Feast of the Holy Stigmata's of St. Francis of Assisi

 Today the Franciscan family all over the world will celebrate with devotion and piety the feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi. A feast which calls to dwell and meditate on the precious gift that Our Lord Jesus Christ showered upon Francis, as a mark of his deep relationship with the lord. It is a spiritual moment in the life of Francis and the Order. The feast invites us to reflect on our relationship with the Lord which needs to be based on prayer and commitment. He received the sacred marks of Christ to confirm him to the Life of Christ. He longed to do, speak and live like Christ and here on Mount La Verna that became a spiritual reality and an experience that made Francis be a true follower of Him. It is not just an external conformation or attachment to the Person of Christ but the internal conforming of his life to Christ. In prayer and reflection, he encountered the Lord of his life and allowed him to be transformed internally which brought about a lot of graces and blessings for him and the Order. 

I have been a number of times to that impressive and mind-blowing beautiful La Verna. A holy place for all generations and it was so even during the time of Francis and that is one of the reasons he traveled to La Verna, definitely the Lord drew him there. The Chapel of the stigmata is a silent witness to the event that took place many centuries ago. The friars faithfully gather in the afternoon to commemorate the event by praying in the spot where Francis received the stigmata. Francis always found time to pray all alone and in his prayer he fought and argued with the Lord, he would sob and cry often during his intense moments of prayer. 

The feast of today invites to face the challenge of finding time for ourselves to pray and spend moments of silence with the Lord who is present everywhere if we believe. The Lord calls us amidst this pandemic of Covid- 19 to devote some time to silent and meditative prayer to nourish ourselves so that we may overcome the fear and be like Christ, that we may ask the Lord to give us the grace to his mind and attitude in today’s trouble world. We have many challenges before us and we are finding and searching answers to all these troubling situations, let us ask the Lord to inspire us with the His Life and life of Francis to face this grave situation.  We have the same opportunities available that St. Francis did to be nourished and to conform our thoughts, our ways and our attitude to Jesus.

This year we have five new Candidates for an Orientation course at Osmanabad Friary. I took them along with me to Osmanabad.....the Fraternity warmly welcomed all of them. 

It is Monsoon and Nature is wearing a green look ....beautiful sight all over

Our Geese and duck here in Fatima Friary....

Fraternal Moments - Provincial Curia and Fatima Friary, Mumbai

Medicines cannot cure and heal that is done by tow minutes of conversation with those who are sich physically and spiritually.  Seek and desire Truth and you will never demand or expect anything from others. If our lives have to be happy then we need to sacrifice 'taste and argument" because if you sacrifice taste, it is beneficial to the Body and if you sacrifice argument, it is beneficial for relationships. 

Our Fraternity at Fatima Friary and Provincial Curia, we have two friars who are 86 years old, hale and hearty, they are very much independent and are regular for all the exercises of the fraternity. They are great examples and models for all young friars....

Br. Evarist Celebrated his 85th Birthday and Guardian Br. Rajesh Sweeting the Mouth of Br. Evarist with a piece of cake....

Br. Provincial Br. Philip speaking few words on the occassion 

The Provincial council gathered for two days for their meeting here

The feast of Nativity of BVM was celebrated here in Fatima. Br. Manuel decorated the chapel and statute of BVM beautifully.....

I was the main celebrant for the feast and preached a homily about the Birth of BMV

Giselle and Gareth - Twins complete 3 years of Life!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9 of them as first cousins......9 grand nephews and nieces for me......

I appreciate a quick message. I appreciate those who ask if I'm okay. I appreciate every single person, in my life who has tried, to brighten my days. It's the little things, that matter the most.
A person becomes ten times more attractive, not by their looks but by their acts of kindness, respect and honesty, and the loyalty they show. 
We should be lifting each other up and cheering each other on, not trying to outshine one another. The sky would be awfully dark, with just one star.
It is impossible to feel good while having negative thoughts.  If you are feeling good, it is because you are thinking good thoughts. Goodnight and God bless 

The person who is filled with love sees love everywhere and receives it, from everyone. The same goes, for every other emotion. 

It's very rare to find someone, that genuinely cares about you, that wants to see you, achieve all of your goals, that wants to help you grow, as a person, and be by your side, every step of the way. If you have that type of person, never let them go, it's really rare to find.

There are no extra pieces in the universe. Everyone is here because he or she has a place to fill, and every piece must fit itself, into the big jigsaw puzzle.

Good things will come to you when good things come from you. You will attract, what you are. The goodness of this world is offered to those, who are doing good for this world. When you radiate positive energy, you attract more, of the same.

There is joy in giving. If you are feeling weary or discouraged, find someone to be a blessing to. Meet a need for someone and watch how God fills you, with joy and strength, in return!

Ready to cut the birthday cake....