People come and goes, 

Thousands at Vallarpadam every day. Some intense and focussed,

 On their purpose of their visit, 

Some a general visitor,

 Some happy at the stage of their lives, And showing it, 

Some who have nothing still happy like,

Fools not asking anything, enjoying the moment of being there in their soul..

Who am I in these..

A November Sunday

Kneeling in gratitude after a long week at Lady of Ransom, Vallarpadam. The peace and joy one feels while being there inspite of life and circumstances are priceless and for that one travels miles. 

Candles. The few on the  lower right is mine. I was not particular in lighting candles at Vallarpadam till a few months ago. I thought lighting oil lamps at home was good enough. Then I got an advice from a spiritually elderly person, when one is specific about certain intentions one has to follow certain rituals and tune the mind and prayers accordingly.

Thanks giving for being able to build a house. Expressiin of gratitude and thanks for the blessings received is a great motivation for others who are in difficult situations to stay strong in their prayers. 

"There is no better prayer than having a grateful mind."

 A note of gratefulness. The best I have read on this Sunday. These are always left by the devotees in front of the Sub Altar of the church. They are deeply enriching and brings peace and joy to mind. It is also a social history of how families grow and how noble some of them are in their aspirations. I found this note very enlightening, their request for peace and harmony in the family and general well being of everyone finishing off with a request to be able to to write a note of gratitude every time they visit the Basilica. The writer probably is a piligrims who might have come from far. 

Saint Peter Nolasco

 

Saint Peter Nolasco's disciples were part of those who built the Vallarpadam Church in 1524 AD. They dedicated the church to the Holy Spirt and Made the Lady of Ransom (Mercy) as the saint of the church. Nearly 140 years later the first church was washed away in a flood, the Lady of Ransom Picture was found floating  in the Backwater by the then Prime Minister of Kochi Raja who returned the picture to the priests and donated a new piece of land to build a new church. Saint Peter Nolasco's disciples are again believed to be part of the reconstruction team. The Altar still holds the venerable picture and the Saint Peter Nolasco's congregational logo. BMV de Mercede. 

On All Saints Day and through the month of November when we remember our dead, we remember all those Saint Peter Nolasco followers along with all other souls who have been responsible for our faith and our continued existence here at Vallarpadam. 

Lady Of Ransom

Our weekly visit to your abode is our joy and delight. We pray Lady of Mercy that hear our prayers and help us with our lives. Bless all who seek your help.

Ten minutes before the 11.30 AM Mass by the Mercedarian Priests the church slowly 

filling up. That mass is usually attended by the pilgrims who visit the Basilica on a Sunday.

Our favourite from the corner shop at the turn from the highway to the Basilica on the old road. Pappadams and puttu.

All Souls Day

All Souls Day. 

In memory of our dead, they are gone but they still lives on in our hearts and will continue to live in our memory till the day we die. 

Fondly remembering those who came and lived with us, giving up their families and everything for us. May their souls Rest in Peace. 

Remembering our dead. 

The November blue sky. The specialty of the time of the year. 

Onam

The most festive day of our year. 

Thiru Onam. 

Pookalam.

The Golden morning. 

Sumptuous Sadya for lunch. 

Friends and Family. 

Picture from Forum Mall, Kochi.