Special Articles

Before passing away from cancer, world-famous fashion designer, blogger, and author Kirzida Rodriguez penned a poignant reflection on her life. She had built a career that revolved around wealth, luxury, and glamour, but in her final days, she realized the stark contrast between the life she had and the life she now faced.

“My house is full of designer clothes, shoes, and expensive things, but my body is covered in a small sheet provided by the hospital. My home, a grand castle, but I now lay in a twin-size bed. I went from one five-star hotel to another, yet today, I spend my days moving from one hospital lab to another. I had seven beauticians to style my hair—today, I have not a single strand on my head.”

Rodriguez’s note is a striking reminder that life, when stripped down to its essentials, is about more than wealth and possessions. Her final reflections resonate deeply with the words of Matthew 16:26: “For what will it profit a person if she/he gains the whole world and forfeits her/his soul? Or what shall a person give in return for her/his soul?” In her moment of vulnerability, Kirzida realized the futility of material success and the ultimate importance of love, relationships, and faith.

Jithin Joseph

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Recently, I happened to watch a short video on oxytocin, a hormone I had heard of in passing, but never truly understood. What started as a fleeting curiosity quickly grew into fascination. As I delved deeper, I stumbled upon a TED-Ed talk by Paul Zak, a neuroeconomist who refers to oxytocin as the “moral molecule.” According to Zak, this chemical is responsible for the trust, empathy, and other warm feelings that are the glue of human society. That talk ignited something within me, compelling me to explore oxytocin not from a scientific viewpoint, but in a way that aims to motivate and inspire.

Oxytocin: The Bonding Molecule

Oxytocin is a hormone we all possess, and it plays a crucial role in our emotional well-being and social interactions. It’s responsible for those “warm and fuzzy” feelings that make us feel connected to others. Whether it’s the rush of love a mother feels for her newborn, the deep trust between friends, or the quiet comfort of companionship, oxytocin is the invisible force binding us all. Think about the last time you did something kind for someone, perhaps a small gesture like holding a door open or offering a genuine smile. Didn’t you feel a subtle lift in your spirits? That’s oxytocin at work, but the magic of this hormone doesn’t stop with just you; the person on the receiving end feels it too. The beauty of oxytocin is its ripple effect. A single act of kindness can have a domino effect, spreading warmth and positivity far beyond the initial exchange.

Fr. Jayaseelan Savariarpitchai SDB

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The Eucharist draws us into the heart of God. At its core, the word Eucharist means thanksgiving, derived from the Greek Eucharistia. In celebrating the Eucharist, we join Jesus in His Last Supper, a moment of profound gratitude. Yet, it remains a mystery, a reality we cannot fully explain but can only be deeply experienced. It is like a door that opens to the divine, allowing us to participate in the prayer and love of Jesus. This mystery is not just a historical event but one we enter into every time we celebrate Mass. In the Eucharist, we step into Jesus’ love, gift, and communion with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As Pope Benedict XVI said, “The happiness you have a right to enjoy has a name and a face: It is Jesus of Nazareth, hidden in the Eucharist.” Each Mass is a sacred encounter with this deep mystery of love.

Everyone is Welcome

In the Gospel, God does not discriminate between good and bad, worthy and unworthy. All are welcome at the Lord’s table. The Eucharist is not reserved for the pure or the sinless; it is a celebration for everyone – the broken, the lost, the hopeful, and the grateful. Entry is free and open to all who seek to experience God’s love. We gather as a community, not because we are perfect, but because we are united in our need for God’s grace.

Sr Shalini Xavier CTC

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How fit are you?

Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually?

A very good example of fitness was Mahatma Gandhi. He kept himself trim and fit. When he was in his sixties, and the government sent soldiers to accompany him during his travels (frequently on foot), they found it hard to keep up with him. He had enormous stamina—the result of a very disciplined and active life.

He was not just physically fit. Mentally, he knew how to deal with complex political and legal issues. He replied to letters. He published articles regularly. His collected works come to one hundred large volumes.

As for emotional fitness, he was known as calm and serene, and not put off by the harsh and cruel treatment he often faced.

As for spiritual fitness, well, we have hardly any other politician who was also seen and followed as a deeply spiritual man. In fact, this is what Albert Einstein wrote about him, “Future generations will scarce believe that such a one as this in flesh and blood walked the earth.” In fact, in Einstein’s final years, the only picture he kept in his office was a photo of Mahatma Gandhi.

How fit are you?

Do you take responsibility for your overall fitness, and take the necessary steps to stay fit?

Fr Joe Mannath SDB

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Some Fundamental Questions:

• Do you as an individual enjoy interacting with people and sharing time and ideas with them?
• Do people in need come to you readily to share with you, their situation?
• Do all those who live together in your community feel wanted and accepted?
• Is there an atmosphere of friendship, spontaneity and cohesiveness among those who live together?
• Are people in your place of ministry, friendly and understanding although they are from different regions and social status?
• Is there an honest attempt in communities to intervene if there are social inequalities?

In the process of finding answers to these questions, we will also come to understand the fourth aspect of the Wholeness Paradigm, namely, the social dimension.

The Concept of Social Dimension

What does Social Dimension mean in the context of the wholeness paradigm? It refers to the interpersonal relationships and interactions between individuals within a society or community. Social dimension is an integral part of human societies and plays a crucial role in shaping our daily lives. It might vary across cultures and time periods, but there are many common features that facilitate social cohesion and solidarity. Some of these features are: interpersonal relationships, communication, cooperation, conflict resolution, and social norms. Additionally, the social dimension helps people to form connections, to exchange information and to support one another.

Fr. Dr. Joseph Jeyaraj, sdb

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Stuti Sharma—the name echoed across our school campus and was on everyone’s lips: students, teachers, co-workers, parents, and even drivers. Who was Stuti Sharma? What had she done to become so famous?

One day, a parent walked into the office and handed me some money. “This is for Stuti Sharma,” he said. “Please make sure she gets it.” I looked at him, seeing the firm, confident expression of a middle-aged man, with a hidden contentment as if he had given from a widow’s mite. I took the money with shivering hands and nodded in affirmation. My mind wandered off, sinking silently into thoughts of the past. It all started just one month before when four young people – two boys and two girls—rushed into the office. After I invited them to take a seat, one of them said, “Stuti Sharma, a class ten student at your school and our cousin, has been diagnosed with cancer. She needs to undergo surgery soon. Her parents, in utter shock and despair, are in a hospital in Lucknow with her, and they need help – both financially and emotionally.”

Stuti Sharma was a fresh, budding student of class ten who was suddenly diagnosed with cancer, which had developed after a neglected boil under her left arm. Her class teacher mentioned that she had been absent for many days without submitting a leave application. I assured her cousins that we would willingly help and support them, though I had no idea how it would be possible. Stuti Sharma unknowingly became our priority as her name was announced during the morning assembly. She became a constant topic of discussion, and many prayers were offered by our students, who stood with folded hands, imploring God, the Creator, to save her from..

SR POONAM CJ

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As we mark the 800th anniversary of the Stigmata of Francis of Assisi, it is fitting to reflect on the profound journey of this remarkable figure, whose life and wounds continue to inspire. This essay, “Wounds of a Wounded Pilgrim: Seedbed of Flowers,” by our renowned Franciscan scholar Fr Gerry Lobo OFM, delves into how Francis’s transformative encounter with the leper and his subsequent experiences illustrate the deep impact of suffering and the embodiment of Gospel values.

Francis of Assisi, immersed in a profound meditation on the peak of Mount La Verna, experienced a divine encounter in September 1224, possibly around the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. During this mystical moment, the wounds of Christ’s Passion—known as the Stigmata—were imprinted upon his body. This event is supported by ample historical evidence and remains a powerful testimony to the spiritual depths Francis reached.

Wounds Degrade, But Wounds Also Heal

The well-known words of Scripture declare, “By His wounds, we are healed.” Wounds, while bearing the potential to heal, can also lead to profound suffering, even death, particularly when they are inflicted by others. In our contemporary society, elderly people are often marked by the weight of life’s trials. They carry the burdens of aging—physical infirmities—but also emotional and psychological wounds. These may stem from painful experiences such as separation, bereavement, loneliness, and, tragically, rejection by their own loved ones. Some of these wounds remain raw, as though they have been flayed alive.

Fr Gerry Lobo, OFM

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Magnet is a magazine run by the Conference of Religious of India. Its readership is mostly the religious of India, as well as some religious overseas.

We, religious, are known for running well-known and much-appreciated institutions—educational, medical and social. So many schools, colleges, hospitals, dispensaries, orphanages, leprosaria, homes for the destitute, etc., are run well by the religious of India.

Much work is done by women and men religious. That many of our institutions are run efficiently and in a proper manner is something that hardly needs to be proved.

We are trained for work. Often, this seems to be the main reason—and it should not be!—for the so-called “vocation promotion” drives of religious orders and dioceses. Institutions and organizations need hands for work—to teach, to administer institutions, to build and maintain structures, to run errands, to do purchases, to provide nursing care, …

Years of preparation go into this—for both religious and priests. Much time and money are invested in the preparation.

And yet, studies reveal some serious gaps and flaws in the training of religious and priests. One of the main weaknesses is in what is called human formation.

Fr Joe Mannath SDB

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The tragedy that struck Wayanad on the night of July 30, 2024, was nothing short of catastrophic. A devastating landslide triggered by relentless monsoon rains and a sudden cloudburst claimed over 415 lives, with more than 200 people still missing. The once picturesque district of Kerala, known for its lush hills and valleys, now bears the scars of unimaginable loss and destruction.

We friars, with our friary located within a 20-kilometer radius of the disaster, witnessed firsthand the horror and devastation that unfolded. Many of those who survived had nothing but the soaked and tattered clothes on their backs as they scrambled for safety in the dark, cold, and rain. They sought refuge in the hills and woods, amidst the very real danger of wild elephants, clinging to life with fear in their hearts and tears in their eyes. Entire families, including migrant workers, lost loved ones as the landslides reduced homes, schools, places of worship, and vital infrastructure to rubble. The once-gentle Chaliyar River and the beautiful streams of Chooralmala hill turned into torrents of destruction, leaving behind a landscape of despair.

Wayanad, one of the most underdeveloped districts in Kerala, is a region of breathtaking natural beauty but limited infrastructure. The area has no train or flight services, with the nearest railway station or airport located about 100 kilometers away. Our friary, Prakruthi Mithra—meaning “Friend of Nature”—is nestled in the remote village of Meppadi Panchayat, surrounded by marginalized communities, including tribal hamlets, tea garden workers, and settlers from various cultures and religions. Here, we strive to promote a harmonious relationship with nature, respecting, protecting, and sustaining the environment.

Fr. Babu Jose Pamplany OFM

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“You may call God love; you may call God goodness. But the best name for God is compassion.”

— Meister Eckhart.

We ended the previous article saying, “the one quality that can offset the deficiencies that empathy sometimes falls prey to is undoubtedly, COMPASSION.” Yes, indeed! Compassion is that outstanding quality which has an immense impact, both on every individual and the society as a whole. It is a pity that people consider compassion as a weakness rather than a strength. In a world that favours cut-throat competition and power-mongering, compassionate people are seen as ‘weak individuals’, lacking strong qualities such as determination, firmness and steadfastness. The milieu of priestly and religious life is not an exception to this rule. In this final article on the emotional dimension of my wholeness paradigm, it behoves well to discuss, what I would term as, ‘the pinnacle of all human qualities’, and as I had mentioned in an earlier issue, “compassion is a Godly quality.”

There is one person in the Catholic tradition, who stands as a symbol of compassion. He has been proclaimed as the patron saint of compassion. He has stood the test of times to truly embody and symbolize a quality that was becoming obsolete and redundant. In a cultural and religious context wherein, even the Catholic Church was waging wars and crusades against its enemies, this person stood apart and lived a life of compassion. And that person is, Saint Francis of Assisi, who is one of my all-time favourite saints. In his ‘Canticle of the Creatures’ or ‘Laudato Sì’, Saint Francis demonstrated his deep appreciation and love for all creatures. He understood that all living things were interconnected and that every creature was related to the other as if they were all ‘one family’. No wonder then, he could address the sun as “brother” and moon as “sister”. We will talk more about him in the course of this article.

Fr. Dr. Joseph Jeyaraj, sdb

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