Good News to Indian Christians! Persecutions intensifies in India!

(Priests and others made to sit on the floor of the police station)

Even though the latest incident of assault, atrocity and humiliation in Satna of Madhya Pradesh inflicted on the innocent Catholic Christian Carol-singing group consisting of Respectable Priests, Seminarians and faithful, by some Hindu militants and the local police is being condemned by the national and international community, it must be considered as a Happy News by the followers of Lord Jesus Christ, who are eagerly waiting for the fulfillment of the 'Word of God' and rewards in thousand folds!

Christians are the highly persecuted human race under the sun. Even though it is a painful fact, it must be regarded as a matter of delight for every Christian (believer of Christ) as he/she is getting a rare opportunity to get a small share of the Master's suffering for being and doing good and the reward for which will be unimaginably very high . The Church which received formation with the Precious and Holy Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ grew with the blood of many virtuous martyrs. With an intention to finish off the Christian faith many emperors, kings and principalities in the history of the world have very cruelly persecuted the early Christians whose innocent blood not only helped them receive their 'special rewards' in heaven, but also helped greatly in the spread of Christian Faith on earth. Had hired hit-man Samandar Singh of Madhya Pradesh not stabbed to death Sr. Rani Maria in 1995, how would have she received the great honor and title of 'Blessed Martyr' both in Heaven and on earth? 

Ever since Modi's BJP government came to power in India (though there were religious persecutions reported earlier too), the level of persecution on minorities particularly Christians has been rising steeply as per the statistics and reports.

With such heinous incidents that are not condemned or dealt with firmly by the rulers or officials, the image of the country in the international arena is terribly being damaged. According to OpenDoorsUsa.org, the persecution rank of Christians has reached 15 in India since the present government came to power in 2014. It is quite surprising to note that the situation in India which is known as the largest democratic and secular country in the world is just few levels after notorious and trouble-torn countries with dictators like North Korea, Somalia, Nigeria, Pakistan etc. It also surprises that the persecution level on Christians in India is higher than China..! It is reported that an attack on Christians is recorded every 40 hours in India..!

Christians while being tormented on behalf of their Faith, must remember the Words of God listed below which will minimize their pains. If intolerant rulers like Narendra Damodardas Modi who is a product of right-wing RSS, and cowardly and corrupt officials do not support silently these fanatics, how then will the Holy Word of God accomplish?

Dear beloved persecuted Christian, please offer your sufferings for the sake of God's Kingdom. Pray for your persecutors as the Lord did:

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)

The rewards the Lord is keeping ready for those who bear even a small amount of insult or pain is beyond our imagination. It is very very big...! 

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me..." (Matt. 5:11-12).

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first" (John. 15:18).

"Do not be surprised my brothers and sisters if the world hates you" (1 John 3:13).

Please ponder over these Holy Words of God through St Peter (1 Peter 4:12-17), the first Pope of the Church: 

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name".

Let all the Christians world-wide pray for their suffering brethren so that they may get grace to bear all the pains and also pray for their abusers for their conversion of mind like St Paul. Please avoid all sins that no one will be punished as a criminal, as the Divine Word above warns.

Pope says 'the Poor are our Passport to Paradise': World Day of the Poor 19-11-17

(image courtesy: catholicnewsagency.com)

The Universal Catholic Church observed the 19th of November 2017 as the first 'World Day of the Poor'. Hereafter the 33rd Sunday in ordinary time is to be commemorated as 'International Day of the Poor'.

Speaking on the occasion, the Holy Father Pope Francis said that the poor people are our passport to get into Paradise. Hence they are a boon to all as they are instrumental to attain our eternal goal. While giving message he quoted the 1st letter of St John from the Bible chapter “Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in deed and in truth” (1 Jn 3:18). So to pave a shortcut way to the Paradise is very easy and it is at anyone's reach. Because more than half of the world's population are starving and about 80% of the global people are poor.

The Pope also said that it is not only the worldly bread that we must share with the poor but also the spiritual Word of God. The poor people represent the Lord Jesus Christ. Because HE left all His riches and was born as the poorest of the poor in this world. And the Good News of the Birth of the Saviour of the humanity was first made known to the poor people.
The Lord Jesus has categorically stated that it is very difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God (Matt. 19:23). He has said that "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:3). Through His Holy Word, He is repeatedly issuing the warning message of possessing wealth and the dangers of having riches in the world. But many people including many chosen ones are seen amassing wealth which may be a dangerous hurdle for them to enter the heaven!

In the final judgement the Lord is going to reward only them those who rendered services to the needy with love and compassion. Like food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, accommodation for the homeless, company for the neglected, etc..

To get a passport to go to another country may be little difficult and expensive. But to get a passport to reach the Paradise in a shortcut route is very easy. One need to have only a liberal heart to share what one has with his needy neighbour. This act will take him to paradise as per the Word of Lord Jesus and His servant the Pope Francis!

Let us all strive hard to reach our ultimate goal, The Paradise!
God Bless you.

Miraculous St Anthony's Shrine Kottayam, Efficacious Novena Prayer

(image courtesy: holymassimages.blogspot.com)

There are many Christian Churches (mostly Catholic Shrines) in different parts of Kerala that are widely recognized by large number of people belonging to different religions, races, nationalities, and languages as the centers for occurrence of miracles especially that are impossible as per the human understanding. 

St Anthony's Shrine in Nagampadom of Kottayam in central Kerala of India is a sure spot for any devotee who approaches here with strong faith in the Almighty Lord God Jesus Christ and His Blessed Virgin Mother and His devoted servant St Anthony who lived in Padua of Portugal from 15-08-1195 to 13-06-1231 loving, pleasing, obeying and serving his Master with whole heart and strength. There are hundreds and thousands of people who share their testimonies of receiving  impossible matters or needs. Many of the miraculous favours received by the pilgrims from above are too good to believe for the medical science or the human imaginations.

All good things and blessing flow only from Lord Jesus Christ Who is True and only God and the fountain of all goodness. Some people may then ask, why should one approach His Holy Mother Mary or His Saints for intercession? Please be understood that it is the will of Lord Jesus to give glory to all His Faithful people who loved, served and glorified Him with their lives on this earth. He is very willing to glorify you and me too if we 'truly' love Him by keeping His Commands..!

St Anthony's Holy Shrine in Nagampadam is blessed to have the Holy Relic of St Anthony of Padua who is known as one of the greatest miracle-performer. Even though people visit this pilgrim center all days of the week, hundreds of thousands of devotees without any discrimination of caste, creed, religion or region throng this shrine every Tuesdays, being the special day of St Anthony. As it is located very closely just beside the Kottayam private bus stand at Nagambadom and near to the Railway station, it is very convenient for the devotees to visit from far off places also.

Holy Mass, Rosary, Benediction, Novena (services) timings:

Sundays:  

               4.15 pm Rosary of Divine Mercy, 
               4.30 pm Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mother, 
               5.00 pm Holy Mass 

Tuesdays:   

               5.15 am Rosary of Divine Mercy, 
               5.30 am Rosary of  Virgin Mother, 
               6.00 am Holy Mass, Blessing of the Holy Eucharist,
               8.00 am Holy Mass, Novena, Blessing of the Holy Eucharist,
              10.00 am Holy Mass, Novena, Blessing of the Holy Eucharist,
              12.00 noon Holy Mass, Novena, Blessing of the Holy Eucharist, 
               2.00 pm Holy Mass, Novena, Blessing of the Holy Eucharist, 
               4.15 pm Rosary of Divine Mercy, 
               4.30 pm Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mother, 
               5.00 pm Holy Mass, Eucharistic Procession, Eucharistic Adoration.

Fridays: 

               6.00 am to 5.00 pm Adoration of the Holy Eucharist.
               5.00 pm Holy Mass.

Saturdays: 

              4.15 pm Rosary of Divine Mercy, Holy Mass, Novena of Vimalagiri Matha

Note: Special Healing and intercessory miracle Prayers are held throughout all the spiritual services by the Spirit-filled Rector Rev Father Sebastian Poovathinkal...
__________________________________________________________

Efficacious and powerful Novena Prayer to St Anthony of Nagampadom, Kottayam, Kerala:
(to be prayed preferably holding a lighted candle in front of the statue of the saint for 9 consecutive Tuesdays. Most people get their prayers answered within 3 to 4 weeks prayers!)

Oh, merciful Saint Anthony, I, this humble devotee, offer you my soul, body and all I have for your complete protection. As an act of my full faith, I offer you this burning candle all these Tuesdays. Oh St Anthony, who never fails those who beseech you, console me, my family and my dear ones, from all sorrows and difficulties and protect us from all dangers, misfortunes and tribulations. Oh St Anthony I put all my trust in you and implore you for your endless mercy. I believe there is nothing impossible through your intercession. Oh St Anthony, good fiend of Child Jesus, be always our companion, intercessor and helper. I humbly plead you to get all the spiritual and earthly needs for me and my dear ones from the Almighty God, through your powerful intercession, specially our present and urgent needs (....mention your present/important needs here....). Please rescue me and my dear ones with compassion from all the sorrows, difficulties, troubles and tribulations that are surrounding us.

Pray the Lord Jesus' Prayer (3 times):

"Our Father in Heaven, Holy be Your Name. Your Kingdom come. Your Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not in to temptations, But deliver us from all evil".

Prayer to the Holy Mother of Lord Jesus (3 times)

"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 time of our death, Amen".

Glory be to the Holy Trinity... (3 times)

"Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen".

St Anthony, pray for us (3 times)

[This Prayer was translated from Malayalam to English by a 3rd year B Tech student of Amal Jyothi College of Engineering, Kanjrapally, Kottayam Dt]

Please watch the brief Biography of St Anthony here: 

*May God bless you abundantly through Mother Mary and St Anthony.
*Please share this for the benefit of others and honour of St Anthony.

*Please add your testimony below for the greater Glory of God.

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Fatima Matha Sandesh Yathra (Fatima Message Journey) Kerala

2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the 'Fatima Apparitions' of the Blessed Virgin Mother, which is one of the most important events in the world history after the Birth, Death and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The year 2017 also marks the golden jubilee of the 'Charismatic Movement' which is a tool of the Holy Spirit to save the humanity that is going towards destruction by giving it a sense of sinfulness and a heart for reconciliation and renewal. 

The 3 main Messages (requests) given by the Mother of God at Fatima are:

1. Penance: (turning away from sins and turning back to God. Many souls are losing the heaven and getting lost by inheriting hell)

2. Pray the Rosary: (Increase the number of Rosaries for self, family, conversion of sinners, world, souls in purgatory)

3. Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Blessed Virgin Mother: The Mother Mary implores us to surrender ourselves and our near and dear ones to Her Immaculate Heart for protection from the enemies)

To spread these messages and to remind the Faithful to increase the number of daily Rosary Prayers, the Kerala Catholic Bishop's Council (KCBC) decided to hold 'Fatima Matha Sandesh Yathra' (a tour with the Sacred Statue of the Blessed Mother brought from Fatima) in all the 31 Catholic Dioceses in Kerala covering about 600 Churches. Kerala Catholic Charismatic Commission is making all arrangements for the successful conducting of the Centenary Celebrations of the Fatima Apparitions in a grant manner. 

The Fatima Sandesh Yatra was inaugurated on 15th of August, 2017 at the Lumen Youth Center Ground, Aloor in Iringalakkuda during the conclusion ceremony of the World Malayali Charismatic Meet and to conclude on 28th of October 2017 at Vallarpadam Basilica. It was rendered the first reception on August 16 at St Mary's Forane Church, Thlipparambu in Kannur District of Kerala.

The itinerary (schedule) of reception to the Sacred and Miraculous Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mother from Fatima (in Portugal) is given below. If it has covered your area (zone) and you have missed to have a sight of it, venerate and pray before it, you are urged with love to travel to one of the nearest areas and have a darshan of the Mother of the Savior of the humanity and get umpteen blessings as this is a once in a lifetime Opportunity. Any trouble or hardship taken for this act is worthwhile. The Holy Father Pope Francis has awarded special indulgence to everyone who venerates the Sacred Statue and prays before it.

    Dates:                Zones (regions/head quarters)

August 17-19         Kannur
August 20-22         Kasargod
August 23-25         Tellissery
August 25-28         Mananthavady
August 28-01         Kozhikkod

September 02-05    Palakkadu
September 06-08    Thrissur
September 09-11    Angamaly
September 12-14    Kothamangalam
September 15-17    Idukki
September 18-20    Kattappana
September 21-23    Kanjirappally
September 24-26    Pala
September 27-29    Kottayam
September 30-02    Changanacherry

October 03-05       Punalur
October 06-08       (Days of Prayer)
October 09-11       Neyyattinkara
October 12-14       Thiruvannthapuram
October 15-17       Kollam
October  18-20      Alappuzha
October 21-22       Chertala
October 23-24       Kochi
October 25-27       Ernakulam

October 28 Grand Conclusion Ceremony at Vallarpadom St Mary's Basilica.

Please utilize this golden opportunity and Remain Blessed.....

'Aatmamitra' The last (and best) resort for youth in despair

The world is changing rapidly. Life has become very much easier and cosier than before. Science and technology is growing day-by-day and hour-by-hour..!

In pace with the fast growth of technology mainly mobile, internet and video games, the number of people (particularly the children and youth) who succumb to the trap laid by the devil is also increasing alarmingly.  Added to this, the money-centered modern families that lack in love, values and prayers also become the manufacturing centers of individuals who too have seldom values , ethics or discipline in life and they become desperate in the early stage of life itself and want to put an end to it for silly momentary reasons.

Added to this, mobile games like 'blue whale' etc discovered by satan also do thier best to spoil the lives of the present day youth. Misuse and overuse of internet and social medias like facebook, whatsapp etc are also found to be the main causes for the damage of the present generation.

Children of the families where love, order and prayers are lacking, get attracted to uncommon and perverted love that are deceiving and dangerous, and by the time they begin realize the facts, it is too late and they also think that there  is no more meaning to live and try to end the life which is very precious and granted for only once here in this planet. 

In such circumstances, there is one organization that strives sincerely for a remedy to the destruction and degradation of the present day generation. It is none other than Atma Mitra, a noble initiative of the Kerala Jesuit Mission designed and founded by Rev Fr Toby Joseph Kozhuppakkalam. It is situated at 'Sameeksha' campus, a center for study and dialogues of diversified Indian spirituality in Kalady of Ernakulam district.

Atma Mitra which means 'soul friend' or 'friend for life' is a dream project of the founder priest Rev Fr Toby who is an eminent psychological counselor and personality development trainer. The Director Missionary of the not-for-profit organization who works day and night selflessly and tirelessly, has by now saved so many valuable young lives from committing suicides. It is his passion and Divine Calling to serve among the distressed persons particularly the teenagers and youth, without any discrimination of caste, creed, religion or regional barriers. Even if given a missed call to the mobile number, one will get a call back immediately.

There is a 24x7 help line number accessible for the benefit of the hopeless. 

It is (+91) 85475-97883, 8281-676741. And the land line number is: 0484-2466080

The Director can be contacted through e-mail also: tobsysj@gmail.com

Matt 5:16. Let your light shine before others to Glorify your Father in Heaven

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and Glorify your Father in Heaven" (Matt 5:16). 

Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the incarnate Son of God gave away everything He had for us- His Body, Blood, Spirit, Power, Love, Compassion... He was too generous to give His own Almighty Heavenly Father and Virgin Mother as our Father and Mother! It is an act that cannot happen in the normal human understanding. God is far beyond the reach of human beings in everything. God is very holy and man is sinful. God is almighty and man is nothing in comparison to God. Still out of His unstinting Love for us, our Lord Jesus gave us His Father and asked us not to bring disgrace to Him with our devilish behavior. 

It is said that 'Yatha Raja, tatha praja' (As the king so the people) or 'Yatha Pitha, tatha Putra' (like father, like son). If a person is well mannered and good, it will bring good name and fame to his parents particularly his father. Likewise if a person behaves wickedly, he will put his parents to dishonor and shame. 

This is what the great Indian poet Thiruvalluvar also has written, "Makan thanthaikku aatrum udhavi ivan thanthai ennotran kol enum sol" [The greatest filial service of a son is to behave in such a manner and make the world wonder and ask what penance has his father performed to be blessed with such a son.]

Our Lord and Savior has asked us his disciples (or pleaded us) to conduct in such a way that the gentiles see the good deeds of the Christians and glorify the Heavenly Father who is Almighty and Eternal. If a person claims to be a Christian and engages in criminal activities, he is bringing dishonor not only to the Heavenly Father, but also to our Lord Who laid down His Life for us and to HIS Holy Church on this earth. 

If a Christian leader or politician (or a person with a Christian name) involves in corruptions or cheating or any other criminal activities what disgrace he is bringing to the Lord and His Church. If anyone has committed and involved in any unlawful activities, he/she should shun that path and seek God's pardon and forgiveness immediately. 

The recent damage inflicted by the Kerala based priest to the local church through his heinous act is horrible. But it will not affect the Church of the Lord. Even one among the 12 Apostles of the Lord was a traitor but it was not the end of the Church. There were some priests and religious people like this in the Church who slowly neglected their personal prayers (and Rosary Prayers) due to their busy 'service' activities and fell prey for the evil spirits. Power and positions are always dangerous and may slowly widen the gap between one's religious calling. May this serve as a warning to those anointed persons who devote much of their time for other activities neglecting the most important thing in their lives that it Prayer (and the personal relationship with the Lord and His Mother). If any faithful of the Lord happens to fall in any trap of satan, he/she should immediately detest the pleasure of sins and run away to cleanse him/herself through the sacrament of Confession. Otherwise satan will see that the child of God is completely ruined. 

It is highly advisable for the Christians not to use or to minimize the use the internet and social medias like facebook, twitter, whatsapp etc as there are hidden traps laid by the devil. If it cannot be avoided, use it very carefully, diligently and prayerfully. Regular reciting of the Rosary Prayer will definitely protect every child of God from falling in to the attractions of the world and create a feeling of contempt to the worldly attractions like movies, serials, televisions, liquor, parties, etc... 

"Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." (1 Peter 2:12)

Please Read the Holy Word of God and pray the Rosary and other Prayers regularly. Help others also to walk in the path of God. Lets try to glorify the Heavenly Father by showing our good deeds before others and avoiding anything that is evil. 

God Bless!

An Indian Priest visits hell, purgatory and Heaven: Live video Testimony

This is not a fabricated story or imagination. It is a real incident. It happened about 30 years ago. To a matured Christian Priest. As it is strongly felt that it is very much necessary to mention it now, to bring to the notice of them who conveniently refuse to believe or neglect the very facts told by Lord Jesus about the existence of hell, purgatory and Heaven, I am listing here the own testimony of the Catholic Priest who personally was taken to these places and was allowed to have a first hand experience.

God's words clearly mention in the Holy Bible about the life after death. The Lord has categorically stated that 'the hell is full of fire that does not diminish and worms that do not die' (Mark 9:48). Unfortunately many people now-a-days are seen making statements and arguments in different ways trying to say that the hell full of unquenching fire is not true with a 'nice' motive of removing the fear of hell from the human minds..! It is very unfortunate that there are some preachers (including some Bishops and Priests) who deliver soft and smooth sermons with their own findings like 'the hell is an imaginary state of mind or the hell is in this world only' etc.

The Lord Jesus while saying the incident (true story) of the 'rich man and Lazarus' (Luke 16: 23-25) tells how the fiery the hades are, It is not a parable but He says, "There was a rich man...."

Some Saints were allowed to visit the hell, purgatory and Heaven. After seeing the plight of people in the fiery hell, they shivered and spent the rest of their lives in intercessory prayers. 

Rev Father Jose Maniyangat who is now actively conducting a full time healing ministry in the USA tells about how he met with a fatal accident while he was going for Parish duty when he was in Kerala and how he was taken by his guardian Angel after his soul left his body to see the hell, purgatory and Heaven, and how he met the Lord Jesus, Blessed Mother and St Joseph. 

In his testimony the father says that he was surprised to see some persons in the hell whom he had known earlier. They included some Bishops and Priests whom he never expected to see there. 

Links:

Youtube video testimony of Rev Fr Jose Maniyangattu in Malayalam:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39eTRtqueIo

Youtube video testimony of Fr Jose's story by Rev Fr Joseph Mary's Homily in English:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeQNdXu-Uvc

Written testimony of Rev Fr Jose in English:

http://www.experienceproject.com/stories/Am-Christian-(roman-Catholic)/1587294

Rev Fr Jose Maniyangat Ministry and Prayer Request:

http://frmaniyangathealingministry.com/Default.aspx

Please forward/share this blog post with others to remind and warn them about the eternal life after death. Lets also Pray earnestly that no one goes to hell........because our Lord has shed His precious blood for the salvation of the whole humanity.......