The Shroud of Turin

The Mystery of Holy Saturday

Its Spiritual Significance

Introduction :

One could say that the "Shroud" is the Icon of this mystery, the Icon of Holy Saturday. Indeed, it is a winding - sheet that was wrapped round the body of a man who was crucified, corresponding in every way to what the Gospels tell us of Jesus Christ who was crucified at about noon, died at about 3.00 in the afternoon.

At nightfall, since it was "Parasceve" that is the eve of Holy Saturday, Joseph of Arimathea, a rich and authoritative member of the Sanhedrin, courageously asked Pontius Pilate for permission to bury Jesus Christ in his new tomb which he had hewn out in the rock not far from Golgotha.

From that moment, Jesus Christ remained in the tomb until dawn of the day after the Sabbath was chronologically brief ( about a day and a half) but immense, infinite in its value and in its significance.

No Man's Land :

Holy Saturday is a "No Man's Land" between the death and the resurrection but this "No Man's Land" was entered by One, "the Only One" who passed through it with the signs of his Passion for man's sake :

PASSIO CHRISTI. PASSIO HOMINIS.

And the Shroud speaks to us precisely about this moment -- testifying exactly to that unique and unrepeatable interval in the history of humanity and the universe in which God in Jesus Christ not only shared our dying but also our remaining in death -- the most radical solidarity.

In this "time -beyond- time", Jesus Christ "descended to the dead".

What does this mean ??

This means that God having made himself Man, reached the point of entering man's most extreme and absolute solitude, where not a ray of love enters, where total abandonment reigns without any word of comfort -- "HELL".

This is exactly what happened on Holy Saturday : The Voice of God resounded in the realm of death.

The unimaginable occurred : namely "Love Penetrated Hell".

"PASSIO CHRISTI". "PASSIO HOMINIS". ( The Suffering of Christ is the suffering of Humanity).

This is the Mystery of Holy Saturday !!

This is the power of the Shroud: From the face of this "Man of Sorrows", who carries with him the passion of man of every time and every place, our passions too, our sufferings, our difficulties and our sins -- "PASSIO CHRISTI".

PASSIO HOMINIS :

From this face a solemn majesty shines, a paradoxical lordship. This face, these hands, and these feet, this side, this whole body speaks.

How does the Shroud speak ?? It speaks with blood and blood is Life !!

The Shroud is an Icon written in Blood; the Blood of a Man who was scourged, crowned with thorns, crucified and whose right side was pierced.

The Image impressed upon the Shroud is that of a dead man, but the blood speaks of his life. Every trace of Blood speaks of Love and of Life -- specially that huge stain near the rib, made by the blood and water that flowed copiously from a great wound inflicted by the tip of a Roman Spear.

That Blood and that Water speak of Life. It is like a spring that murmurs in the silence, and we can hear it, we can listen to it in the silence of Holy Saturday.

Note :

On Sunday Evening, May 2, 2010 Emeritus Pope Benedict 16, went to the Cathedral of Turin and before the solemnly exposed Shroud gave this meditation.

Credits and References :

The Image of God that ripped us from the hands of death by his
Holiness Emeritus Pope Benedict 16
Pages 18-19
September 2010, Volume -12 N0-5
Don Bosco's Madonna, Mumbai



 

Eulogy

My Mother, Mrs Lena D'sa who recently passed away was one of the most loving, caring, decent, concerned and God - Fearing persons I have come across in my life ever.

She was intelligent, learned, and taught us about our faith, and led by example, throughout our lives. I remember her teaching me prayers and songs that I carry with me in my heart and spirit.

She was a nature -lover in every sense of the word. She listened, and taught us to develop our listening ears and seeing eyes for all the wildlife around us. She knew the times the birds would come to visit in the trees and made us excited to be a part of it.

She had "Green Thumbs"  in the gardening sense and everything she grew thrived wonderfully. She was very happy watching her garden grow and sharing from it with others. She even once grew water melons in a Styrofoam Box !!

Mummy loved to listen to Music, she learned and loved to play the piano, so we listened to and appreciate a very wide range of music that we owe completely to her encouragement.

Important :

Mummy was born on the 18th of September 1938 and 33 years later, I came into the world on the same day. I was so proud to share my birthday with her.

No matter what the situation we were in as a family, she always found a way to be generous to us and to others.

She really loved people and this was shown in the big and little things she did for us and them, specially caring devotedly for her parents.

And one of the main things that has stayed with me is to be kind to people, no matter what the situation.

Many in Mumbai and in Bandra West, will know her as a "Prolific Promoter" of the Divine Mercy Devotion in Mumbai, India.

Mummy was not very Internet - Savvy, but she still encouraged me to start Blogs -- Both on Wildlife and on Catholic Classics.

Both my Sister Elaine and I miss her very much.

My Dad misses her too.

She was an excellent cook in more ways than one.

I thank you all, specially her dear friends who loved her so much, for loving her back as they did.

In Memory of my Mother

Today, My Mother Mrs Lena D'sa passed away peacefully at the age of 77.

She was a Prolific Promoter of the Divine Mercy Message and Devotion from 1988 -2000 in the Archdiocese of Mumbai.

She left no stone unturned in promoting this beautiful devotion.

Additionally, she promoted the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist on a war footing.

She is surely in Heaven now.

 

The Catholic Church in Arunachal Pradesh

Introduction :

It is great to know that Catholicism is increasing by leaps and bounds in Arunachal Pradesh, a Frontier State in North - East India.

Catholics in Arunachal Pradesh now number 200,000 out of a population of 1 Million. They are all Tribals of various Tribes that live in Arunachal Pradesh.

This I believe is primarily because of the pioneering missionary efforts of a Benedictine Brother from the State of Maharashtra popularly known as "PREMBHAI" or Loving Brother.

He passed away in 2008. His real name was Brother Henry Gaikwad.

A Little about him now :

Br. Henry Gaikwad pioneered evangelization in Arunachal Pradesh, a State in North - East India.

He had been closely associated with the beginnings of the "Arunachal Mission". He was an "Icon" of humanitarian service for the people of Arunachal Pradesh who will stand tall in the history of Catholic Missions in North -East India.

The Late Evangelizer walked more than 45,000 Kilometers over the hills and valleys of the State during 25 years of mission work.

The First Permanent Catholic Church in the State opened only in 1993, but today there are 2 flourishing Catholic Dioceses in Arunachal Pradesh namely Itanagar Diocese and Miao Diocese.

This is primarily due to the untiring efforts of Br. Henry Gaikwad.

Missionary Par Excellence :

Br. Henry Gaikwad was a very simple, unassuming, and highly committed Catholic Missionary who slept on a plank of wood using another plank as a pillow.

His Slippers were made from truck tires to avoid wearing out and according to Priests and Religious who knew him he was always talking about evangelization.

He can truly be called the "Apostle of Arunachal Pradesh". There may not be any village in Arunachal Pradesh that he has not visited.

This Benedictine Brother possessed tremendous strength that enabled him to stand against all odds.

Conclusion :

The Catholic Church in Arunachal Pradesh owes much to this great personality. He was truly a pioneering missionary in more ways than one.

Praised be Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament for the wonders he has worked in Arunachal Pradesh.

Credits and References :

1) The Examiner, Mumbai
     Vol -164, N0 -40
     October 5-11, 2013
     "Arunachal Pradesh 50 Years of First Baptisms"
      Page 18

2)  Don Bosco's Madonna, Mumbai
     October 2008
     Volume 10, N0-6
      Page 28
      Newsbits

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux -- A Loyal Son of Mary

Introduction :

The Feast of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux is on August 20.

"Virgin Mother humble yet the most exalted of all creatures" -- so begins the beautiful prayer to Our Lady that Dante ( in his Paradiso) placed on the lips of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, a Cistercian Monk.

He was considered a towering personality in his time because of his extraordinary devotion to Mother Mary.

He was the Abbot for 38 years of Clairvaux in France, the Monastery that he founded and placed it under the special patronage of Our Lady.

It was not surprising that it became a beacon of spirituality throughout Europe.

He truly deserves the title given to him "Marian Doctor".

Saint Bernard was an excellent theologian of the mystical life and has written several "Treatises" on Our Lady that have had a great influence on the History of Mariology.

The immensely popular and fervent prayer composed by him was entitled "The Memorare" which in Latin means "Remember".

It is the heartfelt petition of an adamant believer addressed to Mother Mary certain to be heard.

It is such a beautiful prayer that the Liturgy of the Church has incorporated it among the "Marian Antthems" to be recited at the end of her last official prayer before one retires at the end of the day namely "Compline".

Saint Bernard's Sermons :

In his celebrated sermons entitled "Missus Est" Saint Bernard offers a commentary on the Anunciation.

It is truly a "Summa Mariologica".

In one of those sermons, The Marian Doctor explains this very important concept.

God in his omnipotence willed the mystery of the Incarnation. Our Salvation depended on the free assent of Mother Mary.

For this reason, Humanity is immensely indebted to Mary's "YES".

Conclusion :

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux when speaking about Mother Mary develops themes borrowed from Sacred Scripture and the writings of the Church Fathers.

For Example, He says if Christ is the "Living Water" that gives God's Grace to sinners, Mother Mary collaborates in a unique way in this salvific work.

This is what he says about Mother Mary  in particular. "Her Virginity is commendable but her Humility" is very important and necessary.

Saint Bernard, in his teachings has support of "Marian Theologians" of his century namely the "Twelfth Century" and we must follow in his footsteps.

Credits and References :

"Bernard : Mary's Cantor"
By Roberto Spataro
Pages 28-30
Don Bosco's Madonna, Mumbai
August 2010, Vol - 12 N0- 4

 

Saint Maximillian Kolbe -- A Saint for Today

Introduction :

The Feast of Saint Maximillian Kolbe is on August 14. He was beatified by Pope Paul, The Sixth on October 17, 1971.

This Saint was born on January 8, 1894 in Poland. His Catholic Parents brought him up to love God and Country.

From his earliest days, he developed a tender devotion to the Blessed Mother.

He joined the "Conventual Franciscan Friars" in Poland and dedicated himself to the Immaculata. His Religious Superiors sent him to study in Rome, where he obtained a "Doctorate" in Church Studies, Philosophy, and in Theology too.

On April 28, 1918 he was ordained to the "Conventual Franciscan Priesthood" and on that day he had a plan to convert the whole world to Christ and to his Mother Mary through dissemination of Catholic Literature.

Arrest by the Nazis and Martyrdom :

On February 17, 1941 he was arrested by the Gestapo -- the German Secret Police and he was whisked away to Auschwitz Concentration Camp.

He replaced a married man with children who was supposed to die and asked the Camp Commandant to have himself killed instead in place of the married man. This all happened on a fateful day in July 1941, when he was only 47 years old.

He was thrown into a filthy cell and left to starve to death without food and water. He was finally killed by the Camp Doctor when 'Poison' was injected into him. He was cremated in the camp's ovens. He died on the Vigil of Our Lady's Assumption into Heaven. He was truly a Saint and Martyr in more ways than one.

The entire life of Saint Maximillian Kolbe bore the stamp of Mother Mary. He called the "Miraculous Medal" his "Ammunition" and his Religious Habit often had its pockets filled with medals to be distributed to all he came across.

Saint Maximillian Kolbe considered himself "Our Lady's Knight" entirely at the disposal of the Immaculata to do with as she liked.

He founded a group called the "Militia of the Immaculata" to work for the conversion of sinners all over the world. He wanted to bring all souls into the "One True Catholic Church". This group attracts people even today in the 21st Century.

He wanted all souls to be holy, by loving God and loving Mother Mary through whose heart and hands all graces flow to us from Jesus Christ.

Saint Maximillian Kolbe fully understood Our Lady's role as "Mediatrix of all Graces" in relationship to Christ Jesus, her Son.

He never separated Mother Mary from Jesus Christ. While Jesus Christ is the source, the Author of Grace, Mary cooperates with Jesus Christ and intercedes for all our graces received day in and day out.

In giving all to Mother Mary one gives all to Jesus Christ.

Conclusion :

The Life of Saint Maximillian Kolbe, demonstrates the evil that exists in society, and his personal life demonstrates the potential goodness in modern society if its gifts and talents are correctly used.

Such was the Life of Saint Maximillian Kolbe that his life has led millions to understand true consecration and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of God's Mother as an excellent way of union with Christ Jesus.

Credits and References :

"The Mary Book"
Mother of Evangelism
by Father Robert Fox
  Chapter 11 Saint Maximillian Kolbe
  Pages 239 - 246
  Year 1992
  Fatima Family Apostolate

 

Corpus Christi Sunday 2016 -- A Day Dedicated to the Real Presence

Introduction :

The Feast of Corpus Christi Sunday is on May 29, 2016.

Our Lord Jesus Christ wanted one "Special Feast Day" set aside in honour of "His Real Presence" in the Blessed Sacrament.

For, He said as the Church progressed in time; Faith in "His Real Presence" would diminish to the point where it would need a "Feast Day" to remind the people that he is really and substantially present !!

"That the Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ" and not just a symbol but the reality of Jesus Christ himself.

This is the divine enthusiasm which welcomes us in the Blessed Sacrament.

No Matter, if we are the greatest saint or the greatest sinner on earth, Jesus Christ welcomes us with all the "Divine Yearning" of his Eucharistic Heart.

Here, He puts a robe of glory on us. For each Holy Hour we make will leave us everlastingly more beautiful in Heaven because Jesus Christ bathes us in His own glory for every moment we spend in his Eucharistic Presence.

He remains hidden in the Blessed Sacrament because he asks us to come to Him in Faith.

Each Holy Hour, We make increases our union with Him and deepens the personal relationship we have with "Our Saviour".

Conclusion :

This Feast is the rejoicing of Angels and Saints because we responded to Our Lord's call to show our appreciation for the gift of His Total Presence in this Holy Sacrament where Day and Night He waits for us to visit him.

Credits and References :

1) "Corpus Christi and the Sacred Heart"
     Could You not watch one hour with me
     Newsletter N0- 19, June 1999
     By Missionaries of the Blessed Sacrament

2)  Come to Me in the Blessed Sacrament
      A Book of 10 Eucharistic Holy Hours
      Pages 228-229