It is humble effort of the Brothers and staff and students of Tindi! To bring out this maiden Industrial School Souvenir. Christened it as “STJOCFT 2004” as we have walked through our Mother India from the past 100 years of Montfortian mission here at Tindivanam. At the very outset, I wish to express my gratitude to God for His abundant blessings and leading us forward. I bow before our founder St. Montfort who is our guide and source of inspiration. I also express my sincere thanks to our daring pioneers, farmer managers and correspondents, Dedicated Brothers worked here, farmer staff and students and the Co-workers and collaborators well wishers and friends for your encouragements and constant support in our mission.

At the request of the Mission authorities of Pondicherry Bro.Denis, Bro.John Baptist Dela Sale and Bro. Martin De Vertou arrived in Pondicherry on 11-09-1903 in a small ship the “Deupleix” to teach in Petit Seminaire High School. The letter from Bro. Martial, Superior General, announcing their arrival never reached Pondicherry. Fortunately Rev.Fr.Fleury, a former missionary at Pondy, had written from paris and thus the mission had been informed a few days before, of their arrival. Fr. Escande and Fr. Rochet came to welcome them on board the “Duplexi”. They were pleased to find them in civics and travelling under their family surnames, because even at Pondy they might have met with some trouble if they had landed as teaching religious.

At the mission they received an enthusiastic welcome from Rev.Fr.Renevier, the Vicar General and from all the other missionaries. The archbishop, Mgr.Gandy, had just left for France on account of ill health. Nothing being ready to receive them, the new comers board at the mission along with the missionaries until they got their own private rooms at the college Petit Seminaire some 15 days later.

On Monday, September 14th, they began to teach at the College. Bro.Denis, the Superior, taught most of the subjects in the 3rd class, while Bro. Martin did the same in 4th class (The 1st class being the highest class in the College). As for Bro.John Baptist, he gave drawing lessons.

And thus the first community of the Brothers of St.Gabriel was founded in India. They were kept busy as they had atleast 3 to 4 hours of class and several hours of study minding a day.

Source: http://stjosephititdvm.blogspot.in/