The Rogationist in India inspired by the Rogate wanted to bring the same spirit in the northern part of Kerala at least after having established themselves in Aluva and in Aimury, the Archdiocese of Ernakulam – Angamaly. Seeing a great prospect of vocations and the need to give a more appropriate formation according to levels they started to inquire on where could be the best possible place where a new Rogationist community could be established. Some of the priests whom they knew pointed out to the Diocese of Mananthavady. Aside from the numerous vocation prospects and some of their actual seminarians coming from the said area, they even intend the place a formation centre where they could place a specific level of formation.
Fr. Joseph Mailaparambil started to enquire the places as indicated by some of the priests. After some time all the Rogationist priests and brothers in India had the occasion to see the place. Initially there were two lands being offered, one is along the main road and the other is the land where our present community is settled. When Fr. Cesare Betttoni (Councilor General) came to India to facilitate the retreat of the Rogationist in Kerala had the opportunity to visit the proposed lands together with Fr. Vito Lipari, Fr. Luigi Toffanin and Fr.Joseph and Fr. Joby Kavungal.
On November 26 2003, Fr. Luigi Toffanin asked the major Superior, Fr. Bruno Rampazzo, to recommend the request to Rome to buy the lands suggested. Out of two proposels the General Government allowed only buying one of them. And thus the present land purchased. Fr. Bruno Rampazzo, the Major Superior of the Rogationist Philippine – Indian Delegation wrote a letter Prot. 109/2004 dated June 21, 2004 asking permission from the Bishop of Mananthavady, Mar Jose Porunnedom, to open a house and minor seminary at Cheriyamkolly. The said Bishop of Mananthavady with a decree given on the 30th of June 2004, Port. 254/2004, granted the permission to open a house and a minor seminary at Cheriyamkolly with the boundary of Good Shepherd Parish. on August 12, 2004 the congregation pro Ecclesiis Orientalibus, with a letter Port. 236/87 issued an indult to erect a Syro- Malabar Rite Rogationist house in the eparchy of Mananthavady. Thus the Rogationist Fathers started to expanded their mission in the northern part of Kerala.
The plots were purchased by the Rogationsists of the Heart of Jesus, represented by Fr. Joseph Mailapaarambil, witnessed by Fr. Shajan Pazhayil and Mr. Sebastian Edattel, and registered on March 11, 2004 at Vythiri.The Superior General, Fr. Giorgio Nalin, with a letter dated June 10, 2004; Prot. 171/04 authorized the opening of the new Missionary station in the diocese of Mananthavady, Kerala, India. Fr. Bruno Rampazzo in the letter of June 15, 2004, announced the said opening and appointed Fr. Shajan Pazhayil as responsible of the mission assisted by Bro. Denny and Bro. Shinto Panachikattu.Two small houses were already existed in this land. The bigger house was renovated in order to accommodate the future members of the community. Fr. Joseph mailaparambil, the Superior of the community in Aimury was appointed by the Major Superior to follow up all the transactions for the acquisition of the land and the renovation of the existing houses. In the middle of June 2004 the works had been accomplished. On September 16, 2004 Fr. Shajan Pazhayil transferred to Rogate Bhavan as responsible of the nascent mission station together with Bro. Denny Avimoottil and Bro. Shinto Panachikkattu had their 2nd year regency. After arranging the community and establishing the networks with the various peoples and religious and local communities the renovated small house was blessed by the Vicar General of the Diocese of Mananthavady, Fr. George Njaralakat on October 9, 2004 at 3:3 in the afternoon. The blessing was participated by Fr. Luigi and some of the confrers from Aluva and Aimury, some of the parish priests, notable persons from various civil and religious communities.
Brief History of the community
Foundation – 10, June 2004
Constituted as an autonomous house – 16, May 2005
Diocese – Mananthavady
Parish – Good Shepherd Church, Cheriyamkolly
Blessing of the newly constructed house – 24, April 2008
Community Activities
Rogate Bhavan is focused on the formation of the Seminarians mainly the first three years of formation to the Religious/Priesthood. In the community of Rogate Bhavan, we have formators, and seminarians, both teaching staff and non-teaching staff. With regard to the community set up of the Rogate Bhavan, there is Fr. Aneesh Kannampuzha (Superior of the house, Prefect of the Seminarians), Fr. Jithin Thaliyan (Vice superior and Treasurer), Fr. Albert Kollamkudy (Director of Atmadharshan Wellness centre and Ph.D studies) Bro. Melbin Ayyunikkal (Regent Brother). Asides from the formators there are 20 Seminarians in various batches (9 fundamental years, 6 plus one, 6 plus two).
We have five non-teaching staff needed for the daily activities of the community (Kitchen, Laundry, Farm etc.). Along with the formative team we have spiritual guides and teaching staff for the academic and spiritual formation of the seminarians. As of now we have seven teaching staff and three spiritual guides.
Along with the formation the Rogate Bhavan community involve in pastoral, charitable and other activities. The community helps the pastoral activities of the nearby parishes. The community also collaborate with the Rogate Charity centre for the adoption at distance programme of the Mananthavady Rog Unit. There are 18 adopted children in the nearby areas who are animated by Rogate Bhavan. The community also involved in Agro- Farm activities, which is the main source of local income.