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When can a consumer complain? Here are the instances and circumstances.

The Consumer Protection Act 2019 (CPA-2019) was enacted in order to protect the rights and interests of consumers and to settle their consumer-related disputes.  A consumer or the complainant may complain in writing for obtaining appropriate relief under CPA-2019.  The following are the circumstances in which a complaint can be made.

1. Defects in Goods:
   When goods or products are sold or supplied, they are required to be of a standard under any law or under contract made or claimed by the trader.  A complaint for obtaining relief may be made under CPA-2019 when the goods or products bought or agreed to be bought suffer from one or more defects.  ‘Defect in goods’ means any fault, imperfection or shortcoming in the quality, quantity, potency, purity or standard of goods sold or supplied.  To give an example: “A” supplied white marble to “B.”  Later, the colour of the marble changed.  “B” sued “A,” alleging supply of defective marble.  It was held that “A” should have expressly told “B” that the marble would not retain its colour when polished.  In the absence of such assertion, it is deemed that “A” made “B” to understand that the marble would retain its white colour and, when the colour changed, it comes within the scope of ‘defect’ in goods’ under CPA-2019.

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Fr Ravi Sagar SJ

My name is Kusum.  I am a novice in a religious institute that has only one year of novitiate. I am supposed to make my first profession on 24^th May.  But now my novice mistress says that I can make my profession only after 8^th June, since I was sent for a month to another community to have an experience in the healing ministry in our own hospital.  How could they delay my profession by fifteen days? 

To answer your question, we shall look into the Codes of Canon Law dealing with the novitiate programme.  According to CIC c. 648 §1, “For validity, the novitiate must comprise twelve months spent in the novitiate community. Canon 649 §1adds that any absence of more than fifteen days must be made good.  CCEO c. 523 §1 elucidates more specifically, “To be valid, a novitiate must include one full and continuous year.  However, an absence of less than three months, either continuous or interrupted, does not affect the validity but, if the unfinished time exceeds fifteen days, it must be made up, even though it had been dedicated to apostolic exercises to complete the formation of the novices.”

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Sr Licia SMI

A few weeks ago, on 21 February 2020, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis, having met with the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, has formally approved the beatification of Fr Rutilio Grande. The Pope did this by proclaiming Rutilio a martyr for the Catholic faith. Once someone is declared a martyr, you don’t need a miracle, which the Church usually looks for, before beatifying a Servant of God.

Those who understood the mind of Pope Francis knew this was coming, as Pope Francis had remarked that Oscar Romero was Rutilio’s first miracle. Romero is now a saint and his close friend, Rutilio, will soon be a Blessed.

Rutilio was born on 5 July 1928 in a village called El Paisnal in the Central American country of El Salvador. He was the youngest of seven children of poor peasants. Because his parents divorced when he was a child, he was brought up by his grandmother, a strong and devout Catholic woman, with the support of his older brother. His Archbishop noticed the twelve-year old Rutilio when he visited his village and brought him to study in the high school-minor seminary in San Salvador, the capital.

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Fr M A Joe Antony SJ

Amazing Grace
Director: Michael Apted. Cast: Ioan Gruffudd, Romola Garai, Benedict Cumberbatch, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon, Rufus Sewell, Youssou N’Dour, Ciaran Hinds, Toby Jones. (2006, 120 minutes)

This award-winning movie is the inspiring story of William Wilberforce, who fought against the most heinous injustice of the colonial period—the slave trade.  In the 18^th century, Britain had a flourishing slave trade feeding the labour force in the far-flung plantations across the colonized continents. Wilberforce was a brilliant student and a good orator. He tells his friend, William Pitt, that God found him rather than he found God. His spiritual mentor is a onetime slave trader John Newton whose classic hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ provides the title to the movie. Newton, still haunted by the guilt of thousands of Africans he sold into slavery across the oceans, now serves as a pastor in his church.  Newton has firsthand knowledge of the cruel world of slavery from both sides and wants “those dirty filthy ships” harboured in Britain’s ports “out of the water.” The slaves, kidnapped from African shores, were tied from neck to feet in chains transported across the seas during which half of them died of hunger and diseases before they reached the slave markets.  Wilberforce’s initial efforts in the British Parliament for abolition are utterly defeated. Newton urges him on to engage in politics because politics is his God-given mission. William is also energized by his fiancée Barbara, who shares his evangelical spirit and public ideals. His illustrious friend William Pitt, who became Britain’s youngest prime minister, becomes his greatest support as joint campaigner. They struggle for two decades against powerful forces who wanted the slave trade to continue, and who made huge fortunes through this trade. Wilberforce exposes the horrors of the slave trade to the public and wins his case. In 1807, the Act of abolition is passed with overwhelming majority. Today, he is hailed as the pioneer of human rights and above all an inspiring icon of Christian witnessing in public life.

Catholicism
Video documentary, “Word on Fire” series.  Runtime 50-53 minutes per episode. Host: Fr. Robert Barron. 2007.

Catholicism  is a series of ten related documentaries hosted by Fr Robert Barron (currently Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles), showing the Church’s history,  culture, theology, philosophy, art, architecture and literature. The documentary takes us to over fifty locations in fifteen countries around the globe, stretching from the Holy Land to Italy, France, Spain Mexico, Ireland, Uganda and also India, where Kolkata is focused on with emphasis on Mother Theresa’s work.

The very first episode focuses on the mystery of the Incarnation set against the poignant visuals of the Holy Lands directly connected to the Biblical events, and crosses over to Rome. Barron highlights the distinctiveness of Jesus among the great teachers and founders of religions, and also clears some prejudices against Mary. Some of the pilgrim centers are less known outside the Western world, as, for instance, the ancient island near Donegal in Ireland, known as “St Patrick’s Purgatory,” where the penitential practices were attended  by thousands of people who fast and pray for three days and nights, walking barefoot or on their knees.

The most vibrant churches are found today in Africa. One of the visits focuses on the Uganda martyrs –converts to the faith executed by the king of Buganda. Barron notes that the strength of the Church since the martyrdom has grown exponentially, exemplifying Tertullian’s dictum” “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” The feast of the martyrs is annually attended by about five lakh people. The film takes us also to the sites of modern martyrdom, especially to Poland, where, at Auschwitz, over a million persons became victims of the holocaust. One of the most remembered is the mystic and thinker Edith Stein. For those who would like to conduct study programs like adult catechism, these come in handy, accompanied with a study guide.

Prof Gigy Joseph

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Centered: The Spirituality of Word on Fire
by Bishop Robert Barron

This book is a compilation of the most significant thoughts and reflections by Bishop Robert Barron, the founder of the Word on Fire Ministries.  Written in nine chapters focusing on the key themes of life in the Church, the book is meant for reflective reading. It begins with the Christian theological traditions on the question of God as “Being itself.” From there he moves on to the uniqueness of Christianity as a relationship to the person of Jesus Christ and not as a philosophic system or religious ideology. Christian life is life in Christ, which again is a radically different way of seeing the world and our life.  It is in this light that the Scriptures are to be understood. Barron’s views regarding the Church is a response to the secular world’s attitude. He clarifies the meaning of Evangelization in today’s world. In the concluding chapter Barron observes the present condition of the Church in the world. This is the frontier of today’s evangelization for the Church. As Jared Zimmerer notes in the Introduction to the book, it is meant to help evangelists understand the ethos of the Word on Fire. Its eight principles are lucidly explained: “unwavering Christocentrism; evangelization of the culture; special commitment to the new media; rooted in the Mystical Body; leading with beauty; affirmative orthodoxy; collaborative apostolate; and grounding in the Eucharist.”

The Death of Ivan Illych
by Leo Tolstoy (1886)

Tolstoy’s novella is one of the most profound fictional explorations of the fundamental questions of human life—relationships, suffering, death and spirituality. Written from his own deep conversion experience, Tolstoy offers a critical view of modern materialism, the soul-killing complacency and illusionism which is the life of many.

The main character is the middle-aged Ivan Illych, a top-ranking judge, who has successfully climbed the social and bureaucratic ladder of Czarist Russia through his hard work, single-mindedness and lack of empathy and close relationships with his family. His marriage itself has been a part of his social climbing project.

His world is shaken up by the discovery of an undiagnosed disease for which the doctors have no remedy. As his suffering increases, Illych realises that he is getting back what he has given to others—the indifference of his wife and daughter, as well as his colleagues, and the doctors who treat him impersonally.

At the very opening of the story, when Ilyich’s death is reported by his colleagues, it does not matter to anyone, except as an opportunity for promotion to the vacancy created by the death. When Ivan’s friend visits the dead man’s house, we get to hear Ilyich’s wife complaining about the husband’s constant screaming during the final stages. She is scheming to procure more pension on account of the husband’s untimely death. Ilyich’s daughter is only anxious about her forthcoming marriage. On the brink of death, Ilyich confronts his barren emotional life; his fear of death grows.

He realises that he had been leading life of self-deception. Death was something that he had hidden away like anyone else. As his condition worsens, there is a greater self-searching that leads Ivan through different stages of self-realisation to his spiritual conversion. His only emotional connection is with his son, who helplessly watches his father’s suffering. But Ivan experiences genuine love from a non-member of the family, a peasant name Gerasim, whose selfless attendance on his needs helps the dying man to change. He had valued the conventional things that society provided—his professional talents, wealth, fame. Ilyich accepts his illness and its consequences and realizes that the fault is in him and grabs his last opportunity to find peace. He reconciles with his wife, blesses his son. His reconciliation provides him a deep sense of joy and relief. He no longer fears death, because, for him, “death is finished.” The story is a deeply contemplative experience which paradoxically is as much about death as it is about how to live.

Prof Gigy Joseph

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Ignited My Mind

I was elated and delighted to read the article of Sr. Manisha Gonsalves in the November issue. The topic enthralled me and the concepts ignited my mind to overcome negative forces that have ruthlessly disturbed my heart and soul for years in my priestly life. The article made to understand the valuable life of priests and religious. They are not simply born through physical intimacy of parents; rather they are born since they are called by God, like the prophets in the Bible. The other articles in MAGNET helped me to remain strong in my faith and in my priestly life. I doff my hat to the hard work of the entire team to make it most powerful and successful amidst constant challenges. May God bless you to be creative and informative.

Fr. S. Robin Stanly
Diocese of Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu

 Journey of Diminishment

The magazine is rich. It touches different aspect of life, for instance, spiritual-touching reflections and quotes, legal issues, like contracts, advertisements, e.g., vocation promotion and the fun page.  The spirituality of diminishment is what stayed with me.  I think it is something to reflect on especially as I live my youthful age, to remember that someday, there will be diminishment.  This is HUMILITY.  It is my first time to read the magazine but I am impressed by the good work.  It is worth the effort.  Congratulations.

Sr. Nancy Shitambasi MSHR,
Kenya

True Fasting

I am immensely pleased to read a lot about Lent and Easter in MAGNET magazine, as we had just entered the Lenten season 2020. There are very many useful suggestions to be adapted in the lent.
I was also surprised to read about alternative for fasting, but no one is talking about a true fasting!  I always remember, and of course taught my children too, what my mother taught me about fasting.
Fasting is not merely skipping a meal or a food item that we like the most; instead, it is to give the food to anyone who has not eaten and we do fast, as there is nothing for us to eat.  Or in other words, fast and give that food to those in need.
There is also a practice of keeping apart a hand full of rice, as we cook every time during the lent (40 days) and give that to the parish, so that it is distributed to the poorer families.  Similarly, the money saved from skipping meat during the Lenten season is also used likewise.

Mrs Mary Edison
Mumbai, Maharashtra

A walk through the Lent with JESUS

As a married man, I see lent more than just giving up something for forty days.  It is a time of self-analysis and reflection.  People take or see lent as a custom of any religious festival that comes in a calendar. As a tradition, they fast by skipping one meal or two, but the point here is what change it brings in us. Fasting with no change in our realistic life doesn’t make any sense.
Walking with the Lord, growing closer to Him, strengthening our faith by preparing our heart with intentional thoughts and plans make a difference.  It is a time to truly reflect on what our Lord Jesus Christ did for us.  It is a time to slow down from the pace of life, to reach the peak of a greater mask of wants and greed, lust and desires.
As humans, we are filled with fear, anxiety, pride, envy, anger and a whole lot of other emotions that keep us away from the Lord.  Lent is the perfect time to silence these dins of emotions.  Instead of filling your eyes and mind and heart with pings and beeps of your mobile phone, fill them with the messages of truth found in the Bible.  However, it is not going to be that easy, but, yes, it will bring you a sense of peace and clarity as you walk with the Lord, reading the Word of God.  Lent is not just giving up a meal or two, instead, it is making a sacrifice of something you crave for and comfort that has eased life.  Reflect and find out what are the unwanted desires we carry in our daily life.  For example, alcoholism, greed and other defects. By giving up such things and filling our heart with the Word of God, love and care of all those around us will certainly make a perfect lent and bring us closer to Jesus.
Attend Mass from the beginning till the end, pray for others, help people in need. If you happen to see someone asking you for help, remember it is Jesus who is knocking at your door.  Make reading the Bible a delight.
We celebrate Easter or the mark of Jesus Christ’s victory over death.  His resurrection symbolizes the eternal life that is granted to all who believe in Him.  In a married man’s perspective, I would say that Easter is the time that we resurrect from our sins, having evaluated and knowing what you are in the forty days of Lent.  Sacrificing and washing up dusts from our minds and hearts will lead to a meaningful resurrection from our sins which in turn makes a perfect and meaningful Easter.

Ralph Dennis Lobo
Bali, Indonesia

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When we were young students in Rome, we used to watch the older Salesians in the University. Our thinking was: If they look happy, it is worth staying in; if they are not, why waste our life here?

Older people (especially those in leadership roles) set the tone. The young pick up what they see the oldies do, rather than listen to the advice seniors generously offer. Both the inspiring examples—at times heroic—and the poisonous bad influence stem from the old.

The cover story is about the fine art of aging gracefully. I was thinking of real people I know when I wrote it. Have a look at the tips offered, and see whether they match your experience—of aging and of dealing with seniors, beginning with parents, teachers and superiors.

The theory is completed by the testimonies of three seniors—a Sister who moved from being the principal of a prestigious school to working among the very poor in another country; a priest noted for his genuineness, simplicity and lack of bitterness; and a Brother who moved from being a movie fan to becoming an enthusiastic witness to Christ.

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How do we respond, personally and as a Christian community to the dread of the Coronavirus? A young religious priest shares his convictions.

Like most of you, I too have been reading some of the avalanche of information on this frightening malady, and felt inspired by those doing exhausting and even dangerous service among the sick, especially our medical personnel. I was inspired to read what a young Sister Doctor wrote to me: “Yes, of course, we need to take proper precaution. But I am not at all afraid even to go to China or any part of India to mingle with and treat ‘positive’ cases, because without ‘His’ knowledge and awareness nothing happens in my life.”

It is easy to get cynical, or to gossip, or find fault, but we should not forget the heroes and heroines among us, right? It is not the grumblers who move the world forward, but those who take risks to do good, move beyond comfort zones, and put others’ safety and survival above one’s own convenience. Wars and tragedies bring out the best and worst in human beings. We see both how low we can go, and how high we can fly. May the pandemic bring out the best in us!

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Want to see the best and worst right next to us—both the cruelty human beings can inflict and the exquisite kindness with which others in the same setting reach out to the victims? We saw both this in Delhi this year. We can all learn from the frightening capacity for evil that human carry within, and the huge reservoirs of goodness we can tap into. Look at the religious, priests and lay volunteers who reached out to victims of violence.

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Our regular features have their fans, I know. Good. That is well deserved. May more and more readers benefit from the competence and wisdom of our writers. As we grow older—who isn’t?—may we truly turn out be a work of art, of whom God and those who love us can be proud. As a student at Madras University once challenged me, “You are doing a lot. Is that what is most important for you? Do you think about what kind of a human being you want to be by the time you die? Isn’t that life’s greatest achievement?”

Fr Joe Mannath SDB

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A Moving Experience

The video impressed me. Fifteen to sixteen thousand people holding lit candles and praying devoutly. The occasion: Easter Vigil somewhere in India. Can you guess where? Can you guess who these people are?

I could not have. Hardly any parish has such a large number of members. Where could this be?

In Varanasi.

The people who gather are not Catholics They are Hindus. They call themselves Krist Bhaktas (“Devotees of Christ”). They are over 30,000. They outnumber the total Catholic population of the diocese of Varanasi.

Thousands of them go to pray at Maitri Dham Ashram run by the IMS Fathers. In Lent, the crowds are larger. You must see the devotion with which these “Devotees of Christ” make the Way of the Cross. The numbers and the devotion at the Easter Vigil will move any witness. Catholics taking in part are deeply edified.

A middle-aged Catholic mother from Kerala who attended this Vigil said she felt rejuvenated. “It has challenged my traditional Catholic faith. I wish my children, who watched this event with rapt attention, be gripped by faith in Christ,”

The Bhaktas come from Varanasi and from farther away. Some come and return on foot, walking twenty or twenty-five kilometres either way.

They experience healing. Their devotion to Christ is evident and moving.

They experience Jesus as alive.

Do we?

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Fr Joe Mannath SDB

We wrote to a cross section of people in the church—lay women, lay men, seminarians, religious, priests—to tell us what Lent means to them. Here is what they told us. After reading their testimonies, try writing down what Lent means to you. To be true to Jesus’ teaching, it has to be much more than a change of diet.

Focus: God’s Mercy—Not My Failures

This Lent, I really want to focus on God’s mercy and forgiveness. It may sound like a cliché, but we often find it hard to believe in God’s mercy; sometimes our whole focus is on our own efforts and our righteousness.  I think the truth is: Nothing is easier in all the world than attaining forgiveness from God. This is the biggest truth that we have to believe. God is more eager to give forgiveness than we are to receive it. Many refuse to believe this. I constantly brood over how miserable and wretched I have been, wishing I had never sinned, wishing I had always kept a clean sheet.

For Jesus, even though to sin is the greatest evil, to be a sinner is a value. Hate sin with all your heart and avoid it. But, if I have sinned and repented, then I have reasons to rejoice, because there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

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Jesus came and underwent the Passion, not just to take away our sins, but also to heal us emotionally, and make us truly free.

Lent is a time when we begin to become clean with God and accept what God says about us. I came across the following words in the book, The Imitation of Christ: “I have been crucified with Christ …” (Galatians 2:20). To become one with Jesus Christ, a person must be willing not only to give up sin, but also to surrender his whole way of looking at things. Being born again by the Spirit of God, means that we must first be willing to let go before we can grasp something else.

Be yourself. Admit your losses.

The first thing we must surrender is all of our pretense or deceit. Our pretending to be something that we are not. The idea that I am almost a perfect Christian is a deception. What our Lord wants us to present to Him is not our goodness, honesty, or our efforts to do better, but real solid sin. Actually, that is all He can take from us. And what He gives us in exchange for our sin is real solid righteousness. But we must surrender all pretense that we are anything and give up all our claims of even being worthy of God’s consideration.

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Fr John Singarayar SVD