Special Days

In this 12th article of the Council Notebooks series, the author explores the profound significance of Sunday in the life of the Church. Drawing from Pope Francis’ Desiderio Desideravi, the article highlights Sunday as more than a day of rest—it is a gift of grace, a weekly opportunity for the faithful to encounter the risen Christ through the Eucharist. With a focus on liturgical, theological, and pastoral dimensions, the author invites us to rediscover the transformative power of Sunday in our spiritual lives. How can we, in our busy and distracted world, allow Sunday to truly become the day that renews us in body, mind, and spirit?

Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter Desiderio Desideravi invites the faithful to reflect on Sunday not just as a day of rest, but as a profound encounter with the Risen Christ. The Sunday Eucharist, central to the Church’s life, is a powerful moment of communion with Christ and the Church. As Pope Francis writes, “From Sunday to Sunday, Communion in the Body and Blood of Christ aims to make our lives a sacrifice pleasing to the Father.” This volume explores Sunday through the lenses of Liturgy, Theology, and Pastoral care.

The Prominent Place of Sunday

Sunday holds a prominent place in the life of the Church, with the Eucharist as its focal point. The centrality of Sunday in the liturgical calendar was emphasized at Vatican II. The Constitution on the Liturgy made it clear that Sunday is a day to commemorate Christ’s Resurrection, a day of collective worship where the faithful are invited to experience the Paschal Mystery anew. This transformation of Sunday into a day of grace and renewal is a core teaching of the Church.

Sr Shalini Xavier CTC

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The term “sacrament” holds a profound and multi-layered meaning within Christian theology. It goes beyond just rituals or ceremonies, carrying deep spiritual significance. To truly understand what a sacrament entails, one must examine its biblical roots, historical evolution, and its ongoing significance in contemporary Christian life. The sacraments are channels of divine grace, connecting us to the mystery of God’s love and salvation.

1. Jesus Christ, the Foundation of the Christian Sacraments

At the heart of Christian sacramental theology lies Jesus Christ. He is not only the foundation but the very fulfillment of the Sacraments. As the Word made flesh, He is the ultimate revelation of God’s love. In Him, heaven and earth meet; He is the bridge between the divine and the human. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus instituted the sacraments to carry on His work of salvation.

Consider the moment of Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River. In Matthew 3:16-17, Scripture tells us, “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately He went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on Him. And behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.'” This moment marks not only the beginning of Christ’s public ministry but also the beginning of sacramental life, where the visible sign (the water) conveys the invisible grace of the Holy Spirit.  The sacraments are encounters with Christ, who is the ultimate source of grace.

Sr Shalini Xavier CTC

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Sr. Celine, who spent a year in the childhood home of Pope Paul VI in Concesio, Brescia, reflects on his historic 1964 visit to India and its profound impact. As we commemorate the 60th anniversary of this journey, we are reminded of the Church’s legacy as pilgrims of hope, peace, and fraternity. This reflection calls us to embrace the spirit of mission and unity that continues to inspire the Church today as we approach the Jubilee Year. This is the first article in a series of three, delving deeper into the significance of this visit and its lasting influence.

“We bring you the greetings of the peoples we have met on our pilgrimage…. It is precisely those peoples that we point out to you, an example of religiosity, patience, industriousness, serene and conscious humility, always full of hope and goodness.” Memorable words of Paul VI on Sunday, December 6, 1964, at the Angelus, after his return from his pilgrimage to India. He was overwhelmed by the surprising welcome and friendship from huge crowds of Christians as well as from people belonging to other faiths.

Equally significant and heart-warming are his words during the General Audience on Wednesday, December 9, 1964, “India’s historical, civil and social aspect, extremely rich, that fill our soul with admiration, esteem, sympathy for that immense people, so religious, so patient, so industrious, so open to every modern development…”

CELINE D’CUNHA FMA

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“We often focus on so many urgent but unnecessary things. We occupy and preoccupy ourselves with so many secondary realities. Perhaps without even recognizing it, we neglect what counts the most and we allow our love for God to grow cold bit by bit. Jesus offers us the remedy to rekindle a tepid faith. And what is the remedy? Prayer,” affirms Pope Francis.

We are fortunate to live 2024 as the Year of Prayer in preparation for the Jubilee Year 2025.  Pope Francis has dedicated it to rediscover the great value and absolute need for prayer in our life.

Prayer allows us to stay connected to God’s love on a daily basis. Often, we can get immersed in our myriad activities, which seem to be urgent and necessary.  But as Consecrated People, prayer should be our priority. That is the essence of our Consecrated Life and the fruitfulness of our mission.

INDIFFERENCE – MODERN SPIRITUAL SICKNESS

Often, we have to battle with our spiritual sickness of indifference to spiritual matters. Not that we choose it, but we do not make sufficient effort to fight against it. Indifference can destroy our passion and excitement for spiritual matters, and leave us weary and frustrated, exhausted and empty. No wonder why so many priests and religious allow themselves to be enticed by fame and name, power and popularity, and become easy prey to worldly standards. What would our life be without God, without passion and zeal, without fervour and enthusiasm, without a captivating smile and a heart full of love?

St. Augustine realized the futility of the fleeting pleasure of this world when he said: “To fall in love with God is the greatest of romances; to seek him, the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement.” We all need a good and healthy dose of such romance. Don’t we?

CELINE D’CUNHA FMA

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‘Lord, teach us to pray,’ with this motto Pope Francis inaugurated the Year of Prayer 2024. He is inviting all of us to discover the value of daily prayer in our lives, encouraging us to pray that this Holy Year will have an impact on the whole Church and on the holiness of Christians. We are almost at the threshold of the Jubilee Year 2025. Pope Francis will solemnly open the Holy Door and inaugurate the Jubilee Year 2025, on December 24, 2024 at St. Peter’s Basilica. Therefore, I thought of dedicating this article on the first petition of the disciples to Jesus: ‘Lord, teach us to pray.’

‘One day, Jesus was praying in a certain place and when He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray…” (Lk 11:1). From the Gospel of Luke, we can discover the prayer life of Jesus. ‘Jesus would often withdraw to solitary places to pray’ (Lk 5:16). The choice of the twelve apostles is preceded, by Jesus going ‘up a hill to pray. He spent the whole night in prayer with God’ (Lk 6. 12-13). Before the transfiguration, Jesus ‘went up on the mountain to pray…’ (Lk 9:28-29). At His baptism, ‘as He was praying the heavens opened…’ (Lk 3:21). Mark tells us that Jesus ‘got up when it was still dark and went out and withdrew to a deserted place and there he prayed’ (Mk 1: 35). Jesus prayed and He asked His disciples to pray and sustain Him in His moments of trial (cf. Lk 22: 39-46).

Sr. CELINE D’CUNHA FMA

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Teaching, once a noble calling, has become an ordeal in today’s world. This makes it crucial for teachers to find deep inspiration to engage with students meaningfully. This inspiration comes from recognizing the innate holiness and dignity of the classroom, where students are like unacknowledged deities. My hope is to awaken or confirm an understanding of this profound dignity—something often hard to see, yet undeniably present. Though my experience as a teacher is limited, the wisdom I’ve gained is deep and fruitful. I’ve engaged young children with enthusiasm, walked school corridors with the eyes of an inspector, supported stressed 10th graders preparing for exams, witnessed the competitive spirit in students, and listened to the long stories of both students and teachers. These varied experiences have convinced me that the calling of a Christian teacher is best realized by viewing the classroom as a place of divine encounter. I know I’m not alone in this belief. Many science teachers view the universe through the lens of faith, math teachers are devoted to their faith, and English teachers pray, shaping their vision with faith and charity. Business and economics teachers challenge students to integrate morality into every aspect of life. Principals who love the Christian faith work hard to promote life-giving principles in their schools. What do I want to say to these teachers? I want to assure them that they do experience holiness and dignity within the classroom walls, even if they are often unaware of it.

Melting of a Candle

The ordeal of a teacher is shaped by the daily sufferings, stresses, and struggles they endure. This truth highlights that our daily crosses are not signs of something profoundly wrong but affirmations that things are as they should be. Like a candle, we bring light and warmth to others only at the expense of ourselves—that is the law of the cross. Without understanding this, we cannot fully grasp the essence of our teaching mission. Mother Teresa often said, “You can’t do God’s work without suffering.” Christians seem to have forgotten this irrefutable truth. If your work is easy and devoid of the cross, it might be good work, but it might not be God’s work. The Christian calling involves entering into Christ’s suffering. Perhaps things aren’t meant to be easy. Many teachers define a good day as smooth and hassle free, and a bad day as one filled with stress and confrontations. From a Christian perspective, this mindset is unproductive and fruitless. The New Testament reminds us: “Blessed are those who mourn…those who hunger and thirst for what is right…those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake” (Mt. 5:3-12). Most importantly, “If anyone wishes to follow me, let him renounce himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Lk. 9:23). Pain is a daily reality for those who choose to follow Jesus. “Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it, but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.” St. Paul also teaches, “I am happy to suffer for you now, and in my own body, to make up all the hardships that still must be undergone by Christ for the sake of his Body, the Church.”

SR DR FLOROPIA BORGES UMI

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Pope Francis offers hope as a gift for the Jubilee year of 2025, addressing a world plagued by war, violence, poverty, and ecological crises. In his Bull, titled Spes non confundit (“hope does not disappoint”), he calls for a global fund to combat hunger and support the sick, elderly, and poor, suggesting funds be redirected from military expenses. The Jubilee year will feature the opening of a Holy Door in a prison, themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” for both visitors to Rome and those celebrating in their local churches.

A common date for Easter

In the document, Pope Francis recalls the 2015 Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy and looks ahead to the 2000th anniversary of the Redemption in 2033. He also highlights the upcoming 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicea, which addressed the date of Easter. The Pope appeals to all Christians, East and West, to unite around a common date for Easter (17).

The opening of the Holy Door

Pope Francis announces that the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica will open on December 24, 2024, marking the start of the Ordinary Jubilee year. On December 29, he will open the Holy Door of San Giovanni Laterano, followed by the Holy Door of Santa Maria Maggiore on January 1, 2025, and San Paolo fuori le Mura on January 5. These three Holy Doors will close on December 28, 2025. On December 29, 2024, bishops will celebrate the Eucharist in their cathedrals to inaugurate the Jubilee Year. The Jubilee will conclude with the closing of the Holy Door of St. Peter on January 6, 2026, the Feast of the Epiphany (6).

Fr Dr G. Dolin MMI

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On 19^th December, 2011, UNO passed the resolution to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child. Since 11^th October, 2012, the Day is marked as such to bring to the fore the challenges of the girl child and empower and fulfil the human rights of every girl child by providing equal opportunity for her development.  The theme of the current year is: “Our time is now—our rights, our future.”

Social and economic discrimination, gender-based violence, inequality in opportunities and various forms of exploitation against girl children are rampant in most of the underdeveloped and developing societies and countries. Hence, the world needs to act to improve the lot of the girl child.

How do we go forward?

We can learn much from what one family in Haryana did.

Mahavir Singh Phogat, a former wrestler from Balali village in Bhiwani district, Haryana, had a dream—to win a medal for India. However, he was unable to fulfil this aspiration. He desired to bring the honour to the country through his sons. Unexpectantly, he fathered only girl children. Nevertheless, his ambition was still burning deep within. A mental change happened in him towards his daughters when Karnam Malleswari won an Olympic medal for India—the first Indian woman to do so. His dormant dream began to take visibility in his daughters. He was determined, at all costs, to mould his first two daughters, Geeta and Babita, into champions that the country would look up to.

So, the long arduous journey began. Phogat had to break many norms of the society for girls. The daughters wore shorts instead of salwar kameez; their lovely hair was cropped. To make it worse, to strengthen the girls, he compelled them to wrestle with boys. It was a battle of thoughts, beliefs and perception. The villagers ridiculed the girls. His wife opposed him; his own daughters conspired to foil his plans.  The whole proposal seemed preposterous and shameful.  Later he had to fight for his daughters with wrestling bodies at local national levels. But his dream for her daughters infused with determination and courage saw the day.  Geeta was the first woman to win a medal for India at the Commonwealth Games, New Delhi, in 2012. Together with Babita, the two have won twenty-nine medals at international competitions, not to mention the national championships. What more? Inspired by their elder wrestling sisters, two younger sisters and two cousins took up wrestling. The Phogat sisters have won hearts and more importantly, they are inspiring girls to fight to succeed. It all began with one man believing in the potential of girls.

We can learn three lessons from this true story. We can wrap the lessons under Stephen Covey’s famous Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

1. Put the First things First – Change of Mentality Towards Women: The root cause of perpetration of any form of discrimination and crime is individual and collective erroneous thinking. Until men and even women change their beliefs and notions of women, the voices of girls will be muffled; violence, exploitation and depravation will last. In the case of the Phogat sisters, it began with the change in the mind of their father. Gradually, the change caught on in the villages of Haryana and in the nation.
2. Begin with the End in Mind – Invest on the girl child for a better future: If only we realized how much women can contribute to the enrichment of families, societies and nations, we would invest more resources and provide opportunities for the development of girls who will be mothers and leaders in many walks of life. Mr Mahavir had a belief in the potentialities of his daughters. Moreover, he had a dream for them. He never ever doubted this. Belief in the power of women counts.
3. Be Proactive – Passionate Commitment to the Cause of the Girl Child: A ceremonial celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child will not do much good for numerous disadvantaged girls of the world. Life-changing steps must be taken for promotion of their good. Passionate commitment, unchartered initiatives, unhindered courage and determination is needed at all levels to transform the plight of girls. We need more Mahavirs who see and believe in the potential of girls and women.

Fr Shilanand Kerketta SDB

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International Peace Day is celebrated the world over on 21^st September.  It was established in 1981 by the UN through a unanimous resolution by the observation of non-violence and cease fire.  The aim of the celebration is to motivate countries to adopt the ideals of peace and make conscious efforts to promote peace in the world.  The day invites the whole world to commit to establishment of a culture of peace above all differences.

Today, more than ever, we are experiencing division and violence within and without. Hatred and violence in all forms are visible in personal and social media. The factors and agents of such evil seem to be gaining strength. Therefore, what the world needs is peace at all levels – personal, family, society, national and international. We need strong leaders, individuals, common people, young and old, as builders of peace.

Social and political actions in promotion of freedom, justice, equality, fraternity, human dignity, gender equality contribute greatly to the building of peace. Thus, there are many roads to peace. Here I would like to present some of these.

1. The road of freedom for all: Abraham Lincoln took a very rough road of freedom to establish peace and harmony in the United States in the midst of civil war during his presidency. When he was elected president of America, he used all his resources—mind and heart, his intelligence, courage and determination—to grant equality of right and opportunity to the African Americans by ensuring ratification of the thirteenth amendment to the American Constitution. Hereby slavery was abolished in America.
2. The road of non-violence: The father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi, fought for the freedom of India by non-violent protests against British rule. He took up the weapon of ahimsa against the military and administrative might of the English. Gandhiji has inspired millions of people to walk the road of non-violence. Prominent among them are Martin Luther King Junior, Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi.
3. The road of reconciliation: Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for twenty-eight years as a political criminal for his fight against apartheid in South Africa. For eighteen years, he was a stone cutter in the quarries of Robben Island. He was released in 1990 and was elected as the first Black president of South Africa. He had every reason to be angry and revengeful. But on assuming the office of the president, he chose the road of reconciliation. He used his persuasive skill, political intelligence and will to reconcile the races in South Africa.
4. The road of gender equality: Discrimination and violence against women and children are some of the biggest roadblocks towards peace. Hence, anyone who works against these evils is a champion of peace. This is true about Malala Yousufzai, Nobel laureate for Peace at the age of seventeen, the youngest to receive the award. Even as a teenager she became the voice of women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan. For her campaign for women’s right to education, she was shot at. Through all these battles she came to be recognized internationally as the icon of women empowerment and dignity.
5. The Road of charity and service: Mother Teresa said “… the fruit of service is peace.”  She offered her life in the selfless service of the poorest of the poor and the distressed. She awoke the conscience of the world to the most needy and vulnerable. Her contribution to the world peace through her charitable services was acclaimed by the world community. Subsequently, Mother Teresa was honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.
6. The road of silence, interiority and prayer: Peace begins in the heart of human beings. Great angels of peace are men and women of peace within—a fruit of profound interior life. A 12^th century Italian saint, Francis of Assisi, was truly a man of peace. He was able to live in harmony with nature. The birds and beasts, the trees and flowers, the Sun and the Moon were his brothers and sisters. Such a degree of harmony is possible only for a person who has renounced all forms of division within.

The call of Peace Day for all is to be bearers of peace in all situations and places. Every effort, big or small is needed to bring in the reign of peace. Let the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi be ours in thought and deed: “Make me a channel of your peace; where there is hatred, let me bring your love; where there is injury pardon….”

Fr Shilanand Kerketta SDB

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12 August:

International Youth Day

The International Youth Day (IFD) is celebrated annually on August 12 since 2000. The objective of the world-wide event is to invite governments, NGOs and other organizations and institutions to empower the young people and engage them in social action and initiatives for achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN proposes a theme for every IYD to focus on a particular issue that affects the world. The theme of the current year is Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages. The UNO places before the world the challenges arising of ageism—the thinking, feeling and acting that arises on account of age.

Over 1.2 billion people in the world are youth. This is a colossal human resource that can be harnessed and employed to better the world—to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. I propose a three-fold strategy for maximum utilization of youth power in the world:

1. Empower and employ through quality education: Young people need to be prepared to contribute to the world through quality education and skill training. Unemployment is very high in the third world and in the developing countries owing to lack of quality education. Education is a powerful means of empowering the young to find a respectable place in society and make a significant contribution to it.
2. Liberate through holistic education: The current reality of the major portion of youth population is enslavement of erroneous ideologies, pornography, personal and social media abuse, alcohol and substance abuse, etc. We cannot think of harnessing the youth power unless they are set free from any form of slavery. Our social, religious and educational interventions have to focus on freeing the young mind, body and soul from any form of entrapment.
3. Translate youth power into social action: The 2016 UN report gives account of the 17 ways in which the young people all over the world are bringing about changes in the societies and nations. Given the opportunity and the right motivation, the young can be a strong force for social change. Obviously, they need to be prepared adequately and accompanied in their initiatives and actions.

21 August:

Senior Citizen’s Day

World Senior Citizen’s Day, observed on August 21, is meant to create awareness of the issues and concerns of the older adults, namely, health deterioration and abuse and to recognize, acknowledge and to express gratitude to the aging generation for their contribution to the society, nations and the world at large.

Three Basic Attitudes

Here are two foundational assumptions to help us change our attitude and behaviour towards the elderly:

Focus on a person’s true worth: In the world ruled by the principle of use and throw, we need to return to the foundational understanding of a human person.  He/she is beautiful and worthwhile beyond and above his/her economic contribution or usefulness. A person is worthy of love and acceptance and care just because he/she is a human being—an image of God. The world stands in need of this supernatural vision, particularly towards the sick and the elderly.

Awareness of mutual giftedness: In one of his books, Fr Henri Nouwen, world-famous author,  talks of a young man called Adam whom he looked after. Adam was born with severe multiple handicaps, both physical and mental. He was completely dependent on others for everything—gettng up,, brushing his teeth, bathing, eating, moving. In caring for him, Henri Nouwen became deeply aware that they were gifts to each other.  Both gave and received love from each other.  The most beautiful truth of life is that no matter who a person is, he/she is a gift. The world must take pains to discover the giftedness of the elderly. In turn, the elderly have to make effort to see the giftedness of the younger generation.

Gratitude: We owe so much to the elderly and to previous generations. Whatever we enjoy and use—medicines, clothes, modes of travel, buildings, food items—are not things we invented. We owe it all to previous generations and to the older persons in our midst. We owe more than we realize or admit to our parents, teachers, employees, doctors, nurses, who have do so much for us ever since our conception and birth. We cannot pay them adequately for this. The least we can do is to look after them lovingly and gratefully, learn from their wisdom (and their mistakes) and to try to improve on that, without denying the huge capital we have become of those who are older and those who have lived before us.

Fr Shilanand Kerketta SDB

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