FROM PANIC TO PEACE
Thank you very much for sending me the seven issues (April to October) by registered post, so that we would not miss any issue. You have taken lots and lots of trouble to do it. Thank you very much.
Each and every copy of MAGNET has always been a soul-stirring experience and an eye-opener, and, above all, one that helped me to examine my conscience. At my age—I am 84 years young!—I feel I have miles to go before I sleep. Ya, miles to go.
Yes, “Facing Death: From Panic to Peace” was exactly an article that I felt God sent me personally. A few months ago, I was hospitalized with breathlessness. It was the first time I was I was transported to a hospital in an ambulance. Till then I was never worried about death. Once you are born, you will die; that was my attitude. But, after this incident, I was terribly frightened. I started praying everyday that God should make me unconscious before I die. To struggle for breath is a horrible experience.
I shared my fears with my confessor. This holy priest prayer over me, and I felt quite relaxed. But, somewhere in my unconscious, I knew that not all was well with me.
It was soon after my monthly check up that the parcel of seven issues of MAGNET arrived. The cover page of the November issue caught my attention: ‘FACING DEATH: FROM PANIC TO PEACE!’ I sat there, and devoured everything—from Sr Nirmala’s account of facing deaths in the family, to Crystal’s calm way of facing her cancer, and experiences of various other people from different walks of life. This really helped me to walk from panic to peace. Today, I experience the calm after the storm. I thank the Lord and MAGNET for this transformation. I wish MAGNET “excelsior!”
Professor Kunjannam Andrews, Dutch Square, Alleppey, Kerala
AT THE FOREFRONT
I have just received the last eight months’ copies of MAGNET a few days ago in the post—all together! I am going through them now one by one, and thank you so much for the wonderful articles on so many subjects. I really believe you are at the forefront of Catholic writing on Christian living. I share the magazine in our House of Prayer with many of the people who come here for retreats or a time of prayer.
So keep it up, and I wish very strongly that the magazine were printed in many other areas of the world.
God bless you all, and a very peaceful, blessed and safe Christmas to you all!
Fr Brian Treacy SPS, Nairobi, Kenya
A RARE BLESSING
MAGNET magazine’s priceless and sustained contribution to the noblest cause of rendering life meaningful, makes it a very rare blessing at practically no cost at all (Isaiah 55:1). The brilliant and magnanimous idea of sponsoring more subscribers for a pittance gave me the blessed opportunity to help many, and their response was joyful gratitude. As 2020 comes to an end, I felt compelled to share just a few highlights of this year’s priceless takeaways from MAGNET.
I have no words to express my appreciation and grateful awe—for it is the need of the hour—for the US bishops’ circular, “Create in Me a Clean Heart,” summarized well by Sr Theresa Phawa FMA (June 2020); it has made a very complex task excellently simple for thousands of us who find it extremely touchy and difficult to provide this vital guidance.
The regular painstaking portrayal of the works of those who have served as a ‘light to the world’, is yet another noble contribution. God bless you, Father M A Joe Antony SJ! Your piece on Fred Rogers (“Unless you become like little children” in August 2020) proved immensely helpful to me and many more through me.
Lawrence Francis Vincent (pen-name PITCHARAN), Hosur, Tamilnadu
RELEVANT FOR ALL AGE GROUPS
I can’t tell you how I wait for MAGNET every month. I consider it a magazine par excellence, and my favourite so far.
I read every article. The matter the different authors present is relevant for all age groups. I particularly enjoy the editorials. The articles on Covid-19 gave me much to think about. I am sure what I think and say about the magazine must be felt by many, many readers, although we may not write and tell you. Keep up the professional standards in contents, language, editing and design. This magazine is a publication that both you (writers and editors) and we, religious of India, can be justifiably proud of. Every issue speaks to the reader, touches hearts, inspires and challenges.
Sr Margaret Power PBVM, Chennai
BALM FOR THE SOUL
In my opinion, you have surely fulfilled the goal you set out to achieve with this magazine. Every issue of MAGNET is certainly a balm for my soul. In our too fast-paced world, it truly makes me long for things to be simpler. The language is simple; the writings are easy to digest. Another thing that makes MAGNET more gorgeous is the graphic design, the typography, images, your cartoons, layouts, grids and composition and specific arrangements of these various elements.
I am constantly amazed when I receive MAGNET. It is so evident that MAGNET is owned by and employs people of high morals and standards; this does not go unnoticed! The articles are well chosen and beautifully written. They deal with all the day-to-day aspects of human life. They contain sound and practical advice. My sincere desire is that more people would benefit from MAGNET.
Dear MAGNET team! Continue your noble mission, let all your resources be a conduit for inspired living.
Sathish Paul SDB, Theology Student, Jerusalem
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