home

“Politics is necessary!” said Pope Francis in his address to the leaders present at the G7 Summit at Borgo Egnazia, Italy on 14 June 2024.  It is necessary for creating universal fraternity and social peace.  Therefore, we need to encourage and support the lay people in fulfilling their political responsibility.

Lay People and Politics

            The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) teaches that “It is not the role of the Pastors of the Church to intervene directly in the political structuring and organization of social life. This task is part of the vocation of the lay faithful, acting on their own initiative with their fellow citizens” (n. 2442).  Pope Benedict XVI says that “The direct duty to work for a just ordering of society, … is proper to the lay faithful. As citizens of the State, they are called to take part in public life in a personal capacity. So they cannot relinquish their participation ‘in the many different economic, social, legislative, administrative and cultural areas, which are intended to promote organically and institutionally the common good’.” (Deus Caritas Est, n. 29).

            We cannot say that we do not want to participate in politics or that we do not want to be involved in politics.  This is because politics in its most fundamental sense refers to the activity of a group of people discerning together the course of action to be taken to promote the common good. We cannot survive and achieve a truly human life all alone.  We need others, a group, a community to survive and to grow.  And in such a group we cannot only be receivers.  We have to be also givers.  This puts on us the obligation to make our specific contribution to the group, which will have a bearing on the good of all, on the common good.  This is why the CCC says, “It is necessary that all participate, each according to his position and role, in promoting the common good” (n. 1913).  Pope Francis states, “Not one of us can say: this doesn’t affect me, they are the ones who govern. No, I too am responsible for the way they govern and I must do what I can to help them govern well, by participating in politics when I can. Politics, according to the Social Doctrine of the Church, is one of the highest forms of charity, because it serves the common good.” (Homily during the Holy Mass at Santa Marta, 16-09-2013).

JOSE KUTTIANIMATTATHIL, SDB

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

Some Fundamental Questions:

• Do you as an individual enjoy interacting with people and sharing time and ideas with them?
• Do people in need come to you readily to share with you, their situation?
• Do all those who live together in your community feel wanted and accepted?
• Is there an atmosphere of friendship, spontaneity and cohesiveness among those who live together?
• Are people in your place of ministry, friendly and understanding although they are from different regions and social status?
• Is there an honest attempt in communities to intervene if there are social inequalities?

In the process of finding answers to these questions, we will also come to understand the fourth aspect of the Wholeness Paradigm, namely, the social dimension.

The Concept of Social Dimension

What does Social Dimension mean in the context of the wholeness paradigm? It refers to the interpersonal relationships and interactions between individuals within a society or community. Social dimension is an integral part of human societies and plays a crucial role in shaping our daily lives. It might vary across cultures and time periods, but there are many common features that facilitate social cohesion and solidarity. Some of these features are: interpersonal relationships, communication, cooperation, conflict resolution, and social norms. Additionally, the social dimension helps people to form connections, to exchange information and to support one another.

Fr. Dr. Joseph Jeyaraj, sdb

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

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

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

As she sat alone in her room, she felt a gentle breeze whisper through the window. Suddenly, she sensed a familiar warmth beside her. It was as if He was there, His loving presence enveloping her like a soft blanket. She felt His gentle hand on her shoulder, His comforting smile, and His soothing voice whispering, “I’m here,” in her ear. Tears of joy and longing streamed down her face as the ache of His absence eased. She knew He may not have been physically present, but His love and spirit were always with her. As she breathed deeply, His presence grew stronger, filling the room with an overwhelming sense of peace and comfort. She knew she was never truly alone, for He was always there in her heart.

This short anecdote reflects my deep emotions about my encounter with God during my one-year preparation for the final commitment. The presence of God and His unconditional love overpowered the feeling of absence of those who care for me. I was deeply touched by the presence of the Lord and found my treasure in Him. His presence overtook me, and I treasured it within my heart.

The Presence of God as Treasure

One can never hold or constrain the presence of God. However, His presence is like a treasure hidden in a vessel. The world and everyone in it are like vessels carrying the precious presence of God in our lives. Though weak and fragile, we are chosen by God to be His dwelling place. This awareness of God’s presence in and around us can make our lives—and everyone’s lives—happy and beautiful. The knowledge that God has chosen to dwell in us, despite our human fragility, is an incredibly humbling and empowering truth.

The presence of God is something like being in a garden. When one enters, the fragrance of the flowers is unavoidable. The same is true of God’s presence: it cannot be fully comprehended but can only be felt and experienced deeply. His presence is sometimes subtle, like a breeze that refreshes, and at other times overwhelming, like the sun that illuminates everything. But when His presence is with us, the unknown becomes known, and ordinary people can do extraordinary things. This is evident in the lives of Abraham, the prophets and all right through to the Apostles, who had personal encounters with the Lord, who did incredible things, and experienced His presence most intimately. The effect of God’s presence transforms not only their lives but the entire course of human history.

Sr. Merly DPMT

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

Religious life emerged after the legacy of Christian martyrs who followed no earthly law, only the highest, making them the most liberated. The origins of Religious life can be traced back to monastic hermits, for whom obedience to another person was of minimal importance. Hermits sought solitude, distancing themselves from society to focus solely on listening to God. Some would seek out wisdom from sages in their spiritual quest, but these encounters were brief.

As religious life evolved with time into cenobitic monasticism, the focus shifted to community living. The goal of community life was to seek God’s voice together. The early Benedictines though did not seek a childish dependency model of obedience, adopting instead a mature, communal discernment process.

In the following unpacking of the vow of obedience, we will delve into four of its distorted deviants (blind obedience, dependence, authoritarianism and individualism) and three of its essential elements (empowerment, discernment and collaboration)

BLIND OBEDIENCE

The cruel Inquisition by the Catholic Church, the Holocaust of Jews by the Nazis, religious terrorism and many such atrocities in modern history were often fueled by blind obedience as much as by authority. People unquestioningly followed orders, embraced inhumane ideologies, and committed unspeakable evils under the guise of obedience. When a group learns to ‘take orders’ without question, they can commit the most heinous of crimes with a clear conscience, as seen at Nuremberg and Auschwitz.

This prompts us to approach obedience with caution, realizing it is not inherently virtuous. Obedience, in fact, demands scrutiny. In a world where obedience often leads to harm, the vow itself becomes suspect.

Br. Sunil Britto CFC

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

Nature teaches us the art of simply being. In its quiet presence, we learn that stillness lies at the heart of creation. This state of surrender, the essence of nature, is a gentle yet powerful reminder of the divine. To surrender means to live without resistance, trusting the flow of life and recognizing the hand of the divine in its unfolding. It is this surrender that allows nature to soothe and renew us.

Surrender does not imply yielding to pressures or manipulations, whether from external forces or internal religious and cultural influences. Today, we face deep contradictions. While our culture speaks of peace and surrender, we are surrounded by increasing violence and oppression, particularly against women. These harsh realities challenge us, as religious men and women, to ask: How do we respond with healing and transformation, making our surrender a courageous act, following the example of Christ?

This issue of Magnet engages deeply with this question. Our cover story by Fr. Tony Marshal on Sacred Surrender reflects on spiritual figures who embodied renunciation as a transformative practice. It offers a five-step process for embracing surrender—metacognitive awareness, radical acceptance, trust, non-attachment, and transcendence—guiding us toward a life of grace and collective change.

We also honour St. Francis of Assisi, whose joyful letting go to God’s Will serves as a powerful example of transformative faith. In a reflection on his wounds, the stigmata, Fr. Gerry Lobo reminds us that our own wounds can become sources of healing; we are called to be wounded healers. This mission to heal ourselves and others lies at the heart of our religious vocation.

To fulfil this mission, we must equip ourselves and the marginalized with essential legal, spiritual, and psychological tools. In our legal column, Sr. Mary explores the dimensions of violence against women, offering a roadmap for advocacy. The CRI news from the Bihar region calls us to form a collective network and rethink the role of religious institutions in championing justice and peace. Sr. Shalini’s reflection on the Liturgy reminds us how worship can enliven parish communities, creating spaces where faith, harmony, and action flourish. Fr. Jose encourages superiors to embrace the laity’s political responsibility as a collective act of life-giving service. In the interview conducted by Ms Janina, Fr. Gilbert highlights how his commitment to Small Christian Communities reflects his dedication to the Church’s Mission, offering a glimpse into the life of a servant-leader. Sr. Celine underscores that learning to pray is our first act of letting go.

Surrender is not a solitary act; it is deeply social. As Fr. Jeyaraj reminds us, the social dimension of surrender shapes our daily lives. True surrender influences how we engage with the world, calling us to respond to suffering with compassion and strength. This message echoes in the films we review this month. In Neerja, we witness a young woman’s courageous surrender as she conquers fear to save others, while in The Little Princess, young Sara becomes a beacon of hope for a girl facing cruelty. Brother Carmel poignantly narrates the struggles of Vietnamese migrants in the U.S., enduring oppression that often leads to addiction and despair. Yet, this pain marks the beginning of their journey to hope, illustrating how nurtured wounds can become channels of healing. Joe Anthony shares the story of a sailor touched by divine femininity, who becomes a source of collective healing. These narratives reveal that surrender is not weakness; it is a powerful force for transformation.

Sr. Anjali’s reflection on Leadership from Biblical Women highlights how figures like Mary and Esther exemplified surrender as a path to leadership and change. Sr. Poonam shares how the collective generosity of students brought healing to a peer battling cancer. These examples show that surrender, when lived in community, becomes a force for good.

In her reflection, Sr. Merly explores the theme of joyful surrender through her sacred encounter. She shares the deep emotions experienced during her preparation for perpetual commitment. Her encounter with God is a reminder that surrender invites us to open ourselves fully to divine grace. This prompts us to ask whether our own experiences of surrender lead to transformation. Are we becoming Christ-like presences for those who suffer, individually and collectively?

Living this dual aspect of surrender – both personally and collectively – requires intention and action. Surrender calls us to let go, to trust, and to embrace our wounds as tools for healing. But it also demands that we stand together for justice, peace, and the vulnerable.

Embarking on the journey of sacred renunciation involves recognizing the divine in each moment, allowing us to see the deeper flow of grace in every situation. As we embrace what cannot be changed in our personal lives, we transform our wounds into channels of grace, fostering meaningful and compassionate action for ourselves and our communities. By coming together as a united body, we set aside our differences in congregations and charisms, embodying the collective manifestation of surrender that follows any act of spiritual renunciation. True abandonment transforms us into channels of healing, making us conduits of joy and harmony for the suffering world, extending our love, justice, and healing into the collective.

We extend our deep gratitude to our writers, readers, and the entire team for their dedicated contributions. Together, may we embody the grace of letting go, becoming a collective force for healing and transformation, guided by Christ’s love to bring light and hope to our world.

Pushpa Joseph

To subscribe to the magazine, click Subscribe

Neerja (2016): 120 Minutes

Director: Ram Madhvani

Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Shekhar Ravjiani, Shabana Azmi, Yogendra Tiku, Kavi Shastri & Jim Sarbh

Neerja is a powerful portrayal of Neerja Bhanot, the brave flight purser who gave her life to save 359 of the 380 passengers aboard Pan Am Flight 73 when it was hijacked by the Abu Nidal Organization in Pakistan in 1986. Her selfless courage earned her posthumous honours from India, Pakistan, and the U.S.

The film delves into Neerja’s personal life, highlighting her career as a flight attendant, a decision made against her mother’s wishes, and her failed marriage to a controlling husband. On September 5, 1986, Neerja boards Pan Am Flight 73, flying from Mumbai to New York via Karachi and Frankfurt. The hijackers, posing as security officers, infiltrate the plane at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport. Neerja quickly informs the crew, enabling the pilots to escape through the cockpit hatch, foiling the terrorists’ plan.

The terrorists, seeking to identify American passengers, demand passports, but Neerja hides several American passports, preventing more targeted attacks. Tensions escalate when an Indian-American passenger is shot, and the radio engineer Ali is forced to negotiate on behalf of the hijackers.

After 17 gruelling hours, a power failure plunges the plane into darkness, causing panic among the terrorists. Seizing the opportunity, Neerja opens the emergency exits, guiding passengers to safety. In a final act of heroism, she shields three children from gunfire, sacrificing her own life to save theirs. The Pakistani Special Service ultimately storms the plane, capturing the terrorists.

Neerja is a poignant tribute to a real-life heroine, capturing her remarkable courage and selflessness in the face of terror, making it a moving and emotional watch.

A Little Princess (1995): 97 minutes

Director: Alfonso Cuarón

Cast: Liesel Matthews, Eleanor Bron, Liam Cunningham, Rusty Schwimmer, Arthur Malet, Vanessa Chester, Errol Sitahal

Alfonso Cuarón’s A Little Princess, adapted from Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic story, is a touching children’s fantasy about resilience, love, and kindness amidst adversity. Set in early 20th century London, the film follows young Sara Crewe, the daughter of Captain Crewe of the Indian colonial army. When World War I breaks out, Sara is sent to a strict private school run by the cold and snobbish headmistress, Miss Minchin, who showers Sara with false affection, hoping to benefit from her father’s wealth.

At the school, Sara experiences class and racial discrimination but forms deep friendships with Becky, a Black servant girl, and Ermengarde, a fellow student mistreated due to her social status. Known for her storytelling, Sara captivates her peers with tales of Indian mythology, earning their admiration. However, her world collapses when, during her birthday celebration, she learns her father is presumed dead in battle.

With no money left, Miss Minchin strips Sara of her privileges and forces her to live in the attic with Becky. Despite her hardships, Sara remains kind-hearted, befriending those in the market and earning the nickname ‘Princess’ from a local vendor. She also meets Randolph, a grieving old man, and his Indian servant, Ram Dass, who helps her in times of need.

The story reaches its heartwarming conclusion when Sara discovers her father is alive and recovering from war wounds in Randolph’s home. The film ends on a joyful note as Sara, Becky, and Captain Crewe prepare to return to India, celebrating the triumph of hope and love over adversity.

 _________________________________________________________________________________

To subscribe to the magazine, click Subscribe

This cover story outlines the profound and transformative journey of surrender as explored through the lives of some influential spiritual figures. The narrative bridges historical examples with contemporary relevance, offering readers a pathway to understanding and living the sacred act of surrender in today’s world. The art of surrender in the modern world represents a paradigm shift from control to acceptance, highlighting its relevance in today’s high-pressure society. It delineates a five-step process of surrender: metacognitive awareness, radical acceptance, cultivating trust, non-attachment to outcomes, and transcending ego-driven imperatives. Surrender is framed as a transformative praxis, facilitating equanimity and transcendence amidst existential complexities and quotidian stressors.

1. SURRENDERING IN A WORLD OF CONTROL

In a climate dominated by power dynamics, self-assertion, and the pursuit of control, the notion of surrender can appear counterintuitive. Yet, it is precisely within this paradox that profound spiritual truths often reside. The path of surrender is not one of defeat or resignation but of profound spiritual liberation and transformative praxis. This essay invites readers to explore the spiritual significance of surrender as a means of accessing holiness, freedom, and holistic transformation in today’s complex and often tumultuous world.

2. EXEMPLARS OF SURRENDER

 Fr. Tony Marshall OFM

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

‘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

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

Stuti Sharma—the name echoed across our school campus and was on everyone’s lips: students, teachers, co-workers, parents, and even drivers. Who was Stuti Sharma? What had she done to become so famous?

One day, a parent walked into the office and handed me some money. “This is for Stuti Sharma,” he said. “Please make sure she gets it.” I looked at him, seeing the firm, confident expression of a middle-aged man, with a hidden contentment as if he had given from a widow’s mite. I took the money with shivering hands and nodded in affirmation. My mind wandered off, sinking silently into thoughts of the past. It all started just one month before when four young people – two boys and two girls—rushed into the office. After I invited them to take a seat, one of them said, “Stuti Sharma, a class ten student at your school and our cousin, has been diagnosed with cancer. She needs to undergo surgery soon. Her parents, in utter shock and despair, are in a hospital in Lucknow with her, and they need help – both financially and emotionally.”

Stuti Sharma was a fresh, budding student of class ten who was suddenly diagnosed with cancer, which had developed after a neglected boil under her left arm. Her class teacher mentioned that she had been absent for many days without submitting a leave application. I assured her cousins that we would willingly help and support them, though I had no idea how it would be possible. Stuti Sharma unknowingly became our priority as her name was announced during the morning assembly. She became a constant topic of discussion, and many prayers were offered by our students, who stood with folded hands, imploring God, the Creator, to save her from..

SR POONAM CJ

To read the entire article, click Subscribe