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Telangana state police have recently arrested an engineer working at an IT firm in Chennai and taken him to Hyderabad for further investigation. His fake job portal had attracted many young women by offering various job opportunities according to their qualification with an alluring pay package; and those who contacted him were asked to send through WhatsApp, their personal information, photos and videos.  He downloaded this information and then used it to blackmail them. He collected lots of money from these young women by threatening to use the information that he had gathered. (Courtesy:

https://www.maalaimalar.com/health/womensafety/2019/09/04081730/1259538/How-to-Avoid-Cyber-crime.vpf)

The discovery of the cell phone, one of the most prominently used internet-connected communications devices in the world, has reached a peak.  Every application (App) is created for the use and help of human beings.  The same app can be used to steal your information too.

Today’s digital hi-tech world has no place for PRIVACY.  A simple example is TrueCaller installed in many of our mobile phones.  It helps us to identify the person who is calling. But, in return, your number can be known with details (name, number with mobile service, email, place & location) by around thirty lakh people, most of them whom you do not know.  It’s the same with many of the commonly used Apps or websites like, WhatsApp, Hangouts, Google, Gmaps, Gmail, YouTube, FaceBook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Quora, Blogger, ShareChat, Hotstar, Play Store, Google Drive, Yahoo, Yahoo Mail, Ola/Uber, Swiggy/Zomato/Uber Eats/Foodpanda, Amazon, Flipkart, OLX, Snapdeal, Pinterest, Naukri, Indeed, many more Apps in your mobile (surprised to see more than 132 commonly used apps); as well as contacts, calendar, photos, or so linked with our email account.

It is always better to take some measures of CAUTION:

• While installing any App – it asks for confirmation with so many options – ALLOW / AGREE !!! : we are allowing someone else to enter or know every information about us.
• Switch on your Location only when you need & please put it off when you don’t.
• Do not be led to any website link which is pinged through your Message or WhatsApp or Email, with an attractive offer of some refund amount, or free gift, or “You have earned” message.
• Information and photos posted in Facebook are accessed and used by anyone in the world. They may also misuse the same information for their benefit.
• Mobile Tapping / Hacking: Even after switching off, the phone will be hot or warm because a tapping / hacking software is running in your mobile.

To check whether a mobile is tapped / hacked: Call another mobile number – when that number or mobile is close to you. The call will get cut only after three secondsafter you actually cut the call.Change the Sim Card or even the number, as well as the mobile instrument. DO NOT update anything from the google email ID of yours, because it may sync everything including the tapping / hacking.

• Everything can be taken through the camera in your mobile: Use a sticker or a paper in between the mobile and the mobile cover to block the camera. Remove to use the camera.  Remember to block the camera lens once again.
• Do not open any EMPTY message from an unknown number. All the information from your mobile (contacts, photos, videos, files, etc) can be used by hackers.

Don’t search these things on Google to stay safe: (by Gadgets Now Bureau)

Majority of internet users have the habit of opening on a Google Search window to get any information that they want. From basic food recipes to online banking and money transfer or even buying medicines, everything is just a Google search away. It is important to understand that Google doesn’t create this content. It is simply an online platform where you find websites that offer you the information that you need. So, everything that you see or learn by searching on Google doesn’t necessarily have to be correct and accurate.

 (Courtesy: https://m.gadgetsnow.com/slideshows/10-things-you-should-not-search-on-google/Dont-search-these-10-things-on-Google-to-stay-safe/amp_photolist/71143671.cms)

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Design and Concept: Rocky

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“My name is Sirisha.  I am a novice in a religious institute.  When I joined the institute, I was asked to submit my baptism and confirmation certificates issued within six months prior to my joining, as well as several other documents.  My father had to travel all the way to Mumbai to collect them. But there was another novice in my batch (let us call her Priyanka), who was accepted without insisting on producing certificates of baptism and confirmation.  All that she submitted was a letter from her godfather stating that she was baptized and confirmed on such and such a date in such and such parish and that he was a witness to it. If submitting these certificates are mandatory, is Priyanka’s admission to the novitiate valid?  And, if it was valid, why was I asked to produce those certificates?”

Document needed:

As part of the process of establishing the suitability of a candidate for admission to the novitiate, certain documentary evidences are required.  According to CCEO cc. 453§3 and 519, the prescripts of the constitutions are to be observed with regard to the documents to be produced, while CIC c. 645 §1 makes it clear that, before candidates are admitted to the novitiate, they must produce proof of baptism, confirmation and of their free status.  These certificates are to be obtained from the church or churches where these sacraments were administered.  They are to be signed by the parish priest or the administrator and authenticated with the seal of the parish (CIC c. 535 §3; CCEOc. 296).

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Sr Licia SMI

There is a huge difference between the two—which, sadly, leaders often forget or neglect.

Here is an example.

In the much-acclaimed book, Why Leaders Can’t Lead, world-renowned leadership guru Warren Bennis cites his own example.

He was president of a university. One day, he was at his desk at 4.00 am, still busy with the previous day’s work. That is when inspiration struck him.

I am busy answering routine mail, checking routine jobs, he thought.

Much of the correspondence was about a particular employee who, convinced that he must share child-rearing duties with his wife, used to bring his baby to the office. People were strongly for or against this man.

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FR JOE MANNATH SDB

In this interview, Father Thomas D’Cunha, Chaplain at Holy Family Hospital, New Delhi, shares the experiences that have touched him most in his hospital ministry. He has seen the power of prayer, the deep faith of persons of other faiths in Jesus’ healing touch, the generous commitment of hospital staff. He also lets us see the source of his strength for ministry. He is a diocesan priest of Delhi Archdiocese.

He was interviewed for MAGNET by our Associate Editor, Sr Theresa Phawa FMA.

MAGNET: Father Thomas, could you please share some of your touching experiences as hospital chaplain?

In my two-year ministry as the chaplain of the hospital, I have come across persons with various types of suffering and pain. I have accompanied a good number of them with my prayers, distribution of the Holy Communion, through the sacraments of confession and anointing of the sick; and counselling for many others. While rendering my priestly ministry, I not only bear witness to my Catholic faith; I have become stronger in it. I have witnessed the faith of patients in the healing power of Jesus, more often from those who are Hindus, Muslims and others.

I would like to recall a few incidents that have enriched my own faith and strengthened my trust in God.

In one of my daily rounds in the hospital, I met a lady from Haryana, whose husband was hospitalised with a very critical health condition. Sadness gripped her heart, and she felt helpless. She would go into the hospital chapel every day, and prostrate herself in prayer. There was perpetual adoration in the chapel, but she did not know what that means, nor who Jesus is. All she knew was that there is a God who can give what she needed. She approached me and asked for prayer and blessing for her husband. “Only Jesus can do something,” she said. What a strong faith from a Hindu woman! I did pray for the ailing man, gave him my blessing and made sure that I visited his sickbed. The healing power of God worked a miracle! He got better. The woman’s joy was boundless. She came to thank me for my prayers. It is not me nor my prayers alone that brought about this healing. I strongly believe it was her own faith in the divine healing power of Jesus.

Another touching case. A woman from Jharkhand who works in Delhi, and whom I knew, was brought to the hospital with brain haemorrhage. Emergency operations were done, but there was no great improvement. Her son was heart-broken and lost all hope. I saw his sorrow and knew that he was undergoing a lot of pain. As I assured him of my prayer, I prayed for her every day. After about a week, I again witnessed a miracle happening, a quick healing which was not expected. With faith, her son and I earnestly sought God’s healing power to touch and grant a healing that is beyond all medical sciences and technology can perceive or comprehend. The son convincingly acknowledged that it was purely a miraculous healing and he is deeply grateful to God who answers our prayers.

Yet another incident was an urgent call from a lawyer to inform me that his colleague’s mother was on ventilation for days in our hospital. The family and relatives were not sure of what to decide about her case – to leave her in that situation for more days or take her home for a peaceful death. I was therefore called to counsel them. In critical cases, I have given counselling to many with regard to accepting life, sickness and most importantly death. In some cases, it is successful, while many find it difficult to accept the reality of death. In this particular situation, as in many similar ones, I accompanied my counselling with prayers for the patient and the family, knowing that they were in a dilemma. The result was that the family was able to decide what was best for the patient. Their faith in my prayer and counselling, which is of a priest who represents God, is incredible. They were sure of what they asked and God granted it, simply because of their trust in God that HE can do anything for them.

So, this is an active type of ministry. I find that prayer is effective in all ways. Not only Christians call me for prayer, Holy Communion or anointing of the sick; Hindus, Muslims and others come and fold their hands asking me to lay my hands on their sick ones. I willingly spend time with every patient in prayer. After I have said a prayer, they would immediately reach for my hands to bless them. I do this with the sign of the cross. Their faith in the prayer of a Catholic priest edifies me a lot. This calls for a greater commitment from me. God works through his people and through me in spite of my unworthiness.

MAGNET: Who are the patients? What is their background?

The patients come from all sorts of backgrounds. They differ by place of origin, language, religion, income, education and medical condition.

The hospital always opens its doors or whatever available places, especially in times of epidemics. There have been times when the rooms were packed, yet no patient was denied treatment; they would be given a wheel chair and lie along the corridors just to get proper treatment. Above all this, the staff members are dedicated and ready to render help and assistance even though it meant risking their health too.

The hospital compound is also a welcoming place for everyone. For example, you may find the Muslim community gathering beneath the trees for Namaz whenever their hour of prayer comes. They feel at home to do this. For me, this speaks volumes on the friendly and welcoming spirit that prevails on the hospital campus.

MAGNET: You will certainly see the doctors, nurses and other staff at work. What have you learnt from them?

Apart from the Catholic priests engaged in the Hospital administration, the hospital has a large number of lay staff: around two thousand in all, working at different levels and in various departments. Although Holy Family is a Catholic hospital, most of our staff belong to other faiths. When we speak about their dedication to work, I would say, it is tremendously inspiring. They are always ready to come to the hospital in emergency situations even if they are not on duty.  For instance, when there was a fire in one of the apartments in the neighbourhood, victims were brought in to our hospital. Some were dead. Others were seriously injured. The doctors and other staff members responded to the emergency call and rushed from their homes or quarters to help out the people on time. It is indeed inspiring to recall how they feel the sense of service without counting the cost in terms of time, energy and their home situations. They are ready to make sacrifices at any point of time when required. As you know, in this type of work, an emergency can crop up any time.

As for the doctors and nurses so, they are truly a dedicated group. I like to mention in particular the nurses who reside in the hospital quarters or hostels. They are always ready to give extra service. Some of them were even called at night when required. I am edified to see them go cheerfully without murmuring or complaining. Seeing this has increased my own motivation as the chaplain here.

MAGNET: All ministries face hurdles. What do you see as problems or difficulties in your type of work?

So far, I have not come across or felt any difficulty in carrying out my ministry here in the hospital. I find my mission fruitful, and it is a witness. There were moments when I was not allowed to meet patients of swine flu without wearing a mask. Even though I would say, “Don’t worry, Jesus is with me, He will cover me,” they would not let me in without a mask, since they were concerned about my safety.  There were also cases when I was stopped from meeting Tuberculosis patients. I could only bless them from outside the room. I understand that such rules are good, and they protect everyone’s health. But, in those moments, I really felt bad about it. However, I believe that the patients too understand such situations. They realize why I cannot approach them and bless them.

MAGNET: The nursing students belong to different faiths. What do they feel about the Catholic prayers we say?

The Nursing School is open to students of all faiths. One thing that strikes me very much is that they are very open to our Catholic prayers and services, especially the Holy Eucharist. They know very well that we will not impose any practice on them, nor try to “convert” them to our faith. I find that many students of other faiths are often better examples of a Christian spirit and a Catholic way of life than many who profess the Catholic faith.

Once a student belonging to another faith approached me and asked me to hear her confession. I took time to explain to her about the practice of the sacrament in the Catholic church. Nevertheless, she was persistent to make her confession. I finally agreed, making it clear that I would do would be to listen her and offer her some counselling. That is what she wanted. This was one of the touching experiences I had with the nursing students here in the hospital.

MAGNET: Any group or person or experience that impressed you in particular?

Yes, I would like to say a word of appreciation to the Medical Mission Sisters (MMS) who are here. [Holy Family Hospital was started by the Medical Missions Sisters, who ran it for years, and then handed it over to the Archdiocese of Delhi.]  Those of them who are working in the hospital are not so young. Yet, they have such zeal and strength to carry out the task of either working in the hospital or teaching in the nursing college. Their active role in the college is worth emulating, and, for me personally, very inspiring. Love has no limit. Age does not limit one’s sense of duty or one’s passion to serve humanity. This is what I see in these Sisters.

MAGNET: In meeting sick people and their family members every day, and in trying to bring them comfort and hope, what is your main source of strength?

Jesus in the Holy Eucharist gives me strength and confidence. Every morning I spend an hour in prayer and meditation. I allow the Lord to walk with me all through the day. Whenever I lay my hands on the sick, it is the Lord who works through my humble priestly ministry. I am always available at any time or part of the day for any urgent call from the patients. Hence, I do not go out much. Reason: They may look for a priest any time. As long as I am here, this is my passion—to spend time with the patients and pray for them and accompany them even if it is just by words of comfort or encouragement.

In my twenty-three years of priesthood, I have always experienced the presence of God as the strength of my life and ministry. In one of the parishes where I worked earlier, God worked a miracle through my humble prayers for those in need. There was a lady who was desperate because she had sold everything she owned to apply for a job abroad. But she was not called for the interview. However, her trust in God’s power was great and inspiring. She came daily to the church for Mass and personal prayer. When she told me about her problem, I was impressed by her faith in God, on whom she relies completely. I assured her my prayers and we recited novena prayer to St Anthony, who is known as the “restorer of what is lost.” She had an admirable devotion to this well-known saint. To my amazement, within three days, she was called for the interview and her visa was also granted. The lady was so overwhelmed by the favour received from God through the intercession of St. Anthony. To show her deep gratitude, she came to the parish, cleaned the church and offered a donation for its renovation, since the building needed repairs.

God gives us strength when we place all our trust in him and serve his people with love. We are only his humble servants or instruments in His hands.

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Sr Theresa Phawa FMA

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Here is a brief account of what transpired in the Regional Annual General Body Meetings. Have a look: We can learn much from one another!

Andhra  Pradesh and Telangana

Theme: “Rediscovering the Missionary Dimension of Consecrated Life in the Present Context.”

Issues we need to be aware of:

• Rise of Religious Nationalism and its agenda
• Stifling of democratic dissent and silencing of prophetic voices
• Pauperization of the poor and the worship of mammon
• Biblical response to the context of globalization

CHHATTISGARH
Theme: “Empowering Religious to Recognize, Prevent and Respond to Abuse.” Sr. Teresa Paul SCSC, Supreme Court Advocate, Delhi, highlighted the following points:

• The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO, 2012);
• Guidelines to be used when working with children;
• Sexual harassment of women;
• Clergy Sex Abuse: Prevention and healing;
• Plan: A memorandum of understanding with the Bishops of the Region for better relations between dioceses and religious.

Karnataka
Three youth representatives shared their views about the Church, religious and also their expectations from them during the youth panel discussion.

Concrete suggestions:

• Accompany the youth by sharing our faith experience;
• Equip our young religious for youth ministry and family apostolate;
• Initiate critical thinking and the right use of digital world and social media.
• Involve the youth in ministries with the migrants, street children, and other deprived and underprivileged and the care of our common home.

Kerala
Theme: “Shifting Trends in Culture and the New Dimensions of Formation to Consecrated Life”
Fr Augustine Mulloor OCD spoke on the new dimensions for formation to consecrated life.

KCBC-KCMS JOINT MEETING

All the Bishops of Kerala and 191 Major Superiors participated. Themes covered: Resolving the disputes within the church; ecology.

Retired Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil SDB spoke on: “Mission, the Heart of Christian Faith.”  He said that we must be present where we are needed most and offer the best responses in word, deed and affection.

Tamilnadu-Pondicherry

 Mr. Ambrose Christy made a presentation on the importance of systematic reporting and planning. It professionalizes our work, improves credibility and also serves as future reference..

Action plan:

• TNPCRI MoU will be circulated to all DCRI. There has to be an orientation on this MoU among all religious.
• The Church is commemorating 2020 as year of Youth. DCRI should ensure active participation.
• Response to major social issues; solidarity with social anger of people-led movement over inequality (link it with Laudato Si)
• Awareness on document of Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops: “New Paths for the Church and for an Integral Ecology”

West

There were 64 participants. Theme: “Peace and Reconciliation Within The Church.”

Fr. Michael Fernandes SDB conducted a session on Canon Law, Religious Life & Management of Assets, in which he explained the rights and duties of religious in matters concerning the foundation of new institutions, the drawing up of contracts with the diocese, administration of properties, remuneration of personnel working in diocesan offices, and the resolution of contentious issues.

Br Varghese Theckanath SG conducted a session on the Meaning and Purpose of Religious Life to help us understand the document “Economy at the Service of the Charism and Mission.”

He highlighted the guidelines for the administration of finances, goods and properties belonging to religious institutions in keeping with their specific charism and mission. He also took a session on Peace and Reconciliation within the Church, in which the participants discussed the 2006 CBCI-CRI document Mutual Relations between Bishops and Religious and the drawing up of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of Western Region Major Superiors with the Diocesan Bishops of the Region.

North-East

Brother Paul Raj SG led a session on: “Leadership in reflection for a renewed Leader shift.”

Main points:

• Methodology of appreciative inquiry; Changing face of consecrated life today; Nurture equality status between men and women religious and priests; Move towards multicultural and inter-cultural communities; Future of religious life in India; Importance of transparency and accountability; Evangelization and pro-poor activities are more important than massive structures; Scientific study of the growth and decline of Religious Congregations by the CRI

Issues that emerged:

• What do we do individually and collectively after the meeting?
• Most of the congregations are similar ministries (parishes and schools).
• With the current political scenario, can we work as a collective body to awaken and do something positively?
• Formation of formators.

There was a panel where people shared vocation stories. Sr Prema SCSC took a session on “Not for Sale: Human Trafficking and Bondage.”

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The announcement had already been made. Pope Benedict XVI was to come to Turkey in November, 2006. So, when Fr Andrea Santoro visited Rome in January, 2006, he handed over a letter written to the Pope in which he and three women of his parish in Turkey invited him to come and visit them during his trip to Turkey.

But the Pope could not visit Fr Santoro and his little flock of about ten Catholics when he visited Turkey in November. Hardly a week after he gave the letter to the Pope, on 5 February, 2006, Fr Santoro was murdered while praying in his church.

Fr Andrea was an Italian priest who belonged to the diocese of Rome. He was a member of the Fidei Donum (Gift of Faith) missionary movement that was born soon after Pope Pius XII had issued an encyclical on 21 April 1957, called “Fidei Donum,” exhorting the well-established dioceses to send missionaries to sub-Saharan Africa.  Since 1957, about 1,900 priests from Italian dioceses have ventured to various parts of the world as Fidei Donum priests and eleven of them have been martyred, just like Fr Santoro.

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Fr M A Joe Antony SJ

The Stoning of Suraya M
Director: Cyrus Nowrasteh. Cast: Shohreh Aghdashloo, Mozhan Marnò, Jim Caviezel, Navid Negahban. 2009. 116 minutes

Following the Islamic revolution of 1979, Iran adopted the 7^th century fundamentalist legal system dominated by patriarchy, which prescribed stoning for adultery. This film is based on the true story of an Iranian woman named Suraya M, who is falsely accused of adultery and stoned to death by her relatives and villagers. The story was told by Suraya’s aunt, Zahra, to Freidoune Sahebjam, a French-Iranian journalist.

Freidoune records the story as told by Zahra, who was still grieving over the cruel and public victimization of a helpless wife and mother. Ali, the middle-aged husband of Suraya, wants to marry a fourteen-year-old girl who is promised to him by the girl’s father as a bribe to use Ali’s influence to  escape the death penalty. Suraya does not want to break up her family, and refuses divorce. Ali blackmails the local mullah into helping him get rid of Suraya, by threatening to make public the cleric’s criminal past. He spreads rumours of adultery between the old man and Suraya.

Suraya is dragged through the street by the brutal husband, who publicly proclaimed her adulterous. Zahra makes a heroic attempt to save her hapless niece, but it fails. The convicted Suraya is stoned. As per the custom, the husband throws the first stone, followed by the victim’s sons and her own father.  Even the woman’s body is treated with indignity, leaving it by the river side, for Zahra to come secretly later to offer a burial. The story is later published to the outer world as desired by the righteous Zahra. The movie is a powerful indictment of the dire conditions faced by women under primitive socio-religious values in many communities as well as a plea for a more just society.

12 Years a Slave
Director: Steve McQueen. Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender,  Lupita Nyong’o, Brad Pitt, Dwight Henry,Dickie Gravois, Bryan Batt ,Ashley Dyke, Kelsey Scott, Quvenzhané Wallis.  2013. 134 minutes.

This is a true story based on the experiences of a free Afro-American during the horrendous time of slavery in the Southern United States.  Solomon Northup,  a fine violinist and free African-American man, is leading a happy family life in New York state. He is tricked by a pair of crooks and sold into slavery in the South. He undergoes twelve years of harrowing experiences as a slave. Northup is imprisoned, abused, tortured. He witnesses hangings and rape. Being educated itself is a crime here; so, he keeps it secret.

His unjust subjugation does not break his spirit, in spite of the brutalities of his “master,” Edwin Epps. He sees how the Bible itself is used to justify slavery and intimidate the African slaves into total submission to the white masters. Northup shares the atrocities inflicted on them and sees the despair of others separated from their children and sexually abused too. At one point, he is unjustly accused by a jealous overseer, leading to a physical fight, resulting in Solomon being almost hanged to death for hitting a white master. He makes an attempt to escape by writing to his friends in the North, but is betrayed by a white man. He gets his lucky break when he meets a Canadian labourer named Samuel Bass, who is against slavery, because it is un-Christian and anti-human. Bass helps Solomon send a letter to friends in the North. Solomon’s legal status as a free man is made known by the local sheriff. He is also identified by an old acquaintance, which leads to his release.

This period-piece haunts us with its graphic images of brutality inflicted upon the victims of slavery. It shows how racists can use even religious texts to justify inhuman behaviour.  It is also a tribute to human will, hope and resilience in the face of brutality.

 

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Dr Gigy Joseph

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Useful Feature on Technology

Useful post, Rocky. Do’s and Don’ts are the most important points of this article. WhatsApp is very useful tool for quick communication without any cost. Fake Messages are roaming around us, we need to check the authenticity of the message before sharing it with someone because they can do more harm than good.

WhatsApp was found to be infected by a bug, which could be a danger to user privacy as it allows hackers to get access to your WhatsApp chats. This bug was pointed out by Google’s Project Zero team; they also revealed that iOS users are under threat after they click on any compromised website that has been circulating in messages.

To stay away from the radar of this WhatsApp security bug, iOS users are advised not to visit any unauthorized website.

Your TecHuMan subject is very good; keep posting useful info about latest technologies.

Mr Irshad,
3Media Design Inc.
New Delhi

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Spiritual Direction: A Couple’s Experience

Many Catholics, as can be seen in Crystal Sullivan’s experience when she began meeting a spiritual director, show lack of clear understanding about what it is, and how to go about it. The Church needs to teach its importance and ways of doing it well.

As Crystal’s experience shows, a good spiritual director must be competent, understanding, non-judgemental, not harsh to the directee, must not have an agenda, must not be moody, etc. Such qualities will definitely rub off, positively, on the directee’s personal relationship with God, which will ultimately engender spiritual growth. And this can exactly be seen in Crystal’s spiritual growth, after sessions with Father Matt.

It is gratifying to know that her spiritual growth influenced her husband Kevin We see his zeal for finding worthwhile spiritual direction, to strike a better personal relationship with Christ. That is what ALL Christians should seek.

OKWUDILI KEVIN EYA
(Nigeria; +2349059347500).

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A Real Treasure!

The September 2019 issue of MAGNET magazine is a real treasure. The articles are power- packed capsules worth reading. The one that I like the most is “RE-EMERGENCE OF INTIMACY NEEDS” by Rev Dr Jose Parappully.  I myself am a priest living through my mid-life. I found it very useful. What I realize is that the urge to live a legacy in one form or the other is very strong at this phase. At this rough patch of life, it is very important to be rooted in the one who has called us.

In religious life the formator plays a very important role. A balanced and sexually integrated formator can accompany the formees to sail smoothly through their teenage crisis. Though this does not happen very often, the formee almost represses sexuality without integrating it in pursuit of perfection and holiness. The repressed sexuality resurfaces at a later stage, as the author brings out. And at this stage if one were not to have the support of a good spiritual director, he or she is almost lost. For want of a good spiritual director the precious gift of vocation can be lost.

Brushing sexuality and genital feelings aside will not work. It amounts to running away, only to find sexuality waiting to welcome you. For a priest or a nun, just because he or she prays and engages in ministry, the sexual urge, an integral part of human nature, will not go away. It is there to stay. We will have to learn to integrate it. One way is to find a spiritual director who has learned to integrate sexuality with spirituality. Sexuality and call both are gifts of a single Giver. Learning to integrate and produce a rich harvest is the best gift we can return to the Giver. A learned and experienced spiritual guide can help us with it.

Fr Joy Francis OCD
Nagpur 440001

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Inspired, In-depth and Comprehensive

This is my first perusal of MAGNET. What a Christ-inspired, in-depth presentation of a relevant, current, comprehensive range of topics!

As a lay-person, time and again, I have mulled over issues pertaining to the clergy and the religious, such as sex, sexuality, even the mid-life crisis. I wondered whether their emotions, feelings, experiences, often deeply disturbing, are always kept under wraps. They aren’t, thanks to MAGNET.

The magazine is multi-faceted, covering and profoundly dwelling on various issues—Canon  Law, Legal Matters, Citizenship Issues, Finance. Kudos!

The Couplespeak column gives ear to the standpoint of the laity, which a religious should hearken to.

I like the simple, frank, positive tone of “What I Like Best about being a Religious.” The Dalai Lama is highlighted, in a world of the Dark. The writer has done a magnificent job.

Anbu Aasiriyai is a rare pearl of a teacher who loved her mother-tongue, Tamil, and instilled a love for it in her pupils. At the same time, she personified loving-kindness.

Equally absorbing are the many-splendoured activities of religious congregations.

 Oh! Yes! The shift from the serious to the light-hearted is Fun and More and Movie Reviews. Very nice!

Special Days are also given a niche. Charity Day? Ozone Layer Day? You have it.

The Cover Story is the crux of MAGNET: Spiritual Direction. This is a really an urgent need. The paths suggested should reach every priest, Sister and Brother, and every teacher and lay counsellor. We need healing. We need to heal.

The tailpiece of MAGNET is the Why of it. That’s novel! Umpteen books or magazines are printed or released, but the ’reason’ for their publication is not given. The Why of MAGNET is cryptic and tells it all: “Look deep, Love much. Live fully.” That’s Wisdom.

MAGNET is an excellent manifestation of God’s Word and Truth, and Mother Mary’s benign influence.

Rhona Nunes,
Sydney, Australia

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“The sorrowing, the sick, the unwanted, the lonely, both young and old, rich and poor, all come to my window. No one listens, they tell me, and so I listen and tell them what they have just told me. And, I sit in silence, listening, letting them grieve. ‘Julian, you are wise,’ they say, ‘You have been gifted with understanding.’ All I did was listen.  For I believe full surely that God’s spirit is in us all, giving light, wisdom, understanding, speaking words in us when we cannot speak, showing us gently what we would not see; what we are afraid to see; so that we may show pity, mercy, forgiveness to ourselves.” (Julian of Norwich, in the play “Julian” by J. Janda)

The goal of spiritual direction is to create that safe space in which an openness and responsiveness to God’s presence in one’s life may be attended to and nurtured.   The reality of God’s presence is revealed in the everyday events of life. In spiritual direction the directee invites the director to walk around that lived experience with her or him so that the fullness and richness of life in all of its diverse facets may be revealed to one’s self, and thus the fullness of the Divine presence may be more fully realized, and one’s life may be more abundant.

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Sr Sharon Gray SCN

Fifteen basic truths about spiritual direction! They may help to remove some cobwebs of confusion and help us see the beauty and meaning of this practice. I have no doubt that every one of us will lead a happier, fuller and more enthusiastic life if we shared our inner journey—the best and the worst about us—with someone wise and honest who truly cares for us. Much confusion, many blunders and the drudgery of a monotonous and meaningless life can be avoided if we learnt to look into our inner self and talk it over with the right kind of person.

All the best on this adventure!

1. A very meaningful, happy and enjoyable experience! Chit-chats about superficial matters (weather, food, fashion, sports) can fill our time, but will not fill our heart! They leave us feeling empty. Try looking into yourself instead (e.g., Am I happy? What do I want to do with my life? What place does God have in my life? Am I taking the right decisions? How do I learn to love?). Talking such deep matters over with the right of kind of person is what spiritual direction is all about. You are truly blessed if you find such a person, and if you open up and share. I feel deeply grateful that I got such chances. Deep sharing led to deep joy and peace and renewed inner strength. Try and see!

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Fr Joe Mannath SDB