Can you drink the cup that I drink? (Mark 10:38)

Can you drink the cup that I drink? (Mark 10:38)

By the conception of each life in the womb, God repeatedly says that He still loves the world. Lord in His abundant mercy and love, called us also to be in this wonderful world of parenthood. The moment we came to know that He has blessed us again with a child, we thrilled with joy and excitement. At the same time, we had several concerns. Would the previous incident happen again? We decided to have complete trust in God. During this time God spoke through my brother, “Nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). In his letter, he added, “this Word of God has been given in connection with the conception of a child, John the Baptist. So, you too, believe in the message of the Angel, as Our Blessed Mother believed”.

The Angel Gabriel continued, “behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:36-37). This was a great consolation for both of us and we started using frequently this scriptural passage in our prayers.

The first prenatal visit was over by the 8 week. There was an internal exam using the ultrasound. Everything was perfect. By this time, Mini was fighting with bad sinusitis. She was kind of reluctant to take any antibiotics, but there were a few that were safe in pregnancy. Somehow, her WBC count continued to be very high. This alarmed her PCP (primary care physician). He again insisted her to take another course of antibiotics. But it didn’t help her much. Mini continued her coughing and several other discomforts. On the ninth week we received a call from her OB (Obstetrician) asking us to schedule for an ultrasound. That was definitely an alarming call. They found that there is a small funneling in the cervix (opening of uterus). The OB is concerned about this issue and next ultrasound was scheduled after three weeks. After this exam, there wasn’t anything alarming they could figure out. After one week, Mini suffered severe back pain. Immediately she was rushed to OB’s office on April 17, and her cervix checked. Yes! Complete failure of the cervix. That means, the length of the cervix is drastically reduced. It cannot hold a baby anymore, no matter what its size. The average length of the cervix is 4.0 cm, and Mini had only one cm! OB has suggested for cerclage (stitch around the cervix in the form of a circle that prevents further dilatation).

Immediately she was admitted in the hospital and referred to a high-risk pregnancy specialist (Dr Day, Maternal Fetal Medicine). The specialist was off that day. We spent our entire day and night in prayers and tears. Dr Day came to our room early morning and gave us a detailed description of the procedure, and its merits and demerits. Her lecture did not give any consolation to us. She mostly talked about the failure of the cerclage and she encouraged us to think about several other options. According to her it is unusual to put cerclage at the week of 13. We have several weeks to go further. Even if she puts a cerclage, it can fail any time, in spite of complete bed rest for the entire term. Another sixth months to go for a healthy baby! Having realized that Mini does her research in Engineering, and that too, at School of Mines, one of America’s prestigious Institutions, Dr Day suggested her to give importance to her career.

Day plainly suggested us to terminate this pregnancy and start afresh again with a relatively new technique, the abdominal cerclage (make a C-section and put a band above the cervix, so that the weight of the growing fetus would rest upon the band, preventing dilatation of the cervix). The advantage of this method is that bed rest could be minimized, but C-section is necessary for taking out the baby each time. The administration of abdominal cerclage itself is a major surgery.

After putting her in the hospital, I rushed to home, sent prayer requests to Joynet, JYA, and many people, asking for urgent prayers. I remember that whosoever opened their inboxes that day, sent me replies, extending their prayer support. It took me hours to go through all the mails. I was amazed to see the love and concern you have for us. Thank you my dear Joynetters, for your great love!

We didn’t have to pray a lot to discern for God’s Will in this situation. We said to the doctor that we wouldn’t do that, and as ambassadors of life, we will do everything to preserve this baby. Immediately, a Scriptural passage was given to me. “And He told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man, and there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘vindicate me against my adversary’. For a while he refused; but afterward he said to himself, ‘though I neither fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will vindicate her, or she will wear me out by her continual coming’. And the Lord said, ‘hear what the unrighteous judge says, and will not God vindicate His elect, who cry to Him day and night? Will He delay long over them? I tell you, He will vindicate them speedily’” (Luke 18:1-8).

Finally she agreed to put the cerclage. Soon after Mini was taken to the procedure room, I pulled my “Rosary of the Unborn”, knelt, and raised my Rosary to Heaven and prayed:

“Celestial Queen, with this rosary, I bind all sinners and all nations to your Immaculate Heart”.

“Heavenly Father, in this time of world crisis, let all souls find their peace and security in Your Divine Will. Give each soul the grace to understand that Your Will is Holy Love in the present moment. Benevolent Father, illuminate each conscience to see the ways that he is not living in Your Will. Grant the world the grace to change and the time in which to do it. Amen”.

“Divine infant Jesus, as I pray this rosary, I ask you to remove from the heart of the world the desire to commit the sin of abortion. Remove the veil of deceit Satan has placed over hearts which portrays promiscuity as a freedom, and reveal it for what it is – slavery to sin. Place over the heart of the world a renewed respect for life at the moment of conception. Amen”.

I prayed with a heavy heart for an end to abortion - my all time favorite petition, and for all the carrying moms who have trouble in pregnancy, and for all the health care providers who fail to preserve life in the womb, and for all the parents who can’t love their unborn babies. Words are inadequate to express the great peace I enjoyed during that Rosary prayer. I saw the heaven opened, all the Angels and Saints present in that small room. Scent of roses emanated in the room. Copious amount of tears rolled my cheeks. I saw my Blessed Mother in a Heavenly brilliance; She embraced me. She wiped out every tear. It took an hour to finish that Rosary. In any of my personal prayers or during any retreat I was given such graces. When I was about to finish my Rosary, I received a call from my brother, Fr Sebastian, saying that he got a message from our Lord that there is nothing to be afraid, and he was quoting Isiah 41:10. He was praying with one of his parishioners. This man though do not know me or my wife, cried out, “Mini, do not be afraid, I am with you” my brother told me later.

When I finished the Rosary, Dr Day knocked the door and she told me that the procedure was a great success. Mini remained in the hospital for a week and later sent home, agreeing that she would visit her OB and Dr Day in alternate weeks for checking the stability of cervix by ultrasound. Thus, weekly ultrasound check for the stability of the cervix continued until the cerclage was removed at week 36. Mini took complete bed rest at home with her feet elevated and head down. She had only bathroom privilege. She had her food and fluids while lying down. It was so painful for me to see her in this condition. All these chores she did it so lovingly, I myself witnessed. In her, there was no anger, complaint, or depression. She believed that “Almighty has done great things in my life. Holy is His name” (Luke 1:35).

At home, we prayed without ceasing. We took the intercession of many popular saints. Offered several rosaries for the unborn, and for the poor souls in the purgatory. Mini’s greatest suffering was her inability to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. At any circumstance we both get the opportunity to celebrate Mass every day. As a sign that we give Jesus the first priority in our life, we get up very early in the morning, and rush to the Church, some times many hours before Mass. She prayed a lot for the Blessing of reception of the Eucharist in her bed every day. Immediately, Lord intervened in her life so miraculously. I became the extraordinary minister of the Eucharist in our parish, so that I can take Eucharist to her. Thanks a lot to Father Kevin Augustyn, our then Pastor of the Parish. This continued until the birth of our baby. What a grace, what a sublime gift God given to her. “Ask, and it will be given you” (Mathew 7:7). When we ask, and when our petitions are centered on the Eucharist, Lord once again proved that He will grant it immediately.

It is very important to pray for the babies to be born in advance, even before marriage. One should pray much for their unborn. It is scientifically proved that babies in the womb can hear and respond to the outside voices. The babies can recognize the voices that were made once they were in the womb. And these same voices, be it prayers, songs, or Psalms could be used for their developmental process, once they were born. With these in mind, we started praying 3 to 5 Psalms aloud throughout the pregnancy. The Psalms were 23, 34, 121, 127, 139. Further, we read aloud many of the Encyclicals of Pope John Paul II.

Our baby grew in listening to the Word of God. Our hospital stay was a quite experience. As there wasn’t any medication or procedure, we got much time to pray, without any disturbance. I doubt, is anybody got such a grace to spend the entire term in the womb, listening the Word of God. “We know that in all things God works for good with those who love Him, those whom He has called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

“It is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail” (John 6:63). Every human being should be conceived in Spirit, not flesh. Even the thoughts, convictions, and imaginations of the parents at the moment of conception would affect the babies. This reminds all the married couples how prepared they should be in giving new life! Claim the Precious Blood of Jesus to the thoughts, imaginations, and convictions of the parents. All married couples are called to give birth to holy children.

Besides bed rest, pregnancy was fine for Mini until the 21 week. Her doctors did not expect this much progress and stability of the cervix. During the 21 week, on June 14, 2006, Mini suffered severe sharp back pain. She was not aware that it was pre-term labor. Examination of the cervix through ultrasound revealed one thing. Length of the cervix has reduced to less than a centimeter. On top of it, there is irregular contraction too. Delivery can happen any time. She was admitted in the hospital once again. Dr Day rushed to us and wept before us. She is an old lady, seems to be very strong. Having cooperated much by her patient, Dr Day somehow could not control herself. She said that she doesn’t want a baby delivered before week 28 as major birth defects may happen to babies delivered before 28 week. Such babies would present a life-long burden to the parents. Once again, she suggested, “pull out the stitch and just walk away, we would start again afresh”. Is it that simple to walk away? Mini said to her boldly, “God is the author of life. He knows what to do. There are no pains and sufferings greater than God. He will do everything for good. Let His Will be done”.

Dr Day extended every help from her side to save the baby. We took our refuge in the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the refuge of Holy Love, and Protectress of the Faith. Soon after the doctor left, the Holy Spirit gave me a Word of God. He asked me to use this Word. The Word was Wisdom 16:12. I laid my right hand to Mini’s tummy and prayed three times, “Lord it is neither herb or poultice cured them, but it is Your Word heals all people”. Immediately the contraction stopped and a peace filled both of our hearts. Mini repeated this Word over and over and slept in peace. Once again God taught me the Power of His Word.

After an hour or so, a team of doctors and nurse practitioners, including perinatologists, and the entire solace team visited us to console us. They thought that delivery would happen that night. The solace team wants to console us. The doctors explained to us that the baby couldn’t survive if it is born before the 24 week. A fetus becomes viable after the completion of 22 week of gestation. We believed that this baby is safe in her Father’s palm. As a confirmation, the next day, I received a beautiful gift from Lolinda and Mike, fellow parishioners, while I was adoring the Blessed Sacrament in Our Lady of Fatima Parish Adoration Chapel. The gift was the Word (Isiah 49:15) symbolized in a piece of bronze. It has the shape of a cross, in which a beautiful baby is carved on a palm. This hung in the hospital room for several months, as a reminder of God’s promise.

During this time something beautiful happened. Lord sent my good friend and prayer partner, Dr Mathew john to Denver. It was a grace-filled occasion for both of us. We used to get up very early in the morning and rush to the Adoration Chapel, where our Lord waited for us. During his 7 week stay with us was truly blessed. We used to intercede hours and hours. Actually he came to prepare for his USMLE, but Lord frequently, reminded him the Word Matthew 6:33. And Dr Mathew passed the exam with flying colors. His passion for intercession is so amazing. Thanks be to God! Still we continue our telephone intercession everyday, lasting from 30 min to an hour. I can say that we have lifted up each one of you, and especially the prayer requests come to Joynet and JYA. Recall that only we two of us taken this commitment with great zeal and love.

For the next three months, Exempla Lutheran Medical Center, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, was our home away from home. I have decorated the room beautifully with holy pictures all around the walls. These were gifts from our parishioners and friends visited us. There was a large image of the “Mary, Refuge of Holy Love”, and “United Hearts of Jesus and Mary”. Blessed Mother looked so beautiful in this image. This image is the culmination of all apparitions of the Blessed Mother during this century. It is the refuge of the Immaculate Heart of Mary spoken in Fatima. It is the promise of an era to come spoken of at Garabandal. The crown over Her Heart foretells the victory of the United Hearts and the triumph of the Church over evil. The cross on Her hand represents a dogma which is coming – Co-Redemptrix. She is pointing to Her Heart, calling humanity into this Refuge. This Refuge is Holy Love. When we live in Holy Love (that is love God above all else, and love our neighbor as ourselves), we imitate Our Lady’s Heart. This image was drawn by visionary Maureen on May 4, 1997, with Blessed Mother who actually took her hand and assisted her in drawing this image, in order to depict how She looks to the visionary, and to grant to the world a new source of grace (Please visit www.holylove.org to know more about Holy and Divine Love).

It was one of the ways we have used to propagate the messages of Holy and Divine Love. We never wasted a single opportunity to talk about God’s mercy and love to people who visited us. Brother Thomas Paul sent us many CDs of his retreats. Mini listened to a variety of retreats. Moreover, she read the complete Bible from Genesis to Revelation during her full term of pregnancy. Thanks be to God! This is a rare opportunity that is given to a few.

I would say that uterus is a Tabernacle. Every human being has a humble beginning from here. The Son of God has taken the flesh from the womb of Virgin Mary. We are called to be the guardian of this great mystery. My understanding and appreciation for the life in the womb has increased tremendously when I watched the documentary, “In the Womb” by the National Geographic. The incredible nine-month journey of development of a human being is embarked from the moment of conception in this beautiful DVD. I suggest every one to view this DVD and appreciate the developmental process of life in the womb.

I can lovingly say that these past 10 months was the most grace-filled time in my entire life. There were concerns for both of us that we were separated from our families. Although it was a period of intense suffering, my Mother’s presence at the foot of the cross gave me strength to embrace the cross. Yes! She will intercede for all those who seek strength in embracing their own crosses. The Adoration Chapel of our parish was a source of tremendous blessing for me. I spent hours and hours before the real presence of Jesus during the past several months. When I sat before Him, I forgot my hardships and trials, I prayed for people around me. Their trails and sufferings were definitely more intense than mine.

In the hospital, we had a peaceful life. We prayed much for the entire hospital staff and patients. We had several visitors from our Parish. We have a small Catholic Community here in Denver, comprising about 20 families. We are very strong in love and concern. We are so blessed to have a Dominican Keralite Priest who serves in a nearby parish as a Parochial Vicar. He celebrates Holy Mass for us once in every month. These 20 families took turn to bring food for us for our entire hospital stay. We were so amazed to see their love for us. See how miraculously God works in every aspect of our life.

The moment we surrendered all we have, Lord miraculously taken over all the aspects of our life, be it material or spiritual. We didn’t have any feeling that we were separated from our families, or the concerns about the birth of the baby. Several of my friends enquired me whether we have anybody to help us out, especially soon after baby’s arrival. How will you manage yourself in a foreign country, and many like queries? I said, Yes! We have appointed a helper. He does everything. He is constantly with us, and He knows what to do at the right time. “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, who will stay with you for ever” (John 14:16). This is the Word of God, and we know that the “Word of God has never failed” (Romans 9:6). Whatever is written in my Bible is for me, and I firmly believe that it will fulfill in my life. The promises of the Old Testament have been fulfilled in the New Testament and the promises of the New Testament should fulfill in each of our lives.

Weekly examination of the cervix continued, and the length of the cervix increased each time the cervix was examined during the following weeks. However, doctor didn’t give us any hope, as she insisted that there could be chance of pre-term labor. We didn’t have any concerns for this issue. We knew that our baby is safe in Her Father’s palm. Why worry? We trusted in His infinite mercy. When Mini was nearing the 28-week, doctors and nurses were amazed to witness it. For the first time, they said that it is a miracle. Yes! It was unusual for medical science. It is possible for God! Mini’s healthcare providers celebrated the completion of 28 week of pregnancy with much joy and happiness. Now the baby is out of danger, and even if delivery happens, with the advent of the facilities and technologies, we could expect a normal baby, without any birth defects. However, I got a message that the baby will complete full term. This message was given long back, and all the associated incidents led me to believe that “how can this be?” (Luke 1:34). I took refuge in the following Word, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (Luke 1:35).

The length of the cervix continued to increase further, and by 36 week, it became quite normal. Miraculously, there wasn’t any pre-term labor. On the 35 week, the doctors decided to sent her home, but continue to have bed rest for another week. Mini was off from bed rest from 36 weeks onwards, and the cerclage was removed this time. There was concern for doctors that delivery can happen any time once the stitch is taken off. This didn’t happen. Mini resumed her normal life, as nothing happened. There wasn’t much difficulty for her to walk, for this was a concern as she was completely bed-ridden for more than 6 months.

On the 39 week, labor has started during the middle of the night and she was rushed to the hospital, this time, with much joy and happiness. We reached the hospital at 1.30 am on Oct 11, 2006. Although Lord told me on September 21, that our baby will arrive on the feast day of a great saint, we were anticipating that she will born on Oct 1 (Feast o St Therese). If not, Oct 15, or 16. Mini’s due is on Oct 20, and there was no feast on this day. We were not aware of any feast day on Oct 11, until Jesus told me that our baby will known as Angela on Oct 11, morning, at 5.45 am. I did some googling and found that Oct 11 is the feast day of Blessed Angela, an American Blessed and virgin, lived in the last century, who work tirelessly for the uplift of street children. There is one more greatness about this day. The Church celebrates the feast of the Divine Maternity, or Divine Motherhood of Our Blessed Mother. Thus we gave our baby’s name as “Angela Maria”.

The delivery happened in a quiet manner, at 1:24 pm. Immediately I have consecrated Angela to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. She cried in a soft voice, and I was waiting to offer he first voice to Jesus. It is impossible to describe the joy and awe of that moment. All things leading up to this joyous event caused anguish. Long stay in the hospital and at home and separation from our families were certain concerns, but complete trust in God was a great source for strength. All these moments, I have meditated on the sorrows and anguish of Mary and Joseph had during the birth of infant Jesus. When our eyes beheld our infant’s countenance, so fresh from Heaven none of the trials and hardships we could remember.

We spent the entire labor time in Divine Praises, offered Rosaries, and prayers to the Precious Blood. The attending nurses and doctors, who knew well our story, said that it is really a miracle, something beyond their competency. And Mini’s total surrender to God and expectant faith, gave glory to God!

The next day we got discharged from the hospital, carrying a very beautiful baby. On the way to home we stopped at the Adoration Chapel, and presented Angela before the real presence of Jesus. He is the source of all life. “He came to the world that we might have life - life in its fullness” (John 10:10). We spent much time before Lord. Words are inadequate to express the peace and joy we felt in our hearts. Then onwards we celebrate Mass everyday, no matter what the weather is. Many (Whites) told us that had we taken our kids to the Church, they wouldn’t have left them.

My Dear Family, now you have heard about our story, about the cup we were drinking for the past one year or so. In your fervent prayers, especially with the Most Holy Rosary, I would ask that you reflect upon so great a God that He can answer all prayers. For it is through God all things are possible. I humbly suggest you to perfect your prayer lives and come to Him with expectant faith. He will always answer in His way, in His time. Praise be to Jesus!

Now I bow before all the mothers of the world who took that much pain to bring each one of us to the world. As Mary is the Mother of all people, let us pray in humility in honor of our earthly mother:

“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, Blessed are you among women, and Blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death”. Amen

CHAIN ROSARY By JOYNETTERS, 2006 October, PRAYER INTENTIONS (Oct 21 to 31)

CHAIN ROSARY By JOYNETTERS, 2006 October, PRAYER INTENTIONS (Oct 21 to 31)


Oct 21, 2006

Rosary Theme: Our own Personal Holiness

1. Pray for our own personal holiness. To get the wisdom that our sanctification is the Will of God! (1 Thes 4:3)
2. Lift up your body, soul and conscience with all its wrong convictions. Surrender all wounds caused by dejection, grief, anxiety, worry, inferiority complex, hatred, contempt, pride, lust, greed and other bad habits. Pray to the Holy Trinity dwelling in you to transform you pure and holy
3. Offer this “Prayer for personal sanctification in every present moment” “Heavenly Father, I desire to live in Your Divine Will in every present moment by living in Holy Love in thought, word and deed”. When I am distracted or tempted, I ask my Guardian Angel to remind of the present moment so that I may sanctify each moment through Holy Love”
4. Pray this decade to live in Holy Love, that is to love God above all else and love your neighbor as yourself
5. Consecrate yourself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Pray spontaneously for fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit

Oct 22, 2006

Rosary Theme: Prolife: 3 and fertility issues

1. For an end to abortion and all the intentions of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. To get the revelation that all the crime, war, natural calamities, broken families and lack of love in heart – all because of the single grave sin – the sin of abortion!
2. Offer this decade to obtain special favors from our aborted brothers and sisters. “*PRAYER TO OBTAIN SPECIAL FAVORS FROM OUR UNBORN BROTHERS AND SISTERS” (*Imprimatur: Archbishop Juan Larrea, Guayaquill, Equador)

“Little Martyrs, who are in the heart of the Father and in Mary’s immense love, we beg you to intercede for us. To receive the Spirit of strength, to help us fight evil, and once free from its influence, we may live like Divine Creatures, as worthy children of God.

You, in whose death the crucifixion of Jesus is repeated, can attain much from God our Father, pray that He lovingly change the hearts of those who, for different circumstances commit the crime of abortion; to obtain of your worldly mothers the forgiveness for lacking the courage to let you see the light; and for us, so that we may have the strength to continue the battle against this homicide and sin in all its forms.

Receive Lord our prayers so that the terrible practice of abortion ends in the world through the intercession of Mary, a Mother always”.

3. Offer this decade for all the childless couples. Pray ardently to get necessary wisdom and strength to carry this cross. To get the courage to adopt children for those couples who have permanent hurdles
4. Pray for the abolition of all human sperm and ova banks. Pray for all couples who practice artificial methods of family planning
5. Abolition of all artificial methods of insemination, both homologous as well as heterologous intrauterine inseminations, in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) etc., that these are against the Divine Will of the Father

Oct 23, 2006

Rosary Theme: Communion of Saints

1. Seek the intercession of all the Saints, Blessed Spirits, Angels, Archangels, and Holy souls in the Heaven with our Blessed Mother for our family, nation and the world
2. Seek the intercession of St Michael the Archangel (with His entire nine armies – Seraphim, Cherubim, Heavenly Powers, Heavenly Thrones, Heavenly Dominions, Heavenly Virtues, Heavenly Principalities, Angels, and Archangels), St Gabriel and St Raphael to defend us in battle, Jesus Youth ministries, and our nation from all the attacks of the devil
3. Seek the intercession of Sts Peter, Paul, James, John, Simon, Matthew, Luke, Bartholomew, Jude, Mark, Barnabas with all the Holy Apostles and Evangelists in Heaven to get us the zeal and courage to proclaim the Gospel Message to all nations and all people through our ministry
4. Take the intercession of Sts Francis Xavier, Little Flower, Teresa of Avila, Catherine, Perpetua and Felicity, Cosmas and Damian, Stephen, Lawrence, Sebastian and Fabian, Vincent, Margaret Mary Alaqoke and all Holy Men and Women to give us strength to endure all sufferings for Christ. Plead also for the humility and intercession of Sts Anthony, Padre Pio, Benedict, Dominic, Francis of Assisi and all the Holy Monks and Doctors of the Church
5. Let us pray for the intercession of the Holy Souls in Heaven and dedicate this decade for the repose of all the poor souls in the purgatory

Oct 24, 2006

Rosary Theme: Unity among all Churches

1. Offer this decade for the unity among Churches, for the tradition of faith. Pray for the defeat of comprise and all the darkness to come to light
2. Pray that all Christian denominations will come to realize the power of Our Blessed Mother and the Sacraments of the Church
3. All people, their false propaganda, women Priesthood, Married Priests, cults or functionaries within the Church and all evil designs be destroyed by the powerful intercession of Mary, the Mother of God
4. To honor and recognize Mother Mary, as the protectress of the faith by all Christian denominations
5. Pray for your local Bishop, Pastor, Parish Priest to protect their faith in the Immaculate Heart of Mary and lead their folks with love and joy

Oct 25, 2006

Rosary Theme: Continents of Asia, Africa and Europe

1. For an end to all religious persecution. For the complete conversion of China to Christianity. Bring all the South East Asian countries – Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Taiwan etc., that they will abandon their false beliefs and accept Jesus Christ as their only Lord and Savior. Pray for the millions of aborted babies in these countries
2. Pray for unity among all nations. For peace in Israel, Palestine, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, UAE. Pray for religious tolerance in these countries and respect for the religious symbols especially in India. Pray for peace in the Indian subcontinent – Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and China
3. For filling the entire empty pews of the Catholic Churches in Europe and Africa with the faithful. Pray for a major revival of the Catholic Church in Europe and Africa. Pray also for more vocations to Priesthood and religious life in these countries
4. For all the demonic practice, worships, new age occults in Africa, to be replaced with faith and love in Lord Jesus. For all the civil wars, human rights abuse, terrorism, violence, diseases, famine and hunger in Africa to come to an end by the powerful intercession of our Blessed Mother
5. Pray for your nation in particular in this decade. Offer any intention which come to your mind relating to the country you reside

Oct 26, 2006

Rosary Theme: Continents of North and South America

1. For the renewal of Catholic Church. For more anointed Priests, Religious and lay ministers from these countries
2. Pray for true Christian values to be propagated among the youth and the families in these countries. Also that people from different races, nations, and culture will live in peace and harmony in these countries
3. For the hungry, homeless, sick and unemployed in the Latin American countries, especially, the Haiti. Pray for the good works of “Food for the Poor” to bring love of Jesus in these countries
4. For the President, decision makers, senators in the USA and Canada to stand for the truth. Also spend some time praying for your nation if you are part of this continent
5. Acceptance of the Catholic doctrines and teachings. Pray for more saints to come from these countries

Oct 27, 2006

Rosary Theme: Continents of Australia and Antarctica

1. Pray for all the people in these continents to be filled with the love and peace of Jesus
2. Renewal of faith in these regions. A revival of the Catholic Church
3. Pray for all the children, youth, families, national leaders, religious authorities in these countries
4. Pray for God’s interference in global warming and all the potential dangers and natural calamities
5. Specifically pray for your nation’s needs

Oct 28, 2006

Rosary Theme: Farmers, Laborers, Business People and Miscellaneous

1. Offer this decade for all farmers who shed their blood to raise the crops. To get good returns for their produce
2. Pray for sufficient rains, favorable weather and good harvest. Pray also for all the farmers who have attempted/committed suicide because of the loss of their crops
3. Pray for all kinds of laborers, daily wages people to get sufficient rewards for their works
4. Pray for all the business people to do their work according to Christian values
5. Pray for all those who are preparing for the reception of Sacraments – Baptism, Holy Communion, Confession, Confirmation, Holy Orders, Marriage and Anointing of Sick

Oct 29, 2006

Rosary Theme: Jesus Youth 1

1. Bring all Jesus Youth leaders. Pray for all the members of the International Team to be filled with the fruits of the Holy Spirit to love and serve one another
2. Pray for your National Team. Specially pray for all the leaders of your country. Pray for their sanctification in every present moment
3. Offer this decade for all animators and local coordinators of your region
4. Pray for all the Ministries of Jesus Youth – Joynet, Prolife, Campus Ministry, Rex Band, the nascent Media Ministry, Full timers’ training, DTP, International News Letter and any other
5. Pray for all the prayer groups and cell groups happening in the banner of Jesus Youth around the globe. Pray for the leaders in these groups to get more anointing and zeal to lead the folks entrusted to them


Oct 30, 2006

Rosary Theme: Jesus Youth 2

1. Consecrate the Jesus Youth National and International Offices to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Claim the precious blood of Jesus to the Office and its premises. Pray for all who work there and visit the office
2. Pray for all the Jesus Youth full time houses and the ministers in different regions
3. Pray for all the Jesus Youth working in hostile terrains and inhospitable areas, especially in the North East of India
4. Pray for all the full timers, past and present to live according to Jesus Youth style they have acquired
5. Offer this decade for the present full timers who are in their mission field. That they get God’s providence to be always faithful to His call

Oct 31, 2006

Rosary Theme: Jesus Youth 3

1. Pray for a powerful anointing of the Holy Spirit on every Jesus Youth so that many people will be changed and converted for Jesus by their life style and efforts.
2. To break every evil bondages affecting the growth of this movement directly or indirectly. For active and continuous support from the Catholic Church authorities to continue and reach out our ministries
3. For all the holy dreams of the movement. Spend some time praising Lord that He has also called you to experience the love and forgiveness of Jesus through this movement. Also pray for the strengthening and revival of Jesus Youth in your country and zone
4. Offer this decade of the Rosary for all the needs of Jesus Youth – Spiritual and temporal needs. Cover every Jesus Youth with the Precious Blood of Jesus.
5. Pray specially for our all time dream – Pontifical recognition of Jesus Youth by the Holy See soon!

CHAIN ROSARY By JOYNETTERS, 2006 October, PRAYER INTENTIONS Oct 11 to 20)

CHAIN ROSARY By JOYNETTERS, 2006 October, PRAYER INTENTIONS (Oct 11 to 20)


Oct 11, 2006

Rosary Theme: Internet & Technologies

1. Through Blessed Mother’s intercession, to destroy all the websites encouraging pornography, Satanism, anti-Christian teachings and anything causing strife or in any way stands against the Kingdom of God

2. For new software, games and websites to spread the Gospel Message

3. For anointing on the law and policy makers to prevent abusive materials from entering the cyberspace

4. All cyber cafes and hangouts to be sanctified by the power of the Precious Blood of Jesus and Blessed Mother’s powerful intercession

5. To prevent all spams, false propaganda, pornography from spreading into the internet

Oct 12, 2006

Rosary Theme: Marriage and Family

1. For the protection of marriage and family. Respect and love marriage as a Sacrament by Christians and God’s plan by others. All sins destroying the Sacrament of Marriage are wiped by our Lady’s intercession. Bring all the sins of the world against family relationship – homosexuality, fornication, adultery, masturbation, and all wrong forms of family planning

2. Pray for all broken families at the verge of separation and divorce. For sanctification of family relationships. Pray for families you know are at the verge of disintegration

3. Pray for all children whose parents have been separated or lost. For healing and forgiveness in family relationships

4. To regard and practice prayer as the center of family life. Pray so that Rosary, Scripture, Sharing, Sacraments and Prayers would become a regular feature of every family in the world

5. Pray for all the Heads of the family, so that they would be a role model and shepherd all the others in the family through Christian values

Oct 13, 2006

Rosary Theme: Vocations

1. For an increase in vocations to Priesthood and religious life. For more and more people to take up the work for the Kingdom of God

2. Bring all Seminaries and Religious Congregations to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus. Pray for strength and protection to all the aspirants, postulants, and novices who are tempted by the world and the evil

3. Pray for all Seminarians, Nuns and Religious who are planning to quit their calling and those who have already left Priesthood and Religious life

4. Pray for a mighty anointing of the Holy Spirit on all the aspirants so that the Church would be filled with powerful Saints, Doctors, Preachers and Evangelists. Pray for our own children and family members to say “Yes” to Priesthood and Religious life

5. Pray for all Religious and other Consecrated Men and Women who doubt the Power of Sacraments, Rosary and the Catholic Teachings

Oct 14, 2006

Rosary Theme: Media, Film and Music

1. Pray for the sanctification in all forms of Media

2. Pray for more Christian TV channels and Christian values to be propagated through TV, Movies and Print. For more directors, producers and film personnel to direct their talents in spreading the Gospel of Christ. Pray for Shalom TV and its promoters, “Shalom Peace Fellowship” members

3. Pray for more Catholic channels with infallible teachings, Holy Masses and Sermons that would touch and change many people. More Marian channels, publications, and websites which gives beautiful messages on Mother Mary, Her Apparitions, Her Messages and Her awesome protection

4. To prevent all false propaganda and rumors being spread about the Catholic Church by the TV channels, the Internet and the Print Media. To defeat all the enemies of the Church in the media. To deliver the Film and Music Industry from the clutches of the devil

5. For all the Newspapers, Magazines and Publications to glorify God in their works. Pray for the Editors, Journalists, Reporters, TV channels and Publishing houses that the Precious Blood of Jesus would bind them and direct them to do the right kind of work

Oct 15, 2006

Rosary Theme: World Evangelization/Charismatic renewal


1. For all the retreat centers throughout the world. All the retreat centers in India and Kerala to get sufficient anointing to continue the works of the Holy Spirit. That many people to be attracted to these Prayer Houses and receive the fruits, gifts and the charisms of the Holy Spirit to convert their hearts.

2. Pray for the National Service Team (NST) and Kerala Service Team (KST), its Chairmen and all the members, to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Bring all the prayer groups and cell groups to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus. Consecrate your prayer group to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Pray for all the leaders and core group members. Pray also for all the weak groups

3. For the prayer gatherings happening these days around the world. Bring all the Confraternities and Rosary Groups. Pray for CROSSROADS '06 to take place at Cologne from 1-3 Dec. Pray for all efforts for mobilization. Pray for the youth who have gone away from the church and also for more vocations so that churches are don’t get closed down.

4. For the establishment of many perpetual Adoration Centers. Pray for many people to be attracted to these Houses and feel the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Pray for Priests and those in authority to make necessary arrangements to establish Eucharistic Adoration Chapels in their Parishes. Pray also for the “Kingdom Ministry” and its role in establishing Eucharistic Adoration centers throughout the world

5. Pray for Shalom Ministries, Shalom Publications, and Shalom Peace Fellowship. Through Shalom TV, the face of Jesus to be shown to many and receive physical as well as spiritual healing

Oct 16, 2006

Rosary Theme: Non-Christians and Non-believers

1. For all those Men and Women in the world who have never got a chance to hear the name of their Savior JESUS CHRIST

2. Pray for those who have problem in accepting and practicing Christian values lives

3. For those ignorant people who spend their time and energy on propaganda against Christian Believes and Principles

4. For all other religions in the world that one day they would recognize, accept Jesus as the only name given to mankind for their salvation and leads towards eternal life

5. Pray for all those who have heard and experienced the love and mercy of Jesus, but reject Him because of pride in their heart

Oct 17, 2006

Rosary Theme: Prolife 2

1. For an end to abortion. Pray for the protection of all the unborn babies. Make this ejaculation after each decade of your Rosary, “Jesus, protect and save the unborn”

2. Pray for all the prolife movements, its strengthening, and for the proclamation of the “culture of life”

3. Dedicate this decade for the dignity of human life from its first moment of conception until natural death

4. Bring all the Christian Institutions and other Organizations who are trying to sustain human life of many abandoned people by catering their needs of body and spirit. Pray for all the people who are in media to produce many resources that proclaim the gospel of life

5. Pray to prevent Governments from legalizing Euthanasia and Abortion

Oct 18, 2006

Rosary Theme: Research Institutions and Scientists, Doctors and Nurses

1. For all the scientists and researchers to do their work for the benefit of mankind and according to God’s Divine Will

2. To get the Divine revelation to scientists that human cloning, experimental embryonic cell researches are grave sins and it is opposing to God’s will

3. Pray for all the research Institutions that they focus their work solely for the glory of God

4. Pray for all the healthcare providers, Physicians and Surgeons to do their work with great love and joy.

5. Pray for all the nurses to serve their patients as the body of Christ. Bring all nurses to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and that through their compassion and love, many might experience the healing power of Jesus

Oct 19, 2006

Rosary Theme: Children, Teens and Youth

1. Pray for all children to grow in wisdom and strength. To be obedient to there parents, teachers and elders. Their intellect to be lighted up by the Divine intervention of Jesus

2. For all the teenagers that they grow in purity and chastity and for the anointing of the Holy Spirit to preserve their bodies clean and pure. That they practice the virtues of faith, hope, charity, and chastity

3. Pray for all the youth in the world to keep their body pure and holy and win over the temptations of lust, pornography, evil magazines, clubs, and sinfulness.

4. Pray for the next World Youth Day to be held in Australia. That through this pilgrimage of faith, many encounter Jesus and His message of love and forgiveness

5. For the Lifeteen Mass in the USA and many other countries, that many youth to be attracted to the Holy Sacrifice of the Eucharist and love Jesus more than anything else

Oct 20, 2006

Rosary Theme: Men in Service

1. Pray for all Armed Forces Personnel that they would know the value of life and they be filled with the love of Jesus

2. All Politicians, Judges, Lawyers, Policemen, Bureaucrats, Office Personnel, Chairmen, CEOs, Managers, Supervisors and all other professionals to carry out their duties based on Christian values

3. To eradicate all forms of corruption and discrimination from Government Offices and from Politicians

4. All men in service to have the fear of God and love for others in their heart

5. Bring some of the corrupt Institutions, people and places you know and claim for the Precious Blood of Jesus, that they change to love people

CHAIN ROSARY By JOYNETTERS, 2006 October, PRAYER INTENTIONS (Oct 1 to 10)

CHAIN ROSARY By JOYNETTERS, 2006 October, PRAYER INTENTIONS

Oct 01, 2006

Rosary Theme: Catholic Church

1. Pray for our Pope, Benedict XVI
2. Cardinals, Bishops and Priests
3. Religious, lay ministers
4. Preachers, Missionaries
5. All who work for the Kingdom of God. Pray that the Precious Blood that pours out from the Sacred Wounds of Jesus Christ cover the foundation of the Catholic Church against the plans of the occult Kingdom and evil men.

Oct 02, 2006

Rosary Theme: World Peace

1. World Peace, especially for peace in Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Lebanon and all other war torn countries
2. Terrorists, bandits, gagsters and fundamentalists
3. Political, Religious leaders and national heads
4. Dictators and oppressed people of the world
5. Unity among Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and other religions

Oct 03, 2006

Rosary Theme: Oppressed People

1. Prisoners, who have been wrongly condemned and convicted
2. Prostitutes, rape victims, sexually abused and perverted children
3. All who have been suffering persecution and thrown in prisons for the sake of religious belief
4. All countries persecuting Christianity and missionaries – China, Cuba, Korea, Islamic Countries
5. Families of those people who are killed/persecuted


Oct 04, 2006

Rosary Theme: Aged People

1. Old people who have no one to look after and love. That they come to know the love of Jesus
2. Pray that all children realize the importance of their parents. Pray for all children abandoned by their parents and loved by their parents
3. Old people who are suffering from prolonged illness and the dying
4. Pray for many Institutions to come forward to care for the aged ones
5. For a peaceful death with prayers and sacraments; for all old people suffering for a long time

Oct 05, 2006

Rosary Theme: Evangelization in India

1. For the fundamental groups: VHP, Bajrang Dal, RSS, Shiv Sena, SIMI, All the leaders of these groups to be anointed by the Holy Spirit. That all of them would come to know the saving power of Jesus Christ
2. For all the Priests, nuns, religious, missionaries and all others who are working in hostile terrains. That Mother Mary would protect them in Her Immaculate Heart.
3. Bring every President, the Prime Ministers, and all the Cabinet Ministers, Chief Ministers of all states, Politicians, Religious leaders, Police Men, and bureaucrat of every state to the Eucharistic Heart of Lord Jesus. Pray for anointing so that they would always stand for Justice and Secular Values
4. That every citizen in this country would accept Jesus Christ as his or her personal Lord, God and Savior. Also to break all evil and demonic bondages of false gods and idols
5. To happen numerous Marian miracles and manifestations and through Mother Mary many people in this country would accept Jesus Christ

Oct 06, 2006

Rosary Theme: Prolife - I

1. Pray for all aborted babies, and their parents. Pray for the Baptism of the aborted babies with the Precious Blood and Water from the Sacred Side of Jesus Christ, who hung on the Cross for their salvation, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit
2. Pray that all women/parents who are planning for an abortion may realize that they are committing a murder
3. Pray for the souls of all those aborted children and also seek the mercy of God for the families and the nations who support abortions
4. Pray for new movements, laws, national leaders and politicians to stand up against this crime. Pray for a major awakening all around the world against abortion
5. Dedicate this decade to all the people whom you know who has committed abortion, or going through the trauma of taking this decision

Oct 07, 2006

Rosary Theme: End to Natural disasters

1. For all the victims of tsunami disaster
2. For the families who have lost their dear ones and earthly resources
3. For all the victims of recent hurricanes, that they get everything back from Lord
4. For the afflicted in New Orleans and Houston, USA, due to the hurricanes, that they may comforted by Lord Jesus Christ
5. For an end to natural disasters and restoration of peace in affected areas. That God rebuke all the future disasters

Oct 08, 2006

Rosary Theme: Souls in Purgatory

1. For all the souls in our families: Ancestors, Grandparents, Parents, Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, Children
2. Suffering souls in purgatory, who has no one to pray
3. For the souls who have been suffering for a very long time in the purging fires
4. Make this powerful prayer for the release of many souls in this decade: “Eternal Father, I offer you the most precious Blood of Jesus with all the Holy Masses being said this day all over the world, for the souls in purgatory, for the sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my family, and within my own home. Amen”
5. Seek the intercession of Holy Souls in Heaven who have been released from the purgatory, by our prayers – for our families

Oct 09, 2006

Rosary Theme: Poor and Sick People

1. For the impoverished and extremely poor people that they would experience the healing touch of Jesus
2. For the hungry, homeless and the needy. That Mother Mary would Bless them and enable us to help and feed them
3. For the sick: AIDS patients, cancer patients, Diabetics, Accident victims and all terminally sick to get peace, love and joy from Lord Jesus
4. For the mentally challenged people. For all the Institutions who care for the sick, abandoned people, especially the Missionaries of Charity. For all the NGOs and well off people to get the zeal and anointing to cater the needs of these people
5. Bring all the sick and poor you know or in your region in this decade


Oct 10, 2006

Rosary Theme: Educational Institutions

1. Christian and moral values to be imparted to all students in Schools and Colleges. All the Educational Institutions to start their daily chores with prayers glorifying God
2. All students in schools and colleges to develop a personal relationship with Jesus and Blessed Mother
3. Anointing of the Holy Spirit on the Educationalists, Principals, teachers, campus leaders so that they might be encouraged to impart Christian values to the students
4. To remove violence, killings, lust, wrong culture, Satanism and all forms of evil from campuses
5. For the opening of many Catholic Universities and Institutions imparting Christian values and teachings to students

Jesus! the more you give me suffering, the more I love you!

Praised be the Sacred Heart of Jesus! Now and forever!!!

The title was the prayer I offered over and over the whole day (June 14, 2006). You may recall that we were requesting your valuable prayers for my wife Mini and our unborn two months back. You all have offered much prayers. Thank you so much. Thanks be to God! We witnessed miracles the way the Lord performing in our lives. I am not tired of begging your prayers once again.

The first phase of uncertainty and helplessness were over. Even the doctors were amazed the way the pregnancy were going. And all of a sudden, it happened. The cerclage (a stitch which helps prevent the cervix from dialating further) began failing and the cervix is becoming shorter and shorter. On top of it uterus began contracting. Pregnancy is on 22 week, and the baby is not yet viable. They have put her in the hospital until delivery. We have high hopes that Lord will allow this baby to be born in his appointed time, and to enter into His glory through Baptism.

Doctors said plainly that they can't do anything at this time, and they do not have any hope. We have been given an option too. Just walk away from this situation! Is it that simple? God is the author of every life. He is free to do anything for the good of our soul. He could do miracles. "Sanctify yourself, for tomorrow Lord will perform miracles in your life". Our Lord said to Joshua (Joshua 3:5). Today He tells this to me. But how will I achieve holiness? The only way is the narrow path, the path of intense suffering and mortification. As I have offered myself to be a victim soul, He is free to do anything in my life, for the good of many souls.

Well, Mini is undergoing much pain, counting every bit to be an investment for her sanctiication too. When I prayed for her, I saw the back of the crucifix, which is empty! Lord is inviting her to be there for sometime.

I remember one of the Holy Love Messages Our Lady has given to Maureen. "Many suffer the eternal flames of Hell, for no one has been willing to suffer them". Yes, my dear family, it is always easy to talk about the cross, when we are not nailed to it. Let us ask the grace to see Christ's sufferings as our suffering, and our suffering as Christ's suffering. Let His Divine Will be fulfilled in our lives, no matter how much we suffer in this poor world. Let us also proclaim with St Paul, "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Romans 8:18).

No woman has ever suffered as Our Lady did. Let Our Blessed Virgin intercede for each of us to carry our own crosses. Let us pray for all those who suffer:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen

Food for the Poor

Several times we must have said something like this, "I am so hungry I could eat an elephant". There have been many times when we ached from a lack of food, times
when our stomach was queasy from not eating, times when we could only think of food. However, all these were nothing more than transient states. Because all we could do is go to the kitchen and take out the food or go to a restaurant and fill our stomach.

It is heartening that many of our brothers and sisters throughout the world go to bed hungry on a daily basis. They bury their heads in their pillows wondering if they will find a meal the next day. My question is are we really bothered about them? Through our charity and love we have lived Christ's call to feed his sheep. Through our time, talent and treasure we have shared the Gospel message with strangers. But we can do so much more.....

In Isiah chapter 58, Lord described very beutifully about observing fast. "This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying
the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own" (Isiah 58:6-7).

Yesterday we had a very touching homily by Rev Fr Scott OP here in Idaho Falls Christ The King Church. He has dedicated his life to feed the poor. In the
Republic of Haiti, more than 80% of the people are below poverty line. It is one of the most ill-developed countries in the Western Hemisphere. We were in tears when we heard that many a times poor people "bake mud" and eat it to keep away from queasy
feelings and achy stomachs. Please read below:

With $20 they can buy 90 kg of rice and dal to provide a meal of complete protein for 800 children. With $35 they can buy rice and dal to keep afamily of four
alive for almost 6 months. When we gift $150 to get a sewing machine and materials for skills-training workshop, we give a family hope for the future! Please
visit the site www.foodforthepoor.org

My dear brothers and sisters, how blessed we are! God has provided us everything - good job, money, social security, many to love us. We do not have to eat "mud
biscuits"! Think about our Haitian brothers and sisters. They do not have anything to eat. Let us share our resources with the poor. Are we satisfied with our present life style? We might be a powerfulJesus Youth, We might have shown the face of Jesus to many, We might have preached a lot about God's love. But when we turned away from the hungry, naked, sick and oppressed, we turned away from Jesus. "As often as you did it to one of the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it to Me" (Mathew 25:40).

When I was working in Delhi, I often visit Mother Teresa's home for the mentally challenged brothers and sisters to do voluntory work. I used to have food from
their house. One day a sister asked me why do you waste food? I did not believe myself that I wasted food. I am very cautious in eating and generally my plate is so clean after having finished my food. "No, I do not waste food, sister". I replied. But I have seen you wasting, I saw one rice grain adhered to your finger while you were washing your hands. I go to other 19 nearby houses and collect those rice grains
and I make a ball out of it, and I would feed one of my kids for a meal! It was a shock of my life time. It was a great lesson I have learned. But let's examine
ourselves, how much we waste, how lavish are we when it come to food? Apart from food, do we really need that nail polish or that expensive perfume?

Let us give away our tithe to those who are poor, God likes helping the poor very much. There are many in our own vicinity. People who are hesitant to ask, and
those who hide their pain and helplessness in their hearts. It would be a great relief if we could help them. We could have already wiped poverty and hunger
from our world, had we, christians, started giving our 10% earning!

"He who has compassion on the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his good deed" (Proverbs 19:17).

"Almsgiving saves one from death and expiates every sin. Those who regularly give alms shall enjoy a full life" (Tobit 12:9).

We could also distribute our tithe for evangelization. It is a great act if we could save one from sin and eternal damage. So, we should encourage helping finanially the act of spreading of the gospel. Don't worry, ask God, the Holy Spirit will tell us where to distribute the money.

Let us Pray

Lord Jesus, I realize that you are the sole owner of every wealth. Every day I come across many who do not have anything to eat.... Have mercy on them Father! Many a times I turned away from them....Forgive me O Lord! When you bless me with money, teach me how to spend it in a meaningful way, provide me your graces to spend it according to your will. Grant me your wisdom and necessary strength to share my resources with my fellow-men.... Amen

Purity! Thy name is Mary!

Our Lady has a message to convey, Purity. Many saints have carried the same message, Purity. No one has to be reminded, in our times, every possible influence is
being exerted to destroy the purity of our youth. The movies, novels, social gatherings, the media ..... all of them deliver messages that directly contradict
everything the Catholic Church teaches concerning sex. The Church teaches that sins against holy purity are vitally important because they are grievous sins. The
world would maintain that these acts are not critical, do not matter and are not sins. It would do everything to dress up in order to have them appear attractive.

We are witnessing a new paganism, which worships self; which makes man his own law giver, which denies that man has a soul and a free will. This paganism firmly
affirms that man is a high-grade animal, and that his actions are not subject to his control!

We must consider an important issue. Why are we here on earth? We were non-existent a hundred years ago. We shall be gone and forgotten a hundred years hence. We
live for a short life while and then we must die. Our bodies will decay and become dust. Wealth cannot be assigned as a reason for our existence, nor achievement, nor pleasure. We should always remember that Life Without God is a Puzzle Without Answer.
During our time here on earth, the only work God gave to us is to live in such a manner that, when we are called Home, He may reward us and not banish us forever from His presence!

Thus, our sole business here on earth is to save our soul. There is nothing in earth so vitally important than this. Wealth, honours, beauty, richess, what do they matter in the light of eternity? Do we act upon this principle? What in life interests us most? What are our priorities, ambitions, goals? Do they exclude
God? This world passes away and all that it holds quickly goes away. God alone is lasting.

Lord says, "Neither fornicators nor adulterers shall possess the Kingdom of God". God wants men and women to be good, clean, pure and virtous. Adultery means
the sexual union of two people, at least one of whom is married to a third person. Fornication is the sexual union of two persons, both of whom are single. All are sins against purity, all impure words, immodesty, impure thoughts and desires. In short, anything that can sully the purity of our bodies, minds or souls. Of course, the VI commandment is the most difficult to keep. It is some sort of a test God
puts man to try his fitness for Heaven. Unless we make use of the gifts God given to help restrain that instinct, this commandment would be impossible to observe.

Why has God given such a forceful sex instinct? We are in this world on trial. God sent us here to try our obedience, to test our fitness for Heaven. We must prove ourselves worthy. One pleasure that we have in common with animals, God restricts to try our obedience. Our indulgence in sex before marriage or any promiscuity in marriage has very deleterious effects upon society, in general upon individual, in particular, and the family. The proper restriction of the sex instinct gives man a certain dignity and nobility which no other agency could provide.

God shares His creative power with a man and a woman. This power is very beutiful, dignified and noble when it is exercised for fathering children by a husband and wife who have the most profound respect and love for each other. When they are used this gift for their own selfishness and entertaiment, it becomes ugly and repulsive, cheap and vulgar, and God turns away from you.Sins against life and love matters
a lot. These sins against God are sins that he punishes even in this world. And what of the million babies slain in the womb, infants never allowed to see the light of earth or breathe the air of Heaven?

Many have terribly misused their sex life and acquired habits of impurity, which create in themselves a massive appetite for sexual pleasure. They feel helpless to resist this instinct. God's judgement on this matter will surely be more severe for Catholics than for others.

I have been praying for leading a Holy life months before my marriage and I have been getting several thoughts on married life as a way to holiness. I would share those thoughts with you in the near future. I dedicate myself to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, each Saturday mass for the protection of my married life and to be chaste.

There is no magic formula to remain chaste. It requires hard work to be a good and strong Christian! Our life has to be dominated by prayers, sacrifices and should have a program of preparation for temptation. Faithful in personal prayers, examination of conscience and act of contrition, and attend Holy Mass frequently. We
should never be without our Lady's most powerful weapons: Her Holy Rosary and
Brown Scapular. These are very rich in indulgences and both carry the promise
of eternal life.

If you have been guilty of sins against purity in your past life whether masturbation, homosexuality, immoral affairs or abortion, please do not spend time dwelling on them. Be true knights and duaghters of the Blessed Virgin. Fly from sin and every occasion of sins, master your will, become a child of prayer and keep
busy with good things. The moment sin reaches out to entice you or engage you in conversation, have the courage to fly off from its seductive web of deceit.
Mary will help you!

Praying for all to lead a Holy Life in Christ...

Please do not leave My Son unattended in the Tabernacle!

I am not mistaken if I would say that Jesus in the Tabernacle is the most ignored person in our life. Our love for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist must manifest itself by a frequent reception of Holy Communion and visits to the "prisoner in the Tabernacle".

Let's make adoration of the Blessed Sacrament an important part of our lives. After all, it's praying right before Jesus! Sometimes I think that if people just thought about it logically, that Jesus is really,truly and actually present in our Churches they would be filled with people day and night with people outside trying to get in! If people just wanted would tell themselves, "Jesus is really in Church" they would rush off right away to spend time before Our Lord and Savior!

How eager and anxious are we, when we meet a Bishop or a preacher? Many a times we ignored Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and rushed to them. "Satan has removed just reason from hearts and from the world, and replaced with his evil. His greatest weapon is his deception of non-existence. Truth discloses evil" (Blessed Mother, 31 August 1995).

We have failed to love Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Nobody has time to visit Him. Even priests and other consecrated lives are no exception. Being busy with the affairs of the world, we no longer have the time to spend time with Jesus and many a times we have forgotten our call. Many do not even know what is adoration. I recall the old days before the advent of popularization of Charismatic renewal; only time where there is exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in a year, nearly for an hour was during the service immediately after Holy Thursday. The other day was Saturday after Mass and during Our Lady's Novena, not more than 5 min!

Many Parish Priests are not courageous enough to take any measure to expose the Blessed Sacrament in their own parishes even once in a week for a whole day. They
think that they would become themselves a "prisoner" if they do so and later become an obligation. I am not criticizing anybody. But with much love I point out certain things which needs our attention. If the lay come forward for the Adoration of Blessed Sacrament once in every week, for a whole day, we could see miracles happening in our parishes. We are witnesses of such miracles here in US. The Church attendances have increased drastically, more fervent reception of Sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion, and even increase in Vocation to Priesthood and Religious life. In this world of abortion, homosexuality, same-sex "marriage", crime, diseases, war, persecution, only answer is the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament!

When the faithful gather around the Eucharistic Table every Sunday, and if they fail to see Jesus when the priest consecrates the host, no one can blame them. The priests should have spent much time before the Tabernacle, interceding and praying for the faithful. Likewise, what happened to you, my dear Charismatic renewal now? Earlier, we used to give much importance to personal prayer and personal holiness. Now most of the people in the leadership have no time to pray, yet they want to do ministry! Unless and until we stop for this hunger for thirst for eadership, our efforts and sacrifices may not be useful for Heaven.

If you are serious about your vocation, wants to persevere, please do make a holy hour at least once in every week. Your life would be meaningful and your heart would be filled with Holy and Divine Love. "Just as I am physically present in the Eucharist, My Mother is spiritually present. If My Mother is spiritually present to you as you pray the Rosary, think how She must also be present spiritually as you receive Me in the Blessed Sacrament. My Mother stands guard over the Tabernacles of the world. Is She not also guarding the Tabernacle of your heart as you receive Me?" (Jesus, 22 September 1999).

Each time you visit the Blessed Sacrament, keep in mind that as if you are visiting Him for the first time. Each time you receive the Holy Communion, fill your heart with great joy and happiness the similar peace of mind as Blessed Mary has received Jesus during "Annunciation". Also, make an act of contrition before you receive the Holy Communion.

To the saintly victim soul, Sister Josefa Menendez, RSCJ, Jesus spoke of His abandonment and loneliness in the Tabernacle. He compared the Tabernacle to the
prison where He was the night before the crucifixion -"In the prison I spent only part of one night but in the Tabernacle, how many days and night? In the prison
I endured cold, sleeplessness, hunger and thirst, pain, shame, loneliness and desertion. And there passed before my mind's eye all the Tabernacles where in the course of the ages I should lack the shelter of love." Jesus also told Sister Josefa it is love that keeps Him a prisoner in the Tabernacle. "For nearly twenty centuries I have dwelt there, night and day, veiled under the species of bread and concealed in the small white Host, bearing through love, neglect, loneliness, contempt, blasphemies, outrages and sacrileges." Even the word Host means victim. Truly
Jesus in the Sacred Host is a Victim.


Yes, I agree that our life is filled with many problems, rejections, hatred and lack of love. Whatever be our crosses let us surrender each one to Jesus in the Tabernacle. Many of us see only crosses, but none see the graces attached to it. If we trust in Him, and live according to Holy Love, our crosses would be more meritorious. Jesus says, "My Mother's presence at the foot of the cross gave me strength to embrace the cross. My Mother will intercede for all those who seek strength in embracing their own crosses".

Let us Pray
My Jesus, I believe in Your real presence in the Eucharist. I surrender to You my sins and all the love I have in my heart. I beg Your forgiveness for those who do not believe in You and do not love You.

Blessing of the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary!

Please Note: The messages in quotes are Holy and Divine Love Messages. Please visit www.holylove.org for more information on Holy and Diine Love.

Jesus is our leader, Heaven is our goal

It is nice to see our children are studying well and are aiming for a bright future. They are aimed to become business admistrators, computer professionals, doctors, engineers etc. etc. The parents try hard to fulfil their dreams as well. Let us think for a while. How many of our parents tell their kids that they bring up children, going to the church, prayer and happy life etc. should lead to one ultimate goal -the heavenly goal - to reach Heaven or Salvation? "I am a wanderer in earth" (Psalms 119:19), "My citizenship is in the Heaven" (Philippi 3:20).

You may recall St Maria Goreti, who lost her life at 12. When Alexander forced her to sin, she resists, she repeatedly tells, it is sin, it is sin, you will not enter heaven. We saw her depth of faith in her words. How did she get this depth? Must have got from her parents, pastor or religious. She has deep faith in God even her tender age. We could provide only what we have. How could a parent penetrate faith in their kids if they do not have? If a pastor do not have adequate faith in himself, how could he pass it on to his folks? Is there any deviation from our belief that Jesus is our leader and Heaven is our ultimate goal? Is our work, thoughts, prayer and sacramental life are for the Heavenly goal? or any other aims of this world? Do we have the courage to say to our kids that even if you fail in your board exams, do not commit sin? Let us rate our faith. Is it up to the martyrs?, Is it up to the saints? Is it up to the Apostles? If it does not come up to this, then how much? When the religious serve faith in the community, parents should proclaim it in their homes.

Let us pray Lord! have mercy on me. You had filled so much of faith in me. I do not know where I have lost it. Pardon me. Fill me again with your gifts of faith so that I would be able to aim Heaven as my ultimate goal and Jesus as my leader. Mother Mary intercede for me. Thank you Jesus, Praise you Jesus, adore you Jesus.... Jesus.... You are sufficient for me.... Praying for all for a deep faith... Virgin Mary Daughter of Heavenly Father pray to your Beloved Son so that we may filled with the virtues of Faith.....

Ways to live without sin

If we listen to some people, they deny the very existence of sin. Others, although agree that there exists sin, casually consider it and believe that it is very common. Even the followers of Christ believe that it is not possible to live without sin. When I was talking in a gathering about sin and repentance, one elder brother stood up and said that it is the imagination of you the Charismatic that this is sin, that is sin etc. Such people were present during Jesus' time as well. Many people followed Jesus after seeing miracles done by him, and several thought that if they follow Him, they would get free food! However, Jesus says, "I am the bread of life (John 6:48)". "Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you" (John 6:53). People began to say that this bread is hard to digest. They never followed Jesus. Lack of awareness about sin is a major weapon of the powers of darkness. Satan has been successful in creating an image in many people that there is no sin and repentance is meaningless.

The modern world is under the influence of this bondage. I also thought it is hard to follow the word of God and I cannot live without committing sin, until Jesus came to my life and after received Him as my Lord and saviour. This happened during a JY retreat, when I was a first year Pre-Degree student at SB College, Changanacherry. I tried to see sins according to the word of Jesus. I began to pray, Jesus, teach me to see myself as you see me. The result was so frightening that I could see only my shortcomings, hatred towards many, lack so many nice things in my life and so on. Jesus told to the woman who caught in adultery, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, (and) from now on do not sin any more" (John 8:11). I do not believe that if she couldn't, Jesus would not have said that "now on do not sin any more". That woman got transformed into a new creation, became saint and never followed her past. After that incident, she was always with Jesus, has undergone DTP and has become a powerful witness. This is the act of transformation one undergoes, if anybody surrenders their life to Jesus. Is there any way to live without sin? Let us go back to the word of God. "In my heart I treasure your promise (word of God), that I may not sin against you" (Psalms 119:11).

If we fill our hearts with the word of God, we would never commit any sin. It will lead when we walk, protect when we sleep, advice when we rise up. "If I have made an agreement with my eyes and entertained any thoughts against a maiden?" (Job 31:1). Whenever we see something beautiful for the eyes, Praise the Lord for creating such a marvelous thing! You may not sin. "Behold the rainbow! Then bless its Maker, for majestic indeed is its splendor; It spans the heavens with its glory, this bow bent by the mighty hand of God" (Sirach 43:11-12) "If you choose you can keep the commandments; it is loyalty to do his will. There are set before you fire and water; to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand' (Sirach 15:15-16). If anybody decides out of God's love that he wants to live without sin, the Holy Spirit will help him. But it is not that easy. It requires commitment. St Paul says, "In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood" (Hebrew 12:4). How many of us consider sin as a life and death issue? How many of us are ready to shed blood to give up sin? "In whatever you do, remember your last days, and you will never sin" (Sirach 7:36). If we observe the life style of many we are forced to think that they came to this world for permanent residentship. No my dear, we have to leave this place one day! "Maranam varumoru naal oarkkuka marthya..." (Death will take you one day). "Each of us shall give an account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12). How could I sin if I have understood that my most loving God left Heaven and came down to this world and died in the cross to redeem me? "But we will not sin, knowing that we belong to you" (Wisdom 15:2). We constantly get showers of Blessings to live according to His will, provided

"I HAVE ASKED HIM OF THE LORD"

After many years of prayers and sacrifices we were thrilled with joy when realized that God has given us the gift of new life. Praise and worship spontaneously arose from our heart. Lord spoke me through one of my prayer partners that we will be soon blessed with a baby boy and should be named him Samuel, later confirmed when we got the passage of Hanna’s prayer from the Book of Samuel. Last four months were really joyful for both of us especially during the moments of prayers. Having suggested praying for the sanctification of the unborn, many of our friends who are expecting their babies have been shared the scripture passages to be prayed over the unborn. Psalm 139:13-16, Jeremiah 1:15, Gal 1:15 are some of them. We were most certain about the day of conception of our Sam. Offered several rosaries for his sanctification and anointing. We have intensified our prayers for all the unborn babies too. Main prayer intentions these days were an end to abortion and the safety of unborn as well as the gift of children to childless couples. As usual, we have started making rosaries and donating to couples that are going through difficult times all over the world.

During our group prayer, Mini’s praise points were nothing but thanking God for sparing her from morning sickness! It was true that she did not have any sickness or any other early pregnancy related discomforts. Pregnancy was so cool. Our joy turned another dimension when you, Sam started kicking your mom so early especially during praise and worship session of our family prayers and during the sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist. You have been consecrated every day to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

In the meantime, we were anticipating, marking the calendars, making travel plans, your Baptism and many like things. However, it was obvious that you didn’t want to come to this poor world. While in your mother’s womb you realized that you got a loving Father in Heaven, and a Blessed Mother too, to spend your eternity. We are sure you must have asked this to your Lord God. And Lord who is so fond of babies, especially the unborn, really granted your petition. We realized later that we are unworthy to raise such saints in earth. And Dearest Sam, the way you came out of your mother’s womb were also amazing, without causing any hurt to your mom. And you were alive!

Your favorite Scripture passage, the Jeremiah 1:15 we read for you everyday, really became flesh in your life. “I have sanctified you before you were born”. You were Baptised in “the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” soon after your birth. We will always cherish in our memory all the things happened after. The way the doctors and nurses cared for you. Although you were only 85 grams and 8 inches long, you have got the dignity of a human being. This is so remarkable in a world that they think that a baby becomes a human only after nine months of pregnancy and subsequent birth!

Although you have left your mom’s womb, you have left inerasable scar in her heart. She received Jesus in the Holy Communion for you too and the Holy trinity dwelled in your heart every day. After two days of hospital stay, grieving about your loss, we understood one thing; Lord is running short of Saints and Angels. And you made it Sam! A distant dream we all have.

When we were about to say good-bye to the staff, they also sent their condolences to us. Seems that they aren’t aware of this scripture passage, “ If we live, we live to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s” (Rom 14:8). There were lots of memoirs of you. We liked your beautiful footprints on the card. There were so many beautiful pictures of you. It was so heart breaking to see one of them, Your mom holding your body as the “Pieta”, the broken body of Jesus in Mary’s lap!

Are these all about the emotions and pain of a mom? Not so!

It was my Sam conceived in joy.
It didn’t matter you are with me or not
You are just one tiny life to share – To
raise with hope and love and care.
But now I stand, a father left with
empty hands, not in grief, but in hope
that Lord will send me many beautiful
Angels from Heaven soon!!!!

We extend to you the Blessing of the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary!

Love You so much......Sunny & Mini

"Prayer Life" - miracle which makes a youth "Jesus Youth"

Are you tired of hearing these? "Pray well"; "Pray without ceasing"; "Awake and pray". You should not. This is all about the life of a Jesus Youth.

When you feel there is no progress in your spiritual life, when you realize you are good but not a saint, when you find your ministry is atrophied, lost interest in Christ and His Church, instead of examining your methods or other causes, ask yourselves first if you have prayed enough, and to what extent God really has first place in your lives. In the world we live today, a Christian who does not pray will not only be mediocre but as our Holy Father affirms, a "Christian at risk", vulnerable to any attck of the enemy or any change of circumstances.

You could stay united to God all through day and night. On rising, begin your day by saying, "Thy Kingdom come!" Make a habit to raise your mind and heart to God at the start of every activity and say to Him: "Lord in Your name!" In Your name I am going to School; In Your name I will study or work; In Your name I set out for job or return home; In Your name I will pray or engage in ministry; In Your name I will relax or go out with my friends, In Your name I am going to sleep. In this way,
everything becomes a prayer, an opportunity to encounter God; everything takes an eternal value and becomes effective means for ministry, because we are not doing this in our own, but God and us together, and that too is called prayer, to abide in God! But this does not mean that you should give up all your devotions, meditations and Rosaries. I did not say that. Those should be in its place.

Dear friends, I invite you to understand about prayer with some more depth. Think of prayer as a sunbeam. Its rays stretches down from Heaven. It nourishes the lilies and roses. It royally clothes them in light. Thus arrayed, they bloom and their beauty give glory to God. When we surrender to prayer much, we also beautiful in God's eyes and gives glory to God.

Prayer is a surrender and a sacrifice. But we must also accept the way prayers are answered. The Lily receives what it needs to be nourished and grow. We, through prayer, receives what it needs for salvation. If the Father knows what the Lily needs, does he not know our needs as well? Let us accept what He sends us, in humility and gratefulness, like the Lily dancing in the sunlight.

Married life as a way to holiness

Today I like to address our married couples because many of us are married and many will enter the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.

God does have a plan for sex. God’s plan honors marriage and the honest marriage act. Scripture praises marriage as an image of the mystery of the union of Christ and His Church (Eph 5:21-23). Within marriage the sexual union of the spouses ought to be a true marriage act. In his letter to families, Pope John Paul II the great teaches, “In the conjugal act, husband and wife are called to confirm in a responsible way the mutual gift of self which they have made to each other in the marriage covenant”. This is the divine norm for human love. On the other hand, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, and masturbation all contradict this norm. So does contraception.

When two people get married, their souls are united. There is a spiritual union of a husband and wife, and the two become one. My dear married couples; you should realize this great mystery. Our Lord says in Mathew 18:19 that “Whenever two of you on earth agree about anything you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven”. I am convinced that these words were specifically given to married couples. Try to understand the power of the word of God! Now you pray for whatever with this conviction.

The marital embrace is the very sign of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. If that sign is undermined and destroyed, the marriage is going to be destroyed. Let us think this in a different angle. The celebration of the Holy Eucharist is the greatest _expression of the priesthood. What would happen if a priest at the altar mess up the liturgy, not properly vested, being completely irreverent, and doing all kinds of unfortunate things at the altar of God? You would be truly outraged by the sacrilege that is happening. If the union of husband and wife in their physical embrace is the very sign of their marriage, what does it say about how much they think of their marriage if they are going to destroy the very sign of marriage?

On the day of marriage, the couples vow to one another and to God that they will love each other every day for the rest of their lives. As soon as they contracept, or take a decision in their heart, that they postpone the gift of life for a certain time, it is no longer an act of love – it is an act of using one another – and it violates not only the dignity of the person, but it violates the marriage vows and it violates the very purpose of human sexuality as God has created it.

God is three “Ls”! Love, Life and Light. During matrimony, God pours His love, life, and light to the couples’ hearts. Because of their self-love, they reject the love of God and later life itself, and ultimately they reject the word of God (John 10:10).

If it is okay to use one another in the perspective of self-love, then it is perfectly acceptable to use one another in any other form. This is exactly what our children are witnessing: two parents who have no respect for one another, two parents who do not love one another, because we have two parents who are being selfish toward one another.
What we need to do is get back to the very basis of what God Himself has given to us in marriage. Some of you might be remembering the scripture readings for the wedding, addressed by St Paul (Eph 5:21 ff). This we do not understand and do not want to hear! “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord; and husbands, love your wives”. This doesn’t mean, “Women, you are now the slave of the household; and husbands, you can just snap your finger and think your wife should do anything you want”. But rather, the word submit means, “to be under the order of”. That doesn’t mean to be “under order to” but rather “under the order of”. So what is the order that is given to the husband? To love his wife! That means to seek her good, to always serve her, to do what is the best for her. It is a very different perspective than what most of us think when we read these passages, but it is absolutely essential.

The conjugal love of husband and wife must be a prayer. It is the sign of the sacrament. Because the marriage is a spiritual union first and foremost, it must be built up spiritually. A couple has to pray together, and then that spiritual union is going to have a spiritual _expression in the physical realm when the two are united in marriage. When the couple is accepting their own dignity – first of all, as male and female, when they accept and uphold the dignity of the other as male and female, when they build up their marriage through spirituality and prayer, and when the _expression of their marriage becomes something which is truly holy – there is going to be an unbreakable foundation and the children born from that union are going to see the example of two people who truly love one another, and they are going to understand who they are.

A child is the living, tangible, and fleshed sign of the love of a husband and a wife. When we look at our children, we should be able to see in that beautiful little face the love we have for one another in a living human form. That is why children are to be conceived in love, raised in love, and filled with love. This is the single call given to the married couples. This is the single call given to every Christian family: to be holy, to help one another to become saints, and to raise up new saints for God. There is only one way that we can become saints, and that is to love, to become who God created us to be.

Let us renew our marriage commitment, look at the love of Our Lady and Saint Joseph to model us, accept our dignity, and build up the unity through prayer and love. So that the end result will be two saints who are parents and a multitude of new saints who are their children.

Praying for all the married couples!

The "Visitation" and the dignity of human life

Meditation of the second decade of the Joyful Mystery brought many reflections to me. Thanks be to God! I am so moved by Luke's Gospel, especially the chapters 1 and 2. I would like to narrate some of the insights. Please read Luke 1:39-45.

Our Blessed Lady, who is with baby Jesus, is going on a very difficult journey some eighty or so miles down from Galilee through the deepest valley up into the mountain region of Jerusalem. That was about 7,000-foot climb to reach the residence of Zechariah and Elizabeth. She finds Elizabeth also with child. As the two women converse, the two babies within them are also conversing. St John the Baptist, when he hears our Lady's voice, leaps with joy in his mother's womb. At that very moment, original sin was removed from the soul of St John and he was filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb. At that blessed moment, we hear that Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and inspired by the Holy Spirit, she cries out, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb" (Luke 1:42). Here we have a double inspiration by the Holy Spirit with both Elizabeth and St Luke telling us the exact same thing: that Our Blessed Mother is the most blessed among women, and also blessed is the fruit of Her womb.

Elizabeth, inspired by the Holy Spirit, proclaims the truth that people had difficulty with for the first several hundred years of Christianity when she says, "How is that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?" We have here the first public proclamation from a human person that Mary is indeed the Mother of God. This is very hard for some people to understand. How can God have a mother? Jesus, who is God, has no beginning – He is an eternal person – so how is it possible that He can have a new beginning in the womb of this most extra ordinary of all women? It is not that He has a beginning as a person in the womb of His mother, but He has a beginning as a human being in His mother's womb.

For those who are in favor of abortion, and define the age of the unborn to be aborted, this passage is very important. Here we have a baby who is at six month's gestation leaping in His mother's womb when he hears our Lady's voice. Our Lady, at this time, is probably three or four days pregnant. She heard from the Angel Gabriel that the Holy Spirit was going to descend upon Her and that She was going to receive the Son of God, and She set out immediately. She is already proclaimed to be the Mother of God and Jesus, at this time in our Lady's womb, we know that Jesus would still be microscopic. My scientific knowledge tells me that the embryo has not even implanted in the uterus. That means the embryo is making its way to the uterus. Yet today we have people who want to claim that a baby is not a baby that the humanness of a child is not there. And we have Christian people who want to make the same claim! We need to show them this passage.

Our Lady went in haste when She heard that there was another woman who was in need because she was with child. Our world needs to recognize the same thing. The greatest need of our world today is to recognize the dignity, not only of the woman with child, but of the child within the woman. If we truly want to be of service to the world, we should uphold the rights and the dignity of the human person from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death. Since we are all equal, if the unborn are not human, then neither are we. If it is okay to destroy them, it is okay to destroy us. It is interesting how even the pro-abortionists would argue against that position. They think that their life is somehow important, but the lives of other people are not.

We need to pray in a very profound way that as Our lady in Her great charity went in haste to visit Her relative who was in need, that now She will come in haste once again because Her children are in need – great need. We must recognize our own dignity and the dignity of every person – especially of those in the womb, those who are handicapped, those who are sick, and those who are elderly.

As Jesus and Mary went up to the outskirts of Jerusalem to visit St Elizabeth and St John and the truth was thus proclaimed, pray and beg our Lord for the grace to send His Mother so that these same truths can be upheld and proclaimed in our Nation in our day.

Again, I beg you to pray the Rosary everyday and offer the decade on "Visitation" for the safety of all the unborn. At the end of each decade, pray this ejaculatiory prayer, "Jesus, protect and save the unborn".

"God has called me to be ...."

It was intentional that I did not complete the title. How would you fill in the blanks? yes you guessed it! "a great saint".

Called to be holiness or called to be a great saint is not something we can ignore or think that it is reserved for a few. It is for each and every one of us. We can say that we are not holy ourselves, we are quite sinful. St Paul tells us that Christ has given grace according to the measure of His gift, or according to the measure of our call. He has given the grace to live it. Lord says that "He has come to call sinners, not the righteous". He did not come and call you because we are so good, but we are so bad. If any of us sit back and say that " I can't make it, because I am a sinner". Our Lord would respond, "that is exactly why I have called to be a saint".

If we keep on protesting that we can't do this, then, it is not from the Lord. And we know that it is from the opposing party, the father of all lies. This party keeps on persisting that it is not for us, and it is entirely for certain people God has elevated, such as Bishops, Priests, nuns and certain charismatic preachers. And why do you still aiming for that apple which is not accessible?!

It is true to say , "I can't do it", because we can't, but with God's grace and mercy, we can! and only by His grace. This is the first thing we have to understand. We will never be able to do it by ourselves, but "I can do everything in Christ who strengthens me" (Philippi 4:13).

Look at those people our Lord has called as Apostles; tax collectors, fishermen and so on. He has called as one of His Apostles one of the people who would have been considered to be the worst of sinners, a tax collector. Jesus looked at Matthew and told him, "follow me". He got up, followed Him, and changed his life radically. Hold on this word, "radical". We need to have a radical change in our life. Now Jesus came to each one of us and done the exact same thing. The question is whether we have responded like Matthew. If we have not, then it is not too late. But Matthew responded too quickly, and I didn't.

When we look at the grace and call, we immediately recognize that God does not change His mind. He has called us by name, He has called us to be a great saint. That means we have to do exactly what Matthew did. We have to change our life. We have to throw our old garment and put on the new one. We have to grow in the fullness of Christ.

When we look at many saints, Paul, Augustine, Mary Magdalene, we realize that being a great saint is not anything that is beyond us. By ourselves, Yes! but not beyond God! God knows what He is doing.

"He has chosen us, called us, sanctified us, and appointed us to be a great saint".

"Sanctify yourself, for tomorrow God will perform imracles in your life" (Joshua 3:5).