My Pope

I remember the day Fr. Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope. We’re before television awaiting Lord’s decision. There it came…. As white fumes hovered over Vatican City announcing Fr. Joseph Ratzinger’s name, our Professor Fr. Zacharias Kariyilakkulam sprang up from his Chair shouting for joy and his hands were up in the air. I was sad over the death of Pope John Paul II, still this image went deep into my heart and amazed me for a long time. I’d a strong filial love towards John Pau II. I never thought I could ever love the new Pope so dearly as I did Pope John Paul I,I until I read his speeches. They’re so touching and go deep into heart. It fills me with some new energy and inspires me. Now I feel the same of love towards our Holy Father Benedict XVI. Thank you Lord for the blessings you’ve showered on our Holy Father. Lord, bless our Holy Father

St. Thomas Day Celebration

My friend George, a familiar and inevitable face on such occasions is on the stage. He brings crazy things. This time he mimics a few illiterate grandparents on a pilgrimage to the holy tombs of St. Alphonsa and Bl. Kuriakkose Elias Chavara. We all, including teachers, parents and sisters slowly moved to the edge of our seats in anticipation.

Stopping by a shop that sells devotional articles, one of them asks for "STICKERs of St. Alphonsa and Bl. Chavara. "chavara achanteyum alphonsammayudeum nikkar undo" (Do you have nikkars-malayalam word for trousers-of St. Alphonsa and Bl. Chavara) We all burst into laughter. Hardly had he finished our parish priest stormed to the stage scolding George for using indecent language. Everybody sat in stunned silence. He wanted George to come over and apologize. Shivering like anything 8 year old George came over to the stage. Holding back his tears George said something in a feeble voice... Embarrassing moments...everybody looked bewildered.

Even now I can't recollect what happened later...

But George overcame all the emotional barriers..I don't how.