr. Ephraem, accompanied by Fr. K. P. Xavier visited the proposed site and submitted their report to the General Council. Bishop John too sent a formal request to the Prior General to start the Ashram. Fr. Prior General with his council approved the proposed site and authorized Fr. Ephraem to proceed with the work for the Ashram.
Fr. Ephraem reached Darbhagudem on 17th March, 1995 and took up his residence in a room adjacent to the presbytery and began the work for the Ashram. Amalambika Ashram was blessed and officially inaugurated on 16th December, 1995 by His Excellency, Bishop John Mulagada in the presence of Fr. M.L. Aloysius, the Prior General and a fairly large gathering of people including priests and religious. On the same day Fr. Ephraem and Bro. Innocent took up their residence as pioneer members of the Ashram and started their regular life of prayer and work.
More building structures were constructed in the course of time. From the beginning the people from nearby villages and occasional retreatants kept on regularly visiting the Ashram for prayer, retreats, and other spiritual and temporal needs. A small guest house was completed in February 1996; a dormitory was blessed on 8th September, 1996 and a grotto of Our Lady by the road side was blessed on 18th March, 1997. A small church was constructed and was blessed by Bishop Most Rev. Mathew Cheriankunnel on 15th September, 1998. The community went on with two or three members who would come and leave, Fr. Ephraem being the only permanent member.
In June 2000 Fr. K.P. Xavier CR, the new Prior General together with Fr. Jesurajen CR, one of his councilors, made a short visit to the Ashram. Soon after that Amalambika Ashram was officially declared to be the novitiate house of the Congregation in India. Fifteen postulants, the first batch of candidates arrived on 20th September, 2000, and they entered their canonical novitiate on 7th October. Besides these, Fr. Pius Joseph, Bro. S. Thomas and Bro. Arul Gnanapragasam also joined the community as members. Fr. Ephraem was appointed as Superior and Novice Master.
A new kitchen and refectory were completed by December, 2000. They follow a simple lifestyle keeping in line with the traditional Indian Ashram. Many religious men and women come and make retreat here. In 2010 the Novitiate was shifted to Pushpavanam Ashram Manaparai. Rev. Fr. Ephraem was alone staying until 2017 and transferred to Rosary Hill Ashram. Fr. Johnson was appointed as Superior of this Pilot Ashram.
Pushpavanam Ashram
More building structures were constructed in the course of time. From the beginning the people from nearby villages and occasional retreatants kept on regularly visiting the Ashram for prayer, retreats, and other spiritual and temporal needs. A small guest house was completed in February 1996; a dormitory was blessed on 8th September, 1996 and a grotto of Our Lady by the road side was blessed on 18th March, 1997. A small church was constructed and was blessed by Bishop Most Rev. Mathew Cheriankunnel on 15th September, 1998. The community went on with two or three members who would come and leave, Fr. Ephraem being the only permanent member.
In June 2000 Fr. K.P. Xavier CR, the new Prior General together with Fr. Jesurajen CR, one of his councilors, made a short visit to the Ashram. Soon after that Amalambika Ashram was officially declared to be the novitiate house of the Congregation in India. Fifteen postulants, the first batch of candidates arrived on 20th September, 2000, and they entered their canonical novitiate on 7th October. Besides these, Fr. Pius Joseph, Bro. S. Thomas and Bro. Arul Gnanapragasam also joined the community as members. Fr. Ephraem was appointed as Superior and Novice Master.
A new kitchen and refectory were completed by December, 2000. They follow a simple lifestyle keeping in line with the traditional Indian Ashram. Many religious men and women come and make retreat here. In 2010 the Novitiate was shifted to Pushpavanam Ashram Manaparai. Rev. Fr. Ephraem was alone staying until 2017 and transferred to Rosary Hill Ashram. Fr. Johnson was appointed as Superior of this Pilot Ashram.
