Jesus

December

Time of the year

Pictures of gratitude

For favours received. So many pictures, of houses, weddings, babies..
May not be possible to collect them and archive, but would be wonderful if we can.
Memories, of our times and the folks...

A mysterious dream. :) I had dreamed of this Saint standing at the altar of Vallarpadam.
The next day I found the statue of the saint in the new cupola between the main church and the adoration hall which is beautifully laid out.

Collecting more information on the saint...

I would appreciate if you anyone could give any tips..

Church

A day at church.

The feast

The feast this year too was as grand as ever. Last week of September. I could go there only after a week.

The shops that line the yard.

Grace

The lamps that are burning in our heart...

Light of my life

Any goodness I have in my heart is because of you, Sir. 

Feast 2015

The Basilica getting ready for the feast in September.

The Sunday after Onam

I was in double mind, to go to Vallarpadam today. The Sunday after Onam for those who travel by bus is a problem. Not all the bus ply. I was lucky to find an easy one to reach the church but I found it really difficult to come back. There weren't many as the folks were on holiday and the one that was plying was super crowded.

Took a detour and walked around Vypeen. When I got to Lady of Hope there, the evening Service was just about concluding.

The brooms

Following the tradition of Meenakshi Amma, visitors to the Basilica cleans the church yard with a broom. Today the evening sun had been just great. The spring equinox has changed the sun's position which is far more to the north now.

Hand notes

Beautiful hand written motivational notes ...

Strength & Grace, my friends.

Sunday

A moment yesterday when the church seemed empty. We can hardly see the church empty these days.

May we all have the blessing and grace to carry on with our lives the best possible way.

Hand notes

Beautiful hand notes found at Vallarpadam on Sunday.

Our Lord is good. He is forever merciful. His faithfullness lasts for generations. (Psalm 100:5).

May the author of the hand note find mercy of our Lord and enjoy His faithfulness in life.

"Mother of the Word which became flesh, please do not reject, but mercifully hear my prayers. I plead"

May everyone be blessed in their job and in their family, may everyone have the grace to live every moment of their life with the companionship of our Lord.

"Enter His house singing His praise, When you walk through His doors, hum His praise. "
There is always a reason for thanks giving. Do not ever loose heart. We will be heard.

Strength and Grace my friends.

The windows..

to a beautiful world.

Karkidakam - Monsoon Month

It rained like  it used to in the monsoon month of Karkidakam. Smashing, thrashing, torrents, non-stop. We had classes on Sunday at college till noon. I came to Vallarpadam in that brief break in the rain and had lunch at Meenakshi's. Ate a little too much of rice with the sambar and the awesome omelette they make there. A mistake, felt little heavy and sleepy after that.

4pm Tamil mass. Wonderful celebration.

I could not gather up whole of my mind today. Streams of thoughts were running parallel. Some days are like that. Thoughts cross over, mind not so stable and balanced. Yet, being there calmed me. Last week, with some artist friends we had made some pictorial study of the historical times of Vallarpadam. A very intersting and captivating conversation.

Sweet offering

An young mom with two  kids came with a big pack of ladoo and jilebi as sweet offerings for Mary during the Sunday Tamil mass at 4pm. I am sure she had something joyful and sweet to thank the Lord for. After the mass those who passed by that side of the altar shared the sweet offering.

I was touched by the young mom's offering and her children's discipline. Never thought of offering Mary and Meenakshi any sweets to freshen up those who visit her. Feeling grateful for the wonderful sweet Idea.

Monsoon

The day before the monsoon.

Cool breeze

One of the good things about Vallarpadam church is its ventillation. The wind from the sea keeps the church cool always, no matter how long we sit there especially while fasting, one wont feel tired. With beautiful canopies around the church which have added to the convenience certainly, has some how blocked the wind. We feel it instantly.

Meenakshi Amma's Story

An inspiring story. I often think about her as my Meenakshi Amma.

Love

It's indeed heartwarming to see the young so much in love with each other and Jesus.

Altar today

The peaceful moments of the quiet hour at Vallarpadam Church dedicated to the Holy Spirit is strengthening as well as consoling.

Feast of Corpus Christi

Feast of the Body of Christ. 11.30am mass at Vallarpadam. 

Counting the blessings

Remembering fondly all the good things that came my way. Thank you Lord, bless us with the grace to count our blessings often.

Moving on...

Summer holidays are coming to an end. The church was full of activities during these days. Children's activities, getting together, reunions....

As the sun fades and the monsoon advances, its another summer of memories for the young, but a nostalgic indifference for the old. Life goes on, every act needs to be re-acted all the time. :)

Summer Rain

Summer rain is very soothing. But when it continues for more than a few days, it becomes a mess. This year we are having a lot of rain after Vishu.

Beautiful view of an overcast evening in the neighborhood of Vallarpadam Church. A fast changing landscape. Next year, by this time, there will be a whole lot of urban commercial development in these areas.

Hello Jesus

Bless us with the grace to come to you when things are thick and going tough...

Story..

I don't know how my story is going to end, but whatever it is, My Lord, please do not let me 'Give up' on life.

Vishu

The whole day was beautiful with divine sunlight on Vishu. The sky was blue and clear, a summer treat.

Strength

"...but the Lord Stood with me and strengthened me." 2 Timothy 17

Keeper of Stars, You do give the Lotus,
Its brightness and its beauty,
The strength to stand alone in the middle,
Of the pond, with the water around,
Not so amiable.

I too, Lord, stand alone, strengthen me,
To give my best, let me pass the hour too,
Successfully.

Easter

Nothing moved on Sabbath. They had to wait till Sunday morning. As soon as it was time, the three Mariam's went to the tomb. They found Jesu's tomb open. They could not find the body in it, they came early as they had to walk away a day ago in a hurry after burying Jesus towards the end of the preparation day. 

Mariam's miserably sad plight, her helplessness, her silent fury, when she thought those who have killed Him has now taken his body away too and there is  nothing she could do against it. She is grief stricken so much so that she did not even look up to the man who walked up to her silently. She thought he was the gardener. She replied to him rather mechanically when he asked her "Woman, why are you crying?"

We too go through this phase in life. When we are helpless and powerless to react to certain events in life, we live through it rather mechanically. We have to, to survive. 

Imagine, Mariam's joy, when she recognizes the voice which calls her by her name, "Mariam". She turns around and find Jesus standing infront of her, alive. 

Her heart goes out, when she calls out "Rabboni" in sheer delight and disbelief. 

For me, this is my Easter. Sheer delight, that my absurd impossibility could be changed in a moment to an everlasting glory. The one who we believes in, for Him its possible.

So we keep running, without knowing, with all our might to the tomb like Peter and John when Mariam told them that she saw Him alive. They just could not help running to their Rabboni, to see for themselves with their own eyes, that  He has overcome death.  

Easter

Thank you My Lord! 
You gave me a beautiful approach to this year's Easter. 
Grateful for the miracle.

Memories

Time and Tide waits for none. Our lives has to pass. What stays back in the mind of the living are the goodness of heart, and what console us at the moment of grief is what we could return to such goodness. Bye bye John. You are a beautiful memory.