March – 2024

 

Pope’s Prayer Intention for March 2024.

For the new martyrs: Let us pray that those who risk their lives for the Gospel in various parts of the world inflame

the Church with their courage and missionary enthusiasm.

March 19: St. Joseph (19 March)

What is it that made Saint Joseph so great? First and foremost, he was great because of the choices he made in life.

Gospel refers to him as a “righteous man” and as a man who “did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.” Thus,

his greatness is primarily on account of his moral righteousness and obedience to the will of God. Joseph’s

obedience is especially seen in the fact that he obeyed the voice of God given to him in dreams. It is clear that

Saint Joseph was attentive to the voice of God spoken to him even in dreams. We all have dreams, but St. Joseph’s

dreams were different. They were clear communications from God, and they required a willing recipient. Joseph

was open to the voice of God and listened in faith as that willing recipient. Joseph also responded with complete

submission and full determination.

It’s also clear that Joseph took his vocation seriously. Pope Saint John Paul II gave him the title “Guardian of the

Redeemer.” He showed his unwavering commitment to his role as the guardian of his legal Son, Jesus, and of his

wife, Mary. Let us imitate Saint Joseph’s virtues by protecting the presence of Christ within our own hearts, and

heart of our community.

Lent – A Season of Grace

Pope Francis has centred his Lenten message for 2024 on the Book of Exodus, choosing “Through the Desert God

Leads Us to Freedom” as its main theme to encourage the faithful that the season is a journey from bondage to

spiritual renewal and freedom. The pope framed this reflection on the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, a

story that not only represents the journey from bondage to emancipation but also of revelation and spiritual

freedom.

Pope says, “When our God reveals himself, his message is always one of freedom,” The Holy Father went on to

note that this process “is a demanding one” and that “it is not answered straight away. It has to mature as part of a

journey.” “We realize how true this is at those moments when we feel hopeless, wandering through life like a

desert and lacking a promised land as our destination. Lent is the season of grace in which the desert can become

once more the place of our first love and is a journey of Hope because God wants our salvation and offers us His

abundant forgiveness and mercy”.

Easter – A Season of Hope & Peace

Jesus, the Crucified One, is risen! He stands in the midst of those who mourned Him, locked behind closed doors

and full of fear and anguish. He comes to them and says: “Peace be with you!” (Jn 20:19). He is no ghost; it is

truly Jesus, the same Jesus who died on the cross and was laid in the tomb. Before the incredulous eyes of the

disciples, He repeats: “Peace be with you!” (v. 21). Today, more than ever, we hear echoing the Easter

proclamation, “Christ is risen! He is truly risen!” Today, more than ever, we need him. We need the crucified and

risen Lord so that we can believe in the victory of love, and hope for reconciliation. Today, more than ever, we

need him to stand in our midst and repeat to us: “Peace be with you!”. The wounds on the body of the risen Jesus

are the sign of the battle He fought and won for us, won with the weapons of love, so that we might have peace.

 

As we contemplate those glorious wounds, our incredulous eyes open wide; our hardened hearts break open and

we welcome the Easter message: “Peace be with you!” The Spirit of the risen Christ heal the wounds of the past

and dispose hearts to seek truth and fraternity. Thus, let us allow the peace of Christ to enter our lives, our

communities, our Province and our Society. Peace is possible; peace is a duty; peace is everyone’s primary

responsibility! Therefore, let the spirit of this Easter Season urge us to make a decision for peace.

REMINDERS

FORTH COMING EVENTS IN THE PROVINCE

SEMINARIANS’ GATHERING & PROMISES: 8 – 12 April 2024

COMMON JUBILEE CELEBRATION OF THE PROVINCE: 13th April 2024

Rev. Fr. Oravanamthadathil Baby

Rev. Fr. J. Marydas

Rev. Fr. Thadathil Sibi

Rev. Fr. Thoompunkal Biju

ORDINATIONS

DN. Abijith Manuel: 15th April 2024

DN. Roy Tomy: 16th April 2024

DN. Abin Thomas: 18th April 2024

ANNUAL RETREAT: 6 – 11 May 2024

 

A BLESSED GLORIOUS EASTER!

 

Fr. Selvan Lazar HGN

Provincial Superior