volume: XXi issue: 6 November 2018...NOVEMBER 2018 Volume: XXI Issue: 6 Printer & Publisher Rev. Dr Philip Nedumthuruthil VC Chief Editor Rev. Fr Mathew Thadathil VC Chairman Rev

volume: XXi issue: 6 November 2018

NOVEMBER 2018Volume: XXI Issue: 6

Printer & PublisherRev. Dr Philip Nedumthuruthil VC

Chief EditorRev. Fr Mathew Thadathil VC

ChairmanRev. Dr Augustine Vallooran VC

General ManagerY. Ousepachan

AddressDivine Voice, Divine Retreat Centre, Muringoor P.O., Chalakudy - 680 309, Kerala, India, Ph: 0480 2708413, 2708513

EditorThomas Jacob

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14, 17, 18, 31, 34

“A place for you “(Jn 14:3)

I am never alone

God’s Holiness Has Touched Our Lives

Saint Martin de Porres (1579 – 1639)

Bethel – House of God

“Not to be served but to serve” (Mk 10:45)

Faith – to follow Jesus who loves us

Reckless and Reasonable

News

Testimonies

- Thomas Jacob

- Rev Dr Joseph Thondiparambil

- Rev Dr John Prince Puthenpurackal V C

- Dr Remila George

- Rev Fr George Panackal VC

- Pope Francis

- Rev Dr Augustine Vallooran VC

- Maria Sangeetha

- Kids Corner

Divine Voice NOVEMBER 2018

C O N T E N T S

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Address for CorrespondenceThe Chief Editor, Divine Voice (English)Divine Retreat Centre, Muringoor P.O.Chalakudy - 680 309, Kerala - INDIA

volume: XXi issue: 6 November 2018


Editor

Life is fleetingly short. The minutes and seconds of our earthly lives are trickling down inexorably like

grains of sand falling through the hourglass. Christ holds the hourglass for each of our lives, watching, and waiting for that moment when we shall, at last, appear before Him. We must be ready at any moment. That is why God’s word declares “Behold, now is the day of salvation” (II Cor 6:2). In a world where “all is vanity” (Eccl 1:2), we must cut through the fog of sin and meaninglessness, and seize the only thing that matters – the salvation of our souls.Jesus said: “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but forfeit his life?” (Mt 16:26). Our goal is not this world or this life but must be eternal life in the world to come. St John wrote about the blessed ones of the Church as the Bride of Christ, saying, “to her it has been granted to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure” (Rev 19:8).The saints are ready because of the way they are “clothed.” But, what is this clothing and why is it “fine linen, bright and pure?” Simply put, this is the divine, sanctifying grace of Jesus Christ.The mystery of death is rooted in the reality of sin. “Therefore, just as through one person sin entered the world,” St Paul wrote about the fall, “and through sin, death, and thus death came to all, inasmuch as all sinned”(Rom 5:12). We abhor death and fight against it, however feeble and ultimately powerless such efforts are. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI noted in his encyclical on hope, “To continue living for ever -- endlessly -- appears more like a curse than a gift. Death, admittedly, one would wish to postpone for as long as possible. But to live always, without end -- this, all things considered, can only be monotonous and ultimately unbearable” (Spe Salvi, No. 10).This remark can only make sense in the light of Jesus Christ. If this world is all that exists, it seems logical to try to find a scientific solution to the dark finality of the grave. But for the Christian, the darkness of the grave is the passageway to resurrection and everlasting life. This is made possible by the death and resurrection of Christ, as St. Paul expounds. In writing of the bodily resurrection

of those who are in Christ, the Apostle points out the life-giving work of the source of life, the Trinity: “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through His Spirit that dwells in you” (Rom 8:11). This, then, is the Trinitarian “science” of salvation: the Father has raised the Son from the dead and now offers His Holy Spirit to fill us with divine life so that we might live fully in the world to come (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 265). Jesus, by His death and resurrection, has prepared the way to heaven.Science, for all of its astonishing discoveries, cannot deny death, destroy sin or deliver heaven. Only Jesus Christ who stands at the tomb and cries, “Come out!” (Jn 11:43) has such power. And only by stepping into the light of Jesus Christ’s presence can we receive His freely offered, eternal life. As St Paul says, “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself” (II Cor 5:19). Christians always have reason for hope. Jesus Christ said, “God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that He who believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). Let’s remember God is alive. God loves us. God never forgets us. God antedates everything that exists outside of Himself. The Psalmist points out, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God” (Ps 90:2). “Before Abraham was,” Jesus said, “I AM” (Jn 8:58). He wants us to share in His eternal life. Of great importance therefore is the constant awareness that our eternal destiny is heaven. Jesus promises: “I am going to prepare a place for you so that where I am you also may be. In my Father’s house there are many mansions” (Jn 14:2,3). Jesus has prepared a mansion for each of us in heaven. Saint Augustine expresses the ephemeral character of human life: “Our life in comparison with eternity is a mere blink of the eye.” Therefore we always remember life on earth is fleetingly short; heaven is forever!

EDITORIAL

“A place for you” (Jn 14:3)

5Divine Voice NOVEMBER 2018

Please noteDuring the week not mentioned above, usual retreats will be held.

Retreats for Children and Bible Nursery for Tiny-tots will be held as usual every weekEvery week the retreatants are permitted to leave by 2 pm on Friday after the Anointing Service.

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Oct 28 – 2 Nov...............Retreat for Couples

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Dec 2 – 7 ...... Waiting for the Lord Retreat

Dec 9 – 14 .... Waiting for the Lord Retreat

Dec 16 – 21 ... Waiting for the Lord Retreat

Dec 23 – 28............Emmanuel Conference

Dec 30 – 4 Jan 2019.... ........ Inner Healing

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transparent; they struggled to remove the stains and the darkness of sin, so as to have God’s kindly light pass through. This is the purpose of life: to have the light of God pass through, our life.

The way to happinessIn fact, Jesus turns to His own, to all of us, saying to us “Blessed” (Mt 5:3). It’s the word with which He begins His preaching, which is “Gospel,” Good News because it is the way of happiness. He who is with Jesus is

Pope Francis

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Solemnity of All Saints is “our” feast, not because we are good but because God’s holiness

has touched our life. The Saints aren’t perfect models, but persons run through by God. We can compare them to the windows of churches, which let the light enter in different shades of colours. The Saints are our brothers and sisters who received the light of God in their heart and transmitted it to the world, each one according to his own “shade.” However, they were all

7Divine Voice NOVEMBER 2018 7

blessed, is happy. Happiness doesn’t lie in having something or in becoming someone. True happiness is to be with the Lord and to live for love. We must go forward to believe in this. Then, the ingredients for a happy life are called Beatitudes: blessed are the simple, the humble that make room for God, who are able to weep for others and for their own mistakes, they are meek, fight for justice, are merciful to all, guard purity of heart, always work for peace and remain joyful; they don’t hate and, even when they suffer, they answer evil with good.

Behold the Beatitudes. They don’t require glaring gestures; they aren’t for supermen, but for one who lives the trials and hardships of every day, for us. Thus are the Saints: like all, they breathe the polluted air of evil that exists in the world; however, on the way they never lose sight of Jesus’ trace that is indicated in the Beatitudes, which is like the map of Christian life. The feast of All Saints is the feast of those who have reached the end indicated by this map: not only the Saints of the calendar, but so many “next door” brothers and sisters, who perhaps we have met and known. It’s a family feast, of the many simple and hidden persons that in reality help God to send the world forward. And there are so many today! Thanks to these unknown brothers and sisters that help God to take the world forward, who live among us.

What the saints believe

First of all – says the first Beatitude – they are “poor in spirit” (Mt 5:3). What this means is that they don’t live for success, power and money; they know that one who accumulates treasures for himself is not enriched before God (Lk 12:21). They believe, instead, that the Lord is the treasure of life, love of neighbour the only true source of earnings. Sometimes we are unhappy about something we are lacking or concerned if we aren’t considered as we’d like; let us remember that our Beatitude isn’t here, but in the Lord and in love: only with Him, only by loving does one live as blessed.Remember and pray for the dead

Finally, I would like to quote another Beatitude, which isn’t found in the Gospel, but at the end of the Bible, and it talks about the end of life: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord” (Rev 14:13). On All Souls day we are called to accompany our dead with prayer, so that they will rejoice forever in the Lord. We remember our dear ones with gratitude and we pray for them.

May the Mother of God, Queen of the Saints and Gate of Heaven, intercede for our journey of holiness and for our dear ones who have preceded us and are now part of the celestial homeland.

MEssAgE

Our Beatitude is in the Lord and in love:

only with Him, only by loving does one live

as blessed.


When do people think that God has abandoned them? We often tend to think like this in times of natural calamities like floods and earthquakes, serious

illnesses, great financial difficulties, major accidents, untimely death of near and dear ones, and so on. Let us look at Jesus on the cross. The Lord is hanging on the cross. His body is profusely bleeding from the scourging. Jesus is going through unbearable pain. The disciples deserted him. Death appears face to face. In a moment like this, naturally anyone might think that God has forsaken him. At that critical time, Jesus cried out from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mt 27:46), clearly showing that He also went through the same pain and anguish as any other human being.

The most powerful temptation defeated

God abandoning man! It is true that such a thought might strike people when they lose their gifts from God. Out of this thought, they raise all their pain and sorrow to God and pray. Jesus recited from the cross the prayer of the Psalmist (Ps 22) who had faced a similar situation. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” But the next moment, Jesus is declaring that “Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit” (Lk 23:46). This means Jesus is dying saying out loud that the Father has not abandoned Him. In other words, Jesus dies after defeating forever the false thought prompted by the evil that “God has abandoned me.” The last temptation of Jesus was to think that God abandoned Him. Jesus died on the cross after winning victory over that temptation too.

Rev Fr George Panackal VC



ARTIcLE

10

“God has abandoned you” is the most powerful temptation of the Devil that was defeated by Jesus. We have to understand this truth. This temptation is likely to come to us throughout our personal life. This is an attack by Satan. He will keep on tormenting us giving the feeling that God has abandoned us. Imagine what will happen if we think that God has abandoned us. This thought will lead to a strong sense of loneliness. One would begin to think; now I have to face every problem in my life all by myself. I have no one to help in my difficulties. I am alone before by responsibilities. I am all alone in this world. This is when fear enters a person. This leads to failures in life. Loneliness persuades one to take destructive paths in life. So the most powerful weapon Satan uses to destroy us is the thought that God has forsaken us. Perhaps we also may have thought like this when we were sick, faced failures, lost the job, ran into financial difficulties, misunderstood by others, or when close family members died. What is the reason behind such a destructive thought?

The reasons for despair

Firstly, it is because we quite often evaluate life focussing on the blessings of God. Our intellect tells us that it is these blessings that support our life. Isn’t it wealth, health and other material blessings like these that are most needed in life? Aren’t these that

sustain life? Every person who evaluates life usually does so based on their material blessings. The modern man does not deny the existence of God, but he does not give importance to God. Rather, he gives importance to the blessings from God. It doesn’t really matter whether God exists or not, but unless I have a job and financial stability, I cannot progress in life. Material comfort is most important criterion for everything in life. This is how a person usually thinks.

In the Gospel of Luke Chapter 15 we see the picture of the prodigal son who thought like this. The most important thing he wanted to talk to his father was about wealth. So he is going away with his share of the property. But his possessions did not last very long! Today, you may ask this question to any of your blessings: Would you be with me forever? None of them will assure you that it will be with you always. Ask your health, wealth or your beauty. Ask your family members or your friends. No one will be able to guarantee that they will stay with you permanently.

Secondly, blessings will come and go, but God who gives you the blessings will never leave you. He will always be with you. We should therefore have the discernment to distinguish between our blessings and God who gives the blessings. Even if you lose the blessings, God never goes away from you. God has established with you a covenantal relationship that will by no means be broken. God can never abandon you. No matter how much adverse circumstances you may go through in life, you should never entertain the thought that God has forsaken you, because that is a thought coming from the Devil. Also remember that it is this temptation which Jesus has already defeated on the cross. This evil thought makes you feel helpless and leads you to more failures in life.

Let us take a look at our own life. God always accompanies us on our journey of life. He never leaves us. Therefore, I am not alone. Jesus Christ, who never forsakes us, is always with us.

PrayerLord Jesus, I know you will never leave me. You are always by my side to strengthen me by your divine presence. May the awareness that you will not abandon me, deliver me from all my fears. O my Jesus, I pray that you remove all my fears. May the fear in me become powerless in the holy name of Jesus! Amen.

God has established with you a covenantal relationship that will by no means be broken. God can never abandon you.

St Martin de Porres is the first black saint of Americas. He was born on 9 December

1579 and died on 3 November 1639. Martin was beatified by Pope Gregory XVI in 1837 and in 1962 Pope John XXII declared him a saint. The Church Universal celebrates his feast on 3 November. He is the patron saint of barbers, inn keepers, public health workers and people seeking social harmony.

Martin was an illegitimate child of a Spanish officer named Don Juan de Porres from a Peruvian freed black woman by the name of Ana Velasquez. Martin had a sister and her name was Juana. In the baptismal register of his Parish church at Lima it is written about his baptism as follows: “In the year of our Lord 1579, on ninth day of December, baptised Martin whose father is not known child of Ana Velasquez, now a freed slave. Juan de Husea and Ana de Escoreena – God parents.”

A Rejected ChildMartin’s childhood was full of misery. He was abandoned by his father and rejected by his mother. His mother Ana thought that Martin was responsible for all her misfortune because he was black in colour. It is said that Don Juan rejected his son Martin because the boy was dark in complexion with the physical features of a Negro. Don Juan never cared to look after his concubine and children and Ana took care of the family by doing laundry and cooking in the houses of the rich. Literally Martin was hated by his mother and was beaten and humiliated even for small little faults. Ana used to blame Martin for everything.

Divine Voice NOVEMBER 2018 11

Rev Dr Joseph Thondiparambil


ARTIcLE

12

Through the mediation of a pious lady Martin was sent to Santiago in the elementary school and here he learnt reading and writing in two years. In his home town of Lima he could not attend the school because the black slave children were not allowed to sit with the white children there.

Child Labourer in the sugarcane fieldMartin’s mother called him back from Santiago and sent him to work in the sugarcane field because that brought in a bit more income in the family. From there he was put as a helper to a physician at Lima. Martin’s job was to clean the floor and toilets, to nurse the sick especially attending to their physical needs and administer to them the medicines which

the doctor prescribed. Already as a boy Martin had a compassionate attitude towards the poor, the sick, the abandoned and the mentally handicapped. Those days the fate of the poor was pathetic and there was not any kind of social security. These underprivileged people were completely at the mercy of the rich and upper class people, the large majority of who despised them and considered them as a social menace. The situation was worse in the case of slave children and slavery was all too common.

A Donado at the Dominican MonasteryThe Peruvian Law prohibited the Native Americans from becoming full religious. At the most what one could aspire was to become a Donado. A Donado was a volunteer in a monastery who performed menial jobs there for the privilege of wearing the habit and living in the community. Needless to say that they were not given any remuneration though they were working at the laundry, kitchen, bakery and in the hair dressing saloons. In the Dominican Monastery of Lima where

Martin joined, there were over 300 members. Martin was working there as a servant for eight years. His humility, devotion to work, love for the Blessed Sacrament and above all his kind and compassionate character impressed the Superior of the Monastery and disregarding the law, he allowed Martin to take the vows as a Dominican Tertiary.

Insult and HumiliationMany in the monastery did not like what the Superior did for Martin. In Martin’s biography it is narrated that the religious used to call him a “mullato dog” which is a very bad word in Spanish. It is said that once one of the Fathers called him in public “you, illegitimate child

and son of a slave.” The story goes that once when the monastery was in debts, Martin told the Superior “Father, I am only a mullato; sell me.” These kind of things might sound quite strange and inhuman to us today. But that was a period when hardly anything was spoken about human dignity and democratic values. Inspite of all these humiliations, Martin continued his service with a smiling face and a compassionate heart.

Compassion is preferable to cleanlinessMartin was known as a good infirmarian in the monastery and around. One day Martin brought to his room an old man who was full of pestering wounds, oozing pus and blood. His confreres ran away at this sight and his Superior scolded him for this. Then Martin replied, “Compassion is preferable to cleanliness.” Anyway the superior gave Martin strict orders not to do such things anymore. But on another occasion Martin brought another sick person, half naked, full of dirt and pestering sores to the monastery and was nursing him. The superior intervened again and warned him

His humility, devotion to work, love for the Blessed Sacrament

and above all his kind and compassionate character impressed

the Superior of the Monastery and disregarding the law, he

allowed Martin to take the vows as a Dominican Tertiary.

ARTIcLE


severely. Then Martin said, “Forgive me my error and please instruct me for I did not know that the precept of obedience took precedence over that of Charity.” It is said that this saying of Martin had a profound impact on the Superior and thereafter he allowed Martin to exercise his nursing ministry to whoever was in need.

Martin’s fame of sanctityGradually Martin’s own fellow religious came to realize his goodness. The sick and the infirm sought out his help. Healing powers were attributed to him. They wanted him to be present at their death beds. But Martin continued his work as a barber, sweeper, baker and nurse. He had no grudge or ill will towards anybody. With a serene mind and smiling face Martin faced life in its entire vicissitudes.

The Saint with a broomSt Martin de Porres is portrayed with a broom in his hands, with a dog, a cat and a mouse eating from the same plate at his feet. That picture expresses his spirituality wonderfully well. He was always doing humble service and found delight in it. The rosary with the crucifix around his neck shows that he did everything for love of the crucified Lord, in whose passion and death he too was having his share. The cat and the mouse eating from the same plate shows that in him the opposites meet, the enmity is gone and peace and harmony reigns.

Martin’s message for todayAccording to the contemporary ways of thinking, Martin was a victim of colour prejudices, social exploitation and injustice. He was an unwanted child, rejected by his parents even in his own religious community. He was looked down upon as a “black slave”. In the ordinary course of events, such situations would make a person bitter and rebellious. But Martin took it all as a challenge. Since he himself was a victim of injustice, he had a special love for the poor and the weak. It is said that Martin had a habit of contemplating the crucified Lord holding the crucifix in his hands. Martin’s was not a defeatist or fatalistic approach to life. Looking up at the crucified Lord, he got his strength because he

realised in his life that, “By his wounds our sickness will be healed” (Is 53:5). For a believer it is the Cross of Christ that helps him or her to carry one’s crosses and the Christian life is ultimately following the crucified Lord on the way of the Cross.

Martin said, “Forgive me my

error and please instruct me

for I did not know that the

precept of obedience took

precedence over that of

Charity. It is said that this

saying of Martin had a

profound impact on the

Superior and thereafter he

allowed Martin to exercise his

nursing ministry to whoever

was in need.


TEsTIMOnIEs

CRUZ FERNANDES, GOA

DR. VARUN VICTOR, BANGALORE

ROBIN AND SHELMA MENEZES, MUMBAI

“THOSE WHO LOVE ME, I WILL DELIVER; I WILL PROTECT THOSE WHO KNOW MY NAME” (PS 91:14).

“HE IS YOUR PRAISE; HE IS YOUR GOD, WHO HAS DONE FOR YOU THESE GREAT AND AWESOME THINGS THAT YOUR OWN EYES HAVE SEEN” (DT 10:21)

SONS ARE INDEED A HERITAGE FROM THE LORD, THE FRUIT OF THE WOMB A REWARD” (PS 127:3)

I am an Engineer, employed in Mormugao Port Trust in Goa. I had pain in my chest and consulted the doctor. After the angiography test he advised a bypass surgery. I attended

a retreat at Divine Retreat Centre in the beginning of July 2008. On the very first day of the retreat during one of the sessions the priest announced that a person with heart problem was being touched by the Lord. I claimed the message and at once I felt a strong current passing through my body. I fell unconscious and was shifted to St. James Hospital in Chalakudy. An ECG was done which was normal. After returning home I consulted the doctor and he confirmed that I did not need a surgery. I have completed ten years now. The Lord has been protecting me. Since then I attended five retreats at DRC. I praise and thank the Lord. “BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO TRUST IN THE LORD, WHOSE TRUST IS THE LORD. THEY SHALL BE LIKE A TREE PLANTED BY WATER, SENDING OUT ITS ROOTS BY THE STREAM” (Jer 17:7-8).

I am a Physician working in the Medical Oncology department at St. John’s Medical College Bangalore. I got married on 3 July 2017. In the last week of November 2017

I had an injury to my left knee while riding a two wheeler. I had taken tablets, tried lifestyle medication, done physiotherapy but nothing worked. I was planning to take an MRI scan of the knee. At this juncture my wife encouraged me to attend a retreat at Divine Retreat Centre. I went there in the fourth week of February 2018 and that was my first retreat there. During the retreat when the priest announced, “God is touching people who have pain in their knees.” I felt a burning sensation in my knee. We were asked to move our knees to see how we felt. I did that and realised that the pain had completely gone. I was healed by the Lord Miraculously! Now I understand God’s plan that I had to go to DRC and get healed. I praise and thank the Lord for this instantaneous healing. “SURELY I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU, SAYS THE LORD, PLANS FOR YOUR WELFARE AND NOT FOR HARM, TO GIVE YOU A FUTURE WITH HOPE” (Jer 29:11).

I, Robin, am a sports teacher in a school. I got married on 1 May 2011 and in May 2012 we attended our first retreat at Divine Retreat Centre. We did not have a child

for six years. My wife Shelma had conceived twice but, she had miscarriage first and the second time the doctor said that there were fibroid in her uterus and the pregnancy was terminated. We went for various check-ups and all reports were normal. Then we attended a retreat at DRC in 2016. Our counsellor told us that soon we would be blessed with a child. We believed in this message and trusted in the Lord. Accordingly we were blessed with a baby boy on 4 July 2017. We praise and thank God for this wonderful gift. “OH, MY LORD! AS YOU LIVE, MY LORD, I AM THE WOMAN WHO WAS STANDING HERE IN YOUR PRESENCE, PRAYING TO THE LORD. FOR THIS CHILD I PRAYED; AND THE LORD HAS GRANTED ME THE PETITION THAT I MADE TO HIM” I Sam 1:26-27).


We are in the month of November which is dedicated to all departed souls. As we remember

the dead it is also a time for us to ponder over the ‘Last Things’ of our life. Our Christian faith teaches us that after death comes judgement, heaven and hell.

In Genesis chapter 28, we read about the vision of Jacob. While Jacob was leaving Beersheba and advancing toward Haran, he put a stone under his head and lay down. And while sleeping, he dreamt that there was a ladder set up on the earth that extended right up to heaven and the angels of God were ascending and descending upon it. The Lord stood beside him and spoke to him from above the ladder (Gen 28: 10-13). Right in the Old Testament we have this revelation of how inseparable heaven and earth is. Jesus taught us about heaven and the heavenly Father and the need to live a life looking up to heaven. St Paul in his letter

to the Hebrews reminds us that “Here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come” (Heb 13:14).

Sitting atop the ladder, God didn’t say that ‘I will bless you from here’, instead the Lord God said to Jacob, “Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go...” (Gen 28:15). All human persons living on the earth are striving for such a day when they will meet God face to face. Though God is always with man, man is always trying hard to find solace with all things wordly. Therefore, the word of God reminds us to seek the ‘Last Thing’ above all.

Jacob woke up from his sleep and said, “Surely, the Lord is in this place —and I did not know it!” And he was afraid, and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the

Rev Dr John Prince Puthenpurackal V C

The promise of the perpetual proximity with God is not only for Jacob, but for all the chosen ones. Every home and pathway of the chosen is a 'Bethel'.

16 Divine Voice NOVEMBER 2018

ARTIcLE

16

gate of heaven. He changed the name of the place and gave it a new name ‘Bethel’” (Gen 28:17).

The promise of the perpetual proximity with God is not only for Jacob, but for all the chosen ones. All the more ‘Bethel’ (the house of God) is not only on the way from Beersheba to Haran. Every home and pathway of the chosen is a ‘Bethel’.

Jacob said that he was ignorant of the presence of God in that place. Similarly, we are neither aware nor do we perceive the presence of God with us. If we truly believe that God is in our homes, there will be a change for the better right where we dwell. There will be a transformation among our family members. Then we will approach our homes as though we are entering the church. The dialogues and activities in our home will become as holy as the sacred services of praise, worship or adoration. Not only

our homes but also our offices and every place we inhabit will become a ‘Bethel’. Just as with the case of Zacchaeus who on being identified as the son of Abraham had his home transformed into a ‘house of salvation’!

The angels ascending and descending the ladder signifies an eternal relationship. We have a perpetual presence of angels coming down from heaven to receive our prayers and then ascending back. They visit us regularly to give us encouragement, warnings or heavenly messages.

The angels who appeared to Zechariah, Mary and Joseph are continuing their mission. However, we need to perceive their presence like Jacob.

Our body is also a Bethel. From the hearts rises a ladder that reaches the heaven which the Lord Himself ensured while He created us. Every Holy Communion is the moment when Jesus climbs down that ladder which is the hands of the celebrant. Thus, we make ourselves a Bethel.

St Paul tells us that all our God experiences during this earthly sojourn are like seeing in a mirror dimly while all heavenly experiences are like seeing face to face; now what we know is in part and then we will fully know (I Cor 13:12).

In the Old Testament, the glory radiant on the face of Moses was veiled. But the faithful awaits the day when they shall see God face to face (II Cor 3: 12-18). The Church teaches that this vision is the full union of the human person with God. It is our intense desire for this union, which forces us to move ahead from the present state. “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling’’ (II Cor 5: 1-2).

Every Holy Communion is the moment when Jesus climbs down that ladder which is the hands of the

celebrant. Thus, we make ourselves a Bethel.


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JOSEPHINE D’LIMA, GOA

JUDE LOBO, MUMBAI

RALPH MIRANDA, MUMBAI

“MY CHILD, WHEN YOU ARE ILL, DO NOT DELAY, BUT PRAY TO THE LORD, AND HE WILL HEAL YOU” (SIR 38:9)

“IN MY DISTRESS I CALLED UPON THE LORD; TO MY GOD I CRIED FOR HELP.FROM HIS TEMPLE HE HEARD MY VOICE, AND MY CRY TO HIM REACHED HIS EARS” (PS 18:6)

“FOR YOUR STEADFAST LOVE IS BEFORE MY EYES, AND I WALK IN FAITHFULNESS TO YOU” (PS 26:3)

I am married and I have a son. I attended eight retreats at Divine Retreat Centre; the first was in 1995 and last in March 2018. In April 2016 I got high fever and was admitted in

the hospital. The doctors could not find the cause for it even after doing various medical tests. Finally they said that it might be typhoid in the past which went untreated. Hence I was treated for the same. In February 2017 I got headache and again I had high fever. This time I was admitted in another hospital. They concluded that it was a typhoid relapse. I was given an entire course of medicines. When I felt tired of taking medicines with no cure I prayed to the Lord and promised that I that if I did not get fever for a year I would visit DRC and give a testimony to Jesus’ miraculous healing. Since then, for the last one year, I did not get fever. In the third week of March 2018 I along with my husband attended a thanksgiving retreat at DRC. I praise and thank the Lord not only for this healing but for many blessings received. “THEN GIVE THE PHYSICIAN HIS PLACE, FOR THE LORD CREATED HIM; DO NOT LET HIM LEAVE YOU, FOR YOU NEED HIM. THERE MAY COME A TIME WHEN RECOVERY LIES IN THE HANDS OF PHYSICIANS, FOR THEY TOO PRAY TO THE LORD THAT HE GRANT THEM SUCCESS IN DIAGNOSIS AND IN HEALING, FOR THE SAKE OF PRESERVING LIFE” (Sir 38:12-14).

I live and work in Dubai. I have been attending retreats at Divine Retreat Centre since 1999 and have made more than twenty five retreats. For me DRC is a second home. After I got

married in 2016, as newly wedded couple we went to DRC for a thanksgiving retreat. Some of my friends discouraged me from having a baby at the age of fifty six. But the Holy Spirit spoke to me about Abraham being blessed, and the miracle of Mother Mary’s cousin Elizabeth I was convinced that God would surely bless me with a child. At the retreat we prayed for the gift of a child and were blessed with a son whom we named Damian on 22 February 2017. I was an alcoholic for thirty years. Five and half years back I was delivered from this bad habit and now am free from it. I was in the last stage of liver cirrhosis but today my liver is in perfect condition. I praise and thank the Lord. “GOD IS ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH EVERY BLESSING IN ABUNDANCE, SO THAT BY ALWAYS HAVING ENOUGH OF EVERYTHING, YOU MAY SHARE ABUNDANTLY IN EVERY GOOD WORK” (II Cor 9:8).

I am seventy two years old and have retired from service. I have been attending retreats at Divine Retreat Centre since 1998. I was having urine infection for the past nine years.

Last year when I attended the Passover Retreat, during the inner healing service the Lord spoke through Fr Augustine Vallooran and the message was that five persons were healed of urine infection. I claimed the healing with faith. On my return I went for a check-up and my reports were all clear. My son was diagnosed with TB and I requested Divine Prayer Tower to pray for him. The merciful God answered my prayers and my son received total healing. I praise and thank the Lord for everything. “BUT TRULY GOD HAS LISTENED; HE HAS GIVEN HEED TO THE WORDS OF MY PRAYER” (Ps 66:19).


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DR. PRIYATHAM KAMATH, MYSORE

SANGEETA XALXO, JHARKHAND

PAUL COLACO, MANGALORE

“BUT HE KNOWS THE WAY THAT I TAKE; WHEN HE HAS TESTED ME, I SHALL COME FORTH AS GOLD” (JOB 23:10)

“CHILDREN ARE A GIFT FROM THE LORD; THEY ARE A REWARD FROM HIM” (PS 127:3)

“GO YOUR WAY; YOUR FAITH HAS MADE YOU WELL” (MK 10:51)

The last time I went to Divine Retreat Centre was in September 2011.Many years earlier to that I attended my first retreat there. A month before my second retreat I was in

a broken relationship and this left me devastated. All efforts I made to set it right were in vain and caused more damage than getting better. At my retreat I understood God’s love and the meaning of the Word of God. When I received the message of the first words of the Bible that the Creator knows what is best for His creation, as it is written: “In the beginning God created the Heaven and the earth... God saw all that He had made, and it was very good” (cf Gen 1:1, 31), I surrendered my whole life, the relationship and all the problems and prayed to God to take control of my life. I also promised to return to DRC with my family. After the retreat there was no sudden change but God changed my attitude towards persons and situations. Gradually I developed a positive approach and experienced its effect. God brought things back in the right way. After the consent of our family members we got married in January 2014. God has made it possible for us to go to DRC along with our daughter in March 2018. At this thanksgiving retreat we glorified Jesus and surrendered our life to His will. I praise and thank God. “AND IT IS BY GOD’S WILL THAT WE HAVE BEEN SANCTIFIED THROUGH THEOFFERING OF THE BODY OF JESUS CHRIST ONCE FOR ALL” (Heb 10:10).

I am fifty one years old and I am working in a Bank. In 1999 I went to Divine Retreat Centre to pray for the gift of a child and was blessed with a son in 2001. In 2007 I

attended a thanksgiving retreat. In 2010 I attended my third retreat to renew my spiritual life. At the retreat I attended in March 2018 Jesus healed me of the pain I had been suffering for two years due to a fall. I praise and thank God. “HE MAKES THE BARREN WOMAN ABIDE IN THE HOUSE AS A JOYFUL MOTHER OF CHILDREN. PRAISE THE LORD! (Ps 113:9).

I am sixty four years old and live in Dubai with my wife, children and grandchildren. In 1980 while getting down from the bus my leg got twisted and my knee was injured. I was

regularly visiting the orthopaedic doctor and the pain seemed to have subsided. But after twelve years very often I was getting pain. In 1995 I attended my first retreat at Divine Retreat Centre and since then I attended seven retreats. In February 2017 the doctor checked my knee and all the x-rays that were taken. I was asked to do certain tests further. After checking the reports he advised knee replacement surgery. This was confirmed for 29 June 2017. In early days of March I attended a retreat at DRC and received the healing touch of my Lord. In June I met the doctor and he had asked me to take an x-ray. After checking the x-ray report thoroughly he said that the surgery was not required. I then attended the Passover retreat at DRC this year to give thanks to God for all the favours He has showered on me and my family. “AND BY FAITH IN HIS NAME, HIS NAME ITSELF HAS MADE THIS MAN STRONG, WHOM YOU SEE AND KNOW; AND THE FAITH THAT IS THROUGH JESUS HAS GIVEN HIM THIS PERFECT HEALTH IN THE PRESENCE OF ALL OF YOU” (Acts 3:5).

Rev Dr Augustine Vallooran VC

Discipleship blossoms into the beauty of apostleship spreading its fragrance all around. Jesus chose

the twelve disciples that they may be with Him always. They listened to His preaching and experienced His special love. To them He said, “I call you friends because I have revealed to you all that the Father has told me” (Jn 15:15). His purpose was to appoint them as apostles after the Pentecost experience. Therefore before ascending to heaven, He charged them, “You shall be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth”

(Acts 1:8). During the public ministry, Jesus gave them guidelines to form them into apostles.

In the gospel of Mark chapter ten, we read of the ambition of James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They approached the Master with a request that they both be given prominent places on His right and left when He would establish the Kingdom (Mk 10:36). They wanted to be acknowledged and established over the other ten disciples. It is significant that they



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came with this peculiar request right after Jesus prophesied to the group of disciples of His impending passion, suffering and death. He predicted that He would be handed over to the chief priests and would be condemned to death. He concluded that He would rise on the third day (Mk 10:33,34). The two disciples were not able to comprehend the mystery of salvation. Their only concern was for the glory of this earthly life. Jesus seized the occasion to offer them the mystery of apostleship. He explained to them that such matters of the Kingdom are decided solely by the Heavenly Father. “To sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give, but is for those for whom it has been prepared” (Mk 10:40). While this discussion was going on between them, the other apostles getting a hint of the motives of the brothers were very offended.

“You are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world” (Jn 15:19)

Jesus sensed this wave of individualism and greed among His followers, and warned them that this worldly attitude was totally against the kingdom of God. “Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over

the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you’” (Mt 10:42,43). Two phrases the Lord uses are defining - “lord it over them” and “make their authority felt.” Indeed these were the two marks of power in the high places of the time. These two attitudes, namely, ‘lording it over’ and ‘making your authority felt’ had a definite meaning in those days. ‘Lording it over’ others meant exercising power in an arrogant manner with no regard for the self-respect of others. For Jesus, the freedom and value of the individual was invaluable and indispensable. This has been conveyed by the Lord on several occasions and very significantly when He affirmed that ‘Sabbath is for man and not man for Sabbath’ (Mk 2:27). The value of the human person was so great that it was not to be compromised in the name of any prescription of religious observance. Religious observances were meant to enhance human existence and even these could not be used to burden or deprive a person of his or her freedom and dignity. Jesus explains that every person is so precious that God would go to the extent of sacrificing His own Son that no one should perish (Jn 3:16). Jesus would not tolerate any exercise of power that would violate the dignity of the human individual.

The other mark of the exercise of power in those days was making one’s authority felt by those around. This meant using power for one’s own selfish ends by ensuring others to cooperate with one’s selfish manipulations. To get name and fame, to amass wealth, to channelize benefits and privileges to one’s own family, those in authority abused their power. Jesus clarifies that power was not to be exercised to serve one’s personal agenda but it was for surrendering oneself to the service of the others’.

For Jesus, the freedom and value of the individual was invaluable and indispensable. Jesus would not tolerate

any exercise of power that would violate the dignity of the human individual.


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“Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you” (I Pet 5:6)

The divine understanding of power presented by Jesus to the apostles is revolutionary and radically opposed to what the world understands by the concept of power. ‘Self-forgetfulness’ and ‘self-giving’ are characteristic marks of power in the vision of Jesus. He expresses these standards by two phrases: ‘servant’ and ‘slave’. The Lord declares to the apostles, “Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all” (Mk 10:43,44). The word used for slave is ‘doulos’ specifically refers to a person who is totally committed in service to the master without any right for himself. A slave is offered totally to the disposal of the Master. He has no claims whatsoever before the master, though the slave was considered as part of the household.Jesus demands of everyone who surrenders himself this attitude of total self-forgetting. This complete selfless approach to service renders one worthy of apostleship. He does not do anything out of self-interest. His only concern is to do the will of the master and to please him. Jesus highlights this attitude to the apostles with an illustration of the slave who after labouring in the fields is expected to serve at the table. A service which is offered with no expectation or claim of reward or thankfulness: “When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty’” (Lk 17:10).

St Paul understood the full import of this notion that he introduces himself in all

his letters as “a slave of Christ Jesus” (Rom 1:1). To the church in Corinth he writes, “Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible” (1 Cor 9:19). St Peter, St Jude and St James, all leaders of the early Church, in their epistles present themselves as slaves of the Lord. They understood well the mind of Jesus. At the Last Supper, Jesus took the role of the servant to wash the feet of the disciples. He clarified there what the nature of their mission was. “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do. Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master, nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him” (Jn 15:14-16). In fact for the apostles the one honour they sought, was to be slaves of God knowing, in this was their highest reward. Jesus had promised them that the servant would be entitled to eternal glory. “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honour whoever serves me” (Jn 12:26). “My power is made perfect in weakness” (II Cor 12:9)

St Peter gives this instruction to the early leaders of the Church, “Tend the flock of God in your midst, overseeing not by constraint

All the glory, honour and security of a servant of God are from the One who has called him into service. If one

reaches out for a profit in this world it would be shameful and unworthy of the call.


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but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly. Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1 Pet 5:2-4). All the glory, honour and security of a servant of God are from the One who has called him into service. If one reaches out for a profit in this world it would be shameful and unworthy of the call. Through prophet Isaiah, God has given this exhortation; “My glory I will not give to another” (Is 48:11).

In the book of Judges, God reveals the Divine way of exercising power to Gideon who is chosen to lead the Israelites in war. Gideon got together a large army to fight against the Midianites. He was aware that his enemy

was powerful and he calculated that a greater number would ensure his victory. He imagined that victory depended on the strength of the army which translated directly as the number of warriors they counted. This sounds most reasonable, yet God’s ways are not our ways! “The Lord said to Gideon: You have too many soldiers with you for me to deliver Midian into their power, lest Israel vaunt itself against me and say, ‘My own power saved me’” (Jgs 7:2). In this scriptural tradition, St Paul writes to the Philippians, “Complete my joy by being of the same

mind... Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also everyone for those of others” (Phil 2:2-4). In glowing terms, St Paul describes the self-emptying love of the Lord, “Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, Who, though He was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, He emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave” (Phil 2:5-7). This humble submission to God, setting aside one’s own interests is the core of the service of God. “I have become all things to all, to save at least some” (1 Cor 9:22)

This self-emptying attitude leads a person to a whole-hearted self-giving. Jesus explains this in the term ‘servant’. The original Greek word used is ‘diakonos’. It is from this root word that the English word ‘deacon’ is derived. Deacon refers to the one who offers service at table. The Acts of the Apostles records that there was at one point in the early Church, murmurs of dissent that the widows of the Greeks were neglected by the leadership. St Peter, to address this issue, introduced this new ministry in the Church - the service of the deacons. “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task” (Acts 6:2,3).

The wounded, the erring and the weak have a right to be specially cared for. Uncaring confrontation can destroy persons leaving them no opportunity to rise again. This does not nurture

truth for truth is meant to be life-giving.


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Every service in the Church bears this characteristic of the service at table.

Table service has three dimensions. Firstly, this has the obvious life-giving dimension. Food is meant to enhance life. It follows that serving food is about nourishing life. Secondly, it is a service of love. The one who serves must be personally familiar with those whom he serves, their likes and needs. When you care for the other, you would ensure to provide what is the best for them. One would not be callous as to offer for instance sweets to a diabetic or salty items to one suffering high blood pressure. It takes a loving consideration to understand the needs of each and cater accordingly. Thirdly, service at table involves self-sacrifice. In the Greco-Roman culture, there was a custom of the server bringing the platter of a food item and taking a little and eating it himself first, in order to assure the guests that the food was safe. If there was anything poisonous he would die. We see a willingness to sacrifice one’s life for the well -being of the others.

These three characteristics mark the self-giving nature of service in Christian leadership. The only motive of those chosen and appointed is to build up the community so that every individual grows to the image of the Lord. Thoughtless authoritarianism marked by disheartening remarks and depressing gestures have no place in the leader chosen by Christ. There is a general thinking that suppressing others is a way of achieving discipline in the community. While discipline and order have value, the absence of charity in leadership makes it totally unchristian. Life is to be enhanced and not suppressed. There is a style of authoritarian confrontation with the facts that only leaves the others helpless and humiliated. Truth without charity is in fact not truth. It serves one’s purpose of proving the authority right, with no consideration whatsoever, for the person on the other side. The wounded, the erring and the weak have a right to be specially cared for. Uncaring confrontation can destroy persons leaving them no opportunity to rise again. This does not nurture truth for truth is meant

to be life-giving. Those in authority should have enough love to understand for love can never condemn. Even when there is a mistake in others one should be able to take the trouble of not humiliating them, but correcting in a spirit of love and gentleness. It is said of St Vincent de Paul that even though he was the Founder of the Congregation and Superior General, when he had to correct a priest he would go to the room, kneel down and make a Confession of his own faults and get absolution and then would on his knees, correct the mistake of the priest. “Outdo one another in showing honour” (Rom 12:10)

The teachings of Jesus invite us for an honest soul- searching of the approaches prevalent in the Church and more importantly in ourselves. All of us are called to some service in the Church and every such service is to be marked by divine attitudes. When selfishness and pride tarnish the divine dimension of leadership, the witness value of the Church is diminished. We have often come across the complaint of a parent that though he or she had sacrificed their life for the children, the children in their turn, do not care for them. Definitely the children have a responsibility of love to look after the elderly parents, but a parent who calculates returns while bringing up children, would be failing in the spirit of Jesus Christ. A teacher who expects respect and appreciation from the students is not exercising the service in Christian spirit. A priest who complains that he is not appreciated by his authorities for his hard work in the care of the flock is yet to understand the true nature of priestly service. In the secular world, a government official or a politician who fills his own coffers to make his future secure through corrupt and unjust ways is moving in the pagan way. The pagan world has invaded the heart of the leaders of the time and sadly even in the sacred service of the Lord.

The famous prayer of St Francis of Assisi is very relevant for our times. The prayer is for God to remould the heart that it may now seek more to serve than to


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be served, to love than to be loved. Meditating on the face of the Master Jesus Christ, he opens his heart to be flooded by the self-sacrificing love of the Lord. The world at large and the Church in particular, should sit at the feet of the Lord and learn to wash the feet of those entrusted

to their care. The authoritarian mantle is to be cast away. The self-centred craze that drives the multitude applause and security is to be plucked out. The warning of the Lord against the shepherds who plundered His sheep is to resound in the heart of everyone in places of authority

(Ezk 34). The more we sit at the feet of the Good Shepherd the more we will understand the great saving love that impels Him to go in search of the wounded sheep. This is the need of the hour. The world and the Church is being torn apart by a spirit of accusation and condemnation. This began with the breakdown of families. Relationships are fragile and the failure of the individual led to separations. The spirit of love Jesus proved, is what prevails. If we, each of us, can adopt this spirit in our every relationship, the light will overcome the darkness. Grace and mercy will filter through our personal decisions into our communities, our Church and our society. There it is, that we shall begin witnessing in authenticity and power. Christ has called each of us to such a mission to spread the light of salvation. Let us then boldly go forward and empty ourselves in humble service and complete trust in the Lord who has gone before us in the way of love.

The world at large and the Church in particular, should sit at the feet of the Lord and learn to wash the feet of those entrusted to their care. There it

is, that we shall begin witnessing in authenticity and power.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you came to serve and not to be served, to give your life as a ransom for us. In order to ensure that none of us should perish you emptied yourself of Divine glory and came down to this valley of tears. You became obedient unto death, even when it meant an unjust and shameful death on the cross. Give us your spirit of self-emptying and self-giving love that we may be trustworthy stewards of your saving love. Give us the understanding that it is in giving that we are filled with your graces. As you moulded your disciples let us be empowered to give our lives for your kingdom. Amen.


Dr Remila George

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“The LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation”

We are all loved by God who wants to change our life through love. He only asks us to have

the faith to let Him do so, and thus we can cry for joy before a God who recreates us. The Lord creates the new heaven and new earth when He remakes the world destroyed by sin in Jesus Christ. In the book of Isaiah the Lord speaks of the joy and says a word, “I will rejoice in my people” (Is 65:19). God’s presence in our lives never leaves us tranquil. It always pushes

us to do something. When God comes He calls us to encounter Him and share it with others. In the Gospels we see the people, who believed in the Lord draw near, are touched and follow Jesus, and their lives are transformed. The Lord alone can change us. To change myself what do I have to do? “Believe the Lord can change me and that He will.” This is exactly what the king’s official in Capernaum did, as narrated in the Gospel according to John. That man whose son was ill asked Jesus to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. And Jesus replied to him, “Go your son will live.” Thus that father believed the words


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that Jesus spoke to him. He believed that Jesus had the power to heal His child (Jn 4: 46 -54).

Faith is giving space to this love of God; it is making room for the power of God, for the power of the One who loves me and who wants this joy with me. This is believing in and making room for the Lord to come and change me.

“If we endure, we will also reign with Him” (II Tim 2:12)

Faith in Jesus is a personal decision. The path of discipleship is a narrow and risky one but can be carried forward through faith. One cannot carry much physical and emotional baggage without endangering one’s pursuit. Hence Jesus encourages all those who want to follow Him to lose their baggage. A disciple must not even be attached to one’s own life. (Jn 12:25). He must be willing to bear suffering and rejection for the sake of the

cause, “For those who want to save their lives for my sake and for the sake of the gospel will save it” (Mk 8: 35-38).

Discipleship is demanding but by no means is it impossible. We have shining examples of the disciples in the saints who have gone before us. While the world praises and encourages the pursuit of wealth, power and prestige Jesus ask for detachment and simplicity of life. Day after day we are asked to renew this faith. We are asked to live the life of

tenderness as Mary did. Our lives will be transformed through tenderness, through the joy which always becomes closeness and compassion which is not in self-pity but suffering with, so as to free and lead us to get involved in to serve a life for others.

“Love that comes from a pure heart and sincere faith” (I Tim 1:5)

Our faith makes us leave our comfort zones and go forth to encounter others to share their joys, their hopes and their frustrations. Our faith calls us to visit the sick, the prisoners and to those who mourn. Like Mother Mary we want to be a Church which serves in order to accompany life, to sustain hope, to be a sign of noble and worthy people a child of God who is loved so dearly. We are called by God to build bridges, to break down walls and to sow seeds of reconciliation. Not washing our hands but rather walking with the needy. We need to learn to pray with Mother Mary for her prayer is one of gratitude; it is the canticle of the people of God on their pilgrimage through history. It is a living reminder that God lives in our midst. The perennial memory that God has looked upon the low lives of His people, He has come to the aid of His servant even as He promised to our forebears and their children forever. Through the trust in God like Mother Mary we will be able to serve like her to gain priceless and lasting things. Are we willing to accept this invitation of the Lord who loves us unconditionally?

Our faith makes us leave our comfort zones and go forth to encounter others to share their joys,

their hopes and their frustrations.


Pope: internet relations at the center of the Social Communications DayVatican City - “We are members one of another” (Eph 4:25). From network community to human communities. This is the theme chosen by Pope Francis for the 53rd World Communications Day of 2019. The theme, according to a press release from the Vatican Press Office, “underlines the importance of giving back to communication a broad perspective, based on the person, and emphasizes the value of interaction always understood as dialogue and as an opportunity to meet with others”. “This calls for a reflection on the current state and nature of relationships on the Internet, starting from the idea of community as a network between people in their wholeness. Some of the prevailing trends of the so-called social networks ask us a fundamental question: to what extent can we speak of a real community in the face of the logic that characterizes some communities on social media? The metaphor of the web as a community of solidarity implies the construction of an “us”, based on listening to the other, on dialogue and consequently on the responsible use of language”. “In his first Message for World Communications Day in 2014, the Holy Father called for the Internet to be “an environment rich in humanity, a network not of wires but of people”. The choice of the theme for the 2019 Message confirms Pope Francis’ attention to the new communications environment and for social networks, especially, where he is present in the first person with his @Pontifex account on Twitter and @Franciscus on Instagram”.

Heritage listing for 33-year-old churchOttoway, Australia - St Maximilian Kolbe Church in Ottoway is the cultural and spiritual hub of Adelaide’s Polish Catholic community. It was named after Auschwitz martyr St Maximilian Kolbe who took the place of another prisoner in a starvation bunker and two weeks later was executed. The church contains a number of holy relics including hair from St Maximilian Kolbe’s beard, ashes

from the crematorium at Auschwitz, a piece of bone belonging to St Faustina Kowalska (author of the image of the Divine Mercy), a blood relic of St John Paul II and a piece of marble stone from the tomb of St Peter the Apostle. The South Australian Heritage Council highlighted the architectural design of the church which is modelled on a polish mountain hut and symbolises the safety and shelter offered within its walls. “The church features prominent stained-glass windows, a notable mosaic behind the altar and several significant relics associated with St Maximilian Kolbe and Auschwitz,” the council said in its summary of the listing.“The main stained-glass window above the front entrance directly references Auschwitz, and the mosaic behind the altar depicts the burdens carried by humanity, and references both tragedy and hope.“Overall, the church stands as a symbol of the cultural and spiritual beliefs of its congregation, many of whom experienced the horror of Auschwitz where more than a million people lost their life.” The council also noted the church’s association with the late Polish-born SA artist Stan Ostoja-Kotkowski AM, whose design of the altar mosaic reflects his war-time experiences in Germany and his close connection with the Polish community. The church replaced the St Joseph the Worker Church which was built in 1953 and destroyed by fire in 1983. The community raised the money to build the church and had considerable input into its design.

Princess removed from British line of succession for becoming CatholicMonaco - Princess Alexandra of Hanover, a member of the royal family of Monaco, has reportedly been removed from her distant place in the British line of succession after having become a Catholic. Because the British monarch is head of the Church of England, which is the established church, British law bars Catholics from succeeding to the throne. The Succession to the Crown Act 2013 allowed heirs to the throne to marry Catholics,


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among other changes. However, the law still stipulates that the acting British sovereign mustn’t be a Catholic. Catholics have been barred from the English throne since the Act of Settlement 1701. Princess Alexandra, 19, is a figure skater, and has represented Monaco at international skating competitions. Along with Alexandra, Lord Nicholas Windsor has also been excluded from the British line of succession for becoming Catholic. Lord Nicholas is a great-grandson of George V, and was baptized in the Church of England. He was received into the Catholic Church in 2001.

Indian ‘people’s charter’ launchedNew Delhi, India - More than 100 voluntary church and other groups in India have drafted a so-called people’s manifesto focused on poverty alleviation as the nation heads towards national as well as various state elections. It was formulated October 6 at the end of a four-day program in southern Bengaluru city organized by Lok Manch, a secular forum of voluntary agencies initiated by Jesuits in Social Action (JESA). “The people’s charter demands basic facilities like potable water, food and roads for the most poor, and it will be given to all political parties,” said Father Sunnibhai, national coordinator of the forum. The Jesuit said the draft manifesto would be discussed at the grassroots and finalized according to local needs. The idea is that people would give it to election candidates of all parties seeking their vote, the priest said. Father Sunnibhai said that even seven decades after India become an independent nation; widespread poverty remained, with many people lacking adequate food, drinking water, educational opportunities and health care. Voters needed to boldly challenge political leaders and demand protection of their rights, Father Sunnibhai said. The Lok Manch forum was initiated two years as a secular platform without any affiliation to religious or political ideologies. The manifesto deals with tribal people’s right to forests, land and water sources as well as a need to strengthen legal protections to stem violence against tribal people and socially poor Dalits, formerly known as untouchables. The draft charter also seeks proper implementation of a law that guarantees a minimum 100 days of employment to each rural

household annually as well as more funding for welfare and other services for villagers.

UN chief’s India visits highlights abusesNew Delhi, India - United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres’s maiden visit to India opened up a Pandora’s box for a government accused of violating religious and ethnic minority rights. During the October 1-3 visit, U.N. collaboration to combat terrorism dominated the official agenda, but for many this aspect was overshadowed by the issue of communal strife. Guterres met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the external affairs minister, Sushma Swaraj, and the speaker of the Indian Parliament’s lower house, Sumitra Mahajan. On October 3, some 250 rights activists wrote to him stating that religious and political freedoms have been eroded since the government of Prime Minister Modi came to power four years ago, dominated by the pro-Hindu Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). Their joint open letter to Guterres highlighted abuses faced by the country’s Muslims, Christians and socially poor Dalit people. Many of the nation’s constitutional freedoms, and democratic rights – along with a sense of social coexistence and a national consensus on the need to achieve greater equality – had been undermined, it said. This was despite these things having been nurtured since the country’s independence in 1947, the activists complained. They maintained that at least 62 people were killed in 17 states in sectarian strife since 2014, mostly Muslims lynched by cow-protecting vigilante groups. Media outlets reported cases of Hindu groups attacking Muslims accused of transporting cows for slaughtering or storing the meat of the animals, which are revered in orthodox Hinduism. “Christians have similarly been targeted, the letter said, adding that 2017 has been one of the most traumatic years for Indian Christians in a decade. There were 351 verified incidents of hate crimes against Christians recoded in the year, up from 147 in 2014, the letter added. It also mentioned the killings of rationalists, who were critical of Hindu fanaticism based on upper caste supremacy. The activists wanted Antonio Guterres to raise such concerns with government representatives in order to help protect India’s democracy.


“The only real sadness, the only real failure, the only great tragedy in life, is not to have become a saint.”

These are the words of Leon Bloy, an acclaimed writer and staunch Catholic convert. Sainthood is presented as the ultimate goal of human existence. In fact he makes it sound so essential and commonplace! How many of us would indeed consider sainthood that seriously or personally? Several great spiritual leaders (and saints themselves) – from Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II to Pope Francis, have repeatedly emphasized, holiness is no luxury reserved for a few. If you aren’t seriously and constantly busy and striving towards being a saint, you are wasting your life. I remember meeting an elderly lady who had spent over four decades working in USA. She was earning rather well. However, due to a series of unhappy events and terrible miscalculations, she was now back in India and living in penury. She had no home of her own. Relatives saw no reason to help her. Her deep regret and shame and pain were that after a lifetime of so many opportunities she had no way of an honourable and comfortable living. She interpreted her lifetime as wasted. Now think of this: After spending an entire lifetime, imagine you have nothing impressive to show for your eternal existence, would that not be a final failure as indeed Bloy contends? We are so focused on being “practical” and making good investments for a happy secure future on this earth that the vast majority of us live completely oblivious to the destiny of eternal life, which alone is truly ours. We completely neglect our heavenly mission of becoming saints! When Jesus said: “Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect” (Mat 5:48), He was not setting before us some unrealistic impossible goal. Mission Sainthood should be our utmost priority over every other goal we have in life. Whatever else we have missed out is of no

consequence and it calls for no regret, for indeed “the one real sadness, the only real failure, the only great tragedy in life, is not to become a saint.”This failure becomes all the more obvious when we look closely at the fullness of life that holiness alone offers. The saints who offer us factual details of their lives reveal that sainthood is about living life by the fullness of love. It is about having been ‘stumped’ by love and then plunging into life in the confidence of that love. St Paul was riding high on his horseback to Damascus, very clear about his mission to wipe out the Christians and hell-bent on making great achievements. God has him literally ‘fall flat’. This should have been an overwhelming experience of love. For now Paul’s only response is, “Who are you Sir? What must I do for you?” (Acts 22:6-10). Right through the rest of his life, his one quest was to know the Lord and be ‘poured out as a libation’ for this love. Paul was “rooted and grounded in love” (Eph 3:17). The love God revealed to us through His Son crucified, became Paul’s stronghold and confidence. He declares: “I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave His life up for me” (Gal 2:20). Right through his extensive writings, he conveys that this confidence in the Father renders the reckless investment of his life as the one reasonable decision. “He who did not spare His own Son but handed Him over for us all, how will He not also give us everything else along with Him?” (Rom 8:32). What Christ did on the Cross was sufficient confirmation for St Paul. There are many who spend their entire lifetime struggling to trust God, losing hope at every challenge.The saintly difference is, where the love of God becomes a launch-pad from where one empties oneself. This self-emptying for the love of Christ was Paul’s thirst. Mother Teresa would every morning, stand before the verse “I

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thirst” and pray asking how she could fulfil the thirst of Christ that day. In every home of the Missionaries of Charity, this one verse is showcased beside the crucifix. Quenching the thirst of God was the motivation for life.St Paul’s trophies were the great sufferings he encountered - the tragedies and mishaps, the betrayals, the humiliations, injuries and insults. This is so contrary to our mentality. When we pray or do something for the Lord, we acquire a sense of entitlement. When we do not receive the respect or privileges we imagine is due to us, we feel slighted, hurt and discouraged, even concluding that evil is at play. Paul’s claim over other apostles was solely on this basis of receiving “far more insults, labours, beatings, shipwreck, dangers, hardships and temptations.” These are his boasts. “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness” (2 Cor 11:30). He talks of accepting “the loss of all things” that he may gain Christ (Phil 3). Every other good was a burden that he had to be rid of, to be fit to receive the fullness of the Lord. Every earthly treasure and even his rights became “trash” that he no longer had space for, in his life. Paul was clearly pressing on to be emptied for Christ. “I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20). Paul felt so privileged to “bear on my (his) body the marks of Jesus” (Gal 6:17). This is like the war veteran whose greatest glory over every medal of honour was the deep scar on his face that he received while fighting for his country.The more closely we look at the lives of the saints, we see indeed their lives were all about a reckless loving founded on the most reasonable and sure foundation of the rock of God’s love.* * *St Francis of Assisi known as the ‘Second Christ’, 800 years after he died, continues to live as a powerful inspiration for the Church and the world. His life once ignited by the consuming fire of God’s love continues to shine as a bright beacon for those seeking life.Francis had come back from the war, tired and defeated. He had gone to war assuming he would return victorious. He imagined when he returned to his hometown, he would be hailed by all and eventually be knighted. But things did not work out that way at all. He returned wounded and sick, ridiculed and isolated. He had begun to see through dark years of captivity, that the world was passing and

there was something far greater to live for. He spent hours in prayer. He fell in love with God crazily! Like with Paul, Francis personally had a vision of God now telling him, “Francis, go and build my church which as you can see, is falling into ruins.” Francis was not an architect. He was a failed warrior. But God chose him knowing how far this warrior would go in pursuit of a passion. Francis who once was notorious for his licentious lifestyle and vanity became so radical and focused about living for Christ. He who once shunned the poor and despised the suffering, went seeking the outcast lepers and got committed to caring for them, daily bathing and feeding them. He who was vain and arrogant became humble like a little child. The young men and women of the nobility at first laughed at him calling him ‘mad’ for abandoning pleasures and delighting over sacrifices. Of course over time, a good number of them came to admire him. They knew there was some mystique about him that was courageous, strong and holy. That’s where he began changing lives. We have read about saints who went out of their way to take on suffering as wearing hair-shirts and doing extraordinary penances. It was perhaps the craziness of love. However, then came along St Therese, the little “flower of Jesus” who talks of the far nobler way of living out sainthood in the daily moments of life. The ‘little way’ she proposed was about accepting every scourge of suffering, insult and persecution that came her way as golden opportunities to express her love and quench the thirst of Jesus. Mother Teresa had famously told an ailing child “sufferings are the kisses of Jesus.” St Faustina expresses similarly, “True love is measured by the thermometer of suffering. Jesus, I thank you for the little daily crosses, for opposition to my endeavours, for the hardships of communal life, for the misinterpretation of my intentions, for humiliations at the hands of others, for the harsh way in which we are treated, for false suspicions, for poor health and loss of strength, for self-denial, for dying to myself, for lack of recognition in everything, for the upsetting of all my plans.” Like St Paul, she has her boasts.“Fall in love, stay in love and let love decide everything” Pedro Arrupe said. Any other life - where we have not been poured out for that one great Love - would be a sad failure and a great tragedy.

I am presently a housewife and worked earlier in Mumbai. I was a timid and shy person. My first retreat at Divine Retreat Centre was in 2013. I attended six Passover Retreats

here and two one-day retreats at DRC in New Jersey, USA. During my daughter’s second delivery after her first trimester her child was found with a cyst and blood report showed a high chance for Downs Syndromes. Before her delivery I accompanied my daughter to DRC at New Jersey and she was given Bible verses to recite by a priest and she prayed repeating the same Bible verse. After the child was born a thorough test was done and the test for Down Syndrome was negative. The Lord dissolved her baby’s cyst and also healed the Down syndrome completely. My daughter after her delivery took the new born baby and we accompanied her to DRC to give a testimony. When I went to DRC in 2013 my name was called by Fr Augustine Vallooran saying, “Jane, do not fear I have carved you on the palm of my hands,” and later another message saying that I was healed. I really had fear gripping me but now my fear has gone. Last year my husband wanted to accompany me for the Passover Retreat. Unexpectedly, before we started he had a boil which made it difficult for him to sit. But on the day we left to go there the boil disappeared and he was alright. I praise and thank God for all that He has done for us. “HOW LOVELY IS YOUR DWELLING PLACE, O LORD OF HOSTS! MY SOUL LONGS, INDEED IT FAINTS FOR THE COURTS OF THE LORD; MY HEART AND MY FLESH SING FOR JOY TO THE LIVING GOD” (Ps 84:1-2).

I am a Dentist. I recently completed my studies in Master of Dental Surgery (M.D.S.). I attended my first retreat at Divine Retreat Centre in 1997. God blessed me with a seat

through All India Post graduate entrance examination in 2014. At that time I was forty one years of age. I was tense about studies due to my age as all the students were only half my age. I attended a retreat in 2014 before the MDS course started. After that retreat I decided to participate in the Holy Mass daily throughout my course. For three and half years I went for Holy Mass without fail and also six months prior to final examination. I attended half an hour adoration of the Holy Eucharist too. At times I had to put real efforts to reach the church for Mass. For example: when we were sent for conferences to North India, to places where churches were remote, I used to search and book my accommodation near the church areas to participate in the Holy Mass. There were difficult times but the Lord always led me through. I used to pray the rosary daily. During the period of preparing for the examinations I felt that the Holy Spirit was leading me and teaching me how to study. I followed all instructions which I could and wrote the examinations. For my clinical examinations I found my ‘ideal case’ on the day of the examination without which I would have failed. I believe it happened miraculously by God’s intervention! Finally when the results were announced God gave me the victory. I passed in the first attempt and got more marks than the others. I praise and thank the Lord Jesus with my whole heart. “BUT ONE THING I DO: FORGETTING WHAT IS BEHIND AND STRAINING TOWARD WHAT IS AHEAD, I PRESS ON TOWARD THE GOAL TO WIN THE PRIZE FOR WHICH GOD HAS CALLED ME HEAVENWARD IN CHRIST JESUS” (Phil 3:13-14).

JANE V. RODRIGUES, MUMBAI

DR. TREESA WILLIAM GOMEZ, TRIVANDRUM

“THE SOURCE OF WISDOM IS GOD’S WORD IN THE HIGHEST HEAVEN, AND HER WAYS ARE THE ETERNAL COMMANDMENTS” (SIR 1:5)

MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD, THE MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH” (PS 121:2)


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Teacher: The month of November starts with the feast of ‘All Saints.’ We become saints by living a holy life. Holy life is made up of small things of everyday: be like a ‘lamb’ in the family, like an ‘angel’ in the church and like a ‘dove’ outside. It was also true in the time of Jesus. Here we see just a few examples of Jesus paying attention to small details of the needs of those around Him.

John: Jesus also said, “Let the little children come to me” (Mt 19:14). Teacher: So, all of you especially the little children are very happy about it. Good. And you must grow little by little in holiness every day. As much as you progress in holiness so much you will be childlike and be close to Jesus. There is a Saint of ‘Little Way…? Litty: Shouted, “Saint Little Flower, her name is Therese and she is from Lisiux in France. Others joined her saying “Yes.”Teacher: Good. Litty seems to have read the life of the Saint ‘Little Flower - “Story of a Soul” – which the Saint herself wrote. All of us must read the book ‘Story of a Soul.’ Therese described her life as a “little way of spiritual childhood.” She lived each day with an unshakable confidence in God’s love. “What matters in life,” she wrote, “It is not great deeds, but great love.” Therese lived an ordinary life with extraordinary love. Therese loved flowers and saw herself as the “little flower of Jesus.” She gave glory to God, her beautiful little self being among all the other flowers in God’s garden. Because of this beautiful comparison the title “Little Flower” remained with St. Therese.“My mission - to make God loved - will begin after my death,” she said. “I will spend my Heaven doing good on earth. I will let fall a shower of roses.” Roses have been described and experienced as Saint

Therese’s signature. Countless millions have been touched by her intercession and imitate her “little way.” Are you on the way?

If you want you too can become a Saint!

* The little detail that wine was running out at a party (Jn 2:1-11).* The little detail that one sheep was missing (Lk 15:1-7).* The little detail of noticing the widow who offered her two small coins (Lk 21:1-4).* The little detail of having spare oil for the lamps, should the bridegroom delay (Mt 25:1-13).* The little detail of asking the disciples how many loaves of bread they had (Mk 6:35-44).* The little detail of having a fire burning and a fish cooking as He waited for the disciples at daybreak (Jn 21:9-14).

You too can become a saint


You too can become a saintThe Bible tells us that we shall reign as kings in life. We shall reign over sin, sickness, poverty, defeat, depression, and over the devil and all his plans. What is the secret to reign in life? “God is king over the nations; God sits on His holy throne” (Ps 47:8); and living as the child of this our God is the secret to reign in our life. Jesus lives as the Son of His Father. So He reigns as the King of Kings forever. It is possible for us too; read the following real story:

In the Creed we say, “I believe in Jesus… He is seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven…” ‘Right hand’ is the sign of power (cf Mt 22:44), and refers to Jesus, the King of kings. The Kingship of Jesus is different from what you have learnt about kings in the history books. He is sent by His Father and born as “The Prince of Peace” (Is 9:6). His Kingly values are love, service and humility. But do you know there is an enemy of God, the satan? The challenge of satan is to destroy us, the children of God, and thereby defeat God. So the mission of Jesus is to defeat this enemy of God and offer us to God as precious gifts.

The devil, with all his wiles, started war against Jesus through temptations from the beginning of Jesus’ Mission. Jesus shut his mouth with God’s Words (cf (Mt ch 4). Then the devil trapped human beings like Pharisees, Sadducees; instigated Annas and Caiaphas, the high priests of the time, to plot false accusations against Jesus. They put Jesus in custody and handed him over to the Roman Court of Pontius Pilate. But Pilate cunningly sent Him to Herod the local king of the Jews who, like a fool, ridiculed Jesus. There what happened you know, Herod put a Royal Robe over Jesus. This is a sign of giving power to Jesus as the King of the Jews. Then Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate, the governor of Roman Empire. Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the King?” Jesus answered, “You say so” (Mt 27:11). Pilate approved Jesus’ Kingship. He wrote it on a nameplate: ‘INRI –‘Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum’ which means ‘Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews’ and with the seal of his Roman authority fixed it on the Cross. After the Resurrection Jesus declared, “All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Mt 28:18)

Look at the Crucifix hanging around your neck. You will see the same title INRI written 2000 years ago. Jesus is the Eternal King of His Everlasting Kingdom. Satan is afraid of the crucifix. In some churches after the Holy Mass people pray, sing or recite the prayer: ‘Soul of my Saviour’ followed by ‘The Prayer before the

Crucifix’ which is also known as the ‘Prayers to Christ the King.’ Let us become the soldiers of Jesus, the universal King.

I AM A PRINCEIn the records of France there is given us the story of a Prince- the son of King Louis XVI.As a young man, the enemies of the court had captured this prince and handed him over to a group of some wicked and cruel men, with special instructions to spoil him and to ruin his character. Very bad temptations were thrown on his path. He was put into bad company. No boy-pauper or prince- ever had to face such temptations as were faced by this young prince.But to every one of the temptations thrown before him he said, “No! I can never yield to that temptation for I am the son of a king.” And the prince was saved.


Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. (cf Rev 11:15)

Jesus,The Prince of Peace

The story of our King of kings

I was working as cabin crew in a domestic airline. When I wanted to go abroad for a job I could not clear the medicals. The doctors said that the x-ray report

revealed that there was something, inside of my body which would not be cured and therefore trying with some treatment would only be a waste of money. Hence, I was declared unfit by the doctors and they told me not to repeat the fitness test even, because it would be impossible to get through. I did not take any treatment; and the thought of losing a golden opportunity was devastating. In that state my mother took me to Divine Retreat Centre in November 2017. The retreat days were the most peaceful and wonderful days of my life. I put my trust in God and surrendered myself totally into His hands believing in the words that “Nothing is impossible to God” (Lk 1:37). I was able to draw close to God (cf Jas 4:8) and make a good confession and had good counselling. During the adoration I could feel the touch of the Lord as I was able to cry out to Him. I was released of depression and anxiety and all the sadness. After returning home with full trust in God I went for the interview again. I cleared the interview and was also declared fit in the medicals. Soon I got my visa also. By the grace of God Almighty I joined an international airline in March 2018. It is indeed a wonderful miracle in my life. God made my dream come true with this wonderful job. I have become a better person and a good Christian after my retreat. I went to DRC to give praise and thanks to my Lord God who performed an amazing miracle in my life. “FOR MORTALS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE, BUT NOT FOR GOD; FOR GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE” (MK 10:27)

I, Ranjit, am a Gynaecologist working in Sri Lanka. I attended my first retreat at Divine Retreat Centre five years ago. My wife attended four retreats alone

and both of us, together attended two retreats, one in 2016 and the other in the third week of March 2018.During our retreat in 2016, on the day of counselling, our counsellor asked us whether we had any land problem which we did not have by then. Two weeks later, government surveyors came to our land to survey the roadway going across our land. They had drawn three lines for a tentative roadway. We had already built houses in our children’s name in our ancestral property. The first line went over my younger son’s house which was only three years old, the second line over our house and the third line over my elder son’s house. We did not have any way out but to ask God’s help in prayer and fasting. It was a time of mental suffering and anxiety. Two years later, they stopped the plans for a roadway which they have already done halfway. They planned to have a light railway going along marsh land which will not demolish any house. We praise and thank God for answering our prayers and protecting all the houses including ours. “THUS SAYS THE LORD, THE GOD OF YOUR ANCESTOR DAVID: I HAVE HEARD YOUR PRAYER, I HAVE SEEN YOUR TEARS; INDEED, I WILL HEAL YOU; ON THE THIRD DAY YOU SHALL GO UP TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD.”(IIKgs20:5).

RICHEL DUKPA, DARJEELING

DR. RANJIT AND ROSHANI ALMEIDA, SRI LANKA

“I TRUST IN YOU, O LORD; I SAY, “YOU ARE MY GOD” (PS 31:14)

“REGARD YOUR SERVANT’S PRAYER AND HIS PLEA, O LORD MY GOD, HEEDING THE CRY AND THE PRAYER THAT YOUR SERVANT PRAYS TO YOU TODAY” (I KGS 8:28)


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Documents

volume: XXi issue: 6 November 2018...NOVEMBER 2018 Volume: XXI Issue: 6 Printer & Publisher Rev. Dr Philip Nedumthuruthil VC Chief Editor Rev. Fr Mathew Thadathil VC Chairman Rev