Day Out to Time Out

It’s a day out for Collegio San Paolo (25th April 2010), a tradition every

after Easter. This year it was a day out to Subiaco at the monastery of St. Benedict (the Benedictine monastery at Subiaco is in fact the first and origin of the Benedictine monasteries) and a time out to Tivoli at the villa d’Este (Villa d’Este is a garden ornamented by splendid display of fountains of water and natural decorations). You can imagine the contradiction and convergence of the two places, something like - in the
world but of the world. Guess what I mean.

Definitely it was a time out where we could afford to spend time to gossip and talk about anything from politics to romance, music to business and to church scandals of course. It was a good time out before we plunge ourselves into intense preparations for annual exams.

8th Ordination Anniversary

7 years has passed me by since the day my hands were anointed to be at HIS service. He is ever faithful. He has never let me down. Should I …?

The Shroud of Turin

The shroud, called Sindone in Greek is the linen cloth with which the body of Jesus was wrapped and buried. The resurrection account tells us that the linen cloth was found pushed to the side in the empty tomb. Peter took it and had it preserved in a secure place (the Quran caves) and later brought at a present side at Turin (it has a long history). The various scientific researches today testify to the death of Jesus linked to the shroud.
I am particularly moved by what I saw and witnessed on 10th April 2010, the first day of the exposition of the shroud for public view. I must say, we (Breson & me) were fortunate to find a place on the very first day. First of all, the very visit itself was under hard consideration as we had just returned back from the same region after the Easter ministry but to think that we might regret it for the rest of our lives helped us to reconsider of making it.
When we reached at the Ingresso – the entry check point, there was definitely chaos – too crowded for the organizers to maintain order. The crowd in hundreds passing through a metre width bridge and into a small entry door reminded me of the narrow gate Jesus indicated. From this point to the duomo –where rested the shroud took us 2 hours. They led us to an open garden at the back of the duomo. There were not less than 10 major stops to scan us through. Finally we arrived at a dark hall before we could enter the Holy Sanctuary of the shroud. Here every single group was animated in about 5 minutes on the shroud with audio visual aid. Then we made a past through the shroud in semi darkness and stopped in front of the casketed Holy Shroud (illuminated) at few metres away.

Here was a moment of intense prayer assisted also with prayerful audio comments for all. Then we made a quiet exit. There is another entry to the duomo where recourse to the sacrament of reconciliation is made available or spend time in prayer and contemplation.
What I gather from here is the faith of the people. On the one hand we see the dying faith and yet the thirst for God on the hand. What we see here on the Holy Shroud is the suffering God – the marks of the real brutal torture, the stains of human cruelty to Jesus, the vengeance of sin. The blood stained face of Jesus imprinted on the shroud, besides other marks like the wounds on the hands and legs, the bruises all over the body, bore witness to the fact that Jesus really suffered inhuman torture. The shroud has left a perpetual fountain, a bleeding suffering God so that his creatures may recognize HIM.

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.