Sunday, November 30, 2014

First Sunday of Advent and Year of Consecrated Life Begins

Let us welcome the encouragement that the Pope offers us to see ourselves and the world with the eyes of Christ and to remain concerned about it.


  • I want to say one word to you and this word is “joy”. Wherever there are consecrated people, seminarians, men and women religious, young people, there is joy, there is always joy! It is the joy of freshness, the joy of following Jesus; the joy that the Holy Spirit gives us, not the joy of the world. There is joy! but – where is joy born?(72)
  • Look into the depths of your heart, look into your own inner depths and ask yourself: do you have a heart that desires something great, or a heart that has been lulled to sleep by things? Has your heart preserved the restlessness of seeking or have you let it be suffocated by things that end by hardening it? God awaits you, he seeks you; how do you respond to him? Are you aware of the situation of your soul? Or have you nodded off? Do you believe God is waiting for you or does this truth consist only of “words”?(73)
  • We are victims of this culture of the temporary. I would like you to think about this: how can I be free, how can I break free from this “culture of the temporary”?(74)

  • This is a primary responsibility of all adults, of formators: to set an example of consistency to the youngest. Do we want consistent young people? Are we consistent? On the contrary, the Lord will say to us what he said to the People of God about the Pharisees: “Do what they say but not what they do!” Consistency and authenticity!(75)
  • We may ask ourselves: am I anxious for God, anxious to proclaim him, to make him known? Or do I allow that spiritual worldliness to attract me which impels people to do everything for love of themselves? We consecrated people think of our personal interests, of the functionality of our works, of our careers. Well, we can think of so many things... Have I, so to speak, made myself ‘comfortable’ in my Christian life, in my priestly life, in my religious life, and also in my community life? Or do I retain the force of restlessness for God, for his Word that makes me “step out” of myself towards others?(76)

  • Do we feel the restlessness of love? Do we believe in love for God and for others? Or are we unconcerned by this? Not in an abstract manner, not only in words, but the real brother we come across, the sister who is beside us! Are we moved by their needs or do we remain closed in on ourselves, in our communities which are often “comfortable communities” for us?(77)
  • This is a beautiful, beautiful way to holiness! Do not speak badly of others. “But father, there are problems...”. Tell the superior, tell the Bishop, who can rectify them. Do not tell a person who cannot help. This is important: brotherhood! But tell me, would you speak badly of your mother, your father, your siblings? Never. So why do you do so in the consecrated life, in the seminary, in your priestly life? Only this: think, think... Brotherhood! This brotherly love.(78)

  • At the foot of the Cross, Mary is at the same time the woman of sorrow and of watchful expectation of a mystery far greater than sorrow, which is about to be fulfilled. It seemed that everything had come to an end; every hope could be said to have been extinguished. She too, at that moment, remembering the promises of the Annunciation could have said: they did not come true, I was deceived. But she did not say this. And so she who was blessed because she believed, sees blossom from her faith a new future and awaits God’s tomorrow with expectation. At times I think: do we know how to wait for God’s tomorrow? Or do we want it today? For her the tomorrow of God is the dawn of Easter morning, the dawn of the first day of the week. It would do us good to think, in contemplation, of the embrace of mother and son. The single lamp lit at the tomb of Jesus is the hope of the mother, which in that moment is the hope of all humanity. I ask myself and I ask you: is this lamp still alight in monasteries? In your monasteries are you waiting for God’s tomorrow?(79)

  • The restlessness of love is always an incentive to go towards the other, without waiting for the other to manifest his need. The restlessness of love gives us the gift of pastoral fruitfulness, and we must ask ourselves, each one of us: is my spiritual effectiveness healthy, is my apostolate fruitful?(80)

  • An authentic faith always involves a profound desire to change the world. Here is the question we must ask ourselves: do we also have great vision and impetus? Are we also daring? Do our dreams fly high? Does zeal consume us (cf. Ps 68:10)? Or are we mediocre and satisfied with our “made in the lab” apostolic programmes?(81)

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Vigil for the Year of Consecrated Life - Maria Maggiore Cathedral

Tomorrow the Church officially inaugurates the Year of Consecrated Life in the Vatican. The Holy Father is not in the Vatican as he is on the Pastoral visit to Turkey. The Mass will be celebrated by a Cardinal. 
 This evening we had about 5000 men and women religious gathered to pray in Maria Maggiore in a vigil. It was presided over by archbishop Carvalloho....He gave a beautiful message on the Gospel text of Marriage at Cana.....he connected it with the consecrated Life.

 A video message of the Holy Father was played in the Church. Pope Francis gave a solid and relevant message for the religious....Be awakened to the World....
The entrance of the Cathedral....
 Many young men and women religious were present in big number....it was good to be reminded about our first love for Jesus as we entered the religious life. This vigil took us back to initial fervor and zeal.....Hope the year helps many of us to go back to our religious fervor and zeal and live the charism in an effective way....

 The young men and women participating in a vigil where the various texts from various founders were read....it was very spiritually uplifting to hear what our founders said about our consecrating and following of Jesus....

Formation Commission Meeting Ends



A week long meeting of the Formation council came to a close this afternoon. They had heavy and tight schedule with various input session and discussion on the themes. They also discussed about the Ratio Formationis . They paid a visit to Assisi where they also had an put session on the formation. 
 This afternoon, the general secretary for for formation Br. Charles Alphons thanked the Curia fraternity for accommodation.

 One of the participants also thanked the commission and the fraternity. they all felt at home in Curia and thanked for looking after their need....brothers you are most welcome....we too loved your gracious presence.....our fraternity will feel your absence.....
 The Friars listen to the words of thanksgiving.......Br. Charles was the official translator for the group...

Getting Ready for the Meeting at Fatima, Portugal






The meeting at Fatima, Portugal is very big event in the history of the Order as it has its own importance today. The Meeting which will be attended by all the European Provincials and custos along with the Presidents of the conferences of the entire Order. It is a big event because it is going to reflect on the future of our Charism in Europe, The number is going down but the attraction and respect for the Capuchin has not gone down. People still look and seek for Capuchins. Our friaries and chapels are always frequented by people who love us. In Europe the Catholics would love to share with the capuchins for the good of the Missions.

The big challenge comes from the lack of vocations, in many parts of Europe vocations to Capuchin are not there at all.  Having said this, we cannot deny that vocations are a concern especially, in Europe. I do not want to focus only on numbers which can be dramatic, We must keep working for vocations. Let us not throw up our arms in the air and be negative about vocations......let us not accept the defeat but go along with Pope Francis who is asking us to reawake and re-live our charism. Let us not die in peace and allow the Order to vanish.

 The Order will not vanish and the charism will live on and on. It has come down to us for centuries. let us plan our something different for the young men who are desiring to join us. Let us offer them what Francis offered to his early companions. Let us offer exciting and alluring programs of spiritual  Let us keep working with hope, with confidence, with creativity, and with enthusiasm for vocations. God is the only one who calls, but God does it through us. It would be a grave fault if His voice were not to reach others due to our discouragement, our indolence, or our lack of trust (of faith!) that the Lord is continuing to call. 

We must not live in a state of constant anguish and stress. We are instruments of God’s calling and so let us live our Capuchin life with simplicity and joy. If it is necessary, we will have to get ourselves used to another kind of more humble presence, more reduced, perhaps more humble and authentic. Let us not neglect this vocational task. Vocations may or may not come, but that must not affect our life. Hence, in a very fraternal way, 


Friday, November 28, 2014

To search for those Who have been lost.......





“It’s all about going out and meeting God who lives in cities with the poor,” Pope Francis said. “Meeting, listening to, blessing, walking with the people; facilitating the encounter with the Lord are his rule of thumb. 
How true it is. So many are waiting to be touched and cared for on the streets of our Cities. There are those who have been put in such situation and conditions. There are those who have no other way but to live their lives on the streets. We as Christians can bring joy and happiness in their lives by finding them out. Loving and accepting them as they are. Pope Francis is challenging us to break and bend ourselves to these unfortunate ones on our street. How many of them have never heard a loving word or a merciful look from us. We pass by them every day and we dont even have the courage to look at them, May be we are frightened to go out of ourselves in order to give a helping hand. Jesus did exactly the same and brought about joy in their broken and darkened lives. Christ can be found today in these unfortuanate men and women in our cities. Can we let them know that they belong to us and we believe in same God? That we all have to go to the same Creator when we end our Journey here on earth? We need to hear them. We need to make them feel that they are human. The Church and religious orders have a big opportunity to put into practice the good news of the Lord. I am sure there are many who will support our works for these men and women on the streets. 
The work of Mother Teresa is still carried on by her sisters and collaborators. Recently i visited her one convent in Delhi and i was amazed to see the work done by the sisters with the help of so many collaborators in giving new life to men and women either suffering from leprosy or other diseases. All these men and women were found in various parts of the city. The sisters make the Gospel alive and active through their service. The voice of Jesus is heard. The face of Jesus is seen in these men and women. They are lost and find no way to come back. Can we become their way. I am sure each one of us is blessed by the grace and talents given by the Lord to be used for these men and women.

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa - has preached to 3 great Popes

 This is something wonderful to see. The Holy Father comes and occupies the front seat for the Preaching of Fr. Raniero. He comes much in advance and prays. I have been present on two occassions. Once it was for Lenten preaching where Pope Benedict was present, he would sit in a corner room and visible to anyone...Pope Francis is with the Bishops and priests who attend the preaching.....
 Here you go!!!!!Real Capuchin ......sitting in front of the Holy Father and preaching the word of God...Fr. Raniero has definitely left a very good impression on the Holy Father....he does preach good homilies....you really feel to listen.....God bless you dear Br, Raniero
Br. Raniero is making a point......it is a beautiful chapel-------- After the last meditation the Holy Father meets Fr. Raniero personally and thanks him. During this time Fr. Raniero takes one or two friars along with him....I went twice so i got chance to meet two Popes.....Thank you Fr. Raniero.....

Birthday Celebration of Fr. Luis and Feast Day celebration of Fathers Massimo and Jaime

Mrs. Pina prepared a lovely and decorative cake for the celebrants of birthday and feast days....she is very good in making cakes and sweets. God bless you Mrs. Pina, our helper in the kitchen.....she remembers many friars who have stayed here in the curia....
 Bishop John paid a surprised visit to the Kitchen.....I was there preparing chicken rolls ....so caught the precious moment in my camera.
Hugo prepared a Peruvian drink...oh my lovely one....with lime juice....its taste so good.....
 We prepared some light snacks but not spicy as Br. Luis does not eat them....he is enjoying the snacks....
Massimo....i would like to celebrate my feast day every day if the party is gonna be like this......
 Hugo, its a Thanksgiving Day in America....so be generous......Mark is very happy today but missing his family....
 Just imagine when two bishops come together....what can transpire between them....still interesting when there is someone who is an expert in postulation.....Hope Florio is not planning something great for these two humble brothers ....
 I am tired....but love to eat Indian Chappatis.....am getting ready to go for vacations.....Alexandro.....
Mixed Marriages do happen all over the world.....here in Curia we had a mixed marriage between India Chappatis and Italian cheese.....
 Francisco it is good to be here......
We are happy to be celebrating together........look at the chicken rolls.....
We are missing our American celebration .....but Chappati makes me forget everything....
 Turkey day .......Claudio is at his best......
 Words ....words.....poems.....all in honor of the celebrants....Minister General raised toast in honor of all three friars....Guardian Marek has already left for Fatima to prepare for the meeting......Clayton, Damien and Ivan....we missed you brothers....see you soon
 Let us all together.....cut the cake of life.....let us sweeten our lives with sweet memories....let us thank the Lord for the gift of parents and friars...
 Spanish way of cutting the Cake....Jaime////dear to all.....he wants to join one of the Indian provinces....kidding......he loves India and everything about India....