The salesian bulletin march 2016 by Salesian Bulletin India

March

2016

the salesian bulletin

March

2016

March

2016

the salesian bulletin

MESSAGE RECTOR MAJOR

I DREAM OF A

SALESIAN FAMILY FILLED WITH FAITH AND WITH GOD This would be a wonderful fruit of the bicentennial of Don Bosco’s birth, which we celebrated in the year that ended a short while ago. I dream of a Salesian Family made up of women and men, consecrated and lay, who live and are trying to live every day with a deep faith, their eyes filled by the stars and their souls filled with God. Some months ago I wrote to my Salesian confreres that one of the most precious characteristics to which, without doubt, we must give our attention is that in many places, in many of the countries where are working with such dedication and generosity, we’re known for the generous work we do, but people don’t know why we do what we do or what motivates us deep down. We’re admired for our work with young people; our school system is highly esteemed, including schools for professional training and those that prepare youths for employment. Our commitment to street children is greatly respected and appreciated. Our dedication and creativity in many of our youth centers are praised. How our hostels and homes for poor kids meet today’s needs draws a lot of attention. Etc. Nevertheless, often people can’t describe who we are and still less why we do what we do and why we live as we do.

And this is my dream, my dearly beloved Salesian Family, friends and supporters of Don Bosco and his charism: that everyone who meets us, or who comes into contact with the salesian bulletin

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one of our com¬munities or with any group or branch of our extended Salesian Family might feel himself touched by the simple presence of women and men of faith, of deep and proven faith that almost without our wishing it, through the simplicity of their lives and activity, lets who we are shine through and reveals whom we belong to, because we are, above all, believers, happy to be such, knowing “how much good it does us when He once more touches our lives and impels us to share His new life! What then happens is that ‘we speak of what we have seen and heard’ (1 John 1:3)” (Evangelii Gaudium, n. 264). I’m firmly convinced, sisters and brothers, that this is the path that we need most today, that our world absolutely needs: the path of taking care of, nourishing, and deepening our faith, of being women and men of faith, communicating that we do all that we do because we feel ourselves drawn to and fascinated by Jesus, and we have freely felt the profound joy of saying yes to God the Father, who sends us as his witnesses in the midst of the human race. If we are women and men filled with God, we 5

can radiate Him to those whom we meet in our daily lives.

That’s how Don Bosco preached God. God is always present and alive. He’s like a companion, like the air we breathe. He’s like water for fish. He’s like the cozy hearth of a loving home. He’s like the fragrance of life. He’s what infants know, not adults. One child, enchanted as he observed some cathedral windows resplendent in the sun, suddenly exclaimed, “Now I know what a saint is.” “Really?” asked the catechist. “Someone who lets the light shine through him.” Don Bosco was a splendid window allowing the light of God to shine through him. The Salesian Family must do that, as well. To remain, love, and bear fruit

This world needs a Salesian Family whose members are capable of remaining, loving, and bearing fruit. These three verbs, in the context of the icon of the Vine and the Branches (John 15:1-11), invite us to pay attention to the necessity of being deeply rooted in Jesus so that we may remain strongly attached to Him, and through Him live a brotherhood that truly 6

at¬tracts people and leads us to serve the young and all the people to whom the diverse charismatic traits of our Family bring us.

These three verbs lead us really to give God the first place in our lives, never forgetting that we must be, above all else, “God-seekers” and witnesses of His Love in the midst of the young, opting for the poorest and most abandoned among them.

By their sinking into the depth of our hearts, these three verbs urge us always to dedicate ourselves more seriously to being truly wrapped up in what God is planning. We live by weaving the “fabric” that we and the Lord are creating as together we stretch and tie together the threads of brotherhood, of respect, of eyes open to the needy and the discouraged people of this world.

At the end of this message, I want to remind everyone that we are the Salesian Family and we share the tremendous charism of Don Bosco not in order to focus on ourselves but to give-and to give ourselves-and be the human gesture and expression of God’s mercy. March

(Translated by Fr. Mike Mendl, SDB)

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10 Q DAVID MARIASELVAM SDB

Fr. David interviews Mr. Bruce Lee, a renowned guitarist. He has plans to do series of interviews with celebrities who are connected to the Salesians. You may contact him and propose names <davidmariaselvam@gmail.com> 01. How did you get into the music? My entry into Music is purely accidental. Though I am specialized in Animation and won State Award and was doing well in advertising, I chose Guitar as my life. 02. Who was your guru? It is all by self learning.

03. Did you face any opposition from your family as you chose music as your career? By the time I was 15 I lost both my parents, I had to leave my family when I was 22. I spent few days in Egmore railway station with guitar in my hand having no clue about my future. I had music as my passion therefore I was ready to sacrifice anything to attain my dream. 04. How much of time you dedicated to learn music?

I discovered that music is my future and so passionately used to practice for 14 to 15 hours a day. We do not attain our goal without discipline. 05. How do you look at the Church Music?

Church music is very different from Cine Music. No music can come anywhere near Gregorian. In India it is very nice to see a lot of youth coming up to play music, but it only saddens me when politics enters Church choir.

Bruce Lee has worked in Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Tulugu and other regional languages. Composer Vijay Antony discovered prodigy and has worked extensively with Harris Jayaraj. He works with the likes of G. V. Prakash, Devi Sri Prasad. Interestingly his Dad is a Chinese Buddhist Convert and Mom is an Anglo Indian from Assam. Bruce is blessed with three little daughters and a wonderful wife who is an accomplished pianist from Royal School.

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06. What could be your exhortation to the Religious and Priests who compose music? They should listen to different genres of Music, otherwise you will end up being a stereotype. 07. Do you encourage the seminarians to learn proper music?

Yes, better to learn because when you celebrate mass, your Mic is the loudest. 08. How many movies you would have played so far? I have worked in more than 500 movies and I have made more than 300 music albums.

09. What could be an area of danger for Musicians? Once you start playing music, you get a lot of attention and that makes you feel special and that again makes you to think you are superior to the others. What you have is given to you by God and what you do with that is what you give to God. 10. How do you practice your faith in a purely secular culture?

I always begin any project even if I am playing in a rock band with the sign of the cross and I always include Christ in all my activities.

HUMANITY STEPHANIE SALDAÑA

THE

COURAGE TO STAY I have lived with my husband and two sons in Jerusalem for the last eight years, in a small house just a few minutes’ walk from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Before I moved here, I lived in Lebanon and Syria: speaking Arabic, spending my days among the local Muslim and Christian populations. By now, like countless others, I have seen much of war: streets that I once walked on bombed, friends escaped into exile, a loved one kidnapped. Yet in April, I heard news that devastated me.

On the morning of April 7, 2014, a masked gunman entered the Jesuit residence in the old city of Homs in Syria and asked to speak to the priest in charge, Fr. Frans Van der Lugt. When the 75 year-old priest appeared, the man shot him once in the head, killing him. I wept at the news. I was not alone. In the following days, thousands of Christians and Muslimsaround the world mourned the man who had taught us hope in the midst of war, 8

who had reminded us that God’s love is for everyone. Now, when I think of Fr. Frans, I think of an ordinary man who had the courage to do something extraordinary: to simply stay put.

I met Fr. Frans a decade ago, when I was a student in Damascus and I traveled to visit his project Al-Ard, an ecological farm in the Syrian countryside. It was a project that embodied Fr. Frans’ deep belief that all humans are equal in the eyes of God. Born in Holland and trained as psychologist, Fr. Frans spent decades as a priest in Syria, where he saw that those with physical handicaps were often marginalized. He built al-Ardas a place where he might welcome them as equals: regardless of their religion or ethnicity. I remember watching him speak to handicapped children with a broad smile on his face, leading visitors in Zen meditation, welcoming everyone who came without distinction. March

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I first heard about Fr. Fransbecause he was known among youth all over Syria due to the walks he lead every year through the countryside, guidinghundreds of Muslim and Christian youths on long treks to discover their country and one another. For many young Christians, it was the beginning of long friendships with members of other faiths. Older than all of them, Fr. Frans was known to be the fastest walker of all! He called out his famous phrase: “Move forward!”It was his motto, in a country too often looking to the past. Yet his most extraordinary work was still to come.

When the Civil War in Syria broke out, Homs quickly became the center of some of the fiercest fighting. Instead of leaving, Fr. Frans moved into the Jesuit residence in the center of the Old City, in the heart of the war. While others escaped, he stayed put, taking care of the few Christians who remained. As fighting escalated, all of the entrances and exits to the old city were sealed, the people trapped inside. They could not move, and risked starvation. So Fr. Frans, now seventy-five years old, got on his bicycle to deliver bread to those trapped in their homes. Soon, some Muslim families lost their homes in the fighting. So he invited them to live with him in the church. When a ceasefire helped most of those trapped in the Old City to leave, still he did not go, deciding to remain with the last men trapped inside. When he was asked about who his flock was, he said: “I do not see Muslims and Christians. I see only human beings.” Finally, he gave his life for those loved.

Now, as I continue my life as a Christian, living with my family in Jerusalem, I ask myself: What can I learn from Fr. Frans about how to live here? Here are some of the lessons he taught me.

1. Go to the margins: Like Fr. Frans on his bicycle, looking for the hungry, we should not be afraid to go to the furthest edges of society

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to search for those in need: the poor, the weak, the wounded. When we find them, we find Christ. 2. Prayer is active: When we cannot reach someone physically, we must strive to reach them through prayer. 3. Be faithful: The most radical act that Fr. Frans did was to simply stay put. How can I be more faithful in moments of difficulty? Am I ready to help my son, when he awakens at night? To listen to my students? To even love those killing one anotherwhere I live? 4. Love unconditionally: Fr. Frans, when he welcomed Muslims to seek shelter in his church, reminded us that every person is made in the image of God. We must never discriminate, but like him, see “only human beings.” 5. Forgive. In a time of war, we must love most those who wish us harm. And we must always forgive. This was at the heart of Fr. Frans’ famous saying: Move forward.

Finally, Fr. Frans taught me that we should try to live our ordinary lives with extraordinary attention, and let God do the rest. St. John Bosco once said: “Not all of us can fast, or undertake arduous journeys in God’s service, or give generous alms, but we can all love.” Fr. Frans reminds us that this love-- for Muslims, Christians, indeed for any human being--- is worth living for, and even worth dying for. Sharing it is the task of our lives. So let’s move forward.

FOLLOWING POPE JOE ANDREW SDB

POPE FRANCIS AND THE YEAR OF

MERCY The Jubilee Year of Mercy is a great gift of God to his people. This could be the first time ever that people in every diocese in the world are celebrating in a very meaningful way the Jubilee Year. Pope Francis in his Bull of indiction of the extraordinary jubilee of mercy ‘MisericordiaeVultus’, states that we need to constantly contemplate on the mystery of mercy. And Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy. These words might well sum up the mystery of the Christian faith. Mercy has become living and visible in Jesus of Nazareth, reaching its culmination in him. Jesus of Nazareth, by his words, his actions, and his entire person reveals the mercy of God. Mercy: the ultimate and supreme act by which God comes to meet us. Mercy: the fundamental law that dwells in the heart of every person who looks sincerely into the eyes of his brothers and sisters on the path of life. Mercy: the bridge that connects God and man, opening our hearts to the hope of being loved forever despite our sinfulness. During the Jubilee Year we are called to gaze on and contemplate the face of this Jesus of Nazareth. His person is nothing but love, a love given gratuitously. The relationships he forms with the people who 10

approach him manifest something entirely unique and unrepeatable. The signs he works, especially in favour of sinners, the poor, the marginalized, the sick, and the suffering, are all meant to teach mercy. Everything in him speaks of mercy. Nothing in him is devoid of compassion.

The Pope again states that, “at times we are called to gaze even more attentively on mercy so that we may become a more effective sign of the Father’s action in our lives. For this reason I have proclaimed an Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy as a special time for the Church, a time when the witness of believers might grow stronger and more effective.”The season of Lent during this Jubilee Year should be lived more intensely as a privileged moment to celebrate and experience God’s mercy. The Pope is calling us to dwell on the two interconnected dimensions of Mercy. The First call is to experience the forgiving mercy of God in the Sacrament of reconciliation and this allows us to forgive those who sin against us. The second aspect or dimension is the ‘Compassion Dimension’ – becoming merciful and compassionate like the Father. Last month we reflected on the first Dimension, namely, March

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to personally experience the forgiving mercy of Godwho is waiting for us and then to forgive others as God forgives us. The second dimension is the compassion of Christ. Jesus, seeing the crowds of people who followed him, realized that they were tired and exhausted, lost and without a guide, and he felt deep compassion for them (cf. Mt 9:36). On the basis of this compassionate love he healed the sick who were presented to him (cf. Mt 14:14), and with just a few loaves of bread and fish he satisfied the enormous crowd (cf. Mt 15:37). What moved Jesus in all of these situations was nothing other than mercy, with which he read the hearts of those he encountered and responded to their deepest need. In this Holy Year, we look forward to the experience of opening our hearts to those living on the outermost fringes of society: fringes which modern society itself creates. Let us ward off destructive cynicism! Let us open our eyes and see the misery of the world, the wounds of our brothers and sisters who are denied their dignity, and let us recognize that we are compelled to heed their cry for help! May we reach out to them and support them so they can feel the warmth of our presence, our friendship, and our fraternity! May their cry become our own, and together may we break down the barriers of indifference that too often reign supreme and mask our hypocrisy and egoism!

In the words of Pope Francis: “It is my burning desire that, during this Jubilee, the Christian people may reflect on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. It will be a way to reawaken our conscience, too often grown dull in the face of poverty. And let us enter more deeply into the heart of the Gospel where the poor have a special experience of God’s mercy. Let us rediscover these corporal works of mercy: to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, heal the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead. And let us not forget the spiritual works of mercy: to counsel the doubtful, instruct the ignorant, admonish sinners, comfort the the salesian bulletin

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afflicted, forgive offences, bear patiently those who do us ill, and pray for the living and the dead.”We cannot escape the Lord’s words to us, and they will serve as the criteria upon which we will be judged: whether we have fed the hungry and given drink to the thirsty, welcomed the stranger and clothed the naked, or spent time with the sick and those in prison (cf. Mt 25:31-45). Moreover, we will be asked if we have helped others to escape the doubt that causes them to fall into despair and which is often a source of loneliness; if we have helped to overcome the ignorance in which millions of people live, especially children deprived of the necessary means to free them from the bonds of poverty; if we have been close to the lonely and afflicted; if we have forgiven those who have offended us and have rejected all forms of anger and hate that lead to violence; if we have had the kind of patience God shows, who is so patient with us; and if we have commended our brothers and sisters to the Lord in prayer. In each of these “little ones,” Christ himself is present. His flesh becomes visible in the flesh of the tortured, the crushed, the scourged, the malnourished, and the exiled… to be acknowledged, touched, and cared for by us. Let us not forget the words of Saint John of the Cross: “as we prepare to leave this life, we will be judged on the basis of love”. Msgr. Giampietro Dal Toso, secretary of the Pontifical CouncilCor Unum, the office that promotes and coordinates Catholic charity, told reporters that Pope Francis wants to help Catholics rediscover the traditional corporal and spiritual works of mercy, which seemed to have been left on the shelf with dusty old books. Maybe, he said, “it was no longer fashionable” to preach about the daily actions of believers or maybe “our ecclesial practice has become quite institutionalized and politicized.””The works of mercy are a very simple, concrete, direct, alive, daily, easy, accessible-to-all way of living the Jubilee of Mercy,” he said. “The works of mercy describe what we as Christians can actually do every day, and that is why I find them so fascinating.” 11

MEDIA MATTERS C. M. PAUL

Smart

Salesians

Take on Smart

Celebrating the Year of the Priests in 2010, Pope Benedict XVI dedicated his message of 44th World Communications Day (2010) to priests, inviting them to be pastors in the digital world and let their consecrated heart shine through. The Pope was inviting priests to use new media in an appropriate and competent way, learnt during their formation, and to give themselves a solid theological preparation and a sound priestly spirituality. The Preventive System and Assistance as a spirituality and pastoral approach demand of Salesians educated to think, believe, love, respect and desire all that is good for the young, to seek them out and offer them to God, everywhere especially in the digital playgrounds of today. The digital world presents us with new challenges. It’s not just a matter of surfing the web or being able to read something on a screen; it’s about approaching the situation 12

Youth

with new hermeneutic criteria and rediscovering novel methods of pastoral activity.

The Rector Major reminds us, “Our mission to young people, in education and evangelisation, can only take advantage from this if we enter it in the style of ‘Salesian Assistance’, with the pastoral heart of Don Bosco.”

It is in this context I show case the efforts of Don Bosco Media (Alaihal Media) the communication centre of Tiruchy province in Tamilnadu which is trying to be at its best in shaping the future of Smart Salesians and Smart Young people through Smart Media. They have come up with some “futuristic initiatives” to be relevant and up to date in the digital playfields where youth hangout. “So many things are happening because of social media,” says DB Media Assistant Director Fr. Selvakumar Arockia who joined DB Media centre last year. The digital native Salesian insists, “in a small way I am trying to establish our Salesian March

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presence in the sector of social media.” YouTube Channel

To feed the media hungry young generation with wholesome entertainment Fr Selvakumar started a YouTube channel with some 50 inspirational and motivational DB Media videos on religious, social, cultural and educational themes. The channel is available at

https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCmcxDyvY8OhgJ_BQWob_DHg Selva claims that, “through this humble channel we are reaching out to so many people.”

Though most of the videos are in Tamil,“it has reached 91 countries and in nearly 20 countries they watch our videos regularly,” says Selva giving an analytic of the channel.

With a sense of pride Selva adds, “Our channel was the first one to respond to the recent catastrophic Chennai Flood with a song and a documentary on the flood devastation and relief efforts at Cuddalore.” Revealing some of the future plans he says, “At present we are doing a pilot project for an Italian Company on Stop Motion Videos. We are also tying up with ANS-Rome / Missioni Don Bosco-Turin to dub our Salesian Videos.” Mobile App

As a first initiative of Smartphone application the Trichy Province Directory is made into a Mobile App.

Selva says, “this is the first app in the Salesian world which contains the whole directory of a province. I call it futuristic because in near future everybody will be in it, trying to create app for their use. It is very handy, accessible and on the go. You save time, printing cost and you need not worry about carrying the printed matter or worry about the addresses and phone numbers that you forgot to save it in your mobile.” “We are also planning lot of apps for our Salesian use,” adds Selva stating that the Salesian Constitution is going to be an app the salesian bulletin

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along with Salesian prayers. We are also planning to build apps for the various Departments and for youth ministry.” 2D Children’s Bible Series

In 2013 DBMedia launched 28 interesting Bible stories chosen and narrated in Tamil and English and illustrated in a child friendly format. The book has been authored by Fr. Raj, the present editor of the Salesian Bulletin. Ammu, the central character, guides the narrative in her own inimitable way questioning, prodding and clarifying. The narrative starts with creation and takes the children on a journey through the important events and personalities in the Bible ending with Jesus resurrection story. The video version of it is a bi-lingual with both English and Tamil. The centre was started in 1997 by Fr. Britto Belevendran with a name ‘alaihal’ (meaning ‘Sound Waves’) giving thrust to folk forms of communication. In 2007 the centre was rechristined as Don Bosco Media by Fr. A. Raj with four sectors namely, Alaihal Media Production Centre, DBIICE for Media Studies, Alaihal Media Centre for Marketing and Alaihal Media Clubs. Today the centre is spearheaded by Fr. S. Agilan adding another wing to its feather, the Alaihal Media Books.

PSYCHOLOGY JOSEPH JEYARAJ SDB

BEGINS AT HOMEA PSYCHO-SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE Fr. Joseph Jeyaraj SDB is a Director of Niraivagam, the Psychological Help Centre in the Province of Chennai and Rector of Don Bosco Youth Animation Centre, Ennore. He has been counseling and conducting training Programmes for students and teachers for over a decade and also has served as the Editor of The Salesian Bulletin in the past. Masterpiece of Creation

“Family is the masterpiece of God’s creation” is how Pope Francis began his catechesis series on the family on 29 April 2015. “When God finishes the work of creation and makes his masterpiece, he creates… man and woman who love another; this is the masterpiece!” In attempting to reflect on the influence of mercy in our life, we begin by becoming aware of mercy as it is practiced closer to home, yes indeed, inside our homes. The masterpiece of God’s creation, the family is also the most basic and fundamental aspect of our societal living. So we could very well say, ‘Mercy begins at home.’ “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.” In his book, The Art of Happiness, Dalai Lama claims that a world without mercy is unimaginable and that mercy is best expressed through tender compassion and unconditional love. Let us contrast this with the current understanding of the word, mercy. In today’s world of cut-throat business and an unembarrassed pursuit for self-glorification and self-advancement, mercy seems out of place. It sounds like a ‘weak’ word, suitable 14

only for individuals who are psychologically weak and powerless. Powerful leaders, Leaders of big institutions or political parties might be embarrassed to be seen as merciful people. They would rather be feared than be considered tender and compassionate. Pope Francis: The Extraordinary Apostle of Mercy

In such a scenario, Pope Francis comes across as a whiff of fresh air. He has spoken so much about the mercy of God that his name has now become synonymous with Mercy. By titling his latest book as ‘The name of God is Mercy’, Pope Francisaffirmed that the essence of God is Mercy, and for him, being merciful is a ‘divine attitude.’ He jokingly termed mercy as God’s ‘business identity card’. He asserted that only theperson who has experienced mercy and compassion, can truly understand and enjoy its full meaning. The Pope had experienced it firsthandin his family. The poor Italian immigrant family of his had numerous opportunities to experience God’s love and mercy. A Tale of Mercy and Compassion

Mercy and Compassion go hand in hand. Being merciful indicates that a person is highly March

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sensitive and thoughtful towards others, considerate and concerned about the wellbeing of those around them. Benevolence and kind-heartedness are essential ingredients of a merciful person. They exhibit a ready willingness to excuse people of their mistakes, forgive offenses, absolve the resultant punishments and finally do not insist on any retribution. A Spiritual & Psychological Gift

Jesus Christ is an excellent example of mercy and compassion. In Mathew 9:36 we read, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” He is the perfect embodiment of compassion.

In so far as Mercy is a matter of the spiritual realm, it is also an important dimension of the psychological realm. Etymologically “mercy” derives from misericordis, which means opening one’s heart to wretchedness. Webster’s defines mercy as “compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one’s power” and also “compassionate treatment of those in distress.” One can notice clearly that mercy is quite distinct from justice. While justice is a right and it is something that is obtained because one deserves it, mercy is given as a gift. It is given to someone, precisely because he or she does not deserve it; given as a gratuitous gift.

It is inevitable that children receive on a daily basis many materialistic and self-centered messages from friends at school, on the

MERCY

SELF-COMPASSION the salesian bulletin

television, and at the malls and movie theaters. It is my belief that all children are born with the ability to develop empathy and compassion for others, but that ability can be lost if not nurtured by their parents. Infants and little children exhibit such empathic behaviour even though it has not been taught to them. Dr. Ruth Peters tells us that many Pediatricians have reported ‘contagious crying’of new-born infants in the hospital nursery. When one baby starts wailing for any reason at all, a number of them join in and begin to wail as well. Kindergarten teachers could narrate countless stories of how little ones would offer a hug or a kiss to the one who had hit her head on the wall. The Divine Duo: Mercy and Compassion

One of the primary characteristics of merciful people is to feel empathy. It is not merely a feeling but also a motivation to feel good about ourselves. In fact, when we are merciful towards others, we feel much better. Studies on neurobiological behavior have shown that there is a correlation between feelings of selffulfillment and altruistic behavior.

When perceived as compassion, I would say that Mercy is, by its very nature three-dimensional. It involves personal, inter-personal and cosmic dimensions.I would call it as Self-Compassion, Other-oriented Compassion and Cosmic Compassion. Self-compassion is a prerequisite for the other two forms of compassion. We shall see how this self-compassion is experienced within a family.

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COSMIC COMPASSION 15

We shall specifically concentrate on selfcompassion in this article.

This is indeed a difficult terrain for many people. I have seen people go to great lengths to care for others but find it extremely difficult to care for their own needs. Self-compassion is what Carl Rogers described as ‘unconditional positive regard’ about oneself, and as Albert Ellis would say, it is ‘unconditional selfacceptance.’ A person with self-compassion, according to Maryheen Snyder is always ready to explore one’s own experience with ‘curiosity and compassion’ and self-compassion performs the role of an ‘internal empathizer’. I am sure some will think, “Mercy and compassion by their very nature, are otheroriented, how could it be directed towards oneself?” But it is very true that Mercy is also self-directed because one who has not learnt to love and care for oneself will find it extremely difficult to care for others. It means accepting oneself, valuing oneself and appreciating oneself as he or she is. Countless researches have proved that psychological wellbeing is greater in people who are self-compassionate than in people 16

who lack it. Those who experience greater selfcompassion have a positive correlation with satisfying life, happiness, optimism, curiosity, learning goals, social connectedness, wisdom, personal responsibility and emotional resilience.

At the same time, we must be aware that self-compassion is not self-pity, which is a state of mind that considers oneself as a victim and lacks the competence to cope with negative situations. There is a caveat here; too much of self-absorption can lead to negative consequences like anxiety, thought suppression, perfectionism and disordered eating and sleeping habits. Self-compassion has three main components, according to Dr. Kirsten Neff:

a. Self-kindness – Being warm and understanding towards oneself, especially during failure, sufferings and feelings of inadequacy. Self-compassionate people know instinctively that difficulties are part and parcel of life and that painful experiences need not make a person feel like a loser. Denial of this reality leads to suffering in the form of stress, frustration and self-criticism. Acceptance, March

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on the other hand, leads to sympathy and kindness and as a result, greater emotional equanimity is experienced.

b. Common humanity – When things don’t go our way, frustration builds up and an irrational sense of isolation begins. People start saying, “Oh, I am the only one who suffers like this.” When we become aware that the very definition of ‘human’ is to be mortal, vulnerable and imperfect, then we will know that all humans do suffer. So, self-compassion is in fact, recognizing that suffering and personal inadequacy are part of the shared human experience. c. Mindfulness – Self-compassionate people take a balanced view of life and negative experiences. This is achieved by putting our own situation into a larger perspective observing our negative thoughts and emotions with openness and clarity. By mindfulness, we mean a non-judgmental and receptive mind state in which our thoughts and feelings are neither suppressed nor denied, but are observed with emotional balance. A Spiritual Project for the Year of Mercy

Parents and children could undertakea spiritual project for this year of Mercy. They could decide that Mercy will begin at home and more specifically, will begin with oneself. Self-compassion is like a nurturing parent who empathizes with the child who is suffering and is ever ready to assist without overwhelming. Gautama Buddha said that “loving kindness and compassion is all of our practice,” and that empathy with the suffering of others is a special virtue that has the power to change the world. And Dalai Lama argues that individual experiences of compassion irradiate and increases harmony for all. So a child who learns to be self-compassionate and express it within the family will also render it to a larger group of people. So then, the following tips could be practiced to nurture both individual members and collectively as a family. the salesian bulletin

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a. Do unto yourself what you would do to others. If someone came to you feeling rejected, unwanted, how would you respond to that person. If you can offer solace and reassurance to another, you can do it to yourself too. b. Mind your language by using affirmative and encouraging remarks for yourself. ‘Great job Joe’, ‘that’s fantastic’, ‘keep going’, are great motivational peps.

c. Treat yourself to physical gestures of the kindness of love and tenderness. Give yourself a high-five for success, pat on your back to encourage, enfold your hands around yourself when you feel that you need support. d. Breathe the freshness of life into your body now and then. Become aware of the power of breath and do not be shy to interrupt your daily routine once in a while to breathe in and out rhythmically.

e. Practice mindfulness of your body states and thinking patterns. Without making any judgments of why you feel what you feel, observe your feelings, your bodily reactions to what happens around you. f. Feel the divine within you by allotting time for God-thoughts, spiritual reading and listening to uplifting music. These allow you to be in a zone of comfort and care. Conclusion

Self-compassion is a spiritual gift as well as a psychological gift. It has to be nurtured and developed. In this article, I have limited myself to write about the benefits of self-compassion within the family. Its benefits would be best portrayed in other-oriented compassion and would further lead one to practice cosmic compassion. So it is good to remember that, “This isn’t a gift for you to put on the mantle like a trophy to admire. It is like a certain kind of glove that you put on that allows your hands to do the work of the ministry they were called to do. It is like a certain kind of spiritual shoes you wear to take you where you need to go” (Russel Kelfer, Discovering your Spiritual Gift, p.10) 17

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Bosco Reaches Out

Bosco Reach Out, the social development office of Salesian Province of Guwahati, decided to adopt several villages in the state of Assam. They distributed 157 solar lanterns in two non - electrified villages in Rongjuli block of Goalpara district of Assam on 3 February as the first phase of the project. Next, they will distribute the lamps among 1,000 families in 19 villages in Baksa and Karbi Anglong districts of Assam.

New Book Celebrates Father Joaquim D’Souza “Keeping the FaithFestschrift for Joaquim D’Souza, sdb”edited by the General Councillor for Formation, Father Ivo Coelho was released on the penultimate day of the Salesian Mumbai Provincial

Chapter 2016. A written feast of articles penned by his associates and students as an offering to Father D’Souza, ‘Keeping the Faith’ pays homage to a revered teacher and a committed man of faith. The anthology is a tribute to a gigantic philosophical guru on the occasion of his 70th birthday and the Golden Jubilee of his First religious profession as a Salesian.

Father Koshy Thomas sdb, has championed the cause of the `Young at risk` for over 25 years. His work has won him national awards and several other notable accolades thereafter. Now, he has been appointed - by the Government of India - as part of a 13-member committee set up to draft the rules under which the Juvenile Justice Act 2015 will function.

Fr. Václav Klement meets ADMA

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Salesian to Draft Rules for Juvenile Justice

As part of the Extraordinary Visitation to the Indian Province of Tiruchy (INT), Fr VáclavKlement, Councillor for the East Asia Oceania Region, met 13 members of the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA), who work in the Salesian parish of Duraisamypuram served by the community of Sivakasi Vidivelli.

Father Thomas Pamparel SDB Passes Away

Father Thomas Pamparel (P. M. Thomas), belonging to the Salesian Province of Chennai died on 17 February at Sacred Heart College, Tirupattur. He was 85 years old. For the past twelve years, he had been confined to his bed, following an unsuccessful surgery to remove a tumour from his brain in 2004.

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Salesian Co-operator’s Pilgrimage to Churches of Mercy in Bangalore

Salesian Co-operators’ Unit at Kristu Jyoti College made a pilgrimage to the Churches of Mercy in Bangalore on 14 February 2016. Being the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, the co-operators along with their family members made a fruitful pilgrimage along with their unit delegate, Fr. Gilbert Choondal and province delegate, Fr. Emmanuel Vattakunnel. 18

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Pope Francis has appointed Salesian Father Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, the provincial superior of the Indonesia Timor-Leste province, as the new bishop of Dili. Bishop-elect da Silva’s ordination Mass is scheduled for March 19.

Rector Major Visits Ethiopia

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Salesian Provincial appointed as Bishop in Timor-Leste

The Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime visited Ethiopia from 11th February to 15th February. His visit has brought great joy and hope for the Salesians the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) and above all the young.

126th Anniversary of Salesian’s Arrival in Colombia

Fr Timothy Ploch, Councillor for the Inter-America Region, began the Extraordinary Visitation of the Province of Medellin (COM), on 11 February, the 126th anniversary of the arrival of the Salesians in Colombia (11 February 1890).

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Fr. Maria Arokiam Kanaga - Extraordinary Visitation to Northern Province of Philippines

In Manila on 4 February Fr Maria Arokiam Kanaga, Councillor for South Asia Region, began the Extraordinary Visitation of the Northern Province of the Philippines (FIN), which will continue until 18 April. He will then carry out the visitation of the Provincial Delegation of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands until 15 May.

The Salesian Fr Roman Szpakowski, Director of the Wydawnictwo Salezjańskie publishing house and president of the Association of Catholic Publishers, received the “Premio Człowiek Roku 2015”(Man of the Year 2015), The award was given “for his tireless work of dissemination of books on religious themes”.

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Man of the Year

The Don Bosco library of the Salesian Community of the Redeemer in Bari in the Southern Province (IME) was reopened to the public on 1 February. The library contains more than 40,000 books and texts that have finally been made available again for the enjoyment of the citizens. 2016

adieu to Fr Agustín Pacheco Pascua, SDBDirector of DON BOSCO IN THE WORLD

Fr Agustín Pacheco Pascua, SDB, Director of the DON BOSCO IN THE WORLD Foundation and previously Director of the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid died on 7th February. 19

EASTER JOSE THERAMPIL SDB

Easter marks the victory of life over death, of love over hatred and of light over darkness. We have reasons to sing the joyful song of Alleluia. It is a song of victory.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the keystone of the Christian creed. The mighty power of such a miracle supports the entire edifice of Christianity. Deny the resurrection, Christianity collapses like a pack of cards.As St.Paul makes it clear, the resurrection of Christ is foundational tothe Christian faith. If Jesus is not raised, then we should not beChristians. Victory was the message of the risen Jesus to His disciples on Easter Sunday.No other event has impacted the world so much as the resurrection of Jesus 20

Christ. Jesus never composed a song, but there is more music written about Jesus Christ than any other subjectin history. Jesus never drew any pictures or did any sculpture; more art has been made about Jesus Christ than any other subject in history.Jesus never traveled more than 100 miles from where he was born, â&#x20AC;&#x153;and yet, you can find followers of Jesus in every nook and corner of the world.

The holy women have been most faithful to Jesus, even during His bitterest time of suffering and His painful and shameful death. They remained at the foot of the cross, suffered and empathized with Him. Jesus rewards them for their loyalty; they are the first to bring the March

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Good News. They are the first to report what the disciples still cannot comprehend.

This Good News Peter finally announced in his Pentecost under the power of the Holy Spirit: “God freed Jesus from death’s bitter pangs, and raised Him up again, for it was impossible that death should keep its hold on Him.”

Easter is the crowning proof of Christianity. I would like to quote the words of St. John Marie Vianney concerning Easter, “Today one grave is open, and from it has risen a sun that will never be obscured, that will never set, a sun that creates new life. This new sun is the crucified one, the Son of God.” I believe this summarizes the message of Easter. By His resurrection Jesus sanctified suffering. Without resurrection, suffering has no meaning. Once a little boy was contemplating a crucifix. An atheist passed by an asked the boy what he was contemplating. The boy explained everything up to the death of Jesus. The atheist went away. The boy ran after him and said: “Sir, I forgot to tell you one thing. Jesus rose on the third day.” Jesus gave suffering a positive value. Christ tells us that we shall live eternally if only we accept our suffering lovingly. Easter teaches us that there is no life without death, no gain without pain, no receiving without giving, no crown without a cross,, no Easter without Good Friday.

Easter is the feast of our reconciliation with God and of his forgiveness. With forgiveness comes peace. Jesus’ greeting on the day of the resurrection to His disciples was: “Peace be with you” (Jn 20: 19). And He gave power to forgive sins, “Receive the Holy Spirit, if you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (Jn 20: 22-23). The resurrection of Jesus assures us that life is triumphant and that death is another phase of life. The resurrection proclaims emphatically that the ultimate winners are goodness, truth, faithfulness and selfless love. Easter reveals the salesian bulletin

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that true love never dies. Jesus who is the embodiment of love, who taught nothing but to love could not be held slave by death. The risen Christ is always present among us and that we can recognize him in the proclaimed Word and in the breaking of the bread that is the Eucharist.

The resurrection of Jesus is nonreversible. The Resurrection Effect continues to make waves and ripples. It is very clear from people’s reaction to Peter’s curing of the crippled man at Solomon’s Porch. Tertullian’s insightful words may be helpful to understand this stupendous event: “Easter is to be believed because it is absurd.” Easter tells us that after darkness comes light; after the heartbreak, the daybreak; after the struggle, the victory. It is indeed a Divine Surprise. 21

COLUMN IVO COELHO SDB

LEARNING FROM

THE YEAR

OF CONSECRATED LIFE The Year dedicated to Consecrated Life has just come to a solemn conclusion in Rome, with the feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple, and a mass at which Pope Francis presided, with the Basilica of St Peter full and overflowing into the square outside. This time the Salesian participation was weak - Guido Errico, coordinator for formation of the Italian Salesian conference, and myself. But if we look at the other events, such as the Seminar for Formators in April, and the Gathering of Young Consecrated People in September, our participation was not so bad. I ask myself what I have learnedfrom this year, or simply what I take from it.

First, that consecrated life is a reality that is part of the church. This means, for example, that bishops are called to value and cherish consecrated people and their institutes. It also means that consecrated people cannot live as if they were “reserved housing colonies” or exclusive apartment blocks within the church. They are part of the people of God. The second thing is connected to this - that consecrated life is a sign. We have been used to asking what makes consecrated people different. But we are being taught to ask: what does consecrated life say to other people? For all people are destined for God, and consecrated life reminds everyone about this. It is a sign that God is able to fill our hearts. It is a reminder that we are moving to 22

the resurrection where there will be neither marrying nor giving in marriage, but we will be all like the angels, seeing God and being filled with God. That is why the pope and the Congregation has been talking so much, not about chastity, but about joy. I find this a fascinating opening on to consecrated life: joy. Many years ago I was discussing with a girl about the existence of God, none of the things I was saying made much sense to her. Finally, in desperation, I turned to her and said: “Mary, look at me. I am not married. But I am happy. And that means God exists.” Perhaps a very simplistic argument, but it made sense to her, incredibly. The joy on our faces is the unmistakable sign of what we are about. “Wherever there are consecrated people, there is joy,” Pope Francis says.

The third point is about beauty. The Congregation for Consecrated life released three little booklets during the Year, with names that I find fascinating for the perspectives they open up. The first was about joy, and its title was Rejoice! The second was about watchfulness and waiting, with the title KeepWatch! And the third was about beauty, and its title was Contemplate! Watchfulness is surely connected with the eschatological dimension that we have been talking about, the wise virgins who know how to wait for the Bridegroom. But beauty is a wonderful new dimension that the Year has sought to introduce into the discussions about consecrated March

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life. Being, we might remember from our metaphysics, is one, good, true and beautiful. God is Beauty. The booklet is an extended meditation on that wonderful and wonderfully neglected book of the bible, The Song of Songs. It is an invitation to all consecrated people, including very busy Salesians, to remember that at the core of our vocation there is love, indeed a passionate love of the kind expressed in the Song.

The fourth point is about community. Consecrated life is always lived in community and with reference to a community - even those consecrated people who are hermits, and there were, I believe, even some hermits in the gathering in Rome. God is Communion, and we are destined to union and communion. The joy that was set before Jesus is the joy of being united forever with all his brothers and sisters in God - the good, the bad, the ugly, those who are loveable and those who are not. Our We is destined to nest and rest in the We of God. And already now we are called to this communion. Communion, as John Paul II liked to say, is mission. It is beautiful to see brothers and sisters living together in peace. Our experience of fraternity is an experience of God. the salesian bulletin

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And the fifth point is about formation. Spontaneously, when we speak about formation, we think of initial formation. We ought to think, instead, of ongoing formation. Formation is not something that ends with perpetual profession or with ordination, simply because it is a response to vocation, and vocation is everyday, always new. God never ceases to call us, and he wants to form us into sons, sons in the Son. And I was so surprised to discover that it is this perspective that dominates our Constitutions. Way back in the 1980s, our Constitutions were written with this in mind, that ongoing formation is the mother idea of formation. Every day God calls me and loves me, and wants me to respond to his love; and here lies the task of formation: to be attentive to his love and to respond to it in every way I can. So the Year has come to an end. And perhaps the most marvellous thing about it has been the wonderful atmosphere permeating all the events. Cardinal Joao Braz de Avis and Archbishop Carballoof the Congregation for Consecrated Life have done a marvellous job, with their warmth and their constant presence among the participants. They were truly embodiments of closeness and of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;culture of encounter.â&#x20AC;? 23

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SAINT JOE BOENZI SDB

Francis de Sales – Choosing God He was the talk of the town, and why not? He had left Annecy when he was only 11 years old to study in Paris and Padua, and now he returned at age 24 with advanced degrees in arts and jurisprudence that might secure a brilliant career! It did not hurt that his father and his uncle were both decorated war heroes, or that his mother had successfully mobilized the women of her generation in works of charity. No, it was no surprise that all Annecy should be talking about the young

Among the young men of Annecy – many of whom Francis had known before he had left for his studies 13 years earlier – there was a sense of pride. They found him capable, knowledgeable, extremely cordial but in no way boasting or arrogant. He had nothing of the conquering hero that they might expect to find in the son of a general. He showed interest in each one of them. He showed that he was very happy to see them again after so long and to spend time with them. They genuinely liked him. His father’s faith and charity never ceased to impress him, for while the general was well grounded in the political and strategic life of the country, he also had a keen eye for people who were suffering. How often did his father rush forward to assist someone in need! How often did the general reach out to a family crushed by tragedy. “Remember, Francis,” his father told him, “we must always think of God when we see our neighbor in need, and we must always be men of God, making God’s love for them tangible through our charity.” These words impressed Francis, but the general was merely repeating what he had often told his children when they were growing up: “We must always think of God, and we must always be men of God.” 26

On 2 March Francisvisited Claude de Granier, the revered Bishop of Geneva. Since Geneva allowed no Catholic to enter city limits, the bishop lived in Annecy, Francis’s hometown. Claude de Granier received him cordially. Heknew Francis’s parents and inquired about their health. Bishop Claude also asked the young man about the nature of his studies abroad, only to be impressed to learn that Francis had obtained a doctorate in both Civil Law and Canon Law. Not only, but he had privately studied philosophy, theology and Sacred Scripture under the guidance of Jesuits and Franciscans.

That day a theological debate was taking place in the cathedral, and Bishop de Granier invited Francis to be his guest. Francis obliged.He sat beside the bishop during the discussion about “secret marriages,” a highly disputed subject in those days.As the two sides made their cases, the bishop noticed that Francis followed the arguments keenly. He also sawthe young man’s disappointment at the debaters’ superficial arguments. At last the bishop introduced Francis to the debaters and the audience, saying: “Young man, what is your opinion?”Francis excused himself, saying that theology was not his “field”.He then simply stated all the main points raised so far and proceeded to shed new light on both sides of the issue.He made a brief but thorough summation, and spelled out guidelines for doctrinal and pastoral solutions. Both sides were impressed and applauded the young guest. The bishop was all smiles, and embraced him. Who could remember a Bishop of Geneva doing such a thing? March

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the proposal, he let the chief justice know that he would withdraw all claims, and Françoise quickly married Pierre.

The General was disappointed, but before he had time to find another bride, a letter arrived from Rome. The pope, on the recommendation of Bishop Granier, appointed Francis as leader of the priests who prayed daily in the cathedral – the canons of Geneva. This nomination shocked the General. “How could this be? You cannot consider this, can you?” he asked his son.

Portrait of St Francis de Sales. Oil painting. From the Monastery of the Visitation in St. Louis, Missouri (USA) - photos taken on 3 February 2016 by Joe Boenzi

Francis passed the bar exam brilliantly, and was named magistrate. General de Boisy was overjoyed. All that his son needed now was a good marriage, and the General busily made arrangements. He brought Francis to meet the chief justice, Jean Suchet de Vegy. The judge had a daughter, Françoise, whom he was ready to offer in marriage to the son of General de Boisy. Francis met the proposed bride, but if he was polite during the first meeting, the girl was disappointed that he did not take on the role of a romantic suitor. In fact, while Francis was doing all to be obedient to his father, he felt in his heart that God was calling him to a life dedicated to the Gospel. To obey his father,must he abandon all thoughtsof the priesthood? If God wanted him for the priesthood, Francis reasoned, God would show the way. Accordingly, Francis when metFrançoise Suchet, he listened and chattedbut made no move.He allowed Godto take the lead. The miracle happened. A young wealthy lawyer by the name of Pierre de Grailly visited the Suchet home and asked to marry Françoise. Pierre was handsome and very wealthy. As soon as Francis de Sales heard of the salesian bulletin

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“Father,” Francis responded calmly, “in my heart I feel that God calls me to become a priest.”

“What?” his father exploded. “What about your law career? What about marriage? How can you hide all your talent and learning under the folds of a cassock?” the general demanded. Without waiting for an answer, he stormed out of the room. The next morning, calmer but still hurt, the general called his son once more. “Francis, how can you even consider being a priest after all your brilliant studies?” Francis looked into his father’s eyes and responded simply: “Father, have you not always told me: We must always think of God, and be men of God”?

The general nodded slowly. “Francis, you have always been an obedient son. I see that you have understood my words better than I have.” He reached for his son and embraced him. “Francis, you must answer God’s call, not mine. You have my blessing.”

Francis de Sales was ordained a priest in Annecy just before Christmas 1593. He became a missionary and, later, Bishop of Geneva. He was known as a gentle shepherd and a capable teacher of the Gospel. When he died on 28 December 1622, he was universally mourned. In 1665 Pope Alexander VII added his name to the list of the saints, in 1877 Pope Pius IX declared him to be a Doctor of the Church, and in 1970 Pope Paul VI set his feast day on 24 January. 27

PAKISTAN INVITATION TO POPE- UNREALISTIC Church officials say the Pakistani government’s proposal to invite Pope Francis to visit is “unrealistic” given the current security situation in the country. Pope John Paul II, who celebrated a Mass at National Stadium in Karachi during a three-hour stopover on Feb. 16, 1981, has been the only pope to visit Pakistan. A small bomb exploded outside the stadium minutes before his arrival.

Over 200 Christian leaders from various denominations in India met in New Delhi Feb. 13 to discuss the proposal by the rashtriya swayamsevak sangh, or RSS, which said in December it wanted a separate Christian organization within its structure. Christian leaders in India have rejected the proposals as they felt that this proposal was part of a hidden agenda aimed at subverting Christianity in India.

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CHRISTIAN LEADERS IN INDIA REJECT HINDU GROUP’S OVERTURES

OLD GOA HOSTS MUSIC BANGLADESH CATHOLIC FESTIVAL HONOURING 16TH CHURCH, CONVENT CENTURY SAINT ATTACKED, DESECRATED

An art and music festival honouring a 16th-century Orthodox martyr St. Ketevan (1560–1624) whose remains were buried in a Catholic convent in India kicked off on Feb. 13 at the Santa Monica Church in Old Goa. Around 40 international performers were part of the 10-day festival, which included conferences, lectures, and workshops.

About 15 masked armed men entered the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and its adjacent Catechist Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary convent, in Chuadanga district, Southwestern Bangladesh on Feb. 7. The men looted 350,000 taka (US$ 4,487) from the priest’s residence, 300,000 taka (US$ 3,846) from the convent, besides taking away phones and other valuables. They vandalized the convent’s chapel and desecrated the Eucharist from the tabernacle.

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INDIAN VICE PRESIDENT LAUDS LATE SYRO-MALANKARA PRELATE

The Indian vice president has hailed the late Syro-Malankara Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios of Trivandrum as an example of selfless service. Ansari was speaking at a national conference in New Delh on February 15 i to mark the concluding ceremony of the yearlong birth centenary celebrations of the archbishop. Archbishop Gregorios was the first Syrian president of the Indian Catholic bishops’ conference of India (1989-91), and he chaired several of its commissions.

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DALIT INDIANS PLANNING MARCH FOR EQUAL RIGHTS

Dalit Christians in India are planning a march to demand equal rights, including reservation in educational institutions and government jobs. More than 20,000 people across the country are expected to take part in the march scheduled on March 10 in New Delhi that Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox churches are organizing jointly. 28

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CARITAS VOLUNTEER KILLED IN ALEPPO BY A MORTAR SHELL

0ARCHBISHOP IVAN JOINT DECLARATION SIGNED JURKOVIC - NEW PERMANENT BY POPE FRANCIS AND OBSERVER TO THE UN PATRIARCH KIRILL

Elias Abiad a 22 years old volunteer of Caritas Syria was killed on February 13th in Aleppo by mortar shells which fell in the area of Sulaymaniyah. Elias was engaged in assistance projects carried out by Caritas Syria in Aleppo since September 2014.

Slovenia-born Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic will be the Holy See’s next Permanent Observer to the United Nations in Geneva. Archbishop Jurkovic has served as nuncio to Russia and Uzbekistan since 2011.

It was a historic moment when Pope Francis met with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill on February 12. The meeting took place in Havana, Cuba during which Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill signed a joint declaration.

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MIRACULOUS CURE PAVES WAY FOR A TEEN’S SAINTHOOD

The miraculous cure of a baby with brain damage through the intercession of Mexican martyr Blessed José Luis Sánchez del Río has been approved by the Vatican, completing the final step for the teen’s path to sainthood. The young teen was just 14 years old when he was brutally tortured and killed during the 1924-1928 religious persecution by Mexican President Plutarco Elías Calles.

Numerous Bishops and priests of the Coptic Orthodox Church took part in the Divine Liturgy celebrated at the church in Samalot in honor of the 21 Coptic Christians killed a year ago in Libya by jihadists affiliated to the self-styled Islamic State. Their memory is celebrated on 15 February. the salesian bulletin

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RELICS OF SAINTS PIO AND LEOPOLD ARRIVE IN ROME

The urns containing the relics of two great saints, Saint Pius of Pietrelcina – better known as Padre Pioand Saint Leopold ofMandic renowned for their holiness and for their dedication to the Sacrament of Confession, were in Rome from 3-11 February as part of celebrations for the Jubilee of Mercy. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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COMMEMORATION OF THE 21 “MARTYRS OF LIBYA”

EXHIBITION OF VATICAN ARTIFACTS OPENS IN TAIWAN The world’s largest exhibition to be held outside the Vatican of liturgical artifacts used by popes was launched Feb. 4 at the National Palace Museum in Taipei City, Taiwan.The exhibitions runs till May 2. 2016

GOSPEL STORIES MARIA AROKIAM KANAGA

as you never heard before..

GET BACK TO

GALILEE

The Risen Lord tells Magdalene: “Tell my disciples to get back to Galilee. They shall see me there!”

This is somewhat an unusual command from Jesus. If the Risen Lord was now omnipresent, there was no need to call them to Galilee, nearly 200 kilometres away, to put up an appearance. The Gospels narrate his apparitions in Jerusalem itself immediately after this command. The resurrection narratives are not always coherent on details of places, times and contents of the apparitions. What then is the meaning of this command to get back to Galilee in order to see Jesus? The Risen Lord does not speak too much to his disciples when he appears to them in Jerusalem, except a few essential things. All 30

the rest had already been said and done in Galilee. But the disciples did not understand much of what Jesus said and did, particularly their reasons. Jesus often painfully repeated: “let him who has ears hear.” His mind and purposes were hidden to them. The Gospels often speak of their incomprehension or even misunderstanding. However, in the light of the Resurrection, everything he said and did in Galilee takes on meaning. It is as if light has been thrown on paintings that were kept in the dark and earlier were only dimly visible. Now with the bright and glorious light of the Resurrection, everything appears clearer. They begin to “see” and “hear” the Jesus of Galilee, the Nazarene differently, or rather more correctly. March

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Then they realize that the carpenter from Nazareth was a real revelation of God with us - Emmanuel. A case in point was his promise to build the temple of Jerusalem in three days, after its destruction! Who could understand that before. But after the Resurrection it was crystal clear! Many titles that the Gospels use for Jesus, including “Lord”, “Master”, etc. were post-resurrection titles, used for him retrospectively by the Gospel writers. During his life they just called him Nazarene, son of Joseph, Jesus, Sir, Rabbi, Rabbuni or preacher! The four Gospels are a result of this “return to Galilee”! The four evangelists returned to Galilee from their present contexts and saw all the events of those three years in the light of faith, a light that they did not have earlier. The resurrection throws light on Galilee, and Galilee throws light on the present history of the believing community. Now the Scriptures become clearer and they see their fulfilment. Each Gospel - Mark, Mathew, Luke and John are four different “returns” to Galilee and they become documents of interpretation of the historical events rather than merely chronicles of events. That is the reason each one gives a slightly different vision of those same events. Each one sees it from his own angle, in order to make it clear to the audience that he is speaking to. So Mark says it all very briefly to prove that Jesus was the Son of God, while Mathew says it for a Jewish audience and quotes the Old Testament numerous times to show how Jesus fulfilled the promises made to Israel. Luke, writing for the gentiles emphasizes more his human aspects that become revelation of God’s mercy and his universal care for all his children. John writes his Gospel for believing disciples, a few decades after the synoptic Gospels. His is the better “Gospel”, in a certain sense. He is not interested in a historical narration at all. That had already been done and known. He is now “reading” those events and sees their symbolism as truly revelation. He is now “returning to Galilee” and revealing the heart of Christ to those who were struggling

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to understand and practice the Gospel in their difficult circumstances! This is the job of the Gospel writer! For the evangelists the words and deeds of Jesus are not just news or information, but “good news”, precisely because they were the words and deeds of God himself for the salvation of humanity. It is good news because it benefits the hearer here and now. Hence it is not an account of the past events. It is what the Lord Jesus can do for you and me today, as he did in the past when he walked Galilee.

To cling to the Risen Jesus, without returning to Galilee, could be a tempting attraction. Let us forget the past, now that we have the all powerful risen Lord with us. This would lead merely to a dependent and pietism and a religion made up mainly of adoration and infantile spiritualism. We could be cosy and comfortable with such a religion, with no worry about the world. But no! Discipleship means getting back to the world and changing it with the Gospel vision. That is probably the meaning of Jesus’ words to Magdalene, “Do not keep clinging to me. But get back to the disciples …” She had to leave him and run to the other disciples. “It is good for you that I should return to the Father,” Jesus told the disciples even before death. After death he did not entertain them for long, except for a few scattered apparitions and partial revelations. They had to get back to Galilee and make an effort to understand everything. And for that he offered them a teacher, an advocate, who would teach them everything, the Holy Spirit. The Gospels, unlike other history books or chronicles, remain live wires, books of the present, eternally young documents which speak to us today, because they are experiences of ever constant and contextualized “readings” of the life of that man who walked the earth 2000 years ago. We are today invited to write our own Gospels, by returning to Galilee, with the eyes of the disciples, the heart of Mary and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, with our feet firmly set in our present history and circumstances! 31

HUMOUR A. J. FRANK

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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CHILDREN MY FIRST BIBLE

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