Awesome Presence...

Feeling the presence is perhaps one of the strongest drives that keep you do things and remember people. People live apart from each other for years and still keep remembering because somewhere they feel the presence of the other. Such strong bond of presence is affected precisely because somehow, somewhere they continue to meet. Some part of your being continues to be part of the other and vice versa.
Your sense of memory is even sharpened when you have physical memory of the person, place or moment. Thomas the apostle did not demand to touch the wounds of the crucified Lord for nothing. He wanted to carry the physical presence of his master as he would travel across the land and sea.
This awesome presence and touch is what I experience as I hold the hands of the Holy Father (Pope Benedict XVI during the audience to his priests in the diocese of Rome on 26th February 2009). When presence meet you have no words, your expressions are limited. All I could say to His Holiness was “Good Morning HOLY FATHER – bless me” and what else can he say then to ask “Where are you from?” But that’s how most stories begin... The moment was incredible. It is going to keep you accompany for long.

Tell Me Why…

Friends,

I just watch and watch and listen to the voice of the kid and I have nothing more to say. I am just ashamed every time I listen to it. I don't know about you. You'll have to find out yourself. May be you are better of... in any case have a try. It hurts... right?

The Two Fairies...

From nowhere appeared Fr. Dominic Kanmi and Mr. Jacob Rongmei (from Manipur, India) on 24th January 2009. They should if at all be arriving on 27th, that’s what they mention via email. Their impatience to be in the eternal city or was it me that hasten their pilgrimage to Rome, I will never know. Whatever, I was more than glad to have them. They were my first guests (also the first time guide to Rome) after I landed in this part of the world. As such, I have looked into their itinerary in detail. What came as a surprise were other fairies. 24th lunch time came and appeared Frs. Sojan and Jacob and what a lunch it was in Hotel Cinese, Vaticano. It’s no coincidence but it’s time for dinner and look there comes two other fairies, Srs. Mercy and Merlyn. What a day to end with two angels around the table in Hotel Luce.

It is not easy to be a good guide in Rome. Either you spent too much time in a place and leave out the rest or you have too many of them in mind and see none. Anyway I thought we must first pay due respect to the Bishop of Rome, (Pope) by visiting the Cathedral of Rome, San Giovanni Laterano and the Santa Scala (Holy Steps). Of course, much time was allotted to the visit to the Basilica San Pietro, the tombs of the popes, etc. We did not also missed other important places like visit to Collosseo, basilica san paolo, piazza del popolo, piazza spagna, Fontana di Trevi etc. And so came the end of the second and last day and of course not without the presence of another two fairies for the last supper; Frs. Breson Paul and Wilbert. Early part of the next day they disappeared to Paris. I wish my two friends a safe journey back home. I thank them for the homely casual visit.