home

Live your life with purpose and focus on your blessings, not your misfortunes; focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses. Be yourself and don’t wait for the approval of others. But most importantly, have a positive and humble mindset, no matter what situation you’re in. Count your blessings, not your problems, and you will realize that your life is really beautiful. These are a few tips to count on your Blessings!

Human life – A very Precious Gift

Human life is truly a precious gift. Each moment of human life carries us towards an opportunity, to act, to develop, and express our virtues. Every moment unlocks the path to us to receive blessings. This is the truth that life may bring both positive and negative situations to us. What is really important is how we react to the situation.

Life is a gift of God in the form of trust that we will make it meaningful in whatever we can. We are all unique individuals. No one is born like you and no one will ever be, so cherish your individuality. You look at our human body, for instance. What is the human body? Science has revealed that the human body is made up of millions and millions of cells. The human genome program reveals that the human genome contains 23 pairs of chromosomes. For example, just look at our palm, or iris in the eyes—each of us is unique, the sheer creativity of God. No one looks the same as another; in fact, even twins differ in their voices, handwriting and in various other ways. “You are precious and honored in my sight Is43:4”. God might enjoy the beauty of His creation and he has created everything with a purpose.

---

Sr Dr Josephine SCSC

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

Is it possible at all, to arrive at wholeness? – It would be no surprise if your mind has been grappling with this question after reading the previous issue. The three-dimensional description of wholeness that was presented there, would have kindled questions such as; “how is it possible for anyone, to be complete, to have perfect health and be without any flaw?”, “Would God expect us to be perfect like Him?” and, “Is it not foolhardy, even to aspire for such an impossible dream?” In fact, if you had had such questions, it is a very good sign. The very objective of this series is to find answers to these questions. Rather than answering these questions with easy or ready-made answers, let us attempt to understand the real meaning of wholeness.

‘Wholeness’ is a word replete with diverse meanings, levels and dimensions. There is also special dynamics that facilitate the relationship between different parts that make up the whole. It is essential to understand each of these different factors and put them into practice in our journey towards wholeness. Above all, wholeness is not merely a philosophical, psychological or a theological concept but a tangible and applicable entity that has a great impact on our every day life. In fact, a truly ‘holistic person’ would bear witness to the fact that it touches the core of our being and seeps into every fibre of our existence. In this essay, we shall discuss the five different flavours of the meaning of wholeness that we experience in our day-to-day lives.

---

Fr. Dr. Joseph Jeyaraj, sdb

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

Everyone is under authority.

Everyone has authority.

How?

Everyone, whatever position he or she may hold—in religious settings or politics or the armed forces or in a family—is under the authority of someone else.

Thus, a religious superior is appointed by a “higher” superior or body. Or else, what would be the source of his or her authority? The same goes for politics or a family.

We all are under others and hold some responsibility for some others—unless we are talking of little babies, of course.

Authority figures—heads of governments or religious superiors appeal to a Constitution or some higher power or source to justify their claim to authority.

We all start life by being cared for by others, and being under their care and authority. This needs no explanation. None of us simply dropped from the sky as fully fledged grown-ups. Dependence is our first experience. And, all through life, we depend on others in many ways.

Meaning and Purpose

Jesus said: “All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me.” He did not use it to dominate others or to claim privileges. He did not use his power to punish enemies or humiliate rivals. No. Power in the New Testament is the power to heal.

Authority in the New Testament is power at the service of love.

As a hymn in the Breviary says,

“Where true love is dwelling, God is dwelling there;

Love’s own loving Presence love does ever share.

Love of Christ has made us out of many one…

Cherish one another with love sincere.”

The meaning and purpose of authority in the church—at all levels, from the Pope to bishops to priests, to religious superiors or parents or anyone holding any particular post in the church—is to share this love.

Devoid of love, authority becomes a source of abuse. It damages.

Then, as it has happened countless times in politics and business, someone holding authority—a head of state, a teacher, a police officer, a government official, …–can exploit others cruelly. There are too many examples of extremely cruel leadership to need mention here. Think of the diabolic cruelty of the North Korean regime or what Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler or the USSR under Stalin did. Those “under them” obeyed—and did unthinkably atrocious things to other human beings.

---

Fr Joe Mannath SDB

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

Diana (name changed) was standing at the school gate, waiting for her father to pick her up. Suddenly, two men appeared there and started a conversation with her. They told her, that her father had asked them to pick her up today as he got busy with some official work.

What did this little Diana do?

Diana didn’t have a mobile as she is studying in 5^th STD, but her senior who was also at the school gate waiting to be picked up had a mobile. Diana approached her senior and asked if she could lend her mobile to call her mother. As soon as Diana dialled her mother, these strangers left the spot.

Diana immediately understood that they were kidnappers. Noticing those men who came to pick Diana up, leaving the spot, Diana’s senior asked her, “What happened, why did those men not pick you up?” Diana said, “See! My mother had told me, other than your parents, if someone else comes to pick you immediately dial me and I will tell you if I have asked them to pick you up! So, as soon as I took the mobile to call my mother, these men escaped. They are kidnappers, my mother had told that many children are being kidnapped and we should be careful with these strangers”.

This true story is a clear indication that the need of the hour is to educate children and others on the issues related to trafficking.

---

Sr Lini Sheeja MSC

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

The year must have been 1974 when new neighbours arrived – a family of five with two adult children from faraway Australia. Nobody in that family knew how to read and write, and so my 12-year-old sister Lourdes became their official scribe. Light blue aerograms which were folded in three, sealed and stamped – no photos or other things permitted inside. Listening to those letters being read by my sister and the mother of the family dictating her response were accompanied by the occasional tear or two. I used to enjoy watching the whole drama unfold and at times felt envious of my sister that she had such an important and intimate part in the whole operation.

Eleven years later, in 1985, I penned my first missive to a prisoner. Giovanni was doing a 25-year sentence for homicide in an Italian prison. From what Sr. Agnese – a Missionaries of Charity Sister living in Reggio Calabria – had told me, Giovanni had turned himself in to the authorities, after undergoing a spiritual conversion. He longed to connect with people through letters. I was 19 years old and even though I was thrilled by the adventure, I did not even tell my parents, lest Giovanni would one day come knocking on my door after being released or after he escaped! Nothing of the sort happened. Ten years later, in Civitavecchia, I met Giovanni for the first time when on a 24-hour leave from prison. Giovanni finished his sentence in 1997, and today he is the proud grandfather of three children. We still communicate. At times he still longs to be inside his quiet prison cell where he had long periods of time for prayer and meditation, instead of being part of the frenetic and noisy activity of the outside world. (Even though this essay is not directly about Giovanni it is worth mentioning that his girlfriend – who would eventually become his wife while he was in prison – used to travel over 1,000 kilometres on Friday, visit him on Saturday and return home on Sunday so she would be back to work on Monday morning!) Nowadays my letter writing has expanded to more than 35 inmates whom I met over the years.

---

Brother Carmel Duca MC

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

When you read about this woman and her contributions, you can’t help but think, “Can a single woman do so much for war victims, refugees and migrants? Has anyone else founded organizations that strive to end violence caused by religious hatred?’ and so on.  What makes Georgette Bennett an extraordinary woman is the fact that while she is Jewish, the millions who benefit from her compassion and commitment are mostly Muslims.

            Bennette was born in 1948 in Hungary to Jewish parents. Her family migrated to the U.S. in 1952 and thereby escaped what she calls “the worst of two worlds; both fascism and communism.” After completing her B.A. in Sociology, and several post graduate degrees in various subjects, she obtained her Ph.D. in Sociology from New York University, in 1972.

She worked with the Center for Policy Research in New York and the Center for Investigative Reporting in San Francisco. She became a television and radio commentator, and, for a while, was a correspondent for NBC News. She came up with three of her own syndicated radio programs and was a regular commentator for several TV networks.

As Deputy Assistant Director for Administration of Justice and Personal Consultant to the Police Commissioner of the New York City Police Department, she became interested in crime prevention. Using her expertise in financial management, she managed a $1.3 billion budget for the New York City Office of Management and Budget as the head of its Criminal Justice Task Force.

---

Fr Joe Antony SJ

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

I am Sr. Bertha, the Provincial of a Religious Congregation. We had begun our Formation house in a particular place. However as the number of candidates is becoming less, we shifted our formation to another place and would like to begin a tailoring class for school drop-out girls in the existing building. Can we make such changes in the ministry on our own?

Both the Codes (CIC & CCEO) vehemently elucidate that in order to establish a house of a religious institute the competent authority of the Institute should obtain the previous written consent of the diocesan bishop of the place. Since Canon is advocating ‘written consent’, a written request should be made by the authority. The consent of the diocesan bishop to erect a religious house of any institute entails also permission to exercise a specific ministry according to the charism of the Institute and the need of the local church.

 Therefore while making a written request to establish the house; the competent authority should also mention the ministry which the Institute will carry out in that place.  In tune with the same juridical formality, canon 612 of CIC and canon 415 of CCEO prescribes that for a religious house to be converted to a place of apostolic works different from those for which it was established, the consent of the diocesan bishop is required.

---

Sr Navya Thattil OSF

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

Fr Gregory Arockiam SVD is at heart a missionary who has made the spirituality of Jesus very tangible and real in his own life.  A committed priest and ardent in his following of the Divine Word, spiritual direction comes naturally to him as you will see reading through the lines of this life giving interview.  Through his compassion and intent listening he has brought solace in the lives of many a troubled soul.  His responses to Janina Gomes’ questions generate warmth in our hearts.

1. You joined the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) at a very early age when you were just about 14 years old. How did you become aware of your calling?

My vocational journey to religious life and priesthood was a slow and gradual process of growth and self-transformation that  has made me what I am today. At every stage of my formation, the formators and my companions have shaped my vocation and mission. At this moment, I am very grateful to my first Rector Fr. Karl Ritz, SVD, a German missionary, who saw my talents and potential and empowered me to live a life of radical dedication and missionary commitment.

2. You have an elder brother who is a diocesan priest in Tamil Nadu. Are you from a very religious family and have you had a religious upbringing?

I thank God for my late parents, for their life of prayer and discipline. My father was a very generous and spiritual person, who instilled in us a life of prayer at home. My elder brother, Fr. Arul Arockiam, a diocesan priest of the diocese of Palayamkottai, has been my role model and Mentor. He has a heart for the poor and needy. There was also a good atmosphere of family prayer and piety at home.

3. You have had an all-round education and formation, with a degree in Maths, study of Philosophy and Theology, at Jnana Deepa in Pune, and training in counseling in Australia. Is it because your superiors were prescient about your potential and talents?

Yes, I am very grateful to my Congregation, the Society of the Divine Word, and to all my Superiors both in Papua New Guinea (P.N.G) and in India who offered me many opportunities to equip myself for the various ministries, and  helped me make a significant contribution as a pastor, formator, counselor and spiritual guide. I am also grateful to many others, who placed their trust and confidence in me and my abilities.

4. You spent 18 years of your life as a missionary in Papua New Guinea. What were your experiences of mission life there and can you recall and narrate any interesting incidents relating to this mission?

My eighteen eventful years in Papua New Guinea as a Divine Word Missionary living in an international and intercultural community, are still the best years of my religious and missionary life,  meeting all the challenges posed by a new culture and setting. I had to learn a new language and unlearn many things, in order to adjust to a new way of life. I was greatly enriched by living among 250 SVD priests and brothers in one single province, and it has made a big difference to my life. I have been amazed by some of the extraordinary missionaries who have generously made a great contribution to the life and mission of the people. One among them is the late Archbishop Leo Arkfeld, SVD, who was fondly called “the flying Bishop”. He was a pilot and he flew his own small plane to reach his people and fellow missionaries.

The first ten years of my life as a grass roots bush missionary were a challenge and I consider this phase of my life as the best part of my missionary life. I admire my fellow missionaries who have taught me a very valuable lesson by their dedication and hard work, in building a viable local church by promoting local vocations and empowering the laity in the life and mission of the church. Papua New Guinea has the first local Cardinal now. It is a dynamic local church and we – the SVD missionaries and Holy Spirit Sisters – have continued to serve them during the past 126 years. I wish to salute my fellow missionaries who continue the mission with great dedication, despite the many struggles and challenges.

5. You have combined pastoral work with administration and counseling activities at different stages of your life. Has it made you a more compassionate human being?

When I look back with gratitude, I realize that I am still growing to be a more compassionate person, aware of my strengths and limitations. I am fully aware that I am a “Wounded Healer” and a person on a lifetime inner journey of healing and self-transformation. It is an unending journey of compassion, sensitivity, and care. As I move to the wisdom years of my life, my fond wish and prayer is that I radiate ever more God’s love in a new and creative way.

6. When you worked as Asst. Parish Priest in Sacred Heart Church in Andheri, did you find it a dynamic parish with lay people playing an active participatory role in Parish activities?

Yes, it is very true. When I returned to India in September 2000, I was assigned to a multicultural parish in Andheri East, Mumbai, where the laity  took a very active part. A significant moment in the Archdiocese of Mumbai was the Archdiocesan Synod in January 2001. It offered a vision and mission statement, for the renewal of parishes. Today in Sacred Heart Church Parish, 36 Small Christian Communities are active and empowering the laity with their formation and empowerment programs. The parish has become a vibrant parish with many cells and Associations, with a vision, mission and an action plan. The parishioners are very generous and actively participate in many activities.

7. You were Asst. Director of Atma Darshan for a few years, known to be a leading centre of spirituality and counseling. Did you do administrative work there, or were you also actively involved in counseling?

There was minimum administrative work and more time for counseling, retreats, and psycho-spiritual seminars for priests, religious, and laity. I was busy with Guided Retreats for religious and priests. Besides, I was a student Counselor in St. Arnold’s School, on the same Andheri campus.  I also used to go out to preach retreats for Diocesan priests and religious men and women all over India. We today have an active SVD Lay Partners Group both in Mumbai and now in Pune known as Disciples of the Divine Word (D.D.W) and I am their Spiritual Director. I guide the group and we reach out to the less privileged through our “Feed the Hungry” Programs. All these ministries have reshaped my worldview and enlarged my horizon.

8. You have been a formator of SVDs and have undertaken retreats and spiritual direction for the religious and lay people. Do you feel a lacuna in these areas and how important are these for the future and growth of the church?

Today religious and priestly formation is an integral and holistic experience. The fourfold aspects of formation are human, intellectual, spiritual, and pastoral. That is the ideal, but the reality is very different. I have spent half of my priestly life as a formator in two countries and two cultures. There are many challenges, and the motivation for formation is often a mixed one. Today the Indian church has become a mission-sending church and consequently, our formation should be shaped by those global and local realities. We need priests who have had a deep mystical experience of God and our lifestyle and ministry should be ever new and creative. Our formation should empower many to be prophets and to be the voice of the voiceless and the people on the periphery.

9. You are known to be a very understanding counselor in giving spiritual guidance, do you see this as the fruit of your long and comprehensive training for the role?

Thank you for your very affirming words. Besides the long years of formation and special studies,  my ministry is shaped by many experiences of my priestly life and supported by a life of prayer and a contemplative lifestyle. I also seek personally, counseling and spiritual direction and guidance, as I accompany others humbly in their sacred inner walk. I am also convinced that I need to become a more mellowed channel of God’s grace and compassion. My wish and prayer is to be ever a humble minister to the ministers.

10. Is there anything you would like to add?

For me, life is a gift and blessing. As a religious missionary, I experience even more the joy of living, with a very simple lifestyle. Our next SVD General Chapter in 2024 has the following theme: “You are the light of the World: Faithful and Creative Disciples in a Wounded World.” As I look at the sunset years of my life, my wish for all priests, religious and young people in formation is that they be ever more faithful and creative disciples in a post-Covid world.

---

Fr Gregory Arockiam SVD

To subscribe to the magazine, click Subscribe

Thomas Merton Movie “Monk on the Run” (2022), 83 minutes

Director: Jacquie Plews

Thomas Merton, writer, poet, mystic, monk, activist, pioneer in Buddhist Christian dialogue and traveler, was among the most famous Catholic thinkers of the last century. This film is a two part recapitulation of his life and the themes of his life. The first part is recollections by his admirers, friends and acquaintances and clippings from some of his presentations. In Part II (Winter Rain: Six Images of Thomas Merton ) Michael Moriarty presents an intimate view of Merton in the form of a long soliloquy. He  begins with his entry into monastic life at a historic moment when Pearl Harbor had brought the U S into the World War. His early life marked by the untimely loss of his mother, his troubled youth  and the various phases of his life as writer, student of religions, his interactions with Eastern religions, and his controversial  involvement in  socio political movements are depicted. The film begins with Merton’s arrival at the remote Trappist Abbey of Gethsemani, Kentucky which satisfied his yearning for “a simple and romantic life.” Here he would spend the rest of his life dedicated to deep contemplation, writing and occasional journeys outside especially to satisfy his yearning to know diverse religious traditions outside Christianity.  Born of Welsh artist parents in France, Merton was baptized in the Anglican Church. The family migrated to the U S during World War I. He and his brother lost their mother in their childhood. He graduated in languages and English literature and made friends with many prominent artists and academics of his time. His exploration of religions, finally led him to the Catholic Church and into monasticism. He earned his reputation as a writer and went on to write about 60 books in 20 years including his autobiography The Seven Storey Mountain.

The movie gives us a glimpse into his inner journey encouraging each of us to take the real journey in life – the inner journey of growth. In the closing sequences we are given glimpses of his inner conflicts and the tensions between his religious identity as Father Lewis and the public persona  the writer ‘Thomas Merton’, treated with self-criticism and humour.

Our Lady of San Juan: four Centuries of Miracles (2021) 122 minutes

Director: Noé González

Cast:  Mau Lopez, Alex Peña, Alejandra Yáñez, Frank Rodríguez, Humberto Fuentes, John A. Webber.

This is a dramatization of the famous legend surrounding Our Lady of San Juan, Guadalajara,  juxtaposing it with the experience of  miraculous healing and restoration in a Mexican working class family.  The story of San Juan goes back to the early colonial era, when  travelling Franciscan missionaries installed a wood carving of the Virgin by a Nochiztleca tribal artist which was shifted to Mezquitilan in 1542 where the statue was devoutly preserved in a mud walled chapel by a tribal couple. In 1623 a trapeze artist and his family passed through the village.  Legend says that during a performance, the little daughter of the family fell off and was killed. The native woman who guarded the Virgin statue laid it on the dead girl and prayed, resulting in a miraculous restoration to life.   Since then the place has grown into a centre of pilgrimage and innumerable miracles were reported from there, inviting worldwide attention. St John Paul II visited the shrine in1990. The film retells the old legend in much detail, involving a dashing circus man and his adventurous romance with Maria, the daughter of an impoverished Spanish aristocrat trapped in debt by a scheming slaver. The horseman rescues Maria and they marry. He travels around Mexico as a circus performer, and later experiences the miraculous restoration of his dead daughter. This story runs parallel to the story of the alcoholic Pancho and his wife Carmen the hardworking tailor in a clothes factory in the city. They have frequent quarrels over Pancho’s irresponsibility and drunkenness. Pancho loses his job and still refuses to give up his drunkenness. Things take a worse turn when their only daughter the beautiful and  talented Gabriela is found with an incurable heart disease requiring costly and prolonged treatment.  Gabriela is clinically dead. But she has an out of body experience in which she meets the Virgin along with her dead hospital mate Pedro who had died earlier. The film highlights the force of faith, “a driving force that is greater than human will which allows us to perform colossal tasks” as the film declares at the opening.

---

Prof Gigy Joseph

To subscribe to the magazine, click Subscribe

Be Holy For I am Holy: The Seven Pillars of Holiness

 Zacharias Mattam S D B (2018)

An erudite comprehensive work steeped in the scriptures offered by the author as a tribute on the occasion of his 50th year in priesthood, the book is a guide to the faithful in all walks of life on how to fulfill their call to holiness. It reflects a mind and soul that has travelled the path of learning contemplation and sacramental life. In the Preface he cites the Visitation episode from the Gospel as dear to him. It shows how Mary hastens to visit Elizabeth and how the Holy spirit manifests in them. Similar is the case with a priest on the occasion of his ordination which provides him the power to act in the person of Christ, enabling him to bring Him to everyone.  The five part book begins with the ‘Universal Call to Holiness’ which involves the ‘Five Fundamental Truths about Holiness’. It helps to clear away the traditional notion that holiness is almost impossible for ordinary people.  Holiness is to be understood as God’s project for all and is easy. The scripture speaks of God’s people in both the Exodus and in the letter of St Peter that His people are “the chosen”, “royal priests” and “a holy nation”. The fullness of the Holiness of Christ is offered to us as gift.   The Second Part explains how Baptism unites  us  with Christ. The third and central part explains the Seven Pillars of holiness involving our participation with Christ in building the mansion of holiness. In the fourth Part, we glimpse at God’s ‘Work of Art Realised: Transformation into Christ.’ We are taken through the life of Christ in the Gospels and how the encounters with different people especially sinners transformed them into saints. The seven Pillars are the following: 1. Repentance and conversion of heart 2. Being led by the spirit 3. Being nourished by the Eucharist 4. Being sustained by the Word of God 5. Feasts that actualize the mystery of salvation in us. 6. Prayer, fasting and almsgiving 7. Devotion to Mary. “There is nothing more easy, more attainable, more within reach, and in the power of everyone, than sanctity.”

Run Baby Run

Nicky Cruz with Jamie Buckingham (1968)

Tim Dilena’s ‘Foreword’ says:  “What makes Nicky’s story amazing is that God can take random events and original intentions and turn the whole situation into a providential masterpiece.”  Nicky Cruz’s story of conversion from criminality to a missionary of peace proves this.  Born into a large Puerto Rican family that practised sorcery, Nicky experienced brutality and victimization, growing up with fear and hate.  His mother used to call him ‘Lucifer’. His father was punitive. Sent to his brother in New York, Nicky was thrown into the midst of school violence, drugs, prostitution and gang wars in the slums around. After a few encounters with the bullies of a gang self -styled the Mau Mau, he became their leader and plunged into a life of criminality. In 1958, Nicky, his girlfriend Lydia and a fellow gang member Israel stumbled into David Wilkerson, a young street preacher engaged in the mission of evangelizing street gangs. Sensing fear and alarm as he heard Wilkerson read the Gospel passage: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” Nicky mocked and threatened Wilkerson. Wilkerson’s patient response confused Nicky when the preacher said he loved Nicky – the first time anyone had ever said that to him! Wilkerson visited Nicky’s den, thereafter and told him that Jesus loved him. The hateful Nicky did not know how to respond; he could face up to a knife wielding enemy like himself, but this was different! Wilkerson’s words kept haunting him. Wilkerson convinced Nicky of his real condition and offered a possibility of redemption. Finally Nicky along with many of his friends are overwhelmed and gave up their life of hate and violence to follow Christ Jesus through Wilkerson’s efforts. He became one of the most famous preachers and missionaries of peace among the youth of America and an educator whose efforts have restored thousands of troubled youngsters from the path of violence and self destruction. “Run Baby Run is a thrilling story. Thousands of troubled young people have read this story and turned their lives over to Christ!” the co-author Jamie Buckingham writes.

---

Zacharias Mattam S D B | Nicky Cruz with Jamie Buckingham

To subscribe to the magazine, click Subscribe