Legacy is a living current – a quiet force flowing through generations, inspiring purpose, compassion, and faith. As we present the 100th issue of the Magnet, we honour the magazine’s remarkable journey. Born in 2016, it was founded with the vision that the voices of India’s men and women Religious would be seen, heard, and understood. Magnet has grown into more than a publication; it stands as a testament to the courage, compassion, and dedication of India’s Religious and committed laypeople. Each issue brings their witness to life, sharing stories of resilience, faith, and lives transformed by God’s love. With this centenary edition, we renew our mission – a legacy woven into every word, every page.
Memory as a Sacred Act
Remembering is not simply a nostalgic gaze; it is a sacred act that unites past, present, and future. This December, as we honour the legacy of the miraculous birth that brought hope and compassion to the world, we also celebrate Magnet‘s legacy. For St. Augustine, memory is more than recollection – it is a journey into God’s timeless presence, where remembering becomes an encounter with the divine. Through memory, we witness God’s faithfulness, binding the past and the future in divine love.
Jesus taught us the value of memory, as shown in his praise of the woman who anointed him. Her simple act of love, he declared, would be remembered forever. In honouring her, Jesus redefined dignity beyond societal labels, making her gesture a powerful “dangerous memory” that challenges comfort and calls for justice. This transformative call to remember shapes us into people of courage and compassion.
Dangerous Memories: The Call to Witness
The Magnet exists to honour not only comforting memories but also those “dangerous memories” that demand justice and inspire action. Each issue is an invitation to confront hard truths, to recall the challenges faced by those on the margins, and to respond with faith and compassion. In this milestone edition, we honour the legacy of men and women religious who accompany the vulnerable and challenge systems of oppression. In hospitals, schools, remote villages, and urban centres, they carry memories of love and healing that call us to become agents of transformation. These memories, though often hidden, inspire us to walk alongside those who suffer, reminding us of our shared mission of mercy and hope.
Pope Francis on Memory and Mission
For Pope Francis, memory lies at the heart of the Church’s Mission. In Evangelii Gaudium, he calls the Eucharist a profound act of memory, where we recall Christ’s Life, Death, and Resurrection and renew our commitment to the Gospel. In Fratelli Tutti, he urges us to keep alive the ideals of fraternity, justice, and peace, for memory sustains the values that shape our shared humanity.
The Magnet embodies this mission, amplifying the voices of religious communities across India, connecting readers to stories of faith, struggle, and hope. Each story reminds us of Christ’s presence and calls us to honour everyday heroes who live the Gospel. With this centenary issue, we celebrate Magnet‘s legacy and the legacy of all who bring its mission to life.
A Legacy for Future Generations
This 100th issue of Magnet is more than a publication; it is a tribute to the faith community that sustains it. For the past two and a half years, I have had the honour of serving as editor, following Fr. Joe Mannath, who led Magnet for its first six foundational years. Together, we have journeyed with writers whose voices bring depth, insight, and hope – religious sisters, brothers, priests, and laypeople who share reflections, spiritual experiences, and dedication to others’ welfare. Their contributions have made the Magnet a beacon of wisdom and compassion, inspiring us to remember, reflect, and renew our faith and purpose.
This magazine is a collective responsibility, shared by our readers, writers, designer, printers, and editorial team. It has become a community bound by faith and love. In celebrating Magnet‘s 100th issue, we honour the legacy of religious life in India and the Church, renewing our commitment to live out the call of the Gospel.
An Invitation to Remember
As Pope Francis reminds us, a “Church that remembers is a Church that serves, loves, and reconciles.” This 100th issue of Magnet invites all to join in remembering: to hold the joys and struggles of the past, embrace today’s challenges, and nurture hope for tomorrow. Through remembrance, we engage in a sacred rhythm, one that calls us to transformation and inspires healing in a wounded world.
In the cover stories and other articles of this centenary edition, memory emerges as a dynamic force – not merely a bridge to the past but a powerful influence that shapes our lives, grounding us in faith and guiding us towards hope. Each page reminds us of the legacy we are called to uphold, as we become part of a future transformed by love.
We offer this centenary edition as a testament to God’s enduring grace, with deep gratitude to all who have made Magnet possible: our writers, readers, and dedicated team. Together, may we honour this legacy and continue towards a world where compassion lights every path, and memory brightens every heart.
Pushpa Joseph
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