We are at the crossroads of where the Church is heading as great changes take place in independent countries free from colonial rule, and in relations between diverse cultures and religions.  Indian Catholics could look upon St. Joseph (Naik) Vaz as a model and a guide for the years to come in this changing world because they have a long historical and spiritual connection to him.  And he lived and worked as a missionary in conditions very similar to their own.

Read more stories on St Joseph Vaz on Indian Catholic Matters here

Past Indian Connections with St. Joseph Vaz

1. Devotion to him has been long and constant in India

For over three centuries, there has been a strong devotion to St. Joseph (Naik) Vaz in India.  Without that devotion, as much in India as in Sri Lanka, there would have been no Beatification in 1995 and no Canonization in 2015.

2. Indian ancestry and connection to early Christianity in India

St. Joseph Vaz is an Indian whose ancestors were converted only 90 years after European colonialism came to India with the Portuguese conquest of Goa.  His family is one of those who bridged the transition from the ancient religion of India to a new faith and way of life brought to India by the Portuguese.

Despite the pressures to change their identity, they saved their Indian language and culture, and developed a composite Indian-European identity of their own

His apostolic work to rescue the Church in Mangalore and “Kanara”

St. Joseph Vaz has had a deep and abiding influence on his native Goa but also on what used to be the most Catholic part of the state of Karnataka.  This is Mangalore and its surrounding coastal area of “Kanara.”  The Dutch had begun to compete with the Portuguese for the spice trade monopoly held by the Portuguese in India and Sri Lanka and also the Moluccas to the east.   They made alliances with Hindu rulers around Mangalore and with Buddhist kings in Sri Lanka to drive out the Portuguese, take their seaports and put a ban on the Catholic faith.  In Mangalore and the Kanara region, they burned and destroyed Catholic schools, colleges, and institutions including the many that had been established by the Jesuits along that coast.  They also banned all European missionaries from entering and working in those territories.

When the young Father Joseph Vaz heard about the plight of the persecuted Catholics in Sri Lanka who had been abandoned for forty years since Sri Lanka fell to the Dutch in 1656, he felt called to go to Sri Lanka to serve them.  Instead, the Chapter of Goa sent him to Kanara to re-build missions and churches there.

He left for Goa in 1681.  He had started to walk barefoot since his Ordination to the priesthood in 1676.  Now he walked barefoot from Goa to Mangalore.

It is recorded that he crisscrossed the region, re-building churches and schools and establishing new ones. He also visited the sick and treated them as needed.  He ransomed Christian slaves that had been enslaved for forced labor by the local rulers.

3. His biggest and most lasting public miracle took place in India

It should be noted that his most lasting public miraculous shrine is in India, not Sri Lanka.  The miracle took place in a small remote village called Ullal not far from Mangalore, on a high hill called Mudipu.

In 1684, Father Joseph Vaz was taken there by a group of men who didn’t like his preaching.  He had been exhorting the local people to return to the Catholic faith and to regularize their marriages in the Church.  The men who objected to his counsels, told him that he was needed by a sick person.  But when they reached the hill of Mudipu, they took out knives to kill him.  He knelt down to say his last prayers.  Three springs burst out of the ground where his knees and his staff touched the earth.  Pilgrims of all faiths have been going there for healing and consolation for three hundred and thirty-eight years.   There are still many families in Mudipu whose family history is connected to that shrine.

4. He gained entry for Indians into Catholic religious Congregations and Orders

Indian Catholics can credit St, Joseph (Naik)Vaz for Indians being able to gain entry for non-Europeans into religious congregations and later, into religious Orders.

In 1684, St. Joseph Vaz returned to Goa from Mangalore and joined a group of native priests who wanted to live, pray, and work in community.  They were given the dilapidated Church of the Miraculous Cross (Cruz dos Milagres) in Old Goa.  He was

advised by his spiritual advisor to apply to the Oratory of St. Felipe Neri in Lisbon to be affiliated to the Oratorian Congregation.  On September 25,1985 this Congregation adopted the Oratorian Constitution and became an Oratory in Goa.

The final approval from the Pope was gained just before he died. This was the first fully Indian native religious congregation of our times.

Present and Future Importance of St. Joseph (Naik) Vaz to Indian Catholics

1. He is an inspiration and a model for all those who must face persecution and hostility to their faith even in modern countries that guarantee religious freedom.
2. He petitioned the Dutch authorities in 1706 publicly and at the risk of his life for Freedom of Religion as a human right which state authorities should grant to people
3. As Pope Francis said at his Canonization ceremony in 2015 in Colombo, he knew how to present the beauty of the Gospel in a multi-faith context, and he represents the Church’s mission of mercy to those who are ill and suffering because of his service and nursing care of the abandoned victims of smallpox. Both are ideals for modern Indians.
4. He lived and worked under the native, non-Christian rulers of the Buddhist kingdom of Kandy, and gained their protection for the twenty-three years of his work there. He is a model for Catholics who have to live under non-Christian rulers.
5. He admired, studied, and used the native languages, cultures, poetry, and music to present the Gospel. He’s a model for those Indian Catholics today who are building a liturgy and a Church in India that is fully enculturated.
6. Perhaps one of the most prophetic examples he set was his trust and use of the Laity. He trained them to teach entire communities the Catholic faith, he took their advice and counsel, he allowed them to run chapels and churches, and to manage their funds.  Will modern Indian Catholics adopt his use of a synodal Church instead of a Church imprisoned in the clericalism he tried to avoid?

Filomena Saraswati Giese was born in Goa, India and brought up in Singapore.  She’s educated in Singapore, Australia, and the U.S. She’s currently based in Berkeley, California, US.

She founded the Joseph Naik Vaz Institute in 1980 to keep alive the memory of then Venerable Fr. Joseph Vaz and to work for his Beatification and Canonization. Her sister, Ligia, inspired her to work for the recognition of St. Joseph Naik Vaz as a Saint of the Catholic Church. She has a Master’s in Theology from the Jesuit School of Theology at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.  Her Master’s thesis was on the aspect of Indian “Sannyasa”(Renunciation and Yogic lifestyle) in the life and missionary work of St. Joseph Naik Vaz. The work of the Joseph Naik Vaz for the Cause of St.. Joseph Vaz has been recorded in the Positio Historicas for the Cause and accepted as evidence of international devotion to him by the Church.

The post Why St. Joseph (Naik) Vaz “Matters” to Indian Catholics appeared first on Indian Catholic Matters.

With COVID-19 pandemic almost behind us, the Catholic community across India is gearing up to actively celebrate in this year’s World Mission Sunday on October 23.

The World Mission Sunday is celebrated in every Catholic community not only in India but also across the world. It’s a moment of grace to express solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Christ who are living in situations of poverty, violence and oppression. Every parish, school and community is invited to join this special event. And every rupee, penny, pound and prayer one gives to Pontifical Mission Organizations (also known as Missio Organizations the world over) helps missionaries everywhere continue their work.

The Pontifical Mission Organizations is a set of four distinct Pontifical Mission Societies with one principal aim, that of the promotion of the universal missionary enthusiasm within the hearts of the faithful. This is made possible through:

(a) the dissemination of information, making others aware of the significance of the missions,
(b) the promotion of missionary vocations and
(c) the gathering and distribution of material help for the missions for its systematic structural works and for young Churches who seek to build communion with other Churches for the sharing of goods and mutual assistance.

For this year’s World Mission Day the Holy Father has reflected on three key phrases in his message for the theme ‘You Shall Be My Witnesses (Acts 1:8).’

1. ‘You shall be my witnesses,’ – The call of every Christian to bear witness to Christ,
2. ‘To the ends of the earth,’ – The perennial relevance of a mission of universal evangelization,
3. ‘You will receive power’ from the Holy Spirit – Let us always be strengthened and guided by the Spirit.

Pope Francis highlighted on the importance of theme, “The words ‘You Shall Be My Witnesses (Acts 1:8).’ were spoken by the Risen Jesus to his disciples just before his Ascension into heaven, as we learn from the Acts of the Apostles: ‘You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth’ (1:8). This reminds us that the Church is missionary by nature. This year World Mission Day offers us the opportunity to commemorate several important events in the Church’s life and mission: the fourth centenary of the founding of the Congregation de Propaganda Fide, now the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, and the second centenary of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith. A hundred years ago, the latter, together with the Society of the Holy Childhood and the Society of Saint Peter the Apostle, was granted the title ‘Pontifical’.”

“In light of this action of the Holy Spirit, we also want to consider the missionary anniversaries to be celebrated in 2022. The establishment of the Sacred Congregation De Propaganda Fide in 1622 was motivated by the desire to promote the missionary mandate in new territories. A providential insight! The Congregation proved to be crucial for setting the Church’s evangelizing mission truly free from interference by worldly powers, in order to establish those local Churches which today display such great vigour. It is our hope that, as in its past four centuries, the Congregation, with the light and strength of the Spirit, will continue and intensify its work of coordinating, organizing and promoting the Church’s missionary activities” the Holy Father exhorted.

It was a young French woman, Pauline Jaricot, founded the Society for the Propagation of the Faith exactly 200 years ago. Her beatification will be celebrated in this jubilee year. Albeit in poor health, she accepted God’s inspiration to establish a network of prayer and collection for missionaries, so that the faithful could actively participate in the mission ‘to the ends of the earth’.

This brilliant idea gave rise to the annual celebration of World Mission Day, in which the funds collected in local communities are applied to the universal fund with which the Pope supports missionary activity.

Pope Francis went on to add that in this regard, “I think too of the French Bishop Charles de Forbin-Janson, who established the Association of the Holy Childhood to promote the mission among children, with the motto ‘Children evangelize children, children pray for children, children help children the world over’.

The Holy Father also highlighted the work of Jeanne Bigard, who inaugurated the Society of Saint Peter the Apostle for the support of seminarians and priests in mission lands. Those three Mission Societies were recognized as ‘Pontifical’ exactly a hundred years ago. It was also under the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit that Blessed Paolo Manna, born 150 years ago, founded the present-day Pontifical Missionary Union, to raise awareness and encourage missionary spirit among priests, men and women religious and the whole people of God. Saint Paul VI himself was part of this latter Society, and gave it papal recognition.

“I mention these four Pontifical Mission Societies (Missio) for their great historical merits, but also to encourage you to rejoice with them, in this special year, for the activities they carry out in support of the mission of evangelization in the Church, both universal and local. It is my hope that the local Churches will find in these Societies (in Missio) a sure means for fostering the missionary spirit among the People of God,” Pope Francis added.

According to Pontifical Mission Organizations’ (India) national director Rev. Dr. Ambrose Pitchaimuthu, “We will have a more meaningful and creative celebration of this world event in our parishes and institutions, to ignite the spirit of mission in all of us.  Let us not forget our baptismal commitment towards Missionary Charity through our prayers and generous contribution to the Universal Solidarity Fund, as is needed for our Mission and the World Mission.”

The post After a Lull of Two Years, Catholic Church Gears Up for This Year’s World Mission Sunday Celebrations appeared first on Indian Catholic Matters.

The Catholic world is looking for a Saint who worked under Covid-like conditions of an epidemic or pandemic who could be a model and Patron during our Covid times.  Two models of this kind of Saint have emerged in the last couple of years.  One is the Indian-Sri Lankan Saint Joseph Vaz who died three hundred and eleven years ago and whose Cause took an agonizing three hundred and nine years to be acted on.  The other is American Fr. Patrick Ryan who died one hundred and forty-four years ago and whose Cause was started after Covid started in 2020, and is nearing its first phase of completion within a month.

1. “Indian-Sri Lankan Saint for our COVID times”

One strong candidate is Indian-Sri Lankan St. Joseph Vaz, who came from a remote part of the world in rural, coastal India and died in a faraway Buddhist kingdom in the high country of Kandy, Sri Lanka.  He was a living Saint whose work among the persecuted and among those with a deadly infectious disease was extensive, and in some cases miraculous.  When Covid attacked humanity suddenly in 2020, many of us who knew his life were struck by the similarity of the serious infectious and deadly nature of this new disease and the smallpox epidemic in the Buddhist kingdom of Kandy in 1696.

As someone who had researched the life of Indian-Sri Lankan Saint St. Joseph Vaz, I had an article published in January 2021 titled “Indian-Sri Lankan Saint for our COVID times” in the Bombay Examiner (2021. https://josephnaikvaz.org/archives/974) describing his heroic actions during the smallpox epidemic in Buddhist Kandy.  They are recorded in the accounts and letters left by his contemporaries (see: Fr. S.G. Perera, S.J. Life of  Blessed Joseph Vaz. Apostle of Sri Lanka. Pg. 122. Reprint 2020. Kandy. Sri Lanka).

When the King, his courtiers and nearly all the population of the city left and abandoned the dying victims in the streets and jungles, St. Joseph Vaz and his young nephew, Fr. Joseph Carvalho, stayed not only to give spiritual ministrations to them, but to physically nurse them, clean their sores, feed, and shelter them.

Here are some of their actions for the abandoned victims:

1. He put up sheds with branches of trees to shelter the sick from wild animals.
2. He gave food to all; arranged a place for lying down; squeezed the matter from their pocks; killed the vermin that were breeding; cleansed the sores and washed them with water.
3. He went through the streets both morning and evening, carrying always on his shoulders, pots of rice  and other foodstuff for the sick.
4. Making no distinction whether one was a Christian or a pagan, he and his nephew visited all with the same charity, and helped all according to their needs, cleansing and washing all, even the filthiest.  His contemporaries wrote that Father Joseph Vaz and his nephew, Fr. Joseph Carvalho, visited all with the same charity, and helped all according to their needs, making no distinction whether one was a Christian or a pagan.
5. As many had deserted the city to flee from the pestilence, there were houses left vacant. The Fathers chose and rented four of them near the church and transformed them into a hospital.  He thus established the first hospital in Kandy.
6. They spent the whole day visiting both the hospitals and the houses of the sick, administering the Sacraments to the dying. 

Appreciation: The Buddhist King’s gratitude to St. Joseph Vaz         

Several of his contemporaries wrote that the Buddhist King used to say that he wished he had four priests like him in his kingdom, and that his city would have been left without inhabitants if this priest had not been there.  He wanted to give a great sum of money to the Venerable Father.  When the members of his

council pointed out that he would not accept it since he did not touch money, the King was filled with admiration at such disinterestedness.

What recent Popes have said about St. Joseph (Naik)Vaz during the deadly smallpox epidemic and his special place as an Asian Saint

Pope St. John Paul II presided at the 1995 Beatification of St. Joseph Vaz in Sri Lanka, the main theater of his missionary life. Pope St. John Paul II said in 1995 at his Beatification: “His heroic charity, shown in a particular way in his selfless devotion to the victims of the epidemic in 1697, earned him the respect of everyone.”

In his homily at the Canonization ceremony in 2015, His Holiness Pope Francis also chose to highlight this Saint’s heroic self-sacrifice for those with a highly infectious disease.  Most importantly, the Pope described his nursing care of victims of a smallpox epidemic in the Buddhist Kingdom of Kandy, Sri Lanka in 1696, as a mark of the Church’s own mission to the suffering and the fatally ill people of the world.  Here’s what Pope Francis said:

• “St. Joseph Vaz had a particular desire to serve the ill and suffering. His ministry to the sick was so appreciated by the king during a smallpox epidemic in Kandy that he was allowed greater freedom to minister. 
• His example continues to inspire the Church in Sri Lanka today. She gladly and generously serves all members of society. She makes no distinction of race, creed, tribe, status or religion in the service she provides through her schools, hospitals, clinics, and many other charitable works.
• Saint Joseph knew how to offer the truth and the beauty of the Gospel in a multi-religious context, with respect, dedication, perseverance, and humility.

In April 2021, we sent a petition to H.H. Pope Francis to consider him for a Patron Saint during this pandemic that’s taking so many lives because of his nursing care of infectious people.  His work for the sick, the highly infected, the abandoned victims was extensive, and recognized public by non-Christians as well as our Catholic Popes.  That Petition is before the Pope for some decision but needs support from the Churches of India and Sri Lanka where he worked as a missionary under persecution and nursed the infected and abandoned..

1. Meanwhile the American Church has been promoting the Cause for Canonization of Fr. Patrick Ryan as a Model of Service during a Covid like epidemic

In an article in the National Catholic Register on August 16, 2022, we read one of the many reports in the American Catholic press of the story of Fr. Patrick Ryan, the young priest who “continued to go from house to house in the worst-infected area of the city of Chatanooga,in Tennessee,  offering sacraments and prayer for the sick and needy”  during an epidemic of yellow fever which took many lives.  He contracted the disease himself and died from it on September 28, 1878.  In 2016, priests and historians in his diocese proposed that a Cause be started for him because there had been a tradition that he had made heroic sacrifices to visit those who were ill and the dying from yellow fever.  On the 140^th anniversary of his death in 2020, just after the appearance of Covid, the diocese of Knoxville opened the first session in Father Ryan’s cause for canonization.  It falls into a new category of Martyrdom called “Offering of Life” that Pope Francis initiated in 2017.

His Cause for Beatification and Canonization is being vigorously prosecuted by the Diocese of Knoxville and has the great support of the American Bishops here have also been statements that link his self-sacrifice to Covid.  Bishop Rick Sticka, bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville which started his Cause, said: “Rather Ryan truly had the heart of a priest.  He gave himself completely to people of all backgrounds and faiths.  He saw the presence of God in all people and refused to abandon anyone to protect his own life.  I find it a blessing to know that at this moment of a pandemic, we have the example of Father Patrick Ryan.”   We expect him to be given special recognition in the area of Covid by September 28, the anniversary of his death, and perhaps his possible Beatification.   (https://www.ncregister.com/blog/canonization-cause-for-father-patrick-ryan-moves-forward).

It is our hope that these and other models of heroic risk-taking for the infected and dying will be recognized by our local churches and by the Universal Church as inspirations to us during the Covid era.

Filomena Saraswati Giese She was born in Goa, India and brought up in Singapore.  She was educated in Singapore, Australia, and the U.S.

She founded the Joseph Naik Vaz Institute in 1980 to keep alive the memory of then Venerable Fr. Joseph Vaz and to work for his Beatification and Canonization. Her sister, Ligia, inspired her to work for the recognition of St. Joseph Naik Vaz as a Saint of the Catholic Church. She has a Master’s in Theology from the Jesuit School of Theology at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.  Her Master’s thesis was on the aspect of Indian “Sannyasa”(Renunciation and Yogic lifestyle) in the life and missionary work of St. Joseph Naik Vaz. The work of the Joseph Naik Vaz for the Cause of St.. Joseph Vaz has been recorded in the Positio Historicas for the Cause and accepted as evidence of international devotion to him by the Church.

The post St. Joseph Vaz & Fr. Patrick Ryan: Emerging Models for the Covid Era appeared first on Indian Catholic Matters.

Bengaluru: Fr. Aloysius Santiago SDB, Rector and Parish Priest of Don Bosco Shrine here was felicitated for his being the “frontline hero” during the COVID-19 pandemic period of 2020-2021. He was honoured during a function at Don Bosco Church on October 24. The Parish Council, pious associations of the parish under the guidance of the Women’s Commission of Don Bosco Shrine Lingarajapuram, organised the felicitation programme in the presence of parishioners and special invitees.

Msgr. C. Francis, Vicar General of the Archdiocese, who was also the chief guest of the felicitation function, speaking on the occasion said, “Fr. Aloysius has left an indelible mark on the church through his works of mercy, providing relief materials to people across the State. The Archdiocese of Bangalore is proud to have such a priest who has risked his life to look after the suffering and needy neighbours.”

The Archbishop in his message lauded Fr Santiago with praises saying Father’s heart goes towards the poor and he has special concern for the differently abled persons.

Archbishop Peter Machado, in a video message, said he was happy the parishioners and others were paying homage to “your Fr and pastor” because Fr Aloysius Santiago, the parish priest has newly established Women’s collective. “Greet him, wish him and honour Fr Aloysius in a fitting manner,” Archbishop Machado encouraged all concerned.

Archbishop Machado who had four other prior engagements and programmes could not make it on the occasion on Sunday said, “Fr Aloysius has given his heart to the parish not only to look after the spiritual and liturgical things, but has also involved himself in the affairs of the people especially the poor people.

“During the Corona time he has done so much sending people here and there, making the needy comfortable and also trying to extend his love and affection for everyone. Fr Aloysius is associated with so many secular associations such as Lion’s Club and Rotary Club to help the slum dwellers. The Archbishop who is also president of the Karnataka Region Catholic Bishops’ Council said he himself had also gone and taken part in a few programmes. Fr Aloysius is a loving and great pastor,” he added.

Normally, people do not bother much when priests are there, but shower praises on them when they go away. “Now you greet him well and give him a kiss if necessary and make him happy”, he urged all concerned.

“I would like to thank Fr Aloysius for the services he is rendering for the Archdiocese as a Salesian, a pastor, parish priest and a friend of so many of you,” the prelate added.

The Archbishop, president of All Karnataka Christian Forum for Human Rights (AKUCFHR) stated he was also happy the women’s collective is very active and more and more people join in. He hoped all women of the parish would be a strong unit in supporting the Church, supporting the members of the society especially the poor. The prelate concluded saying “I am also with you.”

Fr Shalbin Paul Kalancherry, Salesian Vice Provincial in his address said that Father Aloysius has given the best from what he had to the poor and needy during the pandemic times.

Fr George Kannamthanam, a social worker. Fr Jude, Parish Priest of Don Bosco, Hospet, lay leaders of various language groups also spoke high of him in their recorded video messages.

The guests of honour included Fr Jude SDB and Fr Kiran SDB. The cultural programme such as dance, songs and other items formed part of the felicitation function.

The post B’luru: Fr Santiago Felicitated For His Humanitarian Services During Covid-19 appeared first on Indian Catholic Matters.

Bengaluru: Don Bosco Church here organized the fourth round of Covid-19 vaccination drive of Covishield for 18 years and above on September 14.

Fr. Jude Joseph sdb, the Assistant Parish Priest, inaugurating the drive urged people from all walks of life not to hesitate to receive vaccination, as this was the need of the hour, with vast majority of Indian population already taken it. This is a precautionary measure to prevent Covid-19 from spreading. Fr Jude also reminded those present to be cautious and to follow the protocols at all times. He said people should be happy that the Government and BBMP made the vaccination available to them in their own locality. Fr Jude who joined the parish team recently also prayed prior to the launch of the programme for the people who were going to receive the vaccination and the team of health workers and officials.

Around 200 people made use of the opportunity and were vaccinated. While thanking the volunteers who were part of the team of organizers from Don Bosco, the Congress Party workers and Dr. Sukanya of the UPHC (Urban Public Health Centre), Fr.Aloysius Santiago, SDB, Parish Priest, Don Bosco Church Lingarajpuram, expressed his desire to make Ward No.49, Sarvagnya Nagar Constituency Corona-free ward. He wished to create awareness among people dwelling in and around Lingarajapuram to get themselves vaccinated. Fr Santiago also wanted to safe guard the area by encouraging people to take precautionary steps.

“Since April 2021, we have started campaigning on vaccination. Vaccination drive was conducted for five days at a stretch for the age group of 45 and above. People were reluctant initially,” said Fr. Aloysius Santiago, who is also rector of the parish, formed a team who educated people on how this vaccination would help save their lives.

Masks were distributed on few occasions to migrants. Provisions were given to people of Gulbarga and Bellary districts besides fortunetellers and such other floating population. People were educated on the need for hygiene and sanitation. Repeated and continuous awareness programmes were conducted and the required assistance was rendered to them and follow up done, he stated.

Most of the people around have been vaccinated and the same strategy was applied to Janaki Ram slums. DBSL (Don Bosco Shrine, Lingarajapuram) took up another programme of feeding the people with lunch and dinner for at least 500 daily for six months during Corona for as many were jobless and in abject poverty.

A three-day camp was conducted in August and the Don Bosco Service team vaccinated around 300 members of the slum community. Last week they had done Covaxin vaccination for 200 people and on September 14, Covishield for another 200. They plan to cover at least 1000 in the Janakiram Layout slum, in the Mosque, Don Bosco Centre and also at Government School at Kachakarnahalli migrant colony near here. “We plan to continue this vaccination drive till we achieve the motto – ‘Let’s work for Corona-Free Ward.”

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By Teresa Joseph fma –

Teachers Day has always been one full of surprises. It is so true even today, in the midst of COVID-19 restrictions and the ‘new normal’ in which each one of us is gradually getting immersed into. Yesterday evening, as I was moving to the Chapel for community prayer of the Rosary, a small group of 3 young girls stopped me: “please see our dance they said.” Oh you are getting ready to surprise to your teachers was all I could utter. Their faces brightened up…

Thirty minutes of prayer swiftly flew, and as I entered my office to log on to an online provincial vocation coordinators meet, a small group of 4 boys called out to me: “Sister, please see our skit…”

Teaching today: an adventurous task

Teaching has always been a pleasant, adventurous and committing task. Today, in the midst of COVID-19 with online teaching, it has become even more adventurous and more and more teachers are getting the hang of it all. Teachers are very familiar with sending of links, screen sharing, making online classes alive and participative etc. A word of praise and admiration goes to our younger generation who are experts at modern technology.  It is amazing to watch a teacher’s son/daughter flying in at the correct moment with the right click to assist mom/dad while they are busy with their online classes.

Multiplicity of methods and styles of teaching

Throughout the course of the Century, human beings have witnessed variety of methods and styles of teaching.  A peep into some of the significant books in the field of education and to relevant methods of teaching imparted to those trained for teaching will certainly arouse curiosity and wonder. There is so much available by way of teaching styles and methods. There is much more still in the making…

Online or offline

No matter whether we are online or offline, the child is at the heart of all our teaching. Muriel Spark affirms: ‘The word ‘education’ comes from the root e from ex, out, and duco, I lead. It means a leading out. To me education is a leading out of what is already there in the pupil’s soul.’ In this process of ‘leading out’ education becomes a dynamic process of interaction between the teachers; the one who teaches and the one who is taught.

Paulo Coelho has expressed it aptly: “A child can teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all his might that which he desires.”

In the midst of sharing and caring

The surge of COVID-19 has multiplied in our global human family; genuine gestures of sharing and caring. An open online dialogue with a group of young college students from St. Andrew’s College, Bandra and with those of Auxilium, Baroda Junior College did bring to our notice, how the family scenario has changed all of a sudden as a consequence of the pandemic. Youngsters are more and more tuned to see things from the perspective of their parents; they are alert to step in when their parents are under pressure. Good number of teachers is busy accompanying youngsters to face the ‘new normal’ at home.   “A child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn’t been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him.” ~ Pablo Casals

Fixing our glance on Jesus the Teacher

With two groups of Catechism Teachers, I had the joy of fixing our glance on Jesus the Teacher. Jesus always had his listeners at heart. He spoke to them making use of life situations: How can we not recall to mind Mk 12: 41-44 – The Widow’s Offering?

“Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Jesus spoke to the people Using Stories: Surely you will remember the parable of the Growing Seed in Mk 4: 26-29.

Jesus spoke to them using questions and answering them: Certainly The parable of the Good Samaritan Lk 10: 36-37 is on the tip of your tongue with that ever provoking question: ³⁶ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” ³⁷ The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Time and again Jesus spoke to the people referring to Scriptures. The classical text that comes to mind is: Lk 4: 16-21. Jesus affirmed:  “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Then we have Jesus’ Friendly Approach: Jn 21: 5-7.  Jesus called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. ⁶ He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. ⁷ Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

Finally Jesus taught by his own Love & Life style. Mt 12: 9-13 informs us that: ⁹ Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, ¹⁰ and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” ¹¹ He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? ¹² How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” ¹³ Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.

Happy Teachers Day our beloved Teachers!

Teaching is a vocation and a mission: “A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child.” ~ Knights of Pythagoras

A woman truly knows when to bent down and listen to a child with her heart.

The post With Jesus the Master Teacher appeared first on Indian Catholic Matters.

Ranchi: Continuing its charity work during this extended difficult phase of corona pandemic, the Archdiocese of Ranchi in the state of Jharkhand reached out to the settlements of Barsa, Patracholi and Khesharo villages to support the needy people.

The ration distribution was done today in these three settlements, which are 18 kilometres away from Ranchi city and located in Nagri Block, where most of the families are farmers and their life is dependent on seasonal farming. Now is the time for plantation and there is a shortage of ration in their houses.

Ajay, a social activist, welcomed and thanked Archbishop Felix Toppo SJ for his presence in the village. He also informed the Archbishop about the village set up and people’s conditions. Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, along with members of Ranchi Catholic Youth planned ration distribution in these villages.

Under the leadership of Archbishop Felix Toppo SJ and with the help of Kuldeep Tirkey and others, the people of the three villages- Barsa, Patrachouli and Khesaro,  were gathered in  Basra and distributed dry ration to more than 215 needy families of the area. The families received 15 days’ ration of rice, pulses, gram, soybean and cooking oil.

Kuldeep Tirkey told the people that ration is a loving gift from the Catholic Church, made possible by the generosity of the benefactors of the Church. Archbishop Felix Toppo underlined that the Catholic Church caters the needs of the people and seeks to help those in need. He requested the people to pray to God for the benefactors. Archbishop Felix prayed for God’s protection and grace over people.

Ajay thanked the Catholic Church and said that the services rendered by the Church during this pandemic are commendable and a model of charity work which we should adopt and practice in our localities. Father Ashit Toppo, Xavier, Vinay Ranjit Topno, Naval Tigga, Luis Bada, Amrit, (Catholic Youth) Sabeer Lohra, Shahveer Lohra and local leaders helped in organizing and distribution of ration.

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Vatican: Calling it an act of love toward others, the Holy Father on Wednesday urged people across the world to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

In a video produced in collaboration with the Ad Council, Pope Francis launched an inspiring appeal for people to get vaccinated. “In a brotherly spirit, I join in this message of hope for a brighter future. Thanks to God and to the work of many, we now have vaccines to protect us from COVID-19. They grant us the hope of ending the pandemic, but only if they are available to all and if we work together, he said.

The Pope stated that being vaccinated with vaccines authorized by the competent authorities was an act of love. “Contributing to ensure the majority of people are vaccinated is an act of love. Love for oneself, love for one’s family and friends, love for all people. Love is also social and political, there is social love and political love; it is universal, always overflowing with small gestures of personal charity capable of transforming and improving societies (cf. Laudato si’ , no. 231, cf. Fratelli tutti , 184).”

“Vaccination is a simple but profound way of promoting the common good and caring for each other, especially the most vulnerable. I pray to God that everyone may contribute their own small grain of sand, their own small gesture of love; no matter how small, love is always great. Contribute with these small gestures for a better future. God bless you, and thank you,” he added.

In the video, the Pope was joined by several Cardinals and Archbishops from across the Americas.

Archbishop Jose Gomez, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Archbishop of Los Angeles, spoke on the suffering and death due to the pandemic.

In his plea, Mexican Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes said Covid-19 jabs to a better future for all. “From North to South America, we support vaccinations for all,” said the Cardinal.

Honduran Cardinal Rodriguez Maradiaga said the world has much to learn from the coronavirus.

“But one thing is certain: the authorized vaccines are effective, and are here to save lives,” he said. “They are the key to a path of personal and universal healing.”

Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes lauded the health professionals in developing “safe and effective” vaccines.

Salvadorian Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chavez said vaccination helps protect the most vulnerable. “Our choice to get vaccinated affects others,” he said, adding that it is a moral responsibility.

Peruvian Archbishop Miguel Cabrejos sounded the unity call, saying, “We are united—North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean—to promote and support vaccination for all,” he said, encouraging everyone to “act responsibly, as members of the great human family, seeking and protecting our integral health and universal vaccination.”

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In a statement issued by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), it said, “We are all going through a very difficult time and many of us are facing seriously challenging situations on account of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Those who lost their dear ones to the virus had to resign themselves to having a dismal funeral rite accorded to their beloved. Many are still in the hospitals, struggling under the grip of the invisible enemy. Many others lost their jobs and are finding it hard to make ends meet.”

The letter has been addressed by Archbishop of Goa and Daman and President of CCBI, Most Rev. Filipe Neri Ferrão; Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore and Vice President, CCBI, Most Rev. George Antonysamy and Archbishop of Delhi and Secretary General, CCBI Most Rev. Anil Couto.

With a view to pray for the departed souls, express solidarity with the grieving families and communities and pray for the health of the world, the CCBI Office bearers resolved, at their last online meeting on the 9th instant, to hold a one-hour national prayer service on Saturday, 7 August 2021, from 8.30 to 9.30 pm.

The event will be conducted from the tombs of St. Thomas, St. Francis Xavier and St. Teresa of Kolkata and from the Marian Basilicas of Bandra (Mumbai), Sardhana (Meerut), Hyderabad, Shivajinagar (Bengaluru) and Vailankanni. This special prayer service with a Eucharistic Benediction will be telecast on Catholic satellite television channels like Shalom TV, Goodness TV, Madha TV, Prarthana Bhavan TV and Dhiyavani TV; it will also be streamed through leading Catholic YouTube channels.

They have requested everyone, particularly families and religious communities to join in the prayer service and asked that this event be shared also with those whose family and community members are abroad, so that they too may join in.

Dioceses, religious congregations, associations, movements as well as diocesan, regional and national bodies have been requested to refrain from organizing any meeting or programme during this time, so as to enable as many as possible  to participate actively in this national prayer service. The main details of this Prayer Service will be communicated to all in due course, it said.

“Let us pray as one family to Our Lord and ask the mediation of our Blessed Mother and our beloved Saints to help us in this time of pain and suffering,” the statement added.

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The Family Apostolate under the Pala diocese of the church has come up with an unique initiative for couples who are married after 2000 and have five or more children, will be offered monthly financial assistance of ₹ 1,500.

“It was announced as part of the ‘Year of the Family’ celebrations by the church. This initiative is to provide assistance to large families especially in the post-COVID-19 scenario. We will start receiving applications soon and most probably, we will be able to hand out assistance from August,” Fr Joseph Kuttiankal, who heads the Family Apostolate Shalom Pastoral Centre under the church, said.

Asked whether the move is part of a pastoral letter issued by the Changanacherry Archdiocese in 2019 suggesting that the Christian population in Kerala has dwindled over the years, Fr Kuttiankal said that issue was a “reality”.

“It’s a reality that the population of the Christian community is going down. Our growth rate is less. That is also a reason but the immediate reason is to provide assistance to the large families who are finding it difficult to make both ends meet due to the pandemic,” he said.

“During the formation of Kerala, Christians were the second-largest community in the state. But now, the community is only 18.38% of the state’s total population. In recent years, the birth rate in the Christian community has decreased to 14%,” read the letter, issued by Archbishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam in 2019.

Fr Kuttiankal said the scheme was announced for couples who got married after 2000 because “the elder children of couples who started a family before that year must have completed their education and begun contributing to their respective families”.

The church has also announced free delivery care at a hospital run by it to women giving birth to their fourth child and also that the children, born fourth or subsequently, will be given scholarships to study at an engineering college run by the church.

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