MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
FOR LENT 2023
Lenten Penance and the Synodal Journey
Dear brothers and sisters!
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke all recount the episode of the Transfiguration of Jesus. There we see the Lord’s response to the failure of his disciples to understand him. Shortly before, there had been a real clash between the Master and Simon Peter, who, after professing his faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, rejected his prediction of the passion and the cross. Jesus had firmly rebuked him: “Get behind me, Satan! You are a scandal to me, because you do not think according to God, but according to men!” (Mt 16:23). Following this, “six days later, Jesus took with him Peter, James and John his brother and led them away to a high mountain” (Mt 17:1).
The Gospel of the Transfiguration is proclaimed every year on the Second Sunday of Lent. During this liturgical season, the Lord takes us with him to a place apart. While our ordinary commitments compel us to remain in our usual places and our often repetitive and sometimes boring routines, during Lent we are invited to ascend “a high mountain” in the company of Jesus and to live a particular experience of spiritual discipline – ascesis – as God’s holy people.
Lenten penance is a commitment, sustained by grace, to overcoming our lack of faith and our resistance to following Jesus on the way of the cross. This is precisely what Peter and the other disciples needed to do. To deepen our knowledge of the Master, to fully understand and embrace the mystery of his salvation, accomplished in total self-giving inspired by love, we must allow ourselves to be taken aside by him and to detach ourselves from mediocrity and vanity. We need
to set out on the journey, an uphill path that, like a mountain trek, requires effort, sacrifice and concentration. These requisites are also important for the synodal journey to which, as a Church, we are committed to making. We can benefit greatly from reflecting on the relationship between Lenten penance and the synodal experience.
In his “retreat” on Mount Tabor, Jesus takes with him three disciples, chosen to be witnesses of a unique event. He wants that experience of grace to be shared, not solitary, just as our whole life of faith is an experience that is shared. For it is in togetherness that we follow Jesus. Together too, as a pilgrim Church in time, we experience the liturgical year and Lent within it, walking alongside those whom the Lord has placed among us as fellow travellers. Like the ascent of Jesus and the
disciples to Mount Tabor, we can say that our Lenten journey is “synodal”, since we make it together along the same path, as disciples of the one Master. For we know that Jesus is himself the Way, and therefore, both in the liturgical journey and in the journey of the Synod, the Church does nothing other than enter ever more deeply and fully into the mystery of Christ the Saviour.
And so we come to its culmination. The Gospel relates that Jesus “was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light” (Mt 17:2).This is the “summit”, the goal of the journey. At the end of their ascent, as they stand on the mountain heights with Jesus, the three disciples are given the grace of seeing him in his glory, resplendent in supernatural light. That light did not come from without, but radiated from the Lord himself. The divine beauty of this vision was incomparably greater than all the efforts the disciples had made in the ascent of Tabor. During any strenuous mountain trek, we must keep our eyes firmly fixed on the path; yet the panorama that opens up at the end amazes us and rewards us by its grandeur. So too, the synodal process may often seem arduous, and at times we may become discouraged. Yet what awaits us at the end is undoubtedly something wondrous and amazing, which will help us
to understand better God’s will and our mission in the service of his kingdom.
The disciples’ experience on Mount Tabor was further enriched when, alongside the transfigured Jesus, Moses and Elijah appeared, signifying respectively the Law and the Prophets (cf. Mt 17:3). The newness of Christ is at the same time the fulfilment of the ancient covenant and promises; it is inseparable from God’s history with his people and discloses its deeper meaning. In a similar way, the synodal journey is rooted in the Church’s tradition and at the same time open to newness. Tradition is a source of inspiration for seeking new paths and for avoiding the opposed temptations of immobility and improvised experimentation.
The Lenten journey of penance and the journey of the Synod alike have as their goal a transfiguration, both personal and ecclesial. A transformation that, in both cases, has its model in the Transfiguration of Jesus and is achieved by the grace of his paschal mystery. So that this transfiguration may become a reality in us this year, I would like to propose two “paths” to follow in order to ascend the mountain together with Jesus and, with him, to attain the goal.
The first path has to do with the command that God the Father addresses to the disciples on Mount Tabor as they contemplate Jesus transfigured. The voice from the cloud says: “Listen to
him” (Mt 17:5). The first proposal, then, is very clear: we need to listen to Jesus. Lent is a time of grace to the extent that we listen to him as he speaks to us. And how does he speak to us? First, in the word of God, which the Church offers us in the liturgy. May that word not fall on deaf ears; if we cannot always attend Mass, let us study its daily biblical readings, even with the help of the internet. In addition to the Scriptures, the Lord speaks to us through our brothers and sisters, especially in the faces and the stories of those who are in need. Let me say something else, which is quite important for the synodal process: listening to Christ often takes place in listening to our brothers and sisters in the Church. Such mutual listening in some phases is the primary goal, but it remains always indispensable in the method and style of a synodal Church.
On hearing the Father’s voice, the disciples “fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Rise, and do not be afraid.’ And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone” (Mt 17:6-8). Here is the second proposal for this Lent: do not take refuge in a religiosity made up of extraordinary events and dramatic experiences, out of fear of facing reality and its daily struggles, its hardships and contradictions. The light that Jesus shows the disciples is an anticipation of Easter glory, and that must be the goal of our own journey, as we follow “him alone”. Lent leads to Easter: the “retreat” is not an end in itself, but a means of preparing us to experience the Lord’s passion and cross with faith, hope and love, and thus to arrive at the resurrection. Also on the synodal journey, when God gives us the grace of certain powerful experiences of communion, we should not imagine that we have arrived – for there too, the Lord repeats to us: “Rise, and do not be afraid”. Let us go down, then, to the plain,
and may the grace we have experienced strengthen us to be “artisans of synodality” in the ordinary life of our communities.
Dear brothers and sisters, may the Holy Spirit inspire and sustain us this Lent in our ascent with Jesus, so that we may experience his divine splendour and thus, confirmed in faith, persevere in our journey together with him, glory of his people and light of the nations. Rome, Saint John Lateran, 25 January, Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul.
– FRANCIS
Copyright © Dicastero per la Comunicazione – Libreria Editrice Vaticana
At The 34th Plenary Assembly of the CCBI
Spread the Message of Love Urges Cardinal Tagle
Bangalore 25 January 2023 (CCBI): Inaugurating the 34th Plenary Assembly of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) of the Latin Church, in Bangalore on Tuesday, 24 January 2023, His Eminence Antonio Luis Cardinal Tagle, the Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, exhorted the Bishops in India to promote the message of love.
Cardinal Tagle encouraged the Bishops to tell the story of love in order to promote communion and participation in the Church and the society. He reminded that it is the duty of each person to transform our society into a peaceful society through the message of love.
His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, the President of the CCBI and the Archbishop of Goa and Daman, presided over the inaugural function. He highlighted the beautiful diversity of India in his presidential address. He said that “Our country is a loom holding diverse threads of religions, spiritualities, cultures, traditions, languages and social strata that blend together to form a complex and beautiful tapestry. Alongside a profound spirituality, social and economic disparities deeply fragment the fabric of this nation.”
The 34th Plenary Assembly began with solemn Eucharistic Celebration presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Antonio Tagle. His Eminence Filipe Neri Ferrão, the President, CCBI, His Excellency Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias, His Eminence Anthony Poola, Archbishop George Antonysamy, Vice President CCBI, Archbishop Anil Couto, Secretary General, CCBI, Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore and Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General of the CCBI were the main concelebrants. More than 130 Bishops and 200 priests concelebrated the inaugural Holy Mass.
The inaugural meeting began with the prayer to the Holy Spirit by chanting the traditional hymn ‘Veni Creator Spiritus’. Then the dignitaries lighted the traditional Indian lamp as a symbolic sign of the beginning of the Assembly, while the choir chanted Shanti Mantra (asato mā sadgamaya – Mantra of Peace).
Most Rev. Peter Machado welcomed the gathering. Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli delivered the benedictory message. The message of His Holiness Pope Francis was read by Archbishop George Antonysamy. The annual report of the CCBI was presented by Most Rev. Anil Couto, Secretary General, CCBI and the Archbishop of Delhi. Rev. Dr. Paul Parathazham, Director of St. John’s, provided some relevant information about the accommodation and other facilities. Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara, the Deputy Secretary General of the CCBI, proposed the vote of thanks. The inaugural session concluded with the prayer led by His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad.
His Eminence Antonio Cardinal Tagle was felicitated as it was the first time he participated at the Plenary Assembly of the CCBI. Abp. Anil Couto honoured him with a Kashmiri shawl, Abp. George Antonysamy garlanded him with the traditional sandal wood garland, a wooden statute of St. Anthony was given to him by Abp. Leopoldo Girelli and the painting of the Indian saints was gifted to him by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão.
The recently appointed Bishop-Designate Sebastião Mascarenhas, S.F.X., former Superior General of the Missionaries of St. Francis Xavier (Pilar Fathers), was accorded a warm welcome as member of the Conference. Pope Benedict XVI who passed away on 31 December 2022 and Bp. Alphonse Bilung, SVD, Bishop Emeritus of Rourkela Diocese in Odisha who passed away on 11 November 2022 were gratefully remembered. A moment of silence was observed in their memory.
The Guidelines for the Basic Ecclesial Communities were released by Cardinal Tagle handing over its first copy to Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão. The Guideline have been prepared by the CCBI Commission for Basic Ecclesial Communities.
The theme of the Plenary Assembly is “Telling the Story of Jesus in our Context: The Synodal Way.” In the afternoon, in two sessions of the first day His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle addressed the Bishops on the theme.
Late in the evening of the day a cultural evening was organized in honour of Cardinal Tagle. Mount Carmel, Jyoti Nivas, St. John’s Medical College and the musical group of Dr. Maya Mascarenhas put up various cultural items.
The 34th Plenary Assembly will conclude on 30 January 2023 at 1pm. The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India consists of 132 dioceses and 190 Bishops. The CCBI animates the Church in India through its 16 Commissions, 6 Departments and 4 Apostolates. Its main Secretariat is in Bangalore with extensions in Goa, Delhi and Pachmarhi (MP). The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), which is the Canonical National Episcopal Conference, is the largest in Asia and the fourth largest in the world.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara
Deputy Secretary General, CCBI
[Courtesy to CCBI]
His Excellency Most Rev. Leopoldo Girelli, (Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal)
Addressing the audience during the cultural evening on the 27th October at Shrine front
Namaste, very good evening to all of you.
I am very impressed by your great devotion to St Jude. I thank Your Bishop Peter Parapullil for inventing me to participate in your celebration the feast tomorrow. I come as a pilgrim, as many of you coming here to celebrate to celebrate, to participate, to pray. As St Jude the great saint, powerful saint who is able to heal our sickness of our soul and not only the sickness of our body. I would like to share my thought and impressions I have in my heart while coming to Jhansi.
As I come as a pilgrim to Shrine St Jude’s shrine. But Jhansi as a city in the history of India itself is a shrine and memorial. Who are reading and studying the history of India cannot but recognize in the great fervor of Jhansi ki Rani the figure of courage to fight for independence and freedom and peaceful co existence which are essential for building a nation a healthy nation. And we are catholic, Catholic Church we are Catholic Church contributing to building history a good history of this beloved country India. Through our education through ethical values, instilling values of the gospel, the values beatitudes, values of peace, values of love, forgiveness, reconciliation, co-existence, harmony all these values are important to create a people- population – county that believe in progress, in its well being. Coming along the highway from Delhi, reaching the area of Uttar Pradesh where Jhansi is situated, I realized that that Jhansi is the junction for railways. Going from Jammu to Kanyakumari – from Calcutta to Bombay. And this center means something. Because in life all are pilgrims. We are on move. Because the system has a beginning and end. In this journey we need a center. We need something that keep us stable in life, in our values, in our principles. Jhansi with this history with this beautiful Shrine of Shrine is a symbol of solid Values in our life. And this values of justice, honesty, of solidarity and everything that can help us peaceful. And coming along the highway, I realize and saw there are several villages. In all these villages there are temple. Which means you are religious people. And being religious people means being peaceful people. These days we are celebrating Diwali. The festival of light. And we join with joy the celebration of our Brothers and sisters Hindus, to express our living together respectfully; harmony is the build nation, to build a community. And Pope Francis is very much determined in promoting the brotherhood and fraternity among all the religious people. So Let us really celebrate this festival of this sentiment of respect and love for each other.
Now allow me to address you with these words.
I am truly glad to be present with you this evening on the occasion of the religious cultural evening in your spiritual preparation of the feast of St Jude. In this religious and vas cultural setting, I offer you my greetings and friendship, respect and fraternal love, I appreciate very much the Indian spirit of fraternal charity, hospitality, dedicated service, forgiveness, sacrifice and renunciation. Pope Francis exhort us, our life should be like this, to worship, to pray, to journey, to pilgrim, to do penance. Let us walk together, let us be united. If we stay united we will discover the right path. Let us ask God for the gift of peace. Let us pray to him that He may make us his instruments of his peace in a world still torn by hatred, by division, by selfishness and greed. May we become powerful instruments of God’s amazing light, and use our talents and gifts for his greater glory.
I conclude by showing my appreciation for this lovely cultural program that you have prepared. Depicting the powerful values of compassion, mercy, love and peace. My wish for you in the award of St Jude, may mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. May God grand you with his light and give you the grace to seek him with all your heart. And May God Bless every one of you. Thank you.
–Most Rev. Leopoldo Girelli (Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal), during the cultural evening on the 27th October at Shrine front.
Rt. Rev. Peter Parapullil
(Bishop of Jhansi)
At the Inaugural Mass at St Jude’s Shrine
19. 10. 2022
19. 10. 2022
My dear Pilgrims, Lovers of St Jude,
Today, on the first day of Novena, we hoisted the flag denoting the commencement of the Novena. A beautiful theme is given to us today to reflect on that God created the family. The fundamental doctrine of the Catholic Church is as God revealing Himself as a Trinitarian-God. We start all our prayers all in the name of the God. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. In God there is a family, three persons coming together. And how Jesus is teaching us that I am in the father and the father is in me. And the spirit flows from us in the union of the Father in the union of the father and of the Son the spirit Proceeds. The unity of the three persons as one. All of us sitting and participating in this mass and those who are watching alive. We all are created in the image of God. We are all persons and not things. When we are treated like things we feel bad. Because things are used and thrown in the dustbin. But people are respected accepted and dignified. We are true persons.
If a person is very selfish and ego centered, very much isolated, that person dies very fast. There is no growth in that person. We say, our father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi is Mahatma because he gave up everything for the freedom of the nation. To give us freedom fraternity and equality. He gave up everything. Jesus is person par excellence. Who hanged himself for us. Now we know what is the meaning of the person. God the Father loved us so much that He gave us his only begotten son. And Jesus loved us so much that He died on the cross for us, for the salvation of God. And the Holy Spirit sanctified us. To give us enthusiasm to everyone of us. Makes us members of His mystical body of Christ. Constantly giving totally to us human beings. God created in his own image and likeness. We are the image of God when we are charitable when we give ourselves to others. When we love everyone, we become His image.
My dear brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, let us learn to give ourselves totally for others. Jesus became a person par-excellence because of total giving. Even the last drop of blood he shed for other. Let us learn to give to others, to the family, to the society whom we meet in our life. The community would become beautiful. Because of the love for others. When we give our love to others and totally give ourselves to others so that God may live in us and we become in the image and likeness of God.
Today’s theme helps us to reflect and to give ourselves to others like Jesus who emptied himself fully. Let us learn to give ourselves totally for others and being loving always we will have life. More we empty ourselves, God will fill our emptiness and fill us with His Spirit, It is then we become in the image and likeness of God.
God Bless.
Most Rev. Peter Parapullil, Bishop Of Jhansi
Key note address on the occasion of a Seminar on evangelization at St Jude’s shrine Jhansi.
05.10.2022
Evangelization and proclamation are mission given to the disciple (Mk: 6:7). How we have to prepare for evangelization. According to Vatican II, evangelization is the fundamental task of the people. Lumen Gentium, says each disciple of Christ has the obligation of evangelization. Evangelii Gaudium says: … the Holy Spirit is the principle agent to proclaim the Gospel. Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Christ is alive and the church should live. Church should be seen as humble expression of mercy and compassion. Church is young, here and now. Christ is our Savior here and now. Trust in the memory of God. His mercy is not a hard disc which saves data but it is a memory of God. But it is a memory of mercy and compassion. Holiness is not copying he life of saints We need to find our own way to be holy, evangelizers and preachers. We are church to open and embrace all. The call given to us to be fearless missionary. woman at the well who was asking for water. He would give you the living water. Today the world is hungry for God and his word. A recommendation for all of us is to find new way to evangelize not merely the act of evangelizing the other, but evangelize from heart, touch the lives of the other. Not just be a good teacher but a good mother or father to those to whom you are sent. Pour out from your heart the spirit. How much we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
+ Peter Parapullil, Bishop of Jhansi.
(- Courtesy: Sr Theresina US)
Most Rev. Peter Parapullil
Bishop Of Jhansi
(4th Bishop Of Jhansi)
LENTEN MESSAGE 2020
Dear Faithful,
“Even now, says the Lord: Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping and with mourning” (Joel 2:12). As we begin the season of Lent, we give thanks to God the Father for this time of Grace. Lent invites all of us to return from our evil ways to the ways of God by repentance.” Return to me and I will return to you” (Mal 3:7). Let us ask him to cleanse our hearts and strengthen us in love through the Holy spirit. In Isaiah44:22 the Lord says: “Return to me for I have redeemed you”. The Grace of God is strength to return to the Lord, to his ways, to his will and to his path, to his heart. “In returning and rest, you shall be saved”(Is30:15).
Lent is a time to listen to the Word of God. Let us learn to listen and learn by listening. Let us be renewed by God’s Mercy and compassion. “Repent and believe in the Gospel” (Mk. 1:5). God’s Love transforms us into a new being. “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you” (Ezek 36:26). God’s Mercy can make even the driest land become a garden, can “restore life to dry bones(Ezek 37).But you are not in the Spirit if the Spirit of God really dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him”(Rom 8:9).
To err is human but to forgive is divine. Forgiveness and Love are the two sides of the same coin. First forgiveness and then we are able to establish relationships and grow in love with our neighbour. Love without forgiveness and forgiveness without love are not possible. For this reason Lord before his death on the cross he said “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do” (Lk23:34). The Lord also taught “Forgive out debts, as we forgive out debtors”(Mt.6:12)
Self-denial: Detachment from the worldly things is one of the most important factors of our religious observance in the time of lent. “You are dust and to the dust you shall return” (Gen. 3:19) We, Christians by our Consecration in Baptism are born anew in the Lord and we have heaven as our dwelling place. Our home is not of this world. Our Home is eternal inheritance gained by the passion, death and resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ. Our God is eternal God who gives us eternal inheritance by the fruit of the passion, death and resurrection of His beloved son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. We all strive hard to have that eternal inheritance. For this reason we need to lead a Holy life. This is the vocation that we have received to live holy and to die holy. If the Lord Jesus shed His last drop of blood for us, it is our duty to be holy and blameless in front of him.
Penance: Lent is the most favourable time for renewing our encounter with Christ, living in His Word, in the sacraments and caring for our neighbour. May the Holy Spirit lead us on a true journey of conversion. How can we identify ourselves with the Lord?. It is only through the daily cross and sufferings that we identify ourselves to the eternal Son. We have lots of grief, sufferings and pains in our life. “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains a single grain, but if it dies, it bears much fruit”(Jn 12:24). Frequent reception of sacrament of reconciliation helps us to avoid sins and to come out of our habitual sins and shortcomings. We receive lots of graces by going to sacrament of confession. Lord’s mercy and compassion is experienced in a deeper way in this sacrament.
Call to Holiness: And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: “You shall b holy, for I the Lord your God am holy”Lev19:1-2). “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1Cor 3:16).”And they shall call them The Holy People”(Is.62:12). “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” Mt.5:48). “We should be holy and blameless” ( Eph 1:4). This is the primary call of every Christian to be holy and participate in the holiness of God the father. But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct. Because it is written “Be Holy for I am Holy” 1Peter 1: 15-16).
In this lent let us make use of all means to be one with the Lord who is suffering. Let us renew ourselves to become a new being in the Lord. Let us earnestly desire to participate in the paschal mysteries and participate in the risen Lord. I wish all a very happy Easter. May Our Mother Mary intercede for all of us.
HAPPY EASTER TO ALL
+ Peter Parapullil,
Bishop of Jhansi.
Date: 29-02-2020
Most Rev. Peter Parapullil
Bishop Of Jhansi
(4th Bishop Of Jhansi)
CHRISTMAS MESSAGE 2019
Dear Faithful,
“ For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”. “For God did not sent His Son into the world to condemn the World, but that the world through Him might be Saved” (Jn3:16 &17). God who is rich in Mercy(Eph 2:4). How can a merciful God condemn His own children? Blessed are the Merciful for they will be shown mercy (Mt 5:7). But Go and learn what this means : “I desire Mercy and not sacrifice” For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. (Mt.9:13). So you must be born again(Jn 3:7). God is compassion and kind and is rich in His Mercy. So Almighty God has given us one more year 2020 to be born anew.
“Christian life is a shared Praxis”. It is a process of standing in front of his creator with a pure and tender conscience. It is a journey led through the forests and mountains. A Christian need inner energy that is given to him by the Holy Spirit to choose the narrow path. If the Lord is risen and alive, then the future of the faithful is always open to hope, whatever the appearances may be.
A Faithful should always follow his tender and delicate conscience. This is the voice of the Lord guiding within him. He learns to discern the voice of the Lord. The Spirit of the Lord speaking to him to take the correct course of life. You are called to be a missionary- a new Evangelizer. I will pour my spirit with you and you shall live.(Joel 2:28-29). Ezekiel in chapter 37:1-14 says the same that I will pour out my spirit with in you. God’s Grace is sufficient for us . Be filled with the Spirit (Eph5:18-20).
The faithful should learn the new way of evangelization. A good evangelizer is a good listener. He listen to the nature, voices that are around him, different voices of the poor and needy in the society and mainly the voice of God that directs him. The Golden theory is to learn to listen and learn by listening. Talent for listening goes beyond listening with our ears. We need to listen with our mind, heart, eyes and touch…..
The talent for speaking: Ease our senses of isolation and loneliness: Jesus communicated effectively, eloquently, clearly, directly-his sermons, stories. He condemned hypocrisy of the pharasees….Confided in the Apostles and shared his life openly. Sometimes silence is better than words to proclaim what you hold or believe in.
Sensitivity training: Sensitivity is a gift. It is the gift to feel with others their sorrows and sufferings. Jesus felt the suffering of the woman suffering with hemorrhage for 12 years and healed her. Noticed the poor woman putting the copper coins in the treasury and appreciated it. He looked up and saw Zacchaeus and Zacchaeus was transformed.” Today Salvation has come to his house”.
Simplicity of Little Flower: Do small things with greater love. In this new year let us learn to do small things for others with greater love. 2020 will be an year where we transform ourselves and transform others. Let us be born again in 2020 to be real disciples of Jesus.
I am writing these when there is lots of troubles and sabotage going on in our country on account of the Citizen Amendment Act. Let us pray that Justice to be given to all human beings. Freedom is not misused by any one. God is kind and Merciful to all human beings. Let us be gracious and generous to all human beings. Let us pray for the solidarity and integrity of our Nation and our constitution. I wish all a Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year 2020.
+ Peter Parapullil,
( Bishop of Jhansi )
Most Rev. Peter Parapullil
Bishop Of Jhansi
(4th Bishop Of Jhansi)
OCTOBER MESSAGE 2019
St Jude Thaddeus at Jhansi…
For some pilgrims St Jude’s Shrine has become a great source of spiritual nourishment and enrichment to live the rest of the year gracefully. I welcome all the pilgrims all over the world to participate at least spiritually in the Novena prayers and in the Feast even if they are not able to make to the pilgrimage centre in Jhansi.
The Word of God that is shared during the Novena days offers nourishment for the soul and is the pure and perennial source of spiritual life to all the pilgrims. St. Jude during his journey to Edesa preached the Word of God and attracted many to Jesus. Thus all those who participate in the Novena prayers experience a great nearness to the Word of God and thereby to our Saviour Jesus Christ. Thus the pilgrimage to Jhansi helps us to grow more in the Word of God and through the word of God immerse themselves in prayer and keep the union with God to enjoy the spiritual peace and happiness.
There is a trend in these years more and more older people making their pilgrimage to Jhansi. Experience teaches man. Many of those people have treasure of knowledge and experience of life, some even coming since decades. They know the role of St. Jude and his devotion in their life. I appreciate more and more people coming on pilgrimage to the Shrine of St Jude at Jhansi. The devotees fill this place with more sanctity and serenity.
I once again invite all the pilgrims to the Feast of St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron of the desperate and impossible causes. Inconveniences in the pilgrimage centre are common. We learn to accommodate along with others in true spirit of pilgrimage. Let us offer those inconveniences and discomforts, difficulties and sufferings to the heavenly Father to obtain more favours for ourselves and for others. Sacrifice and prayers are the means to gain more graces from God. Our pilgrimage will be more fruitful and beneficial when we are disposed to eventualities and inconveniences and do penances and sacrifices for our failures and shortcomings. Let us come together to pray for others. By our prayer let others receive healing touch of God. Let the patron of the desperate cases inspire us by his life to be one with Jesus always even in his sufferings and sacrifices.
+ Peter Parapullil,
Bishop of Jhansi
Most Rev. Peter Parapullil
Bishop Of Jhansi
(4th Bishop Of Jhansi)
EASTER MESSAGE 2019
But one of them, Caiphas, who was the high Priest that year said to them,
You know nothing at all; you do not understand that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish” (Jn 11:49-50). He did not say this on his own accord, but being the high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation (Jn 11:51). God is concerned about his people and His nation. God loves us. He loves the whole world that He gave His only begotten son to be crucified (Jn 6:40). He emptied himself taking the form of a slave being born in the human likeness. And being found in the human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-even death on a cross” (Phil 2:7). Just by creating the human being he did not take it for granted that they all belong to him. He makes a covenant with them saying, “I will walk among you, I will be your God and you shall be my people” (Lev 26:12).
“You are mine fear not for I have redeemed you I have called you by name and you are mine” (Is 43:1). It is selfless giving through the offering of oneself (Rom 12:1). Whenever man went against God, He warned them, corrected them and sent Prophets and leaders to bring them back to Him. God accompanied them all through. “Return to me and I will return to you” (Mal 3:7). “In returning and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and in trust shall be your strength” (James 4:8). “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you” (Is 30:15). There is the urge in the loving God to keep His Holiness in this world. Evil power should not overcome this world. So God is constantly calling us back to him in repentance and penance so that we may not get lost in our sinfulness.
Christian life is a participation in the death of Jesus. It is a call to die to our sinfulness. “I told you, you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am He” (Jn 8:24). The seed is crushed and the oil is extracted which becomes the source of strength and life for the people. Similarly Jesus is disfigured and crushed thoroughly in the passion and death so that a glorious resurrection was possible. That is the way to be followed by the disciples of Jesus. By dying to our SELF and EGO and disoriented passions, God will lead us into the realm of spiritual strength. “I will pour out my spirit on you and you shall live”(Ez 37: 1-14). “Be filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5: 18-20) and “ walk in the spirit” (Gal 5:16).
Jesus exhorts us, “If I your Lord and master has washed your feet, you should also wash the feet of one another” (Jn13:14-16). This is a great example of servant leadership. The leader washing the feet of the disciples is a great ‘example of humility’ for the modern world. The ultimate aim is to give us redemption through His sacrifice on the Cross. We are all redeemed and saved by the precious blood of Jesus the Lord.
The Feast of Easter is the celebration of ‘Victory over sin and death’. “Destroy this temple and within three days I will raise it up’ (Jn 2:19). “I am the resurrection and life” (Jn 11:25). Jesus himself became the Lamb who was slaughtered at the Passover feast. He is the Redeemer who gives life to all humanity. There is no salvation for one who is not united with the Redeemer JESUS. And there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). This is the only Name given to us to have the eternal life – Life in God (1Jn 3:14-15). We look up to Him, ‘the Way, the Truth and the Life’. Rejoice in the Lord! He is Risen! He is Alive! He is walking with us to the New Jerusalem! I wish you all a very Happy Easter!
+ Peter Parapullil,
Bishop of Jhansi
Most Rev. Peter Parapullil
Bishop Of Jhansi
(4th Bishop Of Jhansi)
LENTEN MESSAGE 2019. (Pastoral Letter)
Dear People of God,
Praised be to Our Lord Jesus Christ and Mother Mary!!!
We are in the Holy Lenten season. This season invites all Christians to remember the Pascal mysteries and prepare themselves to celebrate it with devotion and with Christian piety. Lent is a time of Grace for all of us – a season of repentance, reconciliation and penance. Every Christian leans to walk in the way of the Cross. Christian life may be in short compared with the way of the Cross. Without Cross and sacrifice there is no redemption and salvation. He has wiped away our iniquities and sins by His precious blood (Eph 1:7), “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jer 31:3). “In the fullness of time god sent His only son so that all who believe in Him may not perish but may have eternal life” (Jn 3: 16).
Lent is a time for conversion. We are able to change our evil ways only by Grace. We need to the Grace of God. God is ever merciful (Ex 34: 6). Forgiveness is the visible sign of Father’s love (Lk 7: 47). By renewing ourselves let our families be filled with abundance of Graces (2Cor 6:7). We started the lent by remembering the words of John the Baptist ‘Repent and believe in the Gospel’ (Mk 1; 5) and “You are dust and to the dust you shall return” (Gen 3: 19). We put ashes on our forehead as a sign of repentance and conversion. The call to conversion is then a push to return, as did the prodigal son in the parable, to the arms of God. We are safe and secure in the hands of the Father. We will participate in the Holiness of the Father and His Graces. “A humbled contrite heart O God, Yu will not spurn” (Ps 50: 19). St. Paul says “Be reconciled to God” (2Cor 5: 21).
Let us be practical in this Lent. Let us do cetin things willingly and with strong determination to belong to God our Father.
- How can we be united to Jesus on the cross without becoming holy? Be spiritual. Do good for others. Be alert and sincere to work hard and do good. “Be holy as my heavenly Father is holy.” Vocation to holiness is fundamental to Christian life.
- Give priority for sufferings. Let us learn to face the sufferings joyfully. Love poverty. Be satisfied with the minimum. Never grumble. Be happy when you are rejected and condemned.
- Discern the will of god. Let they kingdom come and they will be done. I decrease and Jesus will increase. Everything happens because of His Holy Will. Let me learn to surrender. I surrender completely to the will of god. ” Make my heart like unto thee Oh, Lord.”
- Let me take the opportunity to grow in piety and holiness by frequenting the sacraments let me feel the presence of God within me. He is enshrined in my heart. He comes to me in the sacrament of Eucharist. He nourishes me and strengthens me.
- Jesus prayed always. He was always united with His Father. Let me learn to pray. Let me praise the Lord always. Let me have joy in my heart, always uniting myself with Jesus. Jesus is in my heart. Pray for the salvation of all the people.
- Abstinence by Sacrifice. Let me alleviate the sufferings of others m=by my sacrifice. Sacrifice is true love. If I have love in me I am able to do anything for you. Let us do as Jesus did on the Cross. Let me practice self restrain. Control my anger and jealousy.
- Let us give arms. Let us be generous. Help the poor as much as you can. When you give God will give you hundred fold in return. Let me become other oriented. Poor are always with us. Let us find Jesus in the poor, needy and in the suffering. Let us learn to empty ourselves. Gove up our selfishness, pride and injustice.
- Share the word of God. Good news is to be proclaimed. Word of god is the treasure which is found and it needs to be shared with all. As we share our material things let us share spiritual gifts given by God.
- Be humble. Humility is the queen of all virtues. Jesus humbled Himself to be born in the manger. Everything that is ours belongs to God. God be praised.
- Let us be born anew. New joy and happiness. JOY of the RESURECTION. ALLELUIA! THE Lord is risen! He is alive! He makes me live one again. Share this joy of Resurrection, New hope and New Life in the Lord!
LENTEN MESSAGE 2019. (Pastoral Letter) (HINDI)
Most Rev. Peter Parapullil
Bishop Of Jhansi
(4th Bishop Of Jhansi)
On Ash Wednesday, Cathedral, March 6, 2019.
Dear Faithful in Christ Jesus,
God is merciful and kind, extremely compassionate, so don’t make your heart hard. If your heart has aching, if you are weeping, then rise. God who is most compassionate and loving, He will welcome you. God will welcome you with outstretched arms because He is merciful. This is the meaning of Lent, that we transform our lives through prayer and abstinence. Prodigal son recognized the worth of his life when he wandered away, that I am eating pigs food. Many of us are in a similar state of life. Spiritually we are not far away from the state of the prodigal son who wandered away. We are not in a condition to weep and cry, to share our pain with someone. Because we are in a wretched state of life. In the passage of Joel we see that God is extremely compassionate. He waits for us, God is always ready to forgive us for our offences. So why to make our hearts hard. Lord is inviting us to Transform our lives and to return. Lord shed his blood and sacrificed his life to make our lives joyful and meaningful.
Dear friends in Christ, in your life is there any single person who is ready to sacrifice his or her life for your sake? Only this Merciful God who is so much compassionate, who has shed his life for us. My dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, let us sincerely do prayer and abstinence during these 40 days of Lent so to transform our lives. Our life will end up in disaster if we don’t get another chance in our life to have this time of purification? We will lose our life. Without Jesus the life becomes meaningless, and squandered. Therefore it is a time and change for all of us, that we may repent. Let us rise to transform our lives. God is with us, let us take up the cross and walk behind him, let us become his disciples. Let us offer ourselves to listen to the Word of God and live as God’s children.
Nothing happens by merely smearing the ashes on our forehead. The ash indeed remind us that we are soil and to soil shall we return. Be watchful, and transform our lives, repent for our sins and believing in the Gospel comeback to the righteous ways. Remember that the Lord is ever ready to forgive us of our sins and failures. We are all sinners through our thoughts, words and actions. When we acknowledge our sins we open up the door to transformation. Reconciliation is not merely a custom or tradition that the church has established. Through the Sacrament of confession we obtain forgiveness. We get the grace and strength to live a holy life.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, God is merciful and compassionate. Let us put our heart and mind together at this season of 40 days of prayer and abstinence to transform our lives. Repent and change our lives so to live as children of God. This need is ours. Let us approach the Lord with repentant heart, with tearful heart for our sins. So that we too may be able to say the same “I am not worthy to have You under my roof.” Let us be sorry for offending our parents, siblings, spouse, neighbors, friends and relatives or any of our near and dear ones. Numerous are the moments when we have hurt others. Are we ready to reconcile? Without reconciling how we will be able to receive Jesus who is present in the Eucharist?
Therefore it is time to get reconciled with one another and God. A time to transform our lives. God is merciful and compassionate, we need to be repentant and turn back to the Lord. Without waiting for another chance let us change our lives so that our life may become pleasing to the Lord. God Bless You.
Most Rev. Peter Parapullil
Bishop Of Jhansi
(4th Bishop Of Jhansi)
Message by the Bishop January 2019
Dear Faithful in Christ Jesus, and loving pilgrims of St Jude Thaddeus,
Fraternal Greetings to You all.
Jhansi diocese is in northern India’s state of Uttar Pradesh. It has an area of 29,418 square kilometers. The Diocese comprises of Two Civil administrative Divisions: Jhansi Division and Chritrakoot Administrative division. Jhansi Division has three districts namely, Jhansi, Lalitpur, and Jalaun. Chitrakoot has four Districts, Banda, Karvi, Mahoba, and Hamirpur district. The total population of this area is 82,32,071 and out of this 4418264 male population and 3813807 females. There are 4368 Catholics. The Region then belonging to the Allahabad diocese was detached in 1929 and was entrusted to the Maltese Province Capuchins, who were working in Allahabad diocese. Though the area was declared a prefecture on Jan. 12, 1940, it remained without its perfect due to World War II. On Jan. 21, 1946, Msgr Francis Xavier Fenech O.F.M. Cap was appointed its Prefect Apostolic. On July 5, 1954, the Prefecture was raised to be a diocese by appointing the Prefect Apostolic Msgr Francis Xavier Fenech O.F.M. Cap as its first bishop. Msgr Baptist Mudartha was appointed its auxiliary bishop in 1963. He succeeded Msgr Fenech as its first Indian bishop in August 1967. Bishop Baptist Mudartha was Transferred to Allahabad in 1977. Bishop Frederick D’Sousa was ordained Bishop on 25-04-1977 and he assumed the charge of the Diocese as the third Bishop. On Feb. 10, 1999, the civil districts of Bhind, Datia, Gwalior, Morena, Shivpuri, and Sheopur, belonging to the neighboring Madhya Pradesh state, were detached from Jhansi diocese, to form the diocese of Gwalior. Church activities Besides pastoral care of the Catholics, the church is involved in the ministries of education and social welfare activities and medical services.