Away to Sardegna

A day or two in Sardegna (an island in Italy) could be fine and refreshing. We (Wilbert, Breson and me) had this in mind to visit Sardegna and we were able to make it finally on 19th and 20th March 2010, thanks to Dino our friend who hosted us with great love and affection. We landed at Cagliari airport where our friend Dino was waiting to receive us. The remaining two days were spent moving from one point to another point of Sardegna. Fernanda and Daniela organized the dishes at their home. They were always typical Sardinian dish –can imagine enjoying the rici (sort of sea creature) eaten raw. We were grateful to Padre Alberto, a Dominican priest at whose place we spent the night and celebrated the mass.
In particular the visit to Barumini - the Nuraghe heritage was impressive. The Nuraghe people or civilization existed in 15th century b.c. The heritage, the so called the nuraghe hill, today an archeological zone is well preserved and tells of an incredible civilization of the age. The tour of the nuraghe hill was quite an experience of the sort.
Above all, we enjoyed the friendship and hospitality of Dino and family.

A pilgrimage to Cure of Ars.

Reflecting on priesthood and observing the year of the priests – there is no better way to honour it than a pilgrimage to cure of Ars, the tiny village of St. John Mary Vinney the patron saint of all the priests. A pilgrimage planned and organized well in advanced by the College resulted to a beautiful experience for all (5th to 7th March 2010). We, 110 priests of the college left Rome at 7.30 pm on 5th March by two Coaches. The journey was long and tedious though. It took us 14 hours to arrive there with regular stops for fresh air. It was a journey of spiritual reflections with regular pauses of spiritual exercises.
If we had gone to Ars to satisfy the sense of magnificence; be it the scenic beauty, the panoramic angles, or some sort of artistic rarity, than it could be a disaster. Everything is normal and natural here. If there is anything to appreciate, it’s the simplicity of the place. For example, if you are entering from the front of the basilica there is hardly any place to stand around for chitchat (in case you are imagining a spacious piazza). The interior furnishing has no particular attention either. In fact, the benches are hardly comfortable to seat.
I am convinced that saints are great not by the impact of the magnificent monuments or sensational appeal they create. Saints are normally normal. We make them sensational.

Circle of Friends

What a better way to celebrate than in the company of friends after your feverish good old exams. I remember myself speaking on friendship to young friends especially on in-depth relationship, loyalty and equality, self-disclosure, trust, need and all that. All that is true but friendship would be only a pie in the sky if one is not willing to step out and accept risks. Remember the last time you had been with friends breaking knuckles, counting the stars, fought with because an apple must be eaten skinned off or gone to a funeral service and smile all the way because one of you had a wrong hat fitted. When you can’t spot out one, you are in to be locked up. Stanis (reached here on 11th February 2010 from Leuven, Belgium and left on 14th), Reginius, Wilbert, Breson, and self, out on 12th all around the city of Rome. A sort of historic day in Rome with 2 hours of heavy snowing in 24 years. We really did nothing special – everything was special though, bumped into a bar for a cappuccino, or warm up in a smoking chimney, or create sentiments of reunion in a cute little Peruvian Restaurant in style, or you could end up cooking yourself to allow the rest to pick on your expertise or unveil your ignorance. A visit to Assisi would not go unnoticed. Anywhere you sketched - is going to leave a mark, a sketch of its own when you are with a circle of friends. Create circle of friends. They cost nothing but priceless to sell it off.

Any Place is the Best Place to Find Love

At the end of everything what matters is love. Age gives way, beauty melts, wealth only glitters, power keeps sinking and it stinks.
Love is something that keeps you thinking. It reminds you to remember. It has no sense of time. It keeps you nagging to the point of irritation when you are distracted.
It’s not the number of years - to wait and weight love. A passing comment, an acknowledgement of recognition or an attentive look can make a lasting impression. August gatherings are not august occasions. Where you encounter love is what counts, better if it was and is across the table over a cup of tea.
Never forget to remember what matters is love. It has no age, no time bound and any place is the best place to find love.

A song like this can remind us to remember.

In the face of Tragedy

In utter hopelessness I heard him pray in despair: “God, are you there when people need you? Did you die for these people? Or you eliminated them because they are too poor to be around? Did you also die for him? What was his crime? Was he too good to be around? Are you jealous and afraid to lose him? You have no answer. Are you saying you also died for her? Why did you take on her then? Why did you allow her to perish in guilt? Why do you come up with such mask and give false hope? Are you a just God or a compassionate God? Don’t tell me you are both. But if you are a just God, fine go ahead, but don’t border me anymore and expect me to be around. I can take care of myself. You don’t need to save me. I am already doomed. I make a big mistake believing you all along.”
I keep hearing these screaming souls all over – tragedies after tragedies. I hear souls crying out in despair, in anguish and grief, lonely and depressed passing through the darkness of no hope. And I’ve got no answer. I only have one + sign - the cross. Go beneath the rugged cross. You got to have an answer. Yes, you got to be there and no sermons for God’s sake.

NB: The earth that shook part of Haiti on 12th January 2010 left 1000s buried beneath the debris, 200 seminarians in record, priests (number not ascertain) and an Archbishop. Did God make a mistake?

A Tangkhul Naga Among the Magi to Arrived at the Vatican Crib

Today is 6th January, Epiphany of our Blessed Lord and after returning back from the parish ministry I passed by St. Peter’s Square, Vatican. And what I saw was more than a surprise. I thought of the wise men from the east but certainly not one from the region of Northeast India, least to say Manipur hills. My joy was obvious when I saw a lady clad in Tangkhul Chongkhom (traditional shawl) found herself right behind our lady at the Vatican crib.
I thought to myself, after all Rome is not too far from Manipur, I mean the Church is one. And if Rome is the mother Church, she cannot be far from any others. In fact, she is closed to every member. She is the symbol of unity. She always gathers. The presence of this little piece of shawl is only symbolic of her actual presence in our land and culture.

Another Feather to Your Life

A year gone and another comes in. Some people think it is cyclic and are too optimistic - others fear it is passing by and forget to appreciate what life is all about. We celebrate life one day at a time.
Definitely there is a bit of confusion with feasts and celebrations over the past one week. It looked sort of like jumbled up toys. Too rich a liturgy for a distracted sort of me – the birthday (JESUS) to Martyrdom of Stephen, of St. John, the Holy Family to Mother of God and NEW YEAR. Anyway I am not questioning the wisdom of the Church.
My own movements were a bit of over exaggeration. Back from North Italy (Piemonte) on 28th Dec. and out to Marche - S. Severino on 29th and to Marcerata the next day or to Civitanova the following day. In fact, I did spend in these three places for the NEW YEAR 2010 – the eve, the day, and the night fall. What a nice way to bit farewell and welcome.
A NEW YEAR 2010 FOR ALL - LIVE TO LOVE ANOTHER YEAR