Spirituality

In this edition, Sr. Tessy explores seven key dimensions of Bl. Mary Theresa Scherer’s personality and spirituality, revealing her faith, wisdom, and compassion. As we approach the 2025 Jubilee, may her life inspire our path of service. Stay tuned for the concluding part in the next issue!

“Don’t lose heart; look up to Him, from whom all strength proceeds.”

           Bl. Mary Theresa Scherer

Core Grace:

“You are precious in my sight, honoured and loved.”  (Is. 43:2)

The Christian vision sees every person as God’s child, created in love and for love, precious and worthy. At her core, Blessed Mary Theresa Scherer deeply believed she was a precious child of God, unconditionally loved by Him. Her unwavering trust in God’s goodness and her filial relationship with God formed the foundation of her spiritual life, making her whole and holy.

Sr. Tessy Churanadu SCSC

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Each year, February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, we celebrate the World Day of Consecrated Life, a celebration initiated by Pope St. John Paul II in 1997, to recognise and honour the gift of Consecrated Life within the Church and to pray for those who dedicate their lives to God through religious vows. Their witness of faith, selfless service and unconditional love and dedication is a beacon of HOPE for our world today.  For Consecrated People, it is a grace-filled event, an invitation to celebrate joyfully and live gratefully the gift of their Consecration to God, to renew their commitment, to rekindle the fervour of their ‘First Love,’ by living the gift of their Consecration to God with enthusiasm and joy.

In the heart of the Jubilee 2025, this celebration carries even deeper significance as the Universal Church and Local Churches alike come together to reflect on the beauty, greatness and prophetic witness of Consecrated Life.  Jubilee of Consecrated life will be celebrated on October 8-12, 2025 wherein thousands of Consecrated Persons are expected to come to Rome to pray together, for a pilgrimage through the Holy Door, and to celebrate the gift of God’s call. The Church wants to highlight the irreplaceable role of consecrated persons in the Church and their profound contribution to a world in need of Hope.

Sr.  CELINE D’CUNHA FMA

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Priests and the religious men and women are in an advantageous position to offer CONTRIBUTION to the world and the community to which they belong because their whole life of commitment is geared towards contributing to the well-being of others. Down the centuries, priests and religious sisters have been contributing to the physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual dimensions of people, and continue to do so, also in these times. However, in the present-day society, there are three specific areas in which priests and the religious need to contribute. These require our urgent attention today since our world is beset with major issues in relation to ecological dangers, digital abuses and lack of collaborative effort in helping the poor. There are two current issues to which the contribution of priests and religious sisters can have a significant impact. And they are:

1. 1. Ecological and Environmental Stewardship
   2. Constructive participation in Digital consumption and production

1. Ecological and Environmental Stewardship

            Environmental stewardship is the responsible use and care of the environment to ensure its preservation for future generations. In Pope Francis words, it is to care for our common home – a seminal idea that he so forcefully explained in Laudati Sì that climate is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all: “Environmental problems cannot be separated from…how individuals relate to themselves” (LS, 141).  Environmental stewardship is a sacred duty of every citizen of the world, much more so of priests and religious because they are the ones required to be most attuned to respect and cherish the richness that Nature offers us. Their renouncement of materialistic pulls in order that they may better witness to the creative magnificence of God, makes them worthy ambassadors who can care for the Earth wholeheartedly.

Fr. Dr. Joseph Jeyaraj, sdb

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St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) lived through the 16th and 17th centuries and made a lasting impact on the Church. Honoured as a patron in many dioceses, his spirituality continues to inspire even after four centuries. He was a son, student, priest, missionary, writer, and bishop. His feast is celebrated on 24^th January.

His spirituality is followed by many congregations and continues to attract young people today. In Sydney, the Maternal Heart of Mary Church hosts monthly sessions on his writings, attended by professionals and students. His simple, practical, and down-to-earth teachings remain accessible to all.

Human Spirituality

In his book Introduction to the Devout Life, translated into many languages, St. Francis de Sales, emphasized the universal call to holiness long before Vatican II. He wrote, “God commands Christians, the living plants of His Church, to produce the fruits of devotion according to each one’s ability and occupation.” He also highlighted that devotion should be adapted to an individual’s strength, life situation, and duties. His saying, “I am nothing but human,” underscores the dignity he places on being human.

Spirituality of Love

St. Francis de Sales’ spirituality emphasizes love: “Nothing by force. Everything by love.” His Treatise on the Love of God and Treatise on the Love of Neighbor reflect his deep focus on God’s love and love for others. Pope Francis, in Dilexit Nos, affirms that “the deepest part of us, created for love, will fulfill God’s plan only if we learn to love,” with the heart symbolizing this love. St. Francis highlights God’s personal love, which allows each believer to feel known and respected. His motto, “Live Jesus,” calls us to learn and live the love of Jesus.

Spirituality of Humility

St. Francis de Sales, despite his stature as a bishop, regarded humility as the greatest Christian virtue. He believed humility involved overcoming reactions in humiliating situations and responding gently, even to spiteful people. He encouraged embracing humility and humiliation, following Jesus’ example: “Come to me, all who are overburdened… for I am meek and humble of heart.” Known for guiding others with love and compassion, he earned the title of the “Gentleman Saint.”

Fr Vincy Samy MSFS

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Christmas has always held a special place in my heart. It’s a time for love, celebration, and reflection. I was born on Christmas Day, 25th December, to a simple and loving family. My parents, Marriayappa and Hellean Mary, worked hard to support us, and love was always at the center of our home. I wasn’t born alone—God sent me a twin, Jaswanth Christy, as my lifelong companion. Together, we grew up in a world full of warmth, with Christmas always being a magical time for us.

During our childhood in a boarding school in Mysore, Karnataka, Christmas meant more than just decorations and gifts—it was a time to reflect on the deeper meaning of love and connection. We wanted this Christmas to be different. We longed to surprise our parents with a meaningful gift to show our appreciation for their love and sacrifices. We discussed ideas and decided to create simple yet heartfelt gifts.

The plan was set. We pooled our resources, put our creativity to work, and prepared thoughtful presents. As the day to head home for the holidays approached, excitement filled the air. But in my haste to pull the gift from the bag, it slipped from my hand and fell to the floor. The beautiful glass menagerie, with a picture of our family, shattered.

I was devastated. Our heartfelt gift had broken, and our efforts seemed wasted. But when we presented the broken gift to our parents, their reaction was nothing like I expected. They hugged us tightly and kissed our foreheads, reassuring us that the love behind the gift was what mattered most. The gift was broken, but not the love that bound us. In that moment, I realized Christmas is truly about love—the love God showed us by sending His only Son and the love we share with those closest to us.

Sch Jayanth Christy SJ

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Dilexit Nos (He Loved Us), released on October 24, 2024, is Pope Francis’ fourth encyclical. Its incipit, or opening phrase, Dilexit Nos (He Loved Us) is drawn from Romans 8:37, where St. Paul proclaims that nothing can ever separate us from Christ’s love.

Since 1899, four papal encyclicals and numerous papal texts have been dedicated to the Sacred Heart, each ranging from 2,000 to 13,000 words. Comparatively, this 28,000-word encyclical is notably lengthy, with 227 footnotes not counting the numerous scripture references. Citing previous popes, authors, and saints like St. Ignatius, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, St. Charles de Foucauld, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux, it’s clear Pope Francis has done a thorough homework for this deeply significant topic.

In June this year, the month the Church traditionally dedicates to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Pope declared his intention to release a document on this devotion in the autumn hoping to “illuminate the path of ecclesial renewal but also to say something significant to a world that seems to have lost its heart.”

THE CLEVER TIMING OF ITS RELEASE

In a surprise move, Pope Francis released Dilexit Nos, his latest encyclical, just as the Synod on Synodality was drawing to a close. This timing is no coincidence. The Pope is urging us to grasp the deeper purpose behind the synodality conversations. Many Catholics, following the synod, have been asking, “What changes will this synod bring to the Church?” Yet, through Dilexit Nos, Pope Francis redirects the question back to us: it is OUR hearts that need transforming, aligning with the Sacred Heart of Jesus to become more like His.

At the encyclical’s unveiling on October 24, Archbishop Bruno Forte called the encyclical the ‘compendium’ and ‘key’ to understanding Pope Francis’ pontificate. While some critics argue that Pope Francis’ papacy has been too social, neglecting the theological thrust, Archbishop Forte emphasized that Dilexit Nos lays bare the spiritual core behind the Holy Father’s 12-year pontificate.

What follows are highlights of the encyclical’s five chapters.

Br Sunil Britto CFC

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From the moment we were born, the world began teaching us its rules. Rewards were given for ‘good’ behaviour, punishment for the rest. We made internal promises or ‘agreements’ about who we needed to be. We learned to chase the elusive approval of society: be beautiful, be smart, don’t cry, and excel. Love, it seemed, was conditional.

Now, as adults, we are still bound by those early agreements, believing that perfection will earn us love. But perfection is an illusion, and in its pursuit, we judge ourselves and others harshly.

In his bestselling book The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz invites us to courageously undo these false agreements. Instead, he offers four new agreements to free ourselves from the tyranny of perfection and return to the truth of who we really are.

FIRST AGREEMENT FIRST

Being ‘Impeccable with Your Word’ means: “Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the Word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your Word in the direction of truth and love.”

Impeccable comes from the Latin word ‘pecatus’ which means sin and ‘im’ means without. So, being impeccable means your words are without sin. The first agreement is the most important one and also the most difficult one to practice. If you would become conscious of what you say, you would become conscious. What we create with our Word reflects our state of consciousness and intent. “Show me how you speak, and I’ll reveal in what world you live!

To practice the first agreement, you’ll need to work hard at first to maintain awareness. Our ingrained habits often make us unaware of the words we use or their meaning, requiring a conscious practice of this ‘verbal hygiene.

Br. Sunil Britto CFC

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O Lord, author of my life,
The only love of my life,
You gave me the past, called childhood,
Which held both blessings and burdens.
Blessings were Your graces,
Burdens, my sinful embraces.

O Lord, Prince of Peace,
Now You have given me the present,
Which is called Youth,
Full of freedom and choice.
Freedom is Your generosity towards me,
Choice is my responsibility to You.

O Lord, ever-living, ever-loving,
By Your grace, grant me a future,
To be called old age,
Full of hope and anxiety.
Hope in Your fidelity,
Anxiety is my frailty.

Therefore, O Lord, my life,
Hear the prayer of my soul.
In regrets, help me hope;
In crisis, help me hope;
In anxiety, help me hope.
From then, now, and evermore,
Guide me as a pilgrim of hope.

Anish NSJ

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Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror and thought, “Me, a saint? Yeah, right!”? I know I have. The idea of being created to be a saint can seem pretty far-fetched when you’re struggling to get through your day without losing your cool in traffic or gossiping about your coworker.

But here’s the thing: sainthood isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being fully human, with all our brokenness and weaknesses, and still striving to let a little more light into the world. It’s about progress, not perfection.

Think about it this way: remember that time you helped your elderly neighbour with their groceries? Or when you stayed up all night comforting a friend going through a tough time? Those moments, as small as they might seem, are glimpses of the saint you’re meant to be.

Fr Dr John Singarayar SVD

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October is the month of the Rosary, a time when Catholics around the world pause to reflect on this simple yet powerful prayer. Though it may seem like an ancient tradition, the Rosary continues to offer peace, hope, and connection in today’s busy, modern world. Whether whispered in solitude or recited in unison, the Rosary remains a timeless prayer, weaving together faith, devotion, and moments of grace in our everyday lives.

In a world buzzing with smartphones and social media, an ancient practice quietly endures, offering a moment of stillness amidst the chaos. The Rosary, a string of beads and a sequence of prayers, might seem like a relic from a bygone era. Yet, this centuries-old tradition continues to weave its way through the fabric of modern life, touching hearts and minds in surprising ways.

The Rosary in Everyday Life

Picture a bustling city street. Amid the honking horns and hurried footsteps, an elderly woman clutches a worn set of beads, her lips moving in silent prayer. In a college hostel room, a student takes a break from cramming for exams to close his eyes and run his fingers over a simple cord bracelet, each knot representing a prayer. Across the globe, in a refugee camp, a family huddled together, their voices joining in a familiar rhythm of “Hail Marys” that transcends their current hardships.

Fr Dr John Singarayar SVD

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