Faith Blog: My God and My All, Let Thy Name Be Glorified!

Crossing The Threshold of hope, a book, which contains the written responses of Pope to the interview questions of Italian Radio and television, edited by Vittorio Messori, published by Random House Large Print in association with Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., new York, 1994. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book during this spring break and I think it will be appropriate to share the highlights of this book, which may benefit others during this special celebration of our Popes beatification. Some of the the interview questions posed to him were really challenging or one may even call it some what harsh in nature, While majority of the questions were very interesting in nature. The very idea of interviewing the head of the church for live faith responses is modern, and using the media to evangelize the world is Pope John Paul II's specialty, novelty,and even simplicity. Reading this book one can get in to the perspectives of a loving shepherd's heart, one can witness the majesty of s...

Dear heavenly Father, We thank you for the gift of Pope John Paul II to the church and to the world. We thank you for all the gifts and blessings you showered upon this world through your apostle Pope John Paul II. We recall and remember his role model in courage, love for unity, deliberations for peace, life of simplicity, long sufferings,and the exposition of gospel through his words and deeds. We witnessed your Son's love, protection, and guidance through your beloved apostle Pope John Paul II. We experienced your presence in his charisma of universal fatherhood, as he extended his hands wide to the world in inter - religious and inter - leaders dialogues of peace. We witnessed your Holy Spirit's presence of gifts and fruits in his life. Father we come before you with a thankful heart for elevating our beloved Pope John Paul II in beatification. In Jesus Name we pray Amen.

Ninth Day "Today bring to Me The Souls Who Have Become Lukewarm and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: 'Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.' For them the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy." Most Compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love let these tepid souls, who, like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love; and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. F...

Eighth Day "Today bring to Me The Souls Who Are Detained in Purgatory and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only know the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice." Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated. Eternal Father, turn Your most merciful gaze upon the soul...

Seventh Day "Today bring to Me The Souls Who Especially Venerate and Glorify My Mercy and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over my Passion and entered most deeply into My spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death." Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your Mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident in Your Mercy; and united to You, O Jesus, they carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon t...

Sixth Day "Today bring to Me The Meek and Humble Souls and the Souls of Little Children and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels who will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. Only the humble soul is capable of receiving My grace I favor humble souls with My confidence." Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said, "Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart." Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy, and they are the heavenly Father's favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy. Eternal Father, turn Yo...

Fifth Day "Today bring to Me the Souls of those who have separated themselves from My Church and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart, that is My Church. As they return to unity with the Church My wounds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion." Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Church. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to glorify the generosity of Your mercy. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Son's Church, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, bu...

Fourth Day "Today bring to Me Those Who Do Not Believe In God and Those Who Do Not Yet Know Me. I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy." Most Compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do not believe in You, and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for ...

Third Day "Today bring to Me All Devout and Faithful Souls and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought Me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were that drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness." Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in the great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely. Eternal Father, turn Your Merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen. Let us pray for all the devout on...

Second Day "Today bring to Me the Souls of Priests and Religious and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave Me strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind." Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service, that they may perform worthy works of mercy, and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard - upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation, and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen. The gospel passage attached in this article is from St. John gospel chapter...

First Day "Today bring to Me All Mankind, especially all sinners and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me." Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins, but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen. First day novena prayer focuses on all mankind and sinners in the world. Let us meditate on bringing all mankind to the presence of God. Can we bring al...

First Day "Today bring to Me All Mankind, especially all sinners and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me." Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins, but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen. Second Day "Today bring to Me the Souls of Priests and Religious and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave Me strength to end...

Easter festival began in my mother's place church, which is the church of Immaculate heart of Mary, located in Periyasamypuram, which is in Tuticorin dioceses. The church, which I hold dear to my heart always, where my faith walk began. I am captured by the mere beauty of The Mother Mary statue in this church and her many miracles in my life through this church. My Mother's house is very far from mine in India. It will take about 16 hours to reach mother's place by road. Even then, however little my holidays may be, when I travel to India, I designate 2 days to visit my mother's place mainly to visit my parents and to visit this church. Such visits are unannounced and I do it between my family schedule and my professional presentations in Indian universities. I always like to decorate mother Mary statue with a large rose garland. so whenever I go to this church, I take a big rose garland for her, which I do not buy ready made, but i will stop by the neighboring town an...

In a couple of hours Easter festivity begins in India. Let me take you to my home parish in India, which is Ascension Church, Metha Nagar Parish, Chennai diocese, located in Choolaimedu, Chennai. The parish priest is Rev. Dr. Fr. Paul Bharathi, who is learned theologian, who obtained his theology doctorate from Rome. Youthful priest, who is full of zeal for spreading good news. Great scholar, administrator, and a passionate pastor yet simple in appearance and in lifestyle. In his pastoral care the parish has become computerized in every parish activities, he has established perpetual adoration chapel, he renovated the church with classic interior decorations, and added additional building to the church. He has mathematics and science background. I remember an occasion when there were two choices placed in front of him, when he was a new priest, to choose from, either to continue education in teaching field or to continue education in the theological field. I still hear the words of thi...

But at daybreak on the first day of the week they took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were puzzling over this, behold, two men in dazzling garments appeared to them. They were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground. They said to them, "Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified, and rise on the third day." And they remembered his words. Then they returned from the tomb and announced all these things to the eleven and to all the others. The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; the others who accompanied them also told this to the apostles, but their story seemed like nonsense and they did not believe them. But Peter got up a...

For The sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world!

Vaillankanni a faith filled place of pilgrims in India Franciscan missionaries in Vailankanni& Francis xaviour doubts cleared in Apostle Thomas tomb on Palm Sunday 1545. Vasco d agama was followed by Alvara gabral in 1501. This second expedition brought eight Franscican missionaries who became the pionners of morden missions in India. Of the eight Franscicans missionaries that came over to India Cabral the author of Mystras Lusitanas do oriente says, “ one converted and baptized Rajah or prince of Calicut, another a Rajah of Cochin, another king of Cannaore, and yet another a prince of the royal house of Narasings Vijayanagar.” It is interesting to note that at that period, Vailankanni and Nagapatinnam were within the limits of the kingdom of Vijayanagar. The head quarters and the main field of Portuguese missionary enterprise in India was Goa. However, we find the Portuguese Fransciscan missionaries in charge of the tomb of St, Thomas at Mylapore in Chennai in 1534. And they were...

In 1877, the king Mutesa ruled Uganda. He opened the doors of his kingdom for Christianity and Islam at the same time. The missionary priests were called as’ white Fathers” by the locals preached the Gospel to the spiritually hungry people in Uganda. Many people embraced Christianity leaving their polygamy lives and even their traditional rituals. The Christians began to follow the living word of God literally in their life, with the guidance and motivation of missionary priests. However, the king did not like the people conversion and abolision of their native rituals. Moreover he was heavily influenced by the Islam religion and he began to promote and favor Islam than Christianity. He proceeded sending away all the Christian missionaries from his kingdom. But the seed of Gospel grew even in the absence of the shepherded. Many local youth were becoming vibrant in the Christian faith. The missionary priests returned to Uganda after the death of that king. Among the youth who followed...

As I was reading and learning about the priest martyrs, I came across a good article, which contained some statistics on the status of church in Europe, which was an eye opening experience for my ignorance. I could not believe that the Europe, which had been the heart of the church, who sacrificed its resources and heroes to evangelize the whole world struggle in holding up its own faith? Who send her sons and daughters through out the world to spread the good news has become back sliding place? What heroic men and women she has given to the church over last 2000 years. How could she forget her tradition and fall away? How much charity has flown from her to all over the world through her actions in the church? Europe, who is our sister, need our prayers for the intercession of Immaculate heart of Mary for reverse evangelization or reboot evagelization.The powerful intercession of Immaculate Heart of Mary may bring forth conversion in the souls in Europe. Let us pray for the Bishops and...