May Magnet cover page is magnifying and electrifying, in other words tempting/inspiring.
Inspiration (quotes) on Celibacy has excellent quotes of various persons.
Editorial: In his unique way, the editor puts across the beauty and meaning of Consecrated Life, quoting and inviting live testimonies.
Sr. Lini reveals that there are very good and kind persons in and around us who are willing to make sacrifices in order to reach out to the poor in need.
‘Encouragement does wonders’ by Fr. Jose Kuttianimattathil (Tips for Superiors), is very encouraging and enlightening.. as it is supporting someone struggling and affirming one’s achievement; his practical tips to encourage are very stimulating.
Sr. Navya has dealt judiciously and compassionately with the case of expectation or demand made by religious leaving the society/congregation. Today it is happening more and often. Congregations/Societies need to be alert.
Life on the Margins: That there is a search for feeling dignified or feeling whole even in the so called worst of the persons in the society is well exposed in the article ‘Looking for wholeness’ by Bro. Carmel. Is this life of prostitution the opposite of or enemy of celibate life or are these persons held up or those who choose to live such life out of necessity or force opposites and enemies to religious persons today! Food for thought!
Celibacy today: In all his simplicity and honesty, the auhor reveals and opens the Pandora box of our religious life, based on three vows and exposes its possible irrelevance and relevance as well in today’s context. He gives a transparent understanding of human sexuality and how to understand and handle it carefully, safely and contextually, for both women and men religious. The statistics that 53% + of children have gone through sexual trauma is an indication and caution to better understand the individuals, specially joining religious or priestly life and guide them in their true vocation they are created and meant for. His explanation on what Celibacy is and what it is and how to be a celibate by life is very mind blowing and simply enlightening with various live examples. He defines celibacy in simple words as ‘A HEART RULED AND SUSTAINED BY LOVE’ for God and people. Celibates are to be the inspiring models and joyful witnesses people can look up to and get guidance from. Well, the deep question he invites us to pose to ourselves is whether we are mere spinsters and bachelors or really joyful religious persons!! Who and what we are passionate about matters a lot in our celibate life. Is the present style of vocation promotion merely to gather a work force, a type of recruitment process to manage the institute and to work with a hook or is it to serve with love? Thanks, Joe, for this enlightening discussion on the most crucial aspect of life and for answering certain basic questions on celibate life. The answers are down to earth and realistic.
Testimonies are really enriching and inspiring and so we have had in the May issue many personal journeys shared well by various religious persons:
Sr. Esme in her personal journey as a religious fascinates the readers with her vocation story and with the natural way of responding to the Call and finding ways to stay on even in turmoil with conviction. There is a call in and to every person to live the plan and will of god.
Bro. Peter Swaminathan very spiritually motivates us in his personal journey as religious, quoting well the life style of the two nightingales of the indian catholic church—Mother Teresa and Bro. Andrew, who lived the corporal works of mercy and spiritual works of mercy respectively..
Fr. Panneer Selvam, in his journey as a priest, states that it is being faithful to and living the spirituality of one’s conscience is a way to live religious and celibate life, guided by the Holy Spirit and friends and companions. Let us wake up and intrude our conscience.
In ‘Why be celibate,’ Bro. Amalan has manuscripted well saying that celibacy is a gift rather than a choice. It is a liberating gift as it leads to a greater love of God and neighbour without comparison. Celibate life is totally based on the daily encounter with God for a meaningful relationship with people entrusted.
The Doctor writer of ‘a call to greater love’ testifies beautifully that we all belong to God and Him alone, as it is a grace of God. Celibacy is in being in love with God and there is joy in living this life even in our work and in our relationship with people. Her relevant reference to the great spiritual friends, St. Francis de Sales and Madame de Chantal is very timely as the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales and Salesians of Don Bosco and others celebrate the Year of Saint Francis de Sales on his 400th death anniversary (1622-2022). It is worthwhile reading his two classical books Introduction to Devout life and Love of God.
In the sixth and the last testimony in this issue by Mr. Gangai Victor on ‘Something happened’ speaks very explicitly and powerfully about something that really happened in his life and of the conversion he went through in becoming a charismatic. It has transformed his daily life, his marriage and dealings and relationships at home and otherwise. He has found God in his life and placed his life in God.
‘We are all humans –and sisters and brothers’ by Fr. Joe Antony invites our focus and attention on ordinaries and little people, for they too matter like the tiny stars in the sky. He brings persons like Regis and Marc into broad daylight for they follow the Master who said , ‘Whatever you do to the least of my sisters and brothers, you do to me.’
Fr. Alex G, on ‘Finance’ has very succinctly explained how to handle accounts and how to be accountable to Trust matters, among the various conflicts of interest which may certainly arise. It needs honesty, transparency, detachment from self and selfish interests and caution. Thanks, Alex, for inviting the trustees to be responsible persons.
Fr. Jose Parappully in and though his lesson on Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD), continues to prove to be an author par excellence and authoritative on the matters of psychology. It is a must to learn to respect and understand persons as they are from their perspectives and temperaments. It saves relationships,
On the whole, the May 2022 issue of MAGNET is a very comprehensively formative one, touching all spheres of life, spiritual, social, human, physical and psychological, intellectual, sexual, relational etc. Kudos and three cheers (in this hot summer!) and congratulations to the Editor.
Healthy International Day of Nurses (12 May) and Happy International Day of Families (15 May)!
Fr Vincent Swamy MSFS, Pune, Maharashtra
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