Nolasco Chapel

After the gospel reading, last Sunday, I almost sat on a toddler who had crawled four rows up and climbed on my chair. Thank God, I did not sit on the baby, it would had been disaster, physically and emotionally. 

We don't come all the way for the pilgrims mass at Vallarpadam to sit on someone else's baby. 

It was awful to think the family who was on the row behind me, did not warn me. Perhaps they did not see the Baby too as the gospel reading was on. 

The Fall of the heroes

On July 20th Argentina was defeated in the FIFA World Cup Final and Spain became the champions of 2026. 

Argentina fell short by one man when one of their men got a red card in the 90th minute. Game went into extra time and on the 116th minute Spain scored the goal they held and won the cup 1-0. 

Spain dominated the game, their victory was not a surprise. They successfully stopped Messi, he did not get much ball to play nor the opportunity to make play. 

Our hope was on this man, to see whether God had anything glorious for him in the way of second world cup, defending their titles. In his loss he became more human, more believable. 

For those who love him he will be our greatest to play football. He is a very good human too. 

Best Wishes Messi. 

Congratulations Spain, you played well. 

Argos

The film that is running in the theatres of our town is the "ODYSSEUS".

Odysseus comes back to his country after twenty years as a war hero. For ten years he fought under the great Greek King Agamemnon in the Trojan war. Despite the stellar warriors like Achilles, Hector it was Odysseus cunningness that won the war for Agamemnon. He built the Trojan horse. 

After the war he returned home to Ithaca with his crew in their sail ships. It took him ten years, nobody from his crew except Odysseus himself made it to home. 

But when he came back Ithaca itself has changed a lot in twenty years and he was advised not to enter his kingdom as the king he was but in disguise. He came disguised as a beggar and no one recognised him except his hunting dog Argos who was twenty years old by then and was waiting for his master since the day he left twenty years ago. Surprisingly a long time for a dog to live. 

Argos in his old age, too weak to stand on his own, recognised his master as he approached, moans in recognition and wags his tail as strongly as he can. Odysseus pats him on the head and say some loving words, seeing and hearing his master after so long and feeling his love even if it is only for a few moments,  Argos dies. 

The dog at Vallarpadam, who often sleeps at the east gate, now tired and old. 

This is the second in the series, the first one died in 2009, lovingly called as 'Lazar'. 

Quarter Finals FIFA World Cup 2026

A World Cup Morning

I had hoped to watch the 6:30 a.m. FIFA World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and Switzerland on the large public screen at the shopping mall near me. Instead, I discovered that the match was being shown only as a paid screening inside one of the cinemas in the complex, with tickets starting at ₹200 plus taxes. Unfortunately, I learned this only after arriving.

Rather than buy a ticket, I decided to ride to Vallarpadam where I had wrote a prayer request for our Messi. It seemed the most natural thing to do once the opportunity to watch the match live was not there anymore. The rain had eased for a while, making the journey peaceful. I reached much earlier than expected and spent the time attending two consecutive Holy Masses.

By the end of the morning, Argentina had secured a 3–1 victory. It was also the first match of this World Cup in which Lionel Messi did not score a goal. What began as a disappointing change of plans turned into a quiet and memorable morning of prayer, followed by good news for Messi and Argentina.

Messi

June 24

39 Years

Happy Birthday Leo Andres Messi

A Prayer for Messi

O God, by whatever blessings You have graciously blessed Messi, may You now lead him to the fullness and excellence of those blessings in these days.

Protect him from injury, deception, and every trap that may come his way. Be his constant guardian.

Bless Messi to remain steadfast, trusting in You until the very end.

Soccer 2026

Vallarpadam Fans. 

The Sunday Visit to Vallarpadam 7th July 2026

A work related call just when I was about to leave for Vallarpadam. Finally when I reached the church the 11.30AM pilgrim's mass was over and everybody had already left. 

The remains from the Feast of the Holy Ghost was still around. It seemed the statue of Mary was taken in after the mas. The flower crowns were still there where the statue was last Sunday. 

Since May 15th, Edavam, the rain has started and on Ist June there was the offical announcement that the Monsoon has started. Yes, it did seem so. Heavy down pour with little breaks, all day with ear breaking and terrifying thunder rolls. 

The new model of ever burning oil lamps looked endearing with so much rain and the oil lamps still burning without a flicker in the cemetery. 

To You, we come, our Lord, you are our refuge and consolation. 

The people we see around during our visit, we may not see them again, pilgrims afar and near, Lord, bless them with your grace to bear their crosses in life well and welcome them to Your Glory of resurrection.