Jacqueline Kelly –

Saint Joseph is considered to be “the most hidden of the saints”. Nazareth, Jerusalem and Bethlehem were the three scenes in which Saint Joseph’s life played a prominent part. He was a descendant of King David and King Solomon. [Matthew 12:42] and from whose family the Redeemer was to descend [Romans 9:5].

According to the Catholic Encyclopaedia, the Apocryphal date for Joseph’s birth is 90 B.C. in Bethlehem and the Apocryphal date of his death is 18 A.D. in Nazareth. Joseph was named after the Biblical Patriarch Joseph, son of Jacob. The etymological meaning could be “May God add unto [me] you”.

Saint Joseph was a carpenter, and he had nothing to offer our Saviour but his calloused hands a heart full of devotion and love and instead of pomp of the world, poverty and obscurity. Joseph is the Patron Saint of the Dying because, assuming he died before Jesus’ public life, he died with Jesus and Mary close to him, the way we all would like to leave this earth.

When the angel first addressed Saint Joseph as “Son of David” [Matthew 1:20], a royal title used also for Jesus, the great promise made to the family of David was fulfilled in and through Saint Joseph. He was the head of the Holy family, the legal father of our Saviour and the Spouse of the Mother of God; and like Abraham, Joseph was a man of faith and obedience; like Jacob, a man of patience; like Joseph of Egypt, a man of purity; like David, a man according to God’s own heart; like Solomon, a man of wisdom. In the New Testament, too, his position is unique and a “just man” [Matthew 1:19]. Only to Mary was he second in virtue and holiness. Saint Joseph was “the man according to God’s own heart”, “His right-hand man”. [Psalm 79:18] and it is with confidence that he looked to the guiding hand of Providence [Psalm 118:166].

Scripture merely says that Joseph was the husband of Mary of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ [Matthew 1:16]; that he was told by the Angel to take unto himself Mary his wife [Matthew 1:20]; that he was espoused to the Virgin Mary before the angel delivered his heavenly message to her [Luke 1:27]. According to Jewish law and custom the matrimonial contract was essentially sealed with the espousals.

And so, Joseph set out for Bethlehem with Mary because she too as heiress had to be enrolled as there went forth throughout the land a decree of the Roman Emperor Augustus that all the subjected kingdoms, which included the Jewish provinces, should be enrolled together with their inhabitants. It was his duty to support Mary in her services to the Child Jesus.

After the presentation of Jesus in the Temple, Saint Joseph returned with Mary and the Divine Child to Nazareth [Luke 1:39]. That night, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and brought him, the following message: “Arise, take the child and the mother, and go to Egypt and be there until I shall tell thee. Behold, Herod seeks to destroy the child.” Every word of it entailed sacrifice and hardship. The life of exile in Egypt, as may be imagined, was one of toil and suffering. Joseph plied the carpenter’s trade, while Mary spun and did needlework. He waited in Egypt without question until the angel told him it was safe to go back [Matthew 2:13-23] His one concern was for the safety of the child entrusted to him. Saint Joseph had really intended to take up his permanent abode at Bethlehem. But the angel advised him to go to Nazareth.

Nazareth became the pleasant home and garden spot of Christ’s youth, and Joseph was the protector and guardian of this Flower of Paradise.

When Jesus stayed in the Temple at the age of 12, Joseph [along with Mary] searched with great anxiety for three days for him. [Luke 2:48] We also know that Joseph treated Jesus as his own son for over and over the people of Nazareth say of Jesus, “Is this not the son of Joseph?’ [Luke 4:22] Joseph revered God so much. He followed God’s commands in handling the situation with Mary and going to Jerusalem to have Jesus circumcised and Mary purified after Jesus’ birth. Holy Scripture makes particular mention of the fact that the parents of Jesus every year journeyed to Jerusalem for the celebration of the Pasch. [Luke 2:42]

Spiritual leaders are fond of calling Saint Joseph the Shadow of the Heavenly Father. He is the image of the Heavenly Father as regards authority. Saint Joseph is a sublime, venerable and amiable reflection of the Eternal Father. He is the model of the hidden and interior life as he is called the most obscure among the saints.

In his encyclical on Saint Joseph, Pope Leo XIII described Saint Joseph as “the model and protector of virginal integrity”. The Church’s constant tradition holds that Joseph lived a life of consecrated chastity.

The earliest records of a formal devotional following for Saint Joseph date to the year 800 and references to him as nutritor Domini [educator/guardian of the Lord began to appear in the 9^th century and continued growing to the 14^th century. St. Thomas Aquinas discussed the necessity of the presence of St. Joseph in the plan of the Incarnation.

In the 15^th century, major steps were taken by St. Bernadine of Siena, Pierre d’Ailly and Jean Gerson. And Gerson wrote Consideration sur Saint Joseph and preached sermons on Saint Joseph at the Council of Constance. In 1889, Pope Leo XIII issued the encyclical Quamquam pluries in which he urged Catholics to pray to St. Joseph, as the Patron of the Church in view of the challenges facing the Church.

Josephology, namely, the theological study of St. Joseph, is one of the most recent theological disciplines. In 1989, on the occasion of the centenary of Quamquam pluries Pope John Paul II issued Redemptoris Custos [Guardian of the Redeemer], which presented St. Joseph’s role in the plan of redemption, as part of the ‘redemption documents’ issued by John Paul II such as Redemptoris Mater to which it refers.

Together with the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus, Joseph is one of the three members of the Holy family. The formal veneration of the Holy family began in the 17^th century by Franҫois de Laval. Saint Joseph a humble man was highly exalted by God and honoured by the Catholic Church and imitated by all the faithful.

We celebrate two feast days in honour of Joseph: March 19, for Joseph, husband of Mary and May 1, for Joseph, the worker. Pope Sixtus IV [1471-1484] was the first Pope to introduce the Feast of Saint Joseph in Rome in1479.  It then became obligatory with Pope Gregory XV in 1621. Whenever the Church faced some critical moments in her history, the Popes immediately sought the intercession of Saint Joseph. In 1870, Pope Pius IX declared Saint Joseph the Patron of the Universal Church and Pope Saint John XXIII inserted his name into the Roman Canon of Holy Mass in 1962. Pope Francis dedicated a year to Saint Joseph.

Earlier, in 1889, Pope Leo XIII had proposed St. Joseph as a model particularly for “proletarians, workers, and the underprivileged”. Pope Benedict XV placed before workers “in a particular manner the example of St. Joseph, that they may follow him as their special guide and may honour him as their heavenly Patron”.

And Pope Pius XI chose the workman of Nazareth as Patron in the struggle against atheistic communism: “To hasten the advent of the peace of Christ in the Kingdom of Christ, so ardently desired by all, we place the vast campaign of the Church against world communism under the standard of St. Joseph her mighty Protector. He belonged to the working class, and he bore the burdens of poverty for himself and the Holy family….In a life of faithful performance of everyday duties, he left an example for all those who must gain bread by the toil of their hands”.

It was, finally, Pope Pius XII in 1955 who gave concrete expression to the special relationship between St. Joseph and the working class by proclaiming the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, and fixing it on May 1, [Labour Day].

The Pope assured his audience at the Catholic Association of Italian Workers and the “working people of the entire world” in St. Peter’s Square: “You have at your side a Shepherd, a defender and a Father.”

“Our intention in doing so is to bring all men to recognize the dignity of labour. It is our hope, that this dignity may supply the motive for the formation of a social order and a body of law founded on the equitable distribution of rights and duties …. We are certain that you are indeed pleased, for the humble working man of Nazareth not only personifies before God and the Church the dignity of those who work with their hands, but he is also the constant guardian of yourselves and your families”.

The litany of Saint Joseph was composed expounding his noble life and virtues as a model to husbands, fathers, the afflicted, expectant mothers, travellers, immigrants, house sellers and buyers, craftsmen, engineers and working people in general.

Holy Mother Church directs Christian workers to look up to St. Joseph their Patron as model and example of Christian workmanship. As St. Bernard of Clairvaux says, “Imagine his worth from his very name, which means, ‘increase’!” Work per se was never meant to be a punishment; rather, it formed the plan of God. And, so, whether we make a chair or build a Cathedral, we are called upon to bear fruit with our hands, our hearts and minds for the ultimate purpose, viz., the building up of the Body of Christ.

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In homes across the Christian world, families are entering the sacred season of Lent—a 40-day period that serves as both spiritual pilgrimage and shared journey. This traditional time of reflection preceding Easter has taken on renewed significance for many families seeking deeper connection in an increasingly wounded world.

“Lent calls us to pause and realign our hearts,” explains Father Michael, pastor at St. John’s Parish. “In today’s busy family life, this invitation to slow down and reflect together has become more essential than ever.”

The season’s emphasis on intentionality offers families a structured opportunity to examine priorities and create meaningful rituals. Many households report setting aside dedicated time for prayer, engaging in community service, or simply being more present with one another.

“We have made a point of having dinner together every night during Lent, with phones off and real conversation happening,” says Maria, mother of three teenagers. “It sounds simple, but it is been transformative for us.”

Prayer remains central to the Lenten experience, with many families adopting practices ranging from traditional devotions like the Stations of the Cross to more contemporary meditation techniques. Religious educators note this shared spiritual practice creates bonds that extend beyond the season itself.

The Lenten call to charitable giving has also resonated strongly. Community outreach organizations report increased family volunteering during this period, with parents using the opportunity to model generosity for their children.

“When families volunteer together, we see a different dynamic,” notes Samantha, volunteer coordinator at First Hope Food Bank. “Children witness their parents living their values, which makes a lasting impression.”

The practice of sacrifice, traditionally giving up luxuries or habits, has evolved in many households. Rather than focusing solely on what they are giving up, families are increasingly emphasizing what they gain: greater mindfulness, deeper relationships, and renewed purpose.

“My kids initially complained about giving up screen time on Sundays,” shares James, father of two. “Now they look forward to our board game marathons and actually remind me when it is ‘unplugged day.'”

Despite its somber reputation, religious leaders emphasize that Lent is fundamentally a season of hope, a reminder that even in difficult times, renewal awaits. This message resonates particularly with families navigating challenges.

As millions of families continue this ancient tradition in modern times, they are discovering that walking the Lenten path together does not just strengthen faith, it strengthens family bonds as well.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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The term evokes something that one normally eats in a hurry, on the go. Grabbing something maybe at lunch time in between work or as a snack, not a whole meal by itself. But something that generally can keep one going, to get through the day.

It seems unusual to relate sandwiches to Scriptural studies. And yet that is what one comes across if the Gospel of Mark is looked at closely. As part of our weekly Bible studies in our Bible study group, we are focussing on Mark for the past few weeks, after studying Mathew. The differences are quite stark. Mark delivers mainly short sentences at a fast pace, sometimes almost making us breathless. At only 16 Chapters, Mark is the shortest Gospel too. Maybe Mark is what is needed for this hectic digital life of ours nowadays, with no time for almost anything, including reading the Bible.

Mark employs a unique literary construct in his Gospel to deliver key messages. This technique is something that Bible Scholar James Edwards calls a Sandwich. Essentially, there is a story beginning (A1), and another seemingly unconnected story ( B), wrapped up in the first story ending (A2). Just like how a Sandwich is made up of maybe two pieces of bread, and some meat/cheese/vegetables as the filling in between. The whole thing together makes for a tasty bite, a key takeaway or message for us as we seek to follow Him on this path of Christian discipleship.
Let us look at some of the Markan sandwich examples:

Mk Chapter 5

A1 Jairus pleads with Jesus to save his daughter, v 21-24
B Woman with a haemorrhage touches Jesus, v 25-34
A2 Jesus raises Jairus’s daughter, v 35-43

Lesson imparted: Absolute Faith in Him

The healing of the woman with a Haemorrhage and the Raising of the daughter of Jairus show Jesus as extraordinary healer of the sick and raiser from the dead. In the evangelist’s composition two miracles are linked together, the healing of the woman and the raising of the daughter of Jairus by the laying on of hands. As he is on his way to Jairus’ house a woman touches him in the crowd, is healed of the flow of blood. The interruption which this causes to the story serves to prepare us for a new phase: the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue has meanwhile died and Jesus meets with loud lamentation at the house. Thus, the healing of the sick turns into a raising from the dead. A climax of his ministry as giver of life.

The Evangelist has consciously led his narrative up to this point. One need not suppose that the woman with the haemorrhage was healed precisely on this occasion; it is the art of the narrator to heighten the tension and lead up to a new climax. The two miracles, however, are painted in such original and fresh colours that one cannot doubt their good tradition.

Mk Chapter 6

A1 Mission of the Twelve, v 7-13
B Martyrdom of John the Baptist, v 14-29
A2 Return of the Twelve, v 30

Lesson Imparted: The Mission and Cost of Discipleship

The return of the disciples gives the impression that their mission had been successful. This seems to explain the great thronging of people. It is, however, noticeable that they only report in general terms “all that thy had done and taught” The whole item is meant to reflect the future picture of Christian missions. The disciples are “apostles” here, perhaps, in the original sense of “those sent forth” but the later permanent designation “apostle” for Christian missionaries is already evoked. Now we hear that they ‘taught’. They exercise the same activity so often ascribed to Jesus and which remains of significance for the later community. In the ministry of Jesus and of his first disciples there occurs as source and parable what the young church is charged with.

Thus, the request of Jesus to go to a lonely place and rest for a while will also have a significance transcending the situation. Indeed, it fits outwardly well into the framework and is underlined by the reason given which follows. Viewed historically, however, the escape of Jesus to the quiet eastern shore is not quite transparent. According to Matthew Jesus withdraws intentionally because he had heard of Herod’s action. Luke only speaks generally of Jesus withdrawal to the territory of Bethsaida, and he later records a statement according to which Jesus will definitely not allow Herod to influence him in relinquishing his task (13:31-33). Mark mentions still further withdrawal attempts of Jesus (6:45; 7:24; 8:10). So yet another tendency is implied here: Jesus wants to get away from the Galilean people because they cannot produce faith he expects of them. He gradually withdraws into the circle of disciples. The latter becomes the image of the later community, in which, besides missionary work, there is room for inner recollection and reflection. Two things, outward activity and inward retreat, belong to the Christian life (Lk 10:38-42).

Here is one more Markan sandwich:

Mk Chapter 11

A1 Cursing of the fig tree, v 12-14
B Clearing of the temple, v 15-19
A2 Withering of the fig tree, v 20-21

The first reading of the verse Mk 11:12 seems rather harsh as the fig tree is cursed for not bearing fruits out of season, but only having leaves. How could He have expected figs out of season? The fig tree seems to have been cursed for no fault of its own. Can we expect similar treatment from the Lord if He comes looking for fruits in us ahead of time? The Lord cleans the temple in Mk 11:15 and this is also a pointer that our temples, our bodies, need to be cleaned of all that is not from Him.

We are to bear fruits at all times, fruits of the Holy Spirit.

The link between all these becomes clear in Ez 47:12, “Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruits will be for food and the leaves for healing.”

Here is a symbolic action. Jesus is protesting and demonstrating against profanation of the Jewish sanctuary and that the Jewish leaders thereupon seek to destroy him (v.18), it must concern the judgment on unbelieving, “barren” Judaism. Most likely it is an allusion to a passage in Jeremiah, not far from the passage referred to at the cleansing of the temple by the phrase “den of robbers” (Jer 7:11): “Behold my anger and my wrath will be poured out on this place, upon man and beast, upon the trees of the field and the fruit of the ground; it will burn and not be quenched” (7:20). God’s wrath is already unleashed against obdurate Judaism, in particular against its leaders, the “chief priests and the scribes” (v. 18), who do not understand Jesus’ action in the temple and shut their hearts in unbelief. In this case, Jesus’ symbolic action is primarily an expression of the rejection of the unbelieving Jews, and only remotely a threat of the external judgment. Much worse is the inner withering, the atrophy of true faith, which despite all external piety, despite all splendid liturgy, makes it barren and reprehensible in God’s eyes. (From THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK” BY: RUDOLF SCHNACKENBERG, PG 218)

Lesson Imparted: Bearing fruit always by being clean inside and outside.

Have a close reading of the Gospel of Mark to see how many more Markan sandwiches you can find. These sandwiches provide us with spiritual snacks with key takeaways to dip into as we move forward in this fast-paced digital world.

This saying attributed to actor Keanu Reeves seems apt: “Life is good when you have a good sandwich.”

Thank you, Mark, for highlighting key messages for our Christian life in such a unique manner through these good spiritual sandwiches.

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The term ‘Tyagarchana’ is conceived and developed by me to represent the sadhana and ideology of the Kingdom of God initiated on earth by my Lord and Divine Master Sadguru Jesus Christ.

‘Tyagarchana‘ implies sacrificing something willingly and consciously for the glory of God and good of humanity inspired by the living Spirit of Christ and using the time, energy or money thus saved for the good of one’s needy or sick fellow human beings with love. Eg. Giving up watching one’s favourite TV show and spending that time with a sick or lonely neighbour with love, doing physical labour to help a needy or sick fellow human being with love, using a part of one’s income to serve the needy and sick fellow human beings with love…etc.

Love, sacrifice and service are the three constituent elements of Tyagarchana. When Tyagarchana is practised in one’s personal life, it becomes a Christian sadhana for self-sanctification. When it is applied collectively, it becomes an ideology for non-violent social transformation.

I have been practising and experimenting with Tyagarchana since 1982 after my encounter with death in an air accident and the subsequent encounter with the living Spirit of Christ in the Air Force Hospial (I was a serving Air Force Officer at that time).

I have been initiating/promoting a number of organizations, institutions, ashrams and missions with the Tyagarchana of my time, energy and money ever since 1982. Now I have reached a level of 100% of my time, energy and money as Tyagarchana for the Kingdom of God in India.

My fifth Ashram (Deiva Kripa Ashram, Alappuzha) initiated on 1st April 2023 and my 23rd book ‘The Kingdom of God in India’ released on 02 October 2024 at Indian Social Institute, Bangalore, mark this stage of total self-surrender in my life.

With advance in Tyagarchana, my life has also been advancing and expanding in its vision and mission.

The Greater India Movement initiated on 10 September 2023 and its Kerala pilot project termed ‘Tyagarchana Chaitanya Kerala Mahayajnam’ initiated on 02 November 2024 (All Souls Day) are initiatives coming from the 100 % Tyagarchana of my time, energy and money for the Kingdom of God in India.

Now I am waiting for my Divine Master and Lord to bring more men and women who are called for 100% Tyagarchana of their time, energy and money for the kingdom of God in India. They will together constitute an ecumenical communion of visionary-missionaries termed ‘Disciples of Christ for Peace’ (DCP) as outlined in Part-IV of my book ‘The Kingdom of God in India’.

The final stage of my vision and mission is to establish a Viswa Shanti Peetam’ (Global Peace Center) to implement the ‘ ‘Commitment to Global Peace’ signed by the religious and spiritual leaders of the world in the ‘Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious & Spiritual Leaders’ held at the United Nation on 29-31 August 2000, in which I was a delegate from India.

Acharyasri Sachidananda Bharathi is the Founder & Convener, NCRP; Founder & Mentor, DCP & DRV and & Author of ‘Kingdom of God in India’

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(Eph 6:12) “For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.”

China‘s growing hostility towards Taiwan, Iran’s nuclear ambitions and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine all mean the world has never “been closer to World War III than we are now” Donald Trump said in August 2024. The recent escalation of hostilities between Iran and Israel are poised to engulf the Middle East in a comprehensive regional conflict, which may subsequently intensify into a global confrontation, casting the entire world into profound darkness and widespread suffering.

Alicja Lenczewska (†2012), a contemporary Polish mystic and stigmatic, indicates the XXI century as the time when the foretold chastisement and great renewal of the Church will occur.

Are we then on the brink of World War Three?

Even if the answer is affirmative, what does an intelligent person do? They do not build a fallout shelter in their backyard. They do not pack their bags and fly to the safest places in the world, such as Fiji or South Africa. Nor do they stockpile enormous quantities of food in their home. Instead, they dust off the Rosary hanging from their  rearview mirror and pray it daily, and by all means strive to remain in a state of sanctifying grace. 

“The grave challenges confronting the world at the start of this new Millennium lead us to think that only an intervention from on high, capable of guiding the hearts of those living in situations of conflict and those governing the destinies of nations, can give reason to hope for a brighter future.

The Rosary is by its nature a prayer for peace, since it consists in the contemplation of Christ, the Prince of Peace, the one who is “our peace” (Eph 2:14). Anyone who assimilates the mystery of Christ – and this is clearly the goal of the Rosary – learns the secret of peace and makes it his life’s project.” (APOSTOLIC LETTER ROSARIUM VIRGINIS MARIAE, John Paul II)

Although the Virgin Mary did not mention the Rosary in her messages delivered in Fatima, Gietrzwałd, Kibeho or Lourdes,  the mere fact that she held it in her hands would suffice as a testament to the value of this prayer and an invitation to recite it. This act would undeniably demonstrate how much the Virgin Mary desires us to implore her through this prayer, for through it she can bestow upon us the most abundant graces. This fact would also reassure us that, among all prayers offered to her, there is none more pleasing and precious to her than the Rosary.

All readers must have heard of the victorious Battle of Lepanto (1571), the survival of four German Jesuits who lived near the epicenter of the atomic bomb explosion in Hiroshima (1945), and the miraculous withdrawal of the Soviets from Austria (1955). However, no one has ever read about the Divine Intervention in the small town of Chełmno (1939), in remote Poland. This story was recounted by Fr. Grzegorz Strączyński, OFMConv on TV Niepokalanów, on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

“Chełmno, a town situated on the Vistula River in the region of Kujawy, is regarded as a town of miracles. On September 3, 1939, German and Polish forces faced each other here. A terrible, uneven battle took place. Not only soldiers but also civilians lost their lives. Many of the wounded found refuge in a makeshift hospital located in the monastery.

 The sick, the elderly, children, and those who had sought shelter in the town at that time prayed continuously, reciting the Rosary and many other prayers, pleading with the Creator for help. And God did not abandon them. The Immaculate, the Heavenly Guardian, watched over the monastery and the city, over which German bombers circled throughout the day. From the other side of the Vistula, where the fierce battle was unfolding, enemy artillery shelled the town, especially the monastery buildings situated on the opposite hill. The city suffered almost no damage, and not a single window in the monastery was broken. Many testimonies about those events have been preserved, but let us present one, from Mr. Rediger, a resident of Chełmno:

‘On the day the Germans entered Chełmno, that is, on September 5, 1939, in the morning, I went out in front of the house to see what was happening… Suddenly, a German car came around the corner of the street. I was startled and wanted to run, but it was already too late. There were two German officers sitting in the car. They asked me for directions to Toruń. I began to explain to them… but one of them said, “Get in the car and show us the way, otherwise we’ll get lost, and we are in a hurry.” I hesitated. They noticed this and started to reassure me. They said that I shouldn’t be afraid, that they wouldn’t do anything bad to me. As soon as they got on the right road, they would drop me off, and I could return home safely. I had no choice…

On the way, one of the officers asked me about the buildings situated on the hill by the Vistula. I replied that it was probably the monastery, next to which there was a church, and the buildings were surrounded by a defensive wall, which was part of the city walls encircling Chełmno. The German officer responded, “Yes, it looks like a monastery! Interesting, we shelled that building with artillery several times, but every time the order for cannon fire was given, a Woman would appear over those buildings, and with her covering, something like a cloak, she would wave over the monastery, shielding it from the bullets.” At these words, the officer unbuttoned his coat and showed how the Woman did this, then added, “We were very surprised that despite heavy fire, despite perfect visibility and a short distance, our shells did not hit, and we were unable to cause any damage to the buildings. We all confirmed this, and after several failed attempts, we ceased the attack. I am very curious about what that was because it was truly an extraordinary thing.”‘ (according to Fr. Józef Orchowski, “Zwyciężyłeś – Zwyciężaj” (2), “Królowa Rózańca Świętego” No. 3/2015 – there you can find the full account).

The permanent lack of food affecting civilian populations during times of war or local conflicts appears to be almost a normal occurrence. Those who do not trust in God, or simply do not believe, may easily fall into despair in such circumstances. Still, for a Christian who believes that God not only cares for the salvation of mankind but also provides for their sustenance and clothing (Mt 6:25), such a perspective allows for a profoundly different outlook on the surrounding reality.

“She said, “As the LORD, your God, lives, I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a few sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die.”

Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid. Go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake and bring it to me. Afterwards you can prepare something for yourself and your son.

For the LORD, the God of Israel, says: The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.” (1 Kings 17:12-14) 

God has not changed. It is people who have changed their perception of Him. God remains the same as He was in the time of Elijah.

In the region of Karaganda, the Soviet regime established a labor camp whose area was comparable to that of France. Within its confines were individuals from over twenty nations, among whom were also Poles. By the decree of Joseph Stalin, thousands of Poles were forcibly relocated from the territories of present-day Ukraine to the northern steppes of Kazakhstan. In June 1936, they founded a small village, Oziornoje, situated approximately 150 kilometers from Petropavlovsk.

They gathered for prayer under the cover of night, with windows carefully obscured, as they had to conceal their religious practices. Most often, they recited the Rosary and sang religious hymns. For the exiles, the Rosary was their sole weapon. It sustained their faith for 70 years until the collapse of the Soviet Union. Through this prayer, they encountered God, as there were no priests, no opportunity for confession, nor participation in the Eucharist.

The climate of Kazakhstan is characterized by extremely hot summers and very harsh, frigid winters. The winter of 1941 was particularly severe. Additionally, the ongoing war led to a situation where the inhabitants of the village faced the threat of starvation. Yet, they did not cease their daily recitation of the rosary, imploring the Blessed Virgin Mary for help. Divine Providence did not turn a deaf ear to their pleas.

On the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25th, a sudden thaw occurred. The surplus of water that emerged filled a lakebed that had been dry for years. Within less than a month, a reservoir was formed with a shoreline stretching as far as six kilometers. Equally unexpectedly, the lake became teeming with fish, which not only saved the lives of the village inhabitants but also aided many others. Eyewitnesses recounted that the fish were so abundant that the locals were able to scoop them out with bowls, selling them in such quantities that vehicles from the surrounding regions flocked to collect them.

In commemoration of this event, on June 24th, 1997, a statue of the Blessed Virgin holding a net full of fish was erected on the lake’s shore, and it quickly became a site of veneration for the faithful. The statue was consecrated by Pope John Paul II.

In 1990, a large church dedicated to Our Lady, Queen of Peace, was constructed there, marking it as the only Marian shrine in Central Asia. Pilgrims from Kazakhstan and around the world journey to this site. Since 1996, the church has maintained uninterrupted perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  (According to „Różaniec” No. 10/2009 ; „Królowa Różańca świętego” No.3/2016)

“Oziornoje is a place chosen by the Blessed Virgin herself. When we look at the history of popular Marian shrines such as Lourdes, Fatima, or La Salette, we see that the Blessed Virgin chose and distinguished places that were unknown. It is the same in Kazakhstan. The national sanctuary is located in a place that, fifty years ago, no one had heard of,” said Archbishop Tomasz Peta.

In 2007, Polish Discalced Carmelite sisters from the Carmel in Częstochowa arrived in Oziornoje.

“Responding to the missionary call of Jesus, we are learning about Asia every day, learning to love the people who live here, their mentality, their differences. They welcomed us as their own and are very kind to us. Even a young Muslim Kazakh woman showed great interest in our way of life and asked for a rosary,” they said in an interview with Nasz Dziennik.

The fact that October—the month dedicated to the Rosary—ended a few days ago does not imply that we should wait until next year to turn to it once more. On the contrary. Instead of spending several minutes each day scrolling through national and international news on your phone, devote that time to reciting the rosary in silence, meditating one, two, or even three decades. You will see the fruit soon enough. Spiritual conflicts and evils are intensifying all around us. Consider also the possibility that your prayer might delay, even by a week or a month, the impending chastisement looming over humanity. There is no doubt that you hold a deep affection for your Country, be it Australia, the United States of America, Canada, or Ireland. You earnestly wish prosperous development for it and that its citizens may never have to endure the horrors of war.  

Queen of the most holy Rosary, ora pro nobis!

Paul Suski, based in Poland, has a BA in English Language Teaching, an MA in Political Science, three adolescent children, and wears a Carmelite scapular.

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By Sr Lini Sheeja MSC.

God in His goodness created human beings in His own image and likeness with love and for love. “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jer 31:3). The Creator loves every human being with everlasting love as He redeemed us through His only Son and sanctified us by His Spirit. As we are celebrating All Saints Day on 1 November, it’s good to recognize who these saints are. “Saints are only sinners who keep trying,” said St Mother Teresa who responded to the call of holiness. Every man/woman created in God’s image is called to holiness; in other words sainthood is a call given to everyone as we journey here on earth.

Saints According to the Catholic Church

According to the Catholic Church, a saint is anyone in Heaven. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a Great Cloud of Witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run…” (Hebrews 12:1). This reminds us that the Church is holy and she can never stop being holy and is called to show the holiness of God by living the life of Christ.In Roman Catholicism, a saint is a holy person who is known for his or her “heroic sanctity” and who is thought to be in heaven. A saint displayed these qualities in a consistent and exceptional way during their life on earth.

Conviction on Connectedness

The Christian festival of All Saints Day comes from a conviction that there is a spiritual connection between those in Heaven and those on Earth. In Catholic tradition, this holiday honours all those who have passed on to the Kingdom of Heaven. It is a national holiday historically in numerous Catholic countries. All Saints Day annually reminds us of our connectedness as Christians. It’s commemorated on November 1st every year. Perhaps, as children we thought of saints as statues in a church building. But the Bible teaches something completely different. (Acts 9:13, 26:10, Romans 8:27, and 1Cor 1:2).The 4th century Apostles’ Creed expresses it as belief in the communion of Saints, which certain Christian churches interpret as supporting the intercession of saints. Although millions or even billions of people may already be saints, All Saints Day observances tend to focus on known saints – that is, those recognized in the Canon of the Saints by the Catholic Church.

Origin

While now observed in November, All Saints Day was originally celebrated on May 13. Pope Boniface IV formally started a practice on May 13 in 609 AD which would later be known as All Saints Day when he dedicated the Pantheon in Rome as a church in honour of the Virgin Mary and all Martyrs.The current date of November 1 was established by Pope Gregory III during his reign (731-741 AD) when he dedicated a chapel in Rome’s St Peter’s Basilica in honour of all Saints. While this celebration was originally limited to Rome, later in 837 Pope Gregory IV ordered the official observance of All Saints Day every November 1 and extended its celebration to the universal Church.

 A Holy Obligation

All Saints Day is generally considered a Holy Day of Obligation, meaning all Catholics must attend Mass unless they are prevented by illness or any other sufficient excuse. All Saints Day is a solemn holy day of the Catholic Church celebrated annually on November 1. The day is dedicated to the saints of the Church, that is, all those who have attained heaven. It should not be confused with All Souls Day, which is observed on November 2, and is dedicated to those who have died and have not yet reached heaven.

 Live for Heaven, not the World

“If a Christian wants to reach heaven, he or she should ask themselves if they are living for the pleasures of the world, or if they are striving after holiness with all their strength”, said Pope Francis on the feast of All Saints in 2018. “Let us ask ourselves what side we are on: that of heaven or that of the earth? Do we live for the Lord or for ourselves, for eternal happiness or for some fulfilment now?” asked Pope. He continued, “In heaven, the saints cheer for those on earth when they see them choose God, humility, meekness, mercy and purity. The saints understand us, they love us, they know what our true good is, they help us, and they wait for us. They are happy, and they want us to be happy with them in paradise”.

 Festal Blessings       

“The reason for our existence is to quench the thirst of Jesus. When Jesus asked for water, a soldier gave him vinegar to drink – but His thirst was for love, for souls, for you and me,” said the saint of our time, St Mother Teresa, the Saint of the Gutter who realized the call to holiness and the call to sainthood. Jesus on the Cross had thirst for souls and Mother Teresa had the same thirst for souls which made her walk through the slums to share the love of Christ with the dying and the broken. The saints whose feast we celebrate today were ordinary men/women like you and me who lived a normal life here on earth; they saw Jesus in everything and embraced the struggles and crosses that came their way; they placed their little hands in the hands of the Creator and they said yes to His will in all circumstances of their lives. On this Solemnity of All Saints Day, as we look up to them for their powerful witness to holiness, sacrificial lives and charity, let us truly understand our call to holiness. Sainthood is a universal call given to every Baptized Christian.

In his encyclical “Saved by Hope,” Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI writes: “Life is a voyage on the sea of history, often dark and stormy, a voyage in which we watch for the stars that indicate the route. The true stars of our life are the people who have lived good lives.” They are our light of hope, because they point us to Jesus Christ, “the true light, the sun that has risen above all the shadows of history” (#49). The saints have showed us how to love, how to lead and how to live! Let us embrace all that life offers as the saints did and praise God in our moments of darkness as well as brightness. Through our acts of holiness and charity, let us be the rays of light in our broken and darkened world. Festal Blessings of All Saints Day 2021!

Sr Lini Sheeja MSC had worked in the slums of Bangalore and Chennai for the uplift of women and children by forming Self-Help Groups and educating these vulnerable children in good English Medium Schools. Sr Lini strongly believes in “My God provides and so no child should go uneducated”.

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By Fr. Joy Prakash, OFM.

Simon we know as a Zealot. For a long time, scholars thought that this referred to a violent group of people who opposed the Roman occupation through attacks and murder. But now scholars say that this group was active later than the time of Jesus. Now they say that Luke refers to Simon as a zealot simply because he was known for having a zealous personality. Much is lost in the mists of time and translation.

We know one thing for sure from the Gospel: Jesus chose these men to be his apostles. He chose others who may seem odd choices to our way of thinking. He chose a tax collector and the power-hungry brothers, James and John. Peter got things right sometimes, but most times his faith was weak. And he actually chose the man, Judas. who would, in the end, betray him to his enemies.

This is the point! Jesus chooses imperfect individuals to be his followers. Jesus did not (and does not) wait for perfect people to be his disciples. Jesus calls those who have a temper like Simon, those who are unassuming like Jude. He calls tax collectors and power-hungry people. He calls frail leaders like Peter. In short, like Sts. Simon and Jude, we follow Jesus, not because we are perfect, but because he calls us.

Jesus starts with a core of 12 extremely ordinary men. They were not wealthy, not especially well educated, had no background in travel and taking risks. Moreover, they were commissioned to preach a savior who had been crucified! And who then rose to new life! They were commissioned to preach what at the time was considered bizarre behavior—things like loving one’s enemies, doing good things for one’s persecutors, forgiving people who hurt you—and doing so over and over.

It never should have worked. By earthly standards, it never should have gotten off the ground. Yet here we are 2,000 years later. There’s no explanation—on earth. Even our historical mistakes, our sometimes terribly wrong decisions and policies, are a testimony to God’s presence among us because he has enabled the Church to go on in spite of them. On today’s feast of the apostles Saints Simon and Jude, it would be most appropriate to say thanks for the gift of membership in our community of faith.

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By Jacqueline Kelly –

The working of miracles is very closely related to the charisma of healing, but it includes miracles of different kinds. There are people whose prayers result in real miracles. They have the gift from the Holy Spirit.

The miracles reported in the Bible include physical wonders, casting out demons and resurrection of the dead. Miracles and healings constantly accompanied the evangelists and apostles. They resulted in the conversion of many people. As stated by Kathryn Kuhlman, “The Bible itself is the greatest of miracles, and the Son of God more wonderful than any of the wonders that confirm His claims!”

According to Dr. Elmer Hess, President-elect of the American Medical Association, “All healing is Divine, it is the Divine power of God that heals”. A doctor has the power and ability to set a bone, but he must wait for Divine power to heal. “Any doctor who lacks faith in the Supreme Being has no right to practice medicine,” said the Erie, Pennsylvania, specialist in urology.

The Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano

Ancient Anxanum, in the Church dedicated to Saints Legontian and Domittian in Lanciano, Italy, has contained for over twelve centuries the first and greatest Eucharistic Miracle of the Catholic Church. This wondrous event took place in the 8^th century A.D. as a divine response to a Basilian monk’s doubts about Jesus’ Real Presence in the Eucharist.

During Holy Mass, after the two-fold consecration, the host was changed into live Blood, which coagulated into five globules, irregular and different in shape and size. The Host Flesh, as can be very distinctly observed today, has the same dimensions as the large host used today in the Latin Church; it is light brown and appears rose coloured when lighted from the back. The Blood is coagulated and has an earth colour resembling the yellow of ochre.

Since 1713 the Flesh has been preserved in an artistic Ostensorium, delicately embossed by an artisan of the Neapolitan school. The Blood is enclosed in a rich and very old cup made of Rock-crystal. In 1970-71 and again partly in 1981 there took place a scientific investigation by the most illustrious scientist Prof. Odoardo Linoli, eminent Professor in Anatomy and Pathological Histology and in Chemistry and Clinical Microscopy. He was assisted by Prof. Ruggero Bertelli of the University of Siena.

The analysis was conducted with absolute and unquestionable scientific precision and they were documented with a series of microscopic photographs. This analysis sustained that The Flesh is real Flesh, consists of the muscular tissue of the heart, complete in its essential structure. The Blood is real Blood, proteins and minerals were found in the same normal proportions.

The Flesh and the Blood belong to the human species having the same blood-type: AB [Blood type identical to that which Prof. Baima Bollone uncovered on the Holy Shroud of Turin.]

Santarem, Portugal 1200 A.D.

 Sometime between 1225 and 1247, a woman who was very unhappy with her husband, went to a sorceress to find a method of making her husband love her. She was asked to bring a Consecrated Host to the sorceress. The woman did not consume the Host but wrapped the Host in her veil.

On her way out, the Host began to bleed profusely.  Afraid, she hurried home and kept the veil and Host in the bottom of a trunk.

In the night, husband and wife were awakened by a bright light coming from the trunk, lighting up the entire room.

They spent the rest of the night adoring the Miraculous Host. The next day people were attracted by the light and came into the house to witness the miracle for themselves. The Parish Priest came and took the Host back to the Church in a solemn procession.

The Host was placed in a wax container in the Tabernacle. The next day, when the Priest opened the Tabernacle door, he found the wax container shattered into pieces, in its place, was a crystal container with the Blood of the Host inside. The silver Monstrance is kept in Saint Stephen’s Church where it can be seen today; the Church has been renamed “The Church of the Miracle”. From the time of the miracle until today, the incident is re-enacted by the local people on the Second Sunday of April. This Blood is still in liquid form 750 years after the miracle.

Bolsena and Orvieto, Italy 1263 A.D.

 A  German Priest named Peter of Prague, who was having great doubts about the physical presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, was travelling on a pilgrimage. He stopped at Bolsena, about 60 miles from Rome; he stayed for the night at the Church of St. Christina, a local saint of the early Church. He requested permission to celebrate Mass at the altar of the saint and prayed for the grace of Faith in the Eucharist.

At the time of Consecration, as he said, “This is My Body”, the unleavened Bread turned into Flesh and began to bleed profusely. The priest, not knowing what to do, wrapped the Host in the corporal and left the altar, drops of Blood spilling on the marble floor in front of the altar. Fr. Peter of Prague immediately went to report this to Pope Urban IV, who was close to Orvieto. Pope Urban sent a Bishop to Bolsena to verify the facts and bring the sacred Relics to Orvieto. Pope Urban set forth to meet the Bishop, fell on his knees before the sight of His Lord manifested before Him in physical form; he went to the balcony of the Papal Palace and raised the Corporal reverently, declaring that this Eucharistic Miracle dispelled the heresies running rampant at that time.

Pope Urban instituted the Feast of Corpus Christi. St. Thomas Aquinas wrote the Liturgy for that Mass and composed the hymns “O Salutaris Hostia” and “Tantum Ergo.”  The Sacred Relics are preserved in Orvieto, while the marble chips on which the Blood spilled are preserved at Bolsena.

Offida, Italy 1273 A.D.

 A lady named Ricciarella, wanted a happy married life with her husband, Giacomo Stasio. A local sorceress told her to take a consecrated Host home [by not swallowing the Host at the time of receiving the Communion] and to burn it and mix it with her husband’s drink. When she did so the outside of the Host [which she placed in a pot over a fire for the Host to burn] turned into Flesh, and while the centre of the Host retained its original form, Blood gushed from the Host turned Flesh. Rieciarella was frightened and hid it in a pot. The pot was placed in a hole in the stable housing the animals. After seven years when she confessed her sin, on recovering it, they found the Flesh and Host incorrupt. Holy Relics are installed in the Sanctuary of St. Augustine in Offida.

Cascia, Italy 1300 A.D.

In Cascia, Umbria, known to everyone as the city of St. Rita, a Priest lost respect for the Eucharist. One day, on receiving a sick call, he took the Eucharist irreverently and placed it between the pages of his breviary. When he opened his breviary to give the sick man Communion, this priest was shocked to find two large Blood stains on the pages facing each other. These two pages were removed from the breviary, after the priest had confessed his sin; one page was kept in a Tabernacle in Perugia while the other in a monastery in Cascia in the Church built next to the monastery in honour of St. Rita, the stigmatic nun, who joined the convent after the death of her husband and two sons. Over the years, the people noticed a change on the blood-stained page of Cascia . The face of Christ can be seen on it, when a flashlight is placed at the back of the page.

Bologna, Italy 1333 A.D.

Imelda Lambertini , born in a noble Bolognese family, was known for her piety and spirituality. She was permitted to join a Religious Order at the age of nine, but could not receive Communion with her other sisters as she was not yet 12 years old. But the Lord had a special gift for her. On the feast of the Ascension in 1333 after mass, the sisters saw a bright white HOST hovering over Imelda’s head.

A priest took a Paten and the Host settled on it; he took it as a sign for Imelda to be given First Holy Communion.

On receiving First Holy Communion, Imelda went into Ecstasy and died the same day- May 12, 1333, when she was eleven years old. Blessed Imelda’s body is venerated in the Parish Church of San Sigismondo, near the University of Bologna; her body is incorrupt.

Zaragoza, Spain 1427 A.D.

There was a married couple at Zaragoza whose marriage was very stormy. Some friends wrongly advised the wife to consult a sorcerer for a love potion. The sorcerer asked her to bring a consecrated Host from the Church. The woman received Communion, and swiftly withdrew the Host from her mouth, placed it in a cloth bag and went to the sorcerer. When she opened the bag, she did not find the host; instead, there was a perfectly formed, beautiful little live baby; a bright aura surrounded His Body.

The sorcerer told the woman to take the Baby home and burn it in a fire and carry the ashes back to him. The woman tied the Baby to a metal rod and turned it over the fire. When the fire went out, the Baby was not dead but very much alive and brilliant in light. The woman ran throughout the streets of Zaragoza, fear, repentance and tears streaming down her face. The sorcerer too fell to his knees in fear and begged pardon from God he had so hated and was so willing to blaspheme. The woman went to the Cathedral to confess her sins, while the sorcerer went to the Vicar General of the diocese to ask how he could receive pardon for his terrible sin.

The Baby was taken in a procession to the Cathedral on a golden plate. The Baby was placed under heavy guard on the altar of San Valero. On Sunday morning, the Archbishop celebrated the votive Mass of the Blessed Sacrament in honour of the Eucharist Miracle. During the Offertory as the gifts of Bread and Wine were offered, the Baby disappeared, and in its place the Consecrated Host reappeared. As a result of this Eucharistic Miracle, the people of Zaragoza were renewed in their devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

There are many more Eucharistic Miracles. All the saints and holy people, put themselves entirely in God’s hands for their physical and spiritual nourishment. The LORD is our nourishment too.

The Eucharist is Jesus’ fulfilment of the promise He made before His ascension; the promise that He would remain with us till the end of time. He is not only present to us by the gift of the Holy Spirit sent by the Father. Jesus is truly present to us-physically present to us – in this total gift of Himself.

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ML Satyan –

From the Church history, we learn that the Catholic Church, in every country, has been promoting ‘devotions’ for many years. A predominant one has been devotion to saints. In order to promote this devotion, statues of saints are installed in every Catholic Church. It is sad to note that the initial objective of spreading the devotion got deviated in course of time. Commercialising this devotion by installing a ‘Collection Box’ near every statue has become a trend now.

This week I visited a Catholic Church in Coimbatore where I noticed eight statues of saints inside the church and two statues on the church campus. The church was conducting a novena to Our Lady of Good Health (Vailankanni Madha). Among the statues, I noticed three big-sized statues of Vailankanni Madha in three different locations inside the church. The devotees visited every statue, paid their respect, and of course dropped their money offerings in the collection boxes.

Now, a spontaneous question came to my mind: “What is the purpose of this practice – promotion of devotion or collection of money?” To find an answer, the laity and clergy need to come together, discuss, debate and do a sincere introspection. In this regard, I wish to quote a relevant anecdote.

“The priest announced that Jesus Christ was coming to church the following Sunday. People turned up in large numbers to see him. Everyone expected him to preach, but he only smiled when introduced and said, “Hello”. Everyone offered him hospitality for the night, especially the priest, but he refused politely. He said he would spend the night in the church. How fitting, everyone thought.

He slipped away early the next morning before the church doors were opened. And, to their horror, the priest and the people found their church had been vandalized. Scribbled everywhere on the walls was the single word BEWARE. No part of the church was spared: the doors and windows, the pillars and the pulpit, the altar, even the Bible that rested on the lectern – BEWARE. Scratched in large letters and in small, in pencil and pen and paint of every conceivable colour. Wherever the eye rested one could see the words ‘Beware, Beware, Beware’.

Shocking. Irritating. Confusing. Fascinating. Terrifying. What were they supposed to beware of? It did not say. It just said, BEWARE. The first impulse of the people was to wipe out every trace of this defilement, this sacrilege. They were restrained from doing this only by the thought that it was Jesus himself who had done the deed.

Now that mysterious word BEWARE began to sink into the minds of the people each time they came to church. They began to beware of the scripture, so they were able to profit from the scripture without falling into bigotry. They began to beware of sacraments and devotions, so they were sanctified without becoming superstitious. The priest began to beware of his power over the people, so he was able to help without controlling them.

And everyone began to beware of religion which leads the unwary to self-righteousness. They began to beware of church law. So, they became law-abiding, yet compassionate to the weak. They began to beware of prayer, so it no longer stopped them from becoming self-reliant. They even began to beware of their notions of God so they were able to recognize him outside the narrow confines of their church.

They have now inscribed the shocking word over the entrance of their church and as you drive past at night you can see it blazing above the church in multi-coloured neon lights.” (Source: The Prayer of the Frog by Anthony de Mello, SJ, 1988).

This story reminds us of an incident in the Bible. “It was almost time for the Passover Festival, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. There in the Temple, he found men selling cattle, sheep, and pigeons, and also the money-changers sitting at their tables. So, he made a whip from cords and drove all the animals out of the Temple, both the sheep and the cattle; he overturned the tables of money-changers and scattered their coins; and he ordered the men who sold the pigeons, “Take them out of here! Stop making my father’s house a market-place!” (John 2:13-16)

In the story of Anthony de Mello, Jesus is presented as a soft and gentleman just conveying a “one-word message”. But the real Jesus presented in the Bible seems to be a violent and revolutionary person. His message was clear – “Do not convert the Worship place into a Business Centre!”. Jesus always spoke only about his Father.

• “But when you pray, go to your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you.” (Mt.6:6)
• “This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven” (Mt.6:9)
• “Not everyone who calls me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do.” (Mt.7:21)

Jesus of Nazareth during his lifetime wanted others to follow him. He said: “If anyone wants to come with me, he must forget himself, take up his cross every day, and follow me.” (Lk. 9:23). That is what his followers did. In the course of time, Jesus has been converted into an “Object of worship”. Please note that when Jesus is understood as a person to be followed, he is not worshiped. When Jesus is understood as an object of worship, he is not followed.

Rabindranath Tagore tried to create an awareness on this matter through his poem:

“Leave this chanting and singing and telling of beads!
Whom do you worship in this lonely dark corner of a temple with doors all shut?
Open your eyes and see your God is not before you!
He is there where the tiller is tilling the hard ground
and where the path-maker is breaking stones.
He is with them in the sun and in shower, and his garment is covered with dust.
Put off your holy robe and even like him come down on the dusty soil!
What harm is there if your clothes become tattered and stained?
Meet him and stand by him in toil and in the sweat of your brow.” (Gitanjali 11)

Many sages and saints always followed the mantra of BEWARE. Let the word BEWARE sink into every Christian. When we begin to BEWARE of everything, we will become better human beings, lead a meaningful life, make constructive contributions to the society and build an authentic church.

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The Month of September is like a coin with two sides.  A month where we are reminded to celebrate the Joys and Pains of our life! For without joy/pain there’s no beauty. Just like the rose plant without thorns loses its charm, fascination, or attraction whatever you call it. It’s a month where we celebrate Teachers’ day, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Exaltation of the Cross and the Mater Dolorosa – the Lady of Sorrows.  The Word sorrows bring to mind couple of instances where we indeed enjoyed the nick names kept for certain persons. Yes, each personality had a different name. Say: cause of our Joy, the most Prudent, Mirror of justice, Seat of Wisdom, Help of Christians and the famous our lady of sorrows! ‘Hey, here comes the lady of sorrows’!!! This is often mentioned even in the retreats. Having given a thought to these names we do have people with these traits and now we can add ‘the solace of migrants’!

The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is liturgically celebrated every on 15 September. There are different names by which Our Lady is addressed as: Our Lady of Sorrows (Latin: Beata Maria Virgo Perdolens), Our Lady of Dolours, the Sorrowful Mother or Mother of Sorrows (Latin: Mater Dolorosa), Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows.

The formal feast of the Our Lady of Sorrows was originated by a provincial synod of Cologne in 1423. It was designated for the Friday after the third Sunday after Easter and had the title: Commemoratio angustiae et doloris B. Mariae V. Its object was the sorrow of Mary during the Crucifixion and Death of Christ. According to Fr. William Saunders, “… in 1482, the feast was officially placed in the Roman Missal under the title of Our Lady of Compassion, highlighting the great love our Blessed Mother displayed in suffering with her Son. The word compassion derives from the Latin roots cum and patior which means “to suffer with”.

In 1668, a separate feast of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, celebrated on the third Sunday in September, was granted to the Servites. Pope Pius VII introduced it into the General Roman Calendar in 1814. In 1913, Pope Pius X, in view of his reform giving precedence to Sundays over ordinary feasts, moved this feast to September 15, the day after the Feast of the Cross. It is still observed on that date.

The Seven Sorrows of Mary are a popular Roman Catholic devotion. In common religious Catholic imagery, the Virgin Mary is portrayed, sorrowful and in tears, with one or seven long knives or daggers piercing her heart, often bleeding. Devotional prayers that consist of meditation began to elaborate on her Seven Sorrows based on the prophecy of Simeon.

At Fatima, on October 13, 1917, during the miracle of the sun, the children saw Our Heavenly Mother appear as Our Lady of Sorrows.  In the Gospels, we read of Our Lady of Sorrows at the foot of the cross watching her Son die. Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, writes in his book “The World’s First Love” about Our Lady.  She is the Co-Redemptrix.  She cooperated perfectly with our Lord for our redemption.  Her great grief was watching her Beloved Son die on the cross and not being able to die instead of Him.

Her love for mankind is great because she loves us as God loves us.  Her love for us is shown beautifully in her Seven Sorrows.  Tradition says that Mary’s heart was pierced seven times with seven swords of sorrow.  This constitutes her seven Dolours.  Yet, Archbishop Sheen says that these seven swords were indeed seven thrusts of one double-edged sword – the sword being Jesus Christ Himself – one edge going into His own Sacred Heart first and the other edge going into her Immaculate Heart.  Archbishop Sheen continues saying, an unsuffering Madonna to a suffering Christ would be a loveless Madonna.  Who is there who loves, who does not want to share the sorrows of the beloved?  Mary could not wipe away the tears of her children unless she herself had been their fountain.  She has rightly earned the title Mother of the Afflicted.

St. Paul tells us that we cannot be partakers of His Glory unless we partake in His crucifixion. Being the Mother of God has made Mary no less exempt from this law of sacrifice. The seven swords that pierced the Immaculate Heart of Mary our Mother are:

1) Simeon’s Prophecy 2) The flight into Egypt 3) The three days loss in the temple 4) Meeting Jesus with His cross 5) The crucifixion 6) Taking Jesus down from the cross 7) The burial of Jesus.

The first sorrow that pierced her heart turned her heart into an ocean of love. Perfect love casts out fear and as the Word in Luke 2: 19 says: “she treasured these things in her heart and pondered…”. Mary’s heart was one with her Divine Son’s Heart.  Her sorrow was not for what she suffered, but for what Christ had to suffer.  Love never thinks of itself. Our mothers too kept/keep many things in their heart and shed tears. I saw my own mother and as a child I could not understand. But when I learnt the scriptures I understood and could affiliate it with Mother Mary. Surrendering everything at the foot of the Cross, at the feet of Jesus does indeed give solutions and comfort.

Due to the deadly disease and its bad effects people have gone through the horrifying experiences. And to make things worse, the soaring prices of basic needs, food essentials and petrol/diesel prices with joblessness. All the results of these hardships are stored and pondered… The pandemic pondering has brought in reformation and transformation in the lives of people. May we find our comfort in Our Lady of Sorrows as we have recourse to her!.

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