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Pope Francis officially opened the YEAR OF PRAYER after Mass, on the Sunday of the Word of God, on January 21, 2024, after praying the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square. Inaugurating the Year of Prayer in preparation for Jubilee 2025, he called on the faithful to intensify prayer to live well this event of grace: “The coming months will lead us to the opening of the Holy Door, with which we will begin the Jubilee. I ask you to intensify your prayer to prepare us to live well this event of grace and to experience the strength of God’s Hope. Today we begin the Year of Prayer; that is, a year dedicated to rediscovering the great value and absolute need for prayer in personal life, in the life of the church and in the world.”

Rome is preparing to welcome approximately 35 million visitors for the 2025 Jubilee. This is the first ordinary Jubilee since the Great Jubilee of 2000. Jubilees, rooted in the biblical tradition, are important holy years of grace and pilgrimages in the Catholic Church. The Jubilee Year 2025 will be a special time to pause and reflect; a time to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another and with all of creation.  Pope Francis reiterates the importance of prayer saying: “Prayer unites us; it makes us brothers and sisters. It is in prayer that our hearts find the strength not to be cold and insensitive in the face of injustice. In prayer, God keeps calling us, opening our hearts in charity.”

GREAT SYMPHONY OF PRAYER

In preparation for the Jubilee 2025, the year 2024 has been designated as a Year of Prayer. Pope Francis calls for ‘Great Symphony of Prayer,’ highlighting the importance of both communal and personal prayer. He says, ‘In this time of preparation, I would greatly desire that we devote 2024, the year preceding the Jubilee event, to a great “SYMPHONY” OF PRAYER. Prayer, above all else, to renew our desire to be in the presence of the Lord, to listen to him and to adore him.”

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Sr. Celine D’Cunha FMA

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A renowned educator with a heart akin to the Good Shepherd, Sr. Christine Vas, who dedicated numerous years to shaping and mentoring students in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, has been elected as the new Superior General of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo. In this interview, she reflects on her vision and dreams for God’s people, emphasizing collaborative efforts and unwavering commitment infused with apostolic zeal in mission.

Hearty Congratulations and God’s blessings Sr. Christine upon being elected as the Superior General of our congregation!  How has your family background influenced your values and perspectives?

I come from Holy Family Church, Omzoor, Mangalore, where I attended St. Joseph’s Hr. Primary School and Nitya Sahaya Matha High School, managed by the Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo. My family instilled in me deep faith and Gospel values. The parish clergy, Sisters, teachers, and extended family played vital roles in nurturing my spiritual growth. I am the first born, and my youngest sibling is also a religious of St. Charles, studying at St. Johns’ Medical College, Bangalore.

My father enriched our lives with spiritual nourishment through sharing the lives of saints, reflections from Sunday sermons, and his own encounters with God. My parents’ actions spoke volumes, instilling in us values of prayer, honesty, equality, charity, hard work, generosity, compassion, service, and availability from an early age. Our family’s unity in prayer has remained strong, and the unwavering support of my siblings and their families has been invaluable on my religious journey.

How have your educational experiences influenced your understanding of leadership and service within the congregation?

As a young religious in 1988, I was sent to Sarguja District in North India, which later became part of the new state of Chattisgarh in 2000. I spent a major part of my life in MP. My focus was on teaching children, many of whom were from the tribal community with illiterate parents. Emphasizing the importance of family in students’ lives, I prioritized family visits and parent meetings. Regular seminars, awareness programs, and input sessions were organized to educate parents on their responsibilities, health, hygiene, and grooming skills.

Motivated by the stark realities faced by tribal communities and their lack of basic necessities, I dedicated myself to their welfare through quality education and character formation. Serving and empowering them provided valuable insights into service and leadership. A leader’s democratic attitude, positive outlook, and systematic planning of congregational policies leave a lasting impact, which must be translated into action, especially for those on the peripheries. Leadership is service, and leading by example is the most effective form of teaching.

How do you envision incorporating the core values instilled during your formation into your leadership as Superior General?

Journeying down my memory lane I feel proud that the initial formation, different stages of formation and ongoing formation in the congregation was well balanced and quite challenging. The formation provided ample opportunities to be rooted in core values, to be grounded in faith, Word of God, charism, spirit of the congregation, community life, preparation for new responsibilities and missionary initiation which cemented my life as a religious. Integrating my core values into my leadership practice demanded commitment, self-discipline and courage. I am convinced that living my values authentically makes the process of animation more meaningful while unlocking higher levels of performance in community living and apostolate. I want to ground my leadership in Synodality, build up a foundation of trust by listening, participation, open communication, team spirit, discernment and decision-making. I wish to integrate all that I have learnt in the congregation over the years into the fabric of how I lead, communicate values, look at all  major decisions through the lens of gospel values, to walk the talk, maintaining integrity and growth.

How do you plan to nurture and strengthen the charism and mission of the congregation in the changing world?

The charism of the Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo is to incarnate the compassionate love of God for all people, especially the poor and marginalized through all our ministries. Compassion is a fundamental quality, an ingredient that defines our very human nature. Without compassion, we would be insensitive and heartless and not capable of relating to one another. We need compassionate Sisters who put the needs of others before themselves. We have elaborate strategies to live the charism in our own communities and allow it to overflow into our ministries. Living in today’s busy and hectic world, we sometimes get carried away with our own problems. Lots of efforts are made during formation and thereafter to enable the sisters to imbibe the true spirit of charism and mission. We spell out our charism, showing concern for the poor by teaching, caring for the sick, relieving spiritual, moral, mental, emotional and physical suffering. The Charism and Mission is nurtured through prayer and strengthened by our preferential option for the poor, listening to God in the outcry of the migrants, refugees, the indigenous, the women, the prisoners, the sick, the elderly the young. We need to interpret today’s challenges in the light of the charism.

You were assisting the Superior General as her first councilor for the past 6 years. How do you plan to apply the lessons learned from those experiences to effectively lead the congregation as Superior General?

Programs are planned with a clear vision, during Regional, Provincial and General chapter, on community, province and congregational level, keeping in focus the thrust of the congregation for 6 years based on the contemporary context. These have to be implemented in time, well monitored and evaluated from time to time taking into consideration the stakeholders and beneficiaries. We need to orient the sisters annually to be efficacious, build up leadership, empower younger leaders, promote good vocations, emphasize on formation in mission, make optimum use of the potentiality of the human resources, make wise use of land and infrastructure, networking and collaboration and promote SCB Lay Associates.  Listening must lead us to respond creatively to the new forms of dehumanization and poverty and to make the contribution of an eco-theological reflection for the defense of life threatened throughout the ecosystem.

What do you perceive as the greatest challenge facing the congregation currently and how do you plan to address it?

There are many challenges facing the congregation. One among them is the blurring of Value Systems. On the whole we see that the social situation in which we live, poses a greater challenge to an austere way of life that a Religious congregation demands. The avalanche of powerful media of communication with the advent of the so-called ‘information society’ has caused a profound cultural revolution. Other challenges are, the need for ongoing formation, getting involved in the formation of lay people, the challenge of fighting against poverty and misery, political interference, religious intolerance, the challenge of Inter-religious Dialogue and the challenge of decline in the quality of vocations.

We have been already addressing these challenges on different levels, based on the needs of the members. We have advocated retreats, seminars, input sessions, training and updating, networking and collaborating with likeminded people, psychological counseling, mentoring, understanding and encouraging, advocating a well-planned strategy to preserve vocations and promote new vocations by exemplary lives in our own institutions.

The Church is marching forward with the Synodal Spirit. The congregation too stressed on the Synodal journey of the congregation as ‘Sowers of Hope.’ How will you engage with and involve the sisters in decision-making processes to ensure their voices are heard and valued?

We have given due priority to the synodal spirit and it’s three pillars. We desire to make synodality a reality in our community life by cultivating a culture of listening and dialogue, embracing humility, utilizing effective communication tools and practices, fostering collaborative decision-making, promoting ongoing formation and education, building relationships beyond the community and supporting appropriate structures and processes. Integrating prayer and discernment into our communication processes, seeking constant spiritual guidance and inspiration from the Holy Spirit during all our decision-making matters in the days ahead of us. We ought to encourage open dialogue where everyone feels safe to express their thoughts without fear of judgment and to train sisters in active listening techniques to understand others genuinely.

Thank you, Sr. Christine, for sharing your inspiring life journey and your vision for the congregation. With your guidance and foresight, we anticipate continued growth in advancing the Kingdom of God.

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Sr Rita Shanthi SCB

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As we approach the new financial year, it is common to feel overwhelmed by numerous tasks and lack clarity on what needs to be done. Here, I outline key areas for planning, noting that they may vary depending on specific cases:

1. Getting the accounts ready for the new financial year: As a first step, we need to get the accounts software ready for the new financial year by changing the accounting period or splitting the company or creating a new company and importing the required data, as the case may be. This is also the time to add new ledgers or to regroup the existing ledgers according to our specific needs, based on our experience during the year.
2. Identifying the various financial goals for the new financial year: Alongside preparing accounts, we must also define financial goals for the upcoming year, which may include projects, asset acquisition, or renovations. Ideally, these goals should be determined in the current year and reflected in the budget for the next year.

3. Budget: One of the first requirements for the new financial year is preparing a budget and getting it approved by the competent authority, the Governing Body for civil needs and the Provincial/Bishop for the canonical needs, before the start of the new financial year. It serves as a road-map for proper income utilization, incorporating factors like specific goals, receivables, payables, savings, investments, and asset needs. Salary costs, including raises and increase in the number of employees, must also be considered.

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Fr Alex G SJ

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As the gentle breeze of spring whispers promises of renewal, we unite once again to explore the depths of human experience in our April issue of Magnet. Our theme, “The Tomb is Open – Not Merely Empty,” invites us to journey beyond the surface and embrace the profound encounters that shape our existence. In the heart of Easter lies a truth so unfathomable that it transcends the boundaries of time and space – the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Yet, this event is not merely a historical footnote or a theological doctrine; it is a living encounter, an invitation to embrace the fullness of life amidst the shadows of death. The empty tomb, far from being a void, is a portal to transformation, a symbol of hope that beckons us to venture into the unknown with open hearts and minds.

To experience the resurrection is to be open – open to the possibility of miracles unfolding in our midst, open to the whispers of grace amidst the cacophony of chaos. It is an attitude of receptivity, a willingness to let go of preconceived notions and embrace the mystery that lies beyond comprehension. In every encounter – whether with joy or sorrow, beauty or pain – lies the potential for resurrection. It is in the brokenness of our lives that the light of redemption shines most brightly. It is in the embrace of a friend, the laughter of a child, the beauty of a sunset that we catch glimpses of eternity.

Our cover stories traverse the diverse dimensions of encounter, each presenting a distinct viewpoint on the path towards resurrection. In the inaugural cover story, Sr. Shalini RGS delves into the essence of resurrection, portraying it as a dynamic engagement with all facets of creation, particularly with those relegated to the margins, thus catalyzing a trans-formative effect on our lives and revitalizing our spirits. Following suit, in the second cover story, Ms. Janina Gomes narrates the experiences of individuals who, amidst suffering and adversity, have unearthed the profound power of encounter, utilizing pain as a conduit for healing and personal evolution. Delving into the third cover story, Fr. Ricopar Royan explores the profound sense of wonder that accompanies each encounter with nature. Amidst the frenetic pace of contemporary existence, we rediscover our connection with the natural world, finding solace and inspiration in its boundless beauty and mystery. Lastly, in the fourth cover story, titled “Everyday Encounters,” Fr. Babu Jose uncovers the extraordinary moments that lie within the mundane routines of daily life, underscoring the notion that resurrection transcends grand gestures, manifesting instead in the simple yet sublime instances of everyday existence. As we journey through these narratives, may we embrace the requisite openness of heart and mind necessary for resurrection to manifest in our lives. May we foster a spirit of receptivity, allowing grace to flow unimpeded and miracles to unfold before our very eyes. In the voices of our column writers, we hear echoes of the resurrection story – stories of compassion, service, and love that illuminate the darkness and bring hope to the hopeless. Through their marvellous writings, we are reminded that the work of committed religious with the ordinary, the poor, and the marginalized is not merely charity but a sacred encounter that makes resurrection possible in the lives of people.

Easter serves as a poignant reminder of the abundance of miracles that each communion in life presents. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our readers, particularly those who graciously share affirmative letters with the editor, offering invaluable encouragement. A special acknowledgment is owed to our exceptional writers, whose remarkable pieces consistently captivate our readers, delivered with commendable punctuality. We express deep appreciation to the editorial board for their meticulous efforts and to the dedicated team at CRI, Delhi whose unwavering commitment ensures that every issue of Magnet meets its publication deadline. Without the contributions of these dedicated individuals, this endeavour would not be possible.

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It brings me great joy to introduce a new column on Legal issues, a much-needed addition to our publication. We are honoured to have Sr. Mary Scaria SCJM, a distinguished advocate with the Supreme Court of India, as the esteemed writer for this column. Sr. Mary is renowned for her classes on legal matters, particularly concerning minorities, and we are grateful for her expertise. Thank you, Sr. Mary, for joining us. We warmly welcome you to the Magnet community and are confident that our readers will greatly benefit from your insightful contributions.

May we approach each encounter with reverence and wonder, knowing that in the embrace of the unknown lies the promise of resurrection.

Wishing each of you the intense Peace and Joys of Easter.

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Pushpa Joseph

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My grandpa was the dearest person to me in my early years, as a child. I recall a moment when a coconut leaf accidentally fell on me, causing a tear on my cheek. My cries brought my grandpa and mother rushing to my side. I sought comfort in my grandpa’s arms, where his caring embrace soothed me profoundly. He gently laid me on his bed, comforting me with tender gestures until I drifted off to sleep, forgetting the pain entirely. On my first day of school, he accompanied me with a colourful umbrella and a new bag, symbolizing his unwavering support. Countless instances like these showcase his boundless love. As a gesture of appreciation, I decided to celebrate Grandparents’ Day at our school, when I was the Headmistress.

All the sisters in our community and the staff were informed, and everyone agreed. I crafted a beautiful invitation card and sent it with the class teachers to distribute to the students. By noon, all the students lined up outside my office with a request – they wanted to invite not only their ‘Dadaji and Dadima’ (paternal grandparents) but also their much-loved ‘Nanaji and Nanima’ (maternal grandparents) who lived in the villages. This doubled the number of expected guests. Despite the unexpected increase to 1400 guests from the initial plan of 700, I decided to proceed with the idea. When a bright idea strikes, its potential to manifest has a profound impact. Despite my dilemma, my desire to honour our grandparents drove me to push forward and plan the best celebration possible for them.

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Sr Mariella CTC

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FROM KNOWLEDGE TO ACTION

A Training of Trainers (TOT) organized by the North Region was held at CRI House, Okhla, Delhi from 2nd March 4:00 PM to 3rd March 2024, concluding at 3:30 PM. The trainers represented religious men and women from the four dioceses of the North Region: Jammu-Srinagar (2), Jalandhar (5), Shimla-Chandigarh (5), and Delhi (5). The topics covered during the TOT were:

• Gender Policy of CBCI (8th December, 2009)
• Highlights of the study “It’s High Time” (2019)
• Motu Proprio of Pope Francis, 7th May 2019 (You Are the Light of the World)
• Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH), 2013 and ICC (Internal Complaints Committee)
• Prevention of Child Sexual Offenses (POCSO), 2012
• Grievance Redressal Cell (GRC), 2022

The above topics were thoroughly explained by the resource team, which consisted of Dr. Mrs. Amita Joseph, Adv. Sr. Mary Scaria SCJM, Dr. Sr. Anitha Chettiar DHM, and Sr. Mary Colaco DHM.

Session One – Sr Anitha Chettiar

The training commenced with a prayer led by Sr. Mary Colaco DHM. Following the prayer, Dr. Sr. Anitha Chettiar DHM presented the Gender Policy of CBCI, during which she acknowledged the contributions of the then Chairman of the Commission for Women, CBCI, Bishop John Thakur SJ, and its members, including Sr. Lilly Francis SMMI. She praised their dedication and successful publication of the long-awaited policy under the auspices of the CBCI.

Due to time constraints, Dr. Sr. Anitha Chettiar DHM utilized a PowerPoint presentation to emphasize the objectives of the policy, focusing on two key areas: “Women & Education” and “Women in Difficult Circumstances.” She provided apt examples to illustrate the detailed strategies outlined in the policy. However, she expressed disappointment and concern over the clergy’s lack of awareness regarding the policy and its inadequate implementation in various areas. The responsibility to internalize and implement the policy rests with everyone: men and women, commissions and communities, as well as institutions and organizations.

Presenting the highlights of the study, “It’s High Time” commissioned by the Women’s Wing of the National CRI (2019), Sr. Anitha highlighted various types of abuse and harassment experienced by women religious in India, including:

• Low wages for work in ecclesiastical institutions
• Matters concerning property
• Harassment of sisters in their pastoral and apostolic engagements
• Refusal to administer sacraments or celebrate Mass as a manifestation of negative reactions to the sisters
• Ignoring the personal or professional competence of sisters in the service of the mission
• Verbal abuse
• Sisters being humiliated by negative criticism from the pulpit

Participants present were invited to share their personal experiences of abuse and harassment. Sr. Anitha commended the courageous response shown by the sisters and also explained how to cope with and challenge abusers, sharing her own testimonies.

In the next segment of her presentation, Anitha unveiled a significant papal document personally signed by Pope Francis on May 7th, 2019, bearing the title Vos Estis Lux Mundi, meaning “You are the Light of the World.” This directive, a Motu Proprio, indicating the Pope’s special interest in the subject, represents a departure from the formality of decrees and is devoid of the traditional papal seal. Drawing insights from this document, she succinctly underscored Pope Francis’s serious concern regarding sexual abuse within the Church. Mandating action, the document stipulated that Dioceses and Eparchies, either individually or collectively, must institute within a year, stable and easily accessible systems for submission of reports, through the institution of a specific ecclesiastical office. Participants, when probed about the existence of such systems within their respective dioceses, unanimously expressed a lack thereof. In light of this revelation, Sr. Anitha encouraged the participants to approach their bishops to set up these systems as soon as possible.

Session Two – Dr Amita

The second session was conducted by Dr. Mrs. Amita V Joseph on “Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) and ICC (Internal Complaints Committee)” and on “Prevention of Child Sexual Offense (POCSO).” Sexual harassment refers to any unwelcome act or behaviour that is sexual in nature. It is a subjective experience, and what matters is the impact caused on the offended individual, not the intent of the offender. While POSH is based on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act 2013, POCSO refers to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, 2012.

Quoting a survey by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Dr. Amita explained the prevalence of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace with these figures: 52% of women experience Sexual Harassment, 25% are touched without invitation, and 20% encounter sexual advances. Citing relevant examples, she elucidated how sexual harassment often occurs within a matrix of power dynamics. She clarified that consent operates between equals and not between someone in a position of power and the one who is subject to the person in power. Furthermore, she explained the necessity of an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), which is mandatory under the law. Dr. Amita outlined what the ICC entails, its processes, constitution, and the procedure for filing a complaint.

Elaborating on the provisions of POCSO, Dr. Amita explained what constitutes POCSO, the offenses covered under the Act, punishments prescribed by the Act, the distinction between abetment and attempt, procedures for reporting cases, recording statements of the child, medical examination procedures, provisions for compensation and legal aid, and last but not least, monitoring and creating awareness among all.

Session Three – Adv Sr Mary Scaria

On the second day, Adv. Sr. Mary Scaria introduced the initiative of CRI’s Grievance Redressal Cell (GRC) by illustrating with a flower before and after being crushed. She described GRC as a platform for being heard, acknowledged, facilitating dialogue, providing redress, and accompanying religious towards healing. Adv. Mary Scaria elaborated on the concept of GRC, its purpose, context, process, procedures, grievance resolution, guiding principles, and scope. Participants’ questions, based on real cases, were addressed with relevant explanations and examples. She patiently responded to all queries regarding who can approach the GRC and expected outcomes.

In the subsequent session, she outlined the legal provisions and recent enactments, highlighting replacements: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita will replace the Indian Penal Code-1860, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita will replace the CrPC of 1973, and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill will replace the Indian Evidence Act of 1872. She urged participants to abide by the law, emphasizing the importance of documentation and timely maintenance of office requirements for various Societies and Trusts. Using examples, she stressed the need to boldly commit to social justice, secularism, and democracy, even being prepared to be martyrs for these values if necessary.

Sr. Mary Colaco facilitated a group discussion to outline the way forward post-TOT. Participants convened according to their local CRI units and meticulously devised plans to disseminate the GRC and other learnings to every religious within their respective CRI local units in the coming months.

All the units decided to call for their respective executive committee meetings in March itself and plan for their unit before transfers take place. All four units planned to have at least two trainings for all the religious in two different venues: one in the city and another in the outskirts, as the religious are spread far and wide. Each unit planned to explore and identify local resources to train on the topics, along with those who had undergone the training themselves in Delhi. During the feedback session, most participants expressed satisfaction with the awareness gained. They also expressed eagerness to fulfill their responsibility in sharing all the knowledge acquired during the TOT with every religious in their diocese, which includes the Latin, Syro-Malabar, and Syro-Malankara rites. The TOT concluded with gratitude extended to the resource team, the CRI house team, and to God Almighty.

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Dr (Sr) Anitha Chettiar, DHM

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I Felt Only Love

Pope Francis gave him a long loving embrace! During his general audience at St. Peter’s Square on 6 November, 2013 Pope Francis embraced Riva Vincenzo! Riva was a special person with a disfigured face due to a rare disease, causing neuronal tumors. During his life Riva endured rejection and isolation because of his appearance. That embrace of the Pope transformed him to regain his dignity and communion with humanity. ‘I felt only Love’ were words of Riva, in an interview. The transforming encounter with Pope Francis was an experience of Resurrection for him. On 10 January, 2024 at the age of 58, Riva died a healed, liberated and grateful person. The encounter with Pope Francis was life changing for Riva; so also it was for the viewers of the photograph of this compassionate gesture. By embracing Riva, Pope touched the world. Many were inspired to shed their prejudices! How many of our brothers and sisters experience rejection, exploitation and helplessness; they grope in the ‘shadow of death’! They wait for someone, for a long loving embrace so that they may reclaim their dignity and enter into New Life.

Encountering Kamati

Some 28 years ago, accompanied by my Community Sister and a native, I was exploring the reserved forests of Wayanad, Kerala. Though a lover of elephants, I was afraid there would be one hiding somewhere and might attack us. Instead of the elephant, I was surprised to find two little huts, just 20 feet ahead of us, close to the electric fence fixed to prevent attack of elephants. We wondered if anyone lived there. Hearing us an indigenous Pania woman, feeble, anemic, small in stature and clad in minimum clothes came out. Her name was Kamati.  Through her, we learned that she had given birth to her baby just five days earlier.  Her husband had gone out looking for work. She was there alone with her newborn baby in the forest with the threat of wild animals. Kamati told us that she had rice and chilly ‘chutney’ for breakfast. She was suffering from fever. Instinctively, I touched her forehead to check her temperature; and I felt the heat. I thought to myself, if only I had a paracetamol tablet! I was struck down by helplessness. I called her to come and both of us sat on the stones there. She said that she couldn’t go with us to the town to get medicine. I was shocked to hear that she had never gone to the town or gotten into a bus.

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Sr Dr Shalini Podimattam RGS

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Pain and suffering are inevitable in our lives and are integral to our humanity. Tal Ben-Shahar, an American and Israeli author and Professor at Harvard University, states in an excerpt from his book, ‘Being Happy: You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Lead a Happier, Richer Life,’ posted on his organization’s website Whole Being Institute.com, that pain and suffering are important for humanity. He says, “While it is part of our universal nature to seek pleasure and avoid pain, culture plays a central role in how we deal with suffering. We in the West generally reject suffering. We see it as an unwelcome interruption of our pursuit of happiness. So, we fight it, repress it, medicate it or search for quick fix solutions to get rid of it. In some cultures, especially in the East, suffering is acknowledged for the important role it plays in people’s lives in the meandering path towards enlightenment.”

What is the theology of pain and suffering in the Christian perspective? We as Christians believe that human pain and suffering are transformed from something negative into something positive that becomes a source of life because it is redemptive. Each person in his or her suffering is united with the suffering of Christ and thus this suffering mysteriously becomes a source of life and resurrection. St. Paul in his Letter to the Romans Chapter 5: 3-5 says: “Not only that, we also boast even in trials, knowing that trials produce patience, from patience comes merit, merit is the source of hope and hope does not disappoint us because the Holy Spirit has been given to us, pouring into our hearts the love of God”.

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Janina Gomes

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Bird watching is fascinating. This is something that has been happening in my sister’s house in Chennai. Every day a crow perches itself on her kitchen window. Not for his day’s share of cooked food or bird’s feed, but for his delicacy mixture (a common spicy snack). When others try to offer the bird’s feed, it doesn’t interest him. He demands only mixture. So, the mixture finds its rightful place in the weekly grocery list. “If you want to form a bond with a crow, be consistent in rewarding them,” says John Marzluff, a professor of Wildlife Science. It is not about buying their attention or love but about establishing a relationship with what we can offer.

To our surprise, this intelligent being reciprocates with gifts too. Gabi Mann is from Seattle, USA. As a small girl, she used to drop snacks while eating outside her home, and immediately the crows would alight and eat them. As she grew older, she started to reward their attention by sharing her lunch on the way to school. Gabi’s hospitality went from being accidental to purposeful because the family got together and started placing food and water in their backyard. Gabi is luckier because she gets gifts from her feathered allies in return. The gifts include shiny ornaments, rusty screws, a black button, a blue paper clip, a yellow bead and the like. For Gabi these things are more valuable than gold.

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Fr Ricopar Royan SDB

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We can use a knife to cut something or it can cut us, depending on how we hold the knife, by the handle or by the blade.  Similarly, we can be touched and transformed by what we encounter depending on our open disposition or the lack of it, it is a question of perspective.

A Resurrection Moment

In 1989, during my regency with the Missionaries of Charity in the “City of Joy,” Calcutta, I often had to commute via the overcrowded local trains. Once, while hanging onto a running train for dear life, I found myself leaning outward in search of some breathing space—shoulders away from the rest, balancing on my toes at the very edge, and clinging on with one hand. During this precarious journey, amidst the chaos of passengers hanging out from the bogies behind me, there was a sudden eruption of screams and yells. Being new to the city, I couldn’t comprehend a word of Bengali and wondered what it was all about. Then, a fellow passenger beside me put his free arm around my neck and pulled me close to himself. In that split second, I noticed from the corner of my eye just how dangerously close an electric post was to my head. The speeding train passed by, and with it, the screaming and yelling ceased, replaced by a palpable silence—a collective sigh of relief from those behind me who had glimpsed the impending disaster.  When the train stopped at the next station, all of us who had been leaning out of the door disembarked. My eyes and ears scanned the crowd, searching for the face of the person who had saved me and the faces and voices of those behind me, so that I could shake their hands and express my gratitude with a smile. It would have been instant death if he had not pulled me close to him—it was a moment of resurrection and new life. Though 35 years have passed, I still get goosebumps as I write this. I cherish that ‘thank you’ and that smile in my heart for all those gentle souls because of whom I am still alive.

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Fr. Babu Jose Pamplany OFM

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