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Five years ago, a bright, active student leader in one of Delhi’s prestigious colleges shocked her family and college mates by joining a contemplative religious order.

MAGNET has published the story of a young woman with a Ph.D. in astrophysics who joined the contemplative Carmel convent in Pune. One of the books we reviewed was the story of Dolores Hart, a popular American actress, who became a nun.

Why do people quit successful careers and make such “crazy” choices? Why “leave” the world of family life, activity, career, social contacts, movies and movement, and enter a world of silence, prayer and utter simplicity?

What is contemplation?

If you were to put your face flat on this page, you will not be able to read it. You would be too close. If you stand ten feet away, you would be too far.

There is a proper distance for seeing right.

Contemplation, basically, is taking the right distance from things to be able to see them correctly—in God’s own light.

Things are not what they seem to be, when we see them correctly. Money or pleasure or fame or possessions can appear very attractive. In fact, they can seem to be the main reason for working hard or having a job or holding a degree. But they let us down. They prove to be illusory conquests that leave our hearts empty. The human heart wants—needs—much more than that. Nothing limited will satisfy it.

This is a universal truth about human beings. Catholic nuns and monks are not the only ones taking it seriously…

 

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Fr Joe Mannath SDB

Fourteen years ago, in 2004, I published an article in The New Leader, with the title, “Give My Eyes to My Cousin.” It was the true story of Rajalakshmi, a sixteen-year-old student, who was hit by a lorry as she was carrying lunch for her father, a daily labourer. Though taken to a hospital, she did not survive. Before dying, and while being in agonizing pain, she did something that touched many hearts. She asked that her eyes be donated to her cousin Bhuvana, who was blind. This was done at CMC Hospital, Vellore.

I was struck by two things—the awareness of this teenager from a poor family (about eye donation) and her thoughtfulness towards others while she was facing death.

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Another true story.

Father Lawrence (name changed, since he does not like publicity), a diocesan priest in Telangana, noticed a woman who came to the church, prayed a long time and wept. He asked her if she wanted to talk about any problem. The woman told him that she was desperate. Her husband was very sick. Both his kidneys were failing. He needed a new kidney. They could not afford to pay a donor. No family member’s kidney matched his.

What do you think Fr Lawrence did? What would YOU do in such a situation?

The priest asked to see her husband’s medical reports. He made a copy. He got himself tested, and found that his kidney would match the sick man’s. He spoke to the woman, “Get your husband admitted for surgery…

 

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Fr. Joe

For our cover story, we interviewed Fr Jerry Rosario SJ, who has donated blood a whopping 194 times—possibly the highest number in India! He has also been active in promoting blood and organ donation.  Anyone who knows Fr Jerry will know his enthusiasm, simple life, commitment to helping people and spreading awareness about urgent human issues.—Editor

01       How did you get into blood donation and, eventually, also into promoting blood and organ donation?

Way back in 1972, when I had just completed my Jesuit Novitiate, I was called upon to donate blood to a poor rural youth by name Murugan who had lost a huge quantity of blood from continuous vomiting.  A few days later, I learnt that my timely blood-gift had saved his life. Though this experience did make a deep personal impact on me, the turning point came with a missed opportunity.

Once, because of some urgent work, I could not go to the hospital to donate blood to Fr Coyle, an Irish Jesuit priest, who needed immediately a post-surgery transfusion. A professional donor took my place, but Fr Coyle died from transfusion-related complications. There and then, I vowed to seek chances to donate blood rather than wait to be asked.

By the way, science has advanced immensely so as to manufacture substitutes or alternatives practically for everything—but not for blood. That means when somebody dies due to non-availability of blood, the potential donors, in a way, have unconsciously and indirectly caused it.

What is the situation in our country? India stands in need of at least 12 million units of blood a year—at the time of medical surgery, delivery, emergency and calamity. Alas, it receives only 78 lakhs. We say, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of our Faith.” Now we could add: Our faith that has grown “works only when we supply blood to others-in-need” (James 2:14-17).

You may remember that the year 2005 was declared as a Special Year of the Eucharist by Pope St. John Paul II. That year saw me releasing a book ‘This is My Body, This is My Blood,’ highlighting not only the Eucharistic life of Christ Jesus but also the Eucharistic human organ donations that we could possibly make, both before and after death.

In 2007, the Tamil Nadu-Pondicherry Catholic Bishops’ Conference, after a session of mine on this noble focus, issued a special Pastoral Letter to be read in all parishes of its region, exhorting human donations. In 2009, as a Creative Jesuit Ministry, the Dhanam Movement was registered to propagate and promote human donations. Dhanam is the Tamil rendition of daan (donation) in Sanskrit. The motto is that ‘all may have life and that, too, in fullness’ (Jn.10.10).

Over the years, the Dhanam movement has organized 450 camps and 630 conferences, big and small, both in urban and rural areas and institutions, to promote blood and organ donations. The awareness is picking up at an encouraging pace. But still, there are miles to go.

02       How many times have you donated blood? For whom?

If you had asked me this question some years back, I would‘ve by-passed it. Till I crossed 100 or so, I did hesitate to talk about my blood donation count. Then I was advised to speak about it so that others can also come forward. Up to May-2018, I have donated blood 194 times. Quite possibly I stand first in our country, having donated that number of FULL UNITS OF BLOOD (not just parts of blood, like platelets).

God has blessed me with one of the rarest blood groups, O-Rh Negative. Accordingly, out of all the donations I have made, sixty-seven were done at the time of delivery for the new-born babies, particularly when they were found affected by the incompatibility of blood groups of their parents. If so, they all are “blood of my blood,” my beloved children, so to say!

Another group was poor cancer patients. I donated my blood for them fifty-five times. It is always advisable to donate blood preferably to the patients at Government General Hospitals and to Red Cross Society and to the terminally-ill. Simple reason: Our blood can also be a “Good News to the poor,” who generally flock to the general hospitals. Moreover, the Government meets the expenses that are incurred for blood-tests before transfusion. That too benefits the last and the least (Mt.25.40)…

 

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Fr Jerry Rosario SJ

(jerrysj1@gmail.com)

Meaning matters—for our emotional and even physical well-being. How do we find it? The author shares relevant insights from psychology—including a study of parents whose children were murdered.  Could they construct a meaningful life after such horrendous tragedy?

“I don’t find any meaning in my life. I wonder why I am living like this—just drearily surviving from day to day. Sometimes I wish I were dead,” said the 28-year old Kamala during a personal meeting during a seminar.

 

Kamala is not the only one who feels this way. There are many like her who find it difficult to experience a sense of meaning and purpose in life. Quite a few of these gradually sink into clinical depression and think of ending their life—and even attempt to do so.

Recent research on health and happiness show that a sense of meaning in life is one of the major contributors to emotional and physical wellbeing. Emotionally healthy persons find life a meaningful adventure. They have something that gives meaning and significance to their life, such as a belief system, a dream, a commitment. According to the pioneering personality psychologist, Gordon Allport, “one of the key challenges to maturity is to invest daily life with meaning—to find or create opportunities to make our lives matter.”

Dreams and goals matter—especially intrinsic goals

To make our lives matter, we need to have dreams, something we feel passionate about and pursue with interest. Sonja Lyubomirsky, a psychologist…

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Fr. Jose Parappully SDB

This Indian, who, I am sure, must be very close to God, is not a Christian. When Kailash Satyarthi was born, he was named Kailash Sharma. Sharma is a common surname among Brahmins in India and Nepal. How did Kailash Sharma become Kailash Satyarthi? ‘Satyarthi,’ by the way, means ‘seeker of truth.’

What made him change his name?

Barred from his own kitchen and dining room

Not merely his admiration for Mahatma Gandhi but also something that happened when he, as a young man, organized a dinner for ‘high caste’ people. He let it be known that the food that would be served would be cooked by Dalits. None of the leaders turned up. But it didn’t stop with that. They went on to threaten that he and his family would be excommunicated. If they wanted to save themselves from excommunication, he should take a holy dip in the Ganges, and organize a feast for 101 Hindu priests, wash their feet and drink that water. Kailash refused and so was barred from entering the kitchen and the dining hall in his own house and was forced to use his own utensils. Kailash Sharma chose to renounce his caste and the entire caste system and changed his name to Kailash Satyarthi…

 

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Fr M.A. Joe Antony SJ

(339-397 CE)

“The Emperor is within the Church, not above it…  I say this with all humility, so also, I state it with firmness.  Some threaten us with fire, sword, exile; we have learnt as servants of Christ not to fear.”

 (Letter XXI, no. 37—Sermon against Auxentius)

Ambrose of Milan is well known for his role in the conversion of Augustine.  At the same time, a close reading of his life reveals a political spirituality which offers us insights for dealing with modern day situations.  The above-mentioned quote forms part of a sermon opposing the attempt by emperor Valentinian to take over the Portian Basilica in Milan.  The emperor was only fourteen years old; real power lay with his mother Justina, who was an Arian.  She sought to strengthen Arianism in Milan by bringing the Arian bishop Auxentius and wanted to offer him the Portian Basilica—a Basilica used by the Catholics.  After three unsuccessful attempts to usurp the basilica, the emperor and his mother gave up their efforts.  This and other incidents from Ambrose’s life led to the emergence of a spirituality of political engagement which demarcated the domains of both, the church and the state.

Ambrose was born into a political family in the year 339. His father was the praefectus praetorio in Gaul.  They had been Christians for generations and among their ancestors was the martyr Soteris.  However, in keeping with tradition, Ambrose delayed his baptism until he was an adult.  A good education in philosophy, rhetoric and literature prepared him for the juridical service of the state. By 370 he was the governor of a province which had Milan as its capital.  In 374, while exercising his duties in enforcing order during the election of a new bishop, he himself was unanimously elected as the bishop by the different factions of the city.

 

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Interviewed for MAGNET by Sr Celine Vas, our associate editor, eighty-seven-year old Sr Pauline Yadav, a Medical Mission Sister, tells us her story, adding perceptive insights into religious life, the differences she sees between older and younger religious, and what she learnt from inspiring leaders. How did Padmavathi Yadav, eldest daughter of civil surgeon Dr Parmanand Yadav and Shantha Devi, become Sr Pauline Yadav?

Sr Celine: Sr Pauline, you hail from Agra. That you are the only Catholic as well as a religious nun from your family fascinates me. What made it possible?

Sr Pauline: Yea, frankly speaking, those years we did not come across any Catholics in our area. The occasional Catholic we came across was someone from the tribal belt seeking employment in posh houses and farms. My dad, a civil surgeon,  knew some priests and nuns. I did not know any of them, as I was too small. I lost my mother when I was just three years old. I was then shifted to Dehradun for my kindergarten. My dad married again. His second wife was a lady from Gwalior who had lost her husband and had a daughter and a son. They joined our family.  I continued my study at St Thomas School at Dehradun.  When I completed my schooling…

 

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Sr. Celine

 A close look at ‘The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994’ (THOTA-1994)

‘Organ Transplantation Technology’ offers a gift of life to patients suffering from terminal stage of organ failure diseases.  Every person who dies naturally or in an accident is a potential donor.  Given the statistics of accidents in present days, there are enough human organs available to transplant.  Yet, innumerable patients cannot find a generous donor.  The shortage of organs for transplantation is virtually a universal phenomenon, including India.  Many do not come forward for organ donation because of the lack of awareness, coupled with prevalent myths and fears.  Creating awareness among the people on the importance of organ donation and motivating them is possible by providing accurate information on the issue.  Here is a humble attempt to impart information on the provisions of the primary legislation, namely, “The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994” (hereafter THOTA-1994).

What is Organ Donation?

“Organ Donation” is a voluntary gift of one’s organ (includes organs and tissues) wherein the donor authorizes it to be removed legally while donor is alive or after death for the purpose of transplantation.  “Transplantation” means the grafting of any human organ from any living or deceased person to some other living person for therapeutic purposes.  A healthy transplantable organ may be donated to be implanted into the body of another person in order to save or greatly enhance the life of the recipient.  Some human organs can be donated by living donors, such as, a kidney or part of the liver, part of the pancreas, part of the lungs or part of the intestines…

 

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Ravi Sagar SJ*

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE to MISSION COMPLETE

While thirty-two International Teams were battling it out in state-of-the-art stadiums in Russia for close to a month for the prestigious 21st edition of the quadrennial WORLD CUP 2018, twelve young Thai football players from the “MOO PA” (Wild Boars) football team, along with their coach, Ekaphol Chantawong, were struggling for survival. They were trapped on 23^rd June inside a dingy and cold six-mile long Tham Luang cave in the treacherous Doi Nang Non mountain range.  Termed as “Mission Impossible,” the 17-day ordeal to rescue the youngsters, definitely gripped the attention of the world.  Ninety expert SEAL divers—40 from Thailand and 50 from other nations—as well as thousands of paramedics and volunteers, battled against time and inclement weather conditions. SEAL divers braved rising waters and manoeuvred through dangerous labyrinth-like tunnels to rescue the players and their coach. “Mission Complete” on 10^th July 2018 on Thai Navy SEALS Facebook page stated, “We are not sure if this is a miracle, science or what. All the 13 Wild Boars are now out.”

In the midst of all this jubilation and celebration of courage and hope, one cannot forget the sacrifice made by a thirty-eight-year-old Thai navy SEAL diver, Saman Gunan. “He completed his task of delivering three oxygen tanks, but lost consciousness on his return trip, as his ran out of oxygen” reported a Thai SEAL. No greater love than one laying down his life for another. This is the miracle of the Tham Luang cave rescue. SEAL commander Arpakorn Yookonkaew rightly stated, “We won’t let the life lost be wasted. In his death, they found greater courage and determination in the next three days to change “Mission Impossible” to “Mission Complete.” His wife, Waleeporn Gunan, summed up her husband’s life in these words, “He loved helping others…

 

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Fr. Glenford Lowe SDB

I was invited for a Hindi movie recently. It was an offer I willingly declined at first. I really wasn’t too excited. I know the storyline of any Bollywood movie. The songs, the dances, the colour, the costumes, the same old sequence between hero and heroine. But, I was assured that Hichki would be different. The story centres around an aspiring teacher, Naina Mathur (played by Rani Mukerji), and a batch of fourteen unruly 9th class students in an elite school.

“There are no bad students, only bad teachers,” Naina says off the cuff. Life was hard on her. She suffers from Tourette Syndrome (TS), a neurological disorder that causes repetitive and involuntary movements or ‘tic’ noises. Despite this embarrassing medical condition  which neither the management nor the students understand, Naina is determined to be a teacher—and a good one.  At home, her life revolves around her ever-dominating father with his own dream for Naina, the silent presence of her mother and a charming brother at her side to comfort her. At school the dynamics are more hostile! She must face the ruthless slum kids with their annoying behaviour, and the ridicule and jealousy by the elite management of the prestigious St. Notker’s school. The movie has its twists and turns. The great turn is in the lives of the fourteen kids! Naina and the kids make the classroom a playground of inner transformation.

You and I can do the same. How?

Education is real when it is inclusive, inspiring and introspective. Education must be a level-playing ground where all are treated as one. Teacher Naina reaches out to those students on the periphery and challenges them to compete with the very best. The marginalised ones accept the challenge and out-beat the others. A quote from the movie puts us in the right perspective, Ek aam teacher padhata hai … ek acha teacher samjhata hai …. Bahut acha teacher ho toh khud karke batata hai … lekin kuch teachers hote hai joh humein inspire karke jaate hai zindagi bhar ke liye (“An ordinary teacher teaches… a good teacher explains … a very good teacher shows an example by doing it himself… but there are some teachers who inspire us for our entire life!”)

No Student a Failure:

The scholastic year 2018-19 has started. The SSC/HSC results have been declared. The successful ones were embraced with smiles, sweets and songs. Those who ‘failed’ faced shame, scorn and shouts. Ten years of education and to be told you didn’t make it, labelled for ever a ‘failure’—what a parody! In ancient Greece, Socrates argued that education was about drawing out what was already within the student. (As many of you know, the word education comes from the Latin e-ducere, meaning “to draw out”). Ten years of ‘drawing out’ and to find out that there was nothing that could be drawn out! Empty from the start. Education can never be measured by written exams backed up by the curriculum, assessments, classroom arrangement, books and computers. Hichki again has a beautiful quote to reflect upon: School ke bahar jab zindagi imtihaan leti hai…toh subject wise nahi leti… (“Outside of school, when life takes an exam, it doesn’t do it subject-wise!”)

 We often marginalize students because of their intellectual capacity, their social status and economic background. No student is empty from the start. There is an abundant wellspring, a sleeping giant, an unpolished diamond that dwells within every student. Education is about drawing that out. Failing to draw that out is failure on the part of the educator. Eric Hoffer rightly says: “The central task of education is to implant a will and facility for learning; it should produce not learned but learning people. The truly human society is a learning society, where grandparents, parents, and children are students together.” As religious, we run the best schools in the country! But sadly, we run the risk of running after ‘success in examinations’ rather than creating a society of learners whose minds are open and dare to question the ‘why’ and the ‘why not’?

A NEW WAY OF EDUCATING:

Classrooms can easily become prisons rather than palaces, agony more than ecstasy, and above all institutions for conformity rather than a home for growth. A third of a student’s day is desk-bound. Education is more a matter of the heart than an intellectual quest to satisfy. Based on the movie Hichki, here are a few tips to make your classroom a playground of inner goodness:

1. Make the classroom a home:

Manage with the mind, but lead with the heart. Know that the sacred lives of the students have been entrusted into your care. Know them by name rather than by a number on the roll call. Students don’t care how much you know. They want to know how much you care!!! Love makes the classroom a home.

2. Be fair, not partial:

Be fair! It’s not easy. Treat all students fairly. You are their teacher; you rightly belong to everyone. Be all inclusive. But, at the same time, befriend the ‘difficult’ ones. They are the ones who need you most.

3. Deal with disruptions lovingly:

Students will always be students. They will—without malice-disrupt and distract your class. Remember: A rebellious student is an insecure student. Find time after class to give attention to them by building confidence in them by ‘giving a word in the ear.’ Correct them with love. A small word can transform the climate of your class and school. Don Bosco, the great educator, believed in the power of the ‘word in the ear.’

4. Deal with discipline issues privately:

The classroom must be a second home—not a battle ground for winners and losers. Order and discipline is necessary in your class. Be human and deal with discipline issues privately than cause a student to ‘lose face’ in front of his/her friends.

5. Use humour, not sarcasm:

Poor teachers confuse good humour with sarcasm. While humour can quickly diffuse a situation, sarcasm may harm your relationship with the students. Use your best judgment, but realize that what some people consider funny, others may find offensive.

6. Motivate for excellence:

Students are not stupid. They are only sleeping giants. Trigger the need for excellence and draw out

the best in each student. Mediocrity is never a benchmark. Be a coach, not a referee!

7. Use time and space creatively:

Let your classroom be a learning laboratory. Remember your kindergarten days…. Learning is maximum in an atmosphere of fun and creativity. Text books limit creativity. Technology has shortened the learning timespan. Students have more time on their hands. Invest in creative activity – even beyond the walls of the classroom!

8. Create a family spirit:­

Develop collaborate rather than competitive learning. Invite the bright students to adopt a weaker

student. To go higher, students need to learn to pick up the other.

9. Make rules understandable:

Every rule defends a value. Let students know why a rule is set in place. Purposeful students are open to learn better. You play the parent figure. Help the student to know that discipline is not the enemy of freedom. Make no compromises when it comes to discipline. There is freedom in discipline!

10. Give primacy to God:

All learning is futile if, at the end of the day, we do not become more loving human beings. While we feed the intellect, we need to nourish the heart and the soul. Have a primacy for God in your life and your students too will become more God-loving. Your classroom must create a sense of the sacred and a respect for people of all faiths and religious traditions.

What difference will you make to your students in 2018-2019? May it be beautiful and lasting.

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