A very rainy day...

Here are some pictures from the church at Vallarpadam...

The grey sky and the white painted church

Rosary park and the iconic flag post at the end..

The candles near the Meenakshi chapel..

The festive Parasols for the feast of Holy Ghost...

The altar parapet lights somehow reminded the fonts of the film Dunes. 

There were only very few people at the church. Rain kept the crowd away. 

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.

 

At times, life and its situations can overwhelm us. Even the most steadfast among us may feel, the God we trust in has abandoned us.

“My God, my God, why did you forsake me?

Why do You seems to be so far away from me;

Not helping me; not listening to my pleading.”

Psalms 22:1

The generations who have gone before us had also come across such phases of despair when all had seemed lost.

But they endured and survived, in faith.

³ “But you are enthroned as the Holy One,

The One whom Israel praises.

⁴ Our ancestors put their trust in You;

They trusted You and You saved them.

⁵ They called to You and were not disappointed. “

Psalms 22:3-5

Please do not be disappointed or give up in life.

“Endure and  Survive” in faith.

 

 

 

 

32 Degrees, yes it is hot, the summer is here. 

But not so, inside the church, with the sea breeze blowing 24x7.

Nostalgic Sunday mornings of Tropical Winter

In the cool and gentle mornings of January, I like waking up early on a Sunday morning getting ready and driving all the way to Vallarapdam when it is still dark for the 6.15 am mass. In the tropical winter months sun rises at 6.30 am and the mornings are so adorably pleasant.  No doubt, the morning rides through the empty roads singing aloud becomes one of the most cherished memories of the first months of the New Year. 

There is a tea shop just outside the highway on the first turn to the village of Vallarpadam, stopping there to have a hot cup of tea along with a  warm "Mulaku Vada" (a snack made of dough mixed with green chilly and onions and fried in oil) with many a early risers who stand around the tea-shop talking sipping their morning tea adds to the joyous experience of my early morning visit to the church. 

Though Pandemic has broken our means of life it has also taught us to value of little joys which in fact adds up to our lives beautifully. 

 

Messengers

After Yom Kippur, the three days of fast the Jewish congregation holds for repentance and fasting, I went to Vallarpadam on Tuesday. The Sun was breaking out of the clouds in short bursts which has been a relief from the 3 weeks of rain and grey days which was made even more gloomier by the fast growth of Corona cases in our Kerala. There were hardly anybody at the church except for an elderly gentleman who warmly responded to my greetings. 

Sometimes, God speaks to us through others what we need to know most. Of the many things he told me during our very interesting conversation what delighted me most was his interpretation of worship. He asked me whenever you come to church worship and adore God through Psalms and hymns before you go into recitals and prayers for favours. He also offered me a few words of simple praise and worship he keeps repeating. 

Yes indeed, God tell us, through the least expected means what we need to hear the most. 

Praise you God, the creator of heaven and earth, praise you Jesus, our way and truth to God, hallelujah!