Special Articles

“One of the best gifts you can give to someone, is a wider perspective. It’s also one of the best gifts you can receive.” – Unknown

In this fourth and final part of our discussion on the cognitive dimension of the Wholeness Paradigm, we shall try to understand the process by which we learn perspective-taking and also offer a simple, global scale to measure our perspective-taking capacity.

 Do we know that the world of other people is alien to us. It is almost invisible to our naked eyes. Their world is made up of intentions, beliefs, emotions, desires and expectations that we are not aware of. How many of us think about this world of others? Very few of us, I am afraid.

Even then, very few of us understand the sounds, the images, the dreams and the fears other people experience day after day. Cecilia Heyes in her book Falese belief in Infancy discusses how the capacity to imagine or decipher the thoughts, ideas and beliefs of others is very primitive in infants. As they grow up and develop all their faculties, they become proficient in understanding it.

The Three Mountains Task and Perspective Taking

The famous ‘Three Mountains Task’ of Piaget is a classic example of how to find out if the children are capable of understanding the perspective of other people. Jean Piaget, placed a three-dimensional model of three mountains on a table in front a little child. This Piagetian task was used to assess visual perspective-taking in children. A doll is placed at various locations around a three-dimensional display of three mountains. The children must indicate how the doll would see the display. If the child described only the display that he/she was able to see, we could conclude that the child could not identify the perspective of the other person. If he/she performs successfully, we can assume that the child is capable of perceiving other people’s mental states and to understand that their perspectives could be different from the child’s own egocentric perspective. As the child develops his/her intelligence and improves his/her perspective-taking ability, he/she would be considered to be maturing and developing well.

Fr. Dr. Joseph Jeyaraj, sdb

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“God sends the world saints when they are most needed, not men and women of ‘general holiness’, but specialized experts who fit into the pattern of the times and are capable of giving God’s tone to their century”, says Fr. Paul Aronica, SDB.

The Humble Beginning of a Great Missionary

In 1954, on a Christmas day in the peaceful Catholic hamlet of Rajakamangalam Thurai, along the sea coast of Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, India, a luminous messenger of God’s love was born— Jesuadimai Emmanuel Arul Raj. His father, Mr. Jesu Adimai, the local school headmaster, and mother, Mrs. Cecilia, a wise homemaker, were known as Muthiah Vathiar and Muthamma. Blessed with nine children, the family upheld their Christian faith. After completing his schooling, Fr. Arul Raj was set to attend St. Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai, following his father’s wish. However, a turning point occurred when Fr. Immanuel OMI visited the village, inspiring young minds with stories of missionary life among the poor and neglected, sparking a passion for dedicated service.

Birth of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI)

Young Arul Raj, initially hesitant about priesthood, underwent a transformative shift inspired by the missionary zeal of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Accepting the call, he experienced a profound change from a “world-oriented life” to a “God-centered life.” A pivotal moment occurred at Pandravedu, deemed a forsaken area by both government officials and religious persons. Despite initial refusals, Fr. Arul Raj volunteered for this challenging mission. Witnessing the people’s misery sparked a second call to religious life. Recognizing the scarcity of committed personnel, he founded the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI) on January 28, 1984, aiming to serve the poorest and oppressed. This venture stemmed from his personal mission experience and a deep conviction of God’s intervention, driving him to be a zealous missionary of the Father.

As an educator, I always knew that my role extends far beyond the academic realm. I found myself woven into the lives of my students, sharing in their joys, triumphs, and, at times, their deepest sorrows. One such poignant tale etched in my memory comes from Ruchika, a former student who reached out to me in a moment of profound despair.

I had known Ruchika’s husband even as a young boy for he too had been my student. The connection they shared was palpable, evident in the simple gestures that unfolded during their school days. Fast forward to the present, and Ruchika found herself grappling with an unexpected and heart-wrenching loss.

All of a sudden, I received an email from Ruchika. As I looked at her facebook photo, I realized she was looking miserable. Immediately I sorted out the phone number and called her up, only to hear her sobbing endlessly.

Sr Mariella CTC

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Fr Vincent Cimatti SDB led the first Salesian expedition to Japan. He did a fantastic service as pioneer and then as Provincial in that country. Today, he is a Servant of God.

Before going to Japan as a missionary, Fr Cimatti was the rector of a well-known junior college in North Italy. The incident I am going to mention happened in that college.

On what we call “college day” or school day, with a large crowd present, one of the outgoing students had been appointed to give a speech. What he did shocked everyone. He went up, and stood on the stage and criticized the Salesians in public. There was pin-drop silence in the hall and much uneasiness. Everyone’s eyes went to Fr Cimatti, since he was the head of the institution. They wondered what he would do.

This is what Fr Cimatti did.

Fr Joe Mannath SDB

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Sunita Madam, a beloved Nursery class teacher, found herself in a medical emergency, requiring urgent hospitalization during her seventh month of pregnancy. The ensuing days unfolded with a mixture of hope and despair as she delivered a baby boy, who, unfortunately, was born deformed and unhealthy. The doctor, faced with the challenging circumstances, reluctantly declared his helplessness in saving the fragile child. The news of the child’s condition was a devastating blow to the family, who grappled with the harsh reality before them. The situation faced by Sunita, known for her friendly and welcoming nature, became a significant test of faith for her colleagues. Their trust in a benevolent God who cares for His children was shaken, and a somber mood enveloped the school community. In this trying time, an interesting shift occurred in the beliefs of the local people. Instead of turning to their favorite gods and goddesses, they looked up to the figure of Jesus adored by the Sisters’ in the community. The devotion and faith of the sisters in Jesus became a source of solace and inspiration for those seeking comfort in times of danger.

Raising our hearts in prayer, we, the Sisters, ventured into the hospital,  desiring to see the new born babe and hoping for a miracle. However, our earnest plea to the medical staff to have a glimpse of the child fell on indifferent ears. Undeterred, I humbly implored the doctor, “Please give us just one quick chance,  a solitary moment to touch the child.” In response, the doctor, with a grave expression, questioned our understanding, reminding us of the imminent tragedy unfolding. Undaunted, I softly asserted, “Doctor, we are educated Nuns, mothers to many, not indifferent to any soul’s plight.” Despite initial resistance, they acquiesced, bringing the fragile child to us in a small tray. Gently, I extended my finger and touched his lips in a silent, sacred communion.

Sr Mariella CTC

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In an enthralling convergence of intellectual acumen and theological insight, the symposium titled “Redefining the Mission: Pope Francis and the Contemporary Landscape of India,” organized by the Department of Missiology in collaboration with Pontifical Mission Organizations, India, at St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute in Bangalore, unveiled Pope Francis’s trans-formative vision. Scheduled from November 14th to 16th, 2023, the event was aimed to redefine the Church’s mission in the light of the contemporary challenges facing India. Prof. Dr. Michael Amaladoss, SJ, Founder of IDCR, Loyola College, Chennai and Prof. Dr Felix Wilfred, Director of the Asian Centre for Cross-Cultural Studies, Chennai, leading voices in the symphony of theological discourse, took the stage for keynote and gathering the fruits, revealing a tapestry woven with inclusiveness, justice, and a profound understanding of dialogue and mission.

Unraveling Pope Francis’s Vision

Prof. Amaladoss, in a masterful exposé, navigated the nuanced aspects of Pope Francis’ pastoral discernment. With a spotlight on ‘social friendship’ and a ‘culture of encounter,’ he dismantled hierarchical notions, advocating for an atmosphere of inclusiveness and mutual respect. Prof. Wilfred added by exploring Pope Francis’s vision of fraternity as a social practice. Love, he emphasized, is the basis for ‘social friendship’ and ‘universal fraternity.’ The parable of the Good Samaritan was presented as a true form of social friendship that sows seeds of trust in a violent world. Thus, Pope Francis advocates the universe as a divine gift meant for universal sharing. The compassionate stance on migrants resonated, aligning their rights with a broader understanding of human dignity.

Fr Loyola Diraviam SDC

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This is the second part of the article preparing for the jubilee year in 2025. The first part was published in December 2023. Sr. Celine reflects on the motto, logo, hymn, and the specific areas we need to focus on as we move forward towards the Jubilee year 2025.

JUBILEE 2025 – A GIFT OF GRACE

Every Jubilee Year is a special Year of Grace. The Pope inaugurates the Holy Year with the rite of the opening of the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica. After that, the Holy Doors of the other Papal Basilicas – St John Lateran, St Paul Outside the Walls, and St Mary Major are opened, and remain open, until the end of the Jubilee Year. Every Holy Year in the history of the Church, since Boniface VIII declared the first Holy Year in 1300, has its own significance. Pope Francis describes it as a ‘Gift of Grace” to be experienced through ‘pilgrimages, indulgences, living testimonies of faith and full expression of God’s Mercy.’ It is an occasion for all of us to live these years of preparation with the utmost enthusiasm that a Jubilee dedicated to Hope demands and to keep burning the torch of Hope that has been gifted to us, so that, everyone regains the strength and certainty to look to the future, as Pope Francis says, “with an open spirit, a trusting heart and a far-sighted vision. The Jubilee Year can greatly contribute to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire.”

Sr. Celine D’Cunha FMA

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On October 4, 2023 a brightly burning light in the tribal heartlands of Jharkhand, Bihar, Orissa, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal was extinguished just a few days before October 15 when he would have completed eighty-four years on this earth.  A man who has been looked upon by myriads of Oraon, Munda, Kharia and the Santhal tribal men and women as a symbol of grace and elegance.  He has given identity to the Church of Chotanagapur particularly and the entire tribal belt spread out in several states.  Chotanagpur is the region of Jharkhand where the tribes are in large population. As the Archbishop of Ranchi, His Eminence Cardinal Telesphore Toppo made known his people and their sensibilities to the Church of the entire country and the whole world.

Chotanagpur Church

In 1868 Fr. Agustus Stockman S. J., set out on an arduous bullock cart journey from Midnapore to Chaibasa in Jharkhand at the direction of Archbishop Walter Stein, S.J., of Kolkata.  He established a station there in 1869 and after four years of intense efforts of Fr. Stockman, Archbishop Stein on his first pastoral visit baptized 28 Munda men, women, and children. Eventually these zealous missionaries ascended the highlands of the Chotanagpur plateau establishing several mission stations.    Among the fervent Jesuit missionaries from Belgium and Germany, Servant of God Fr. Constant Lievens, S. J., stands out as one whose ministry lasted just seven years, but with the greatest output.  His motto was, ‘The Fire Must Burn.’  He realized that “the whole country groaned under the weight of the most shocking forms of injustice”, land alienation, zamindari, exorbitant interest rates, and such ills.  He worked for their emancipation and thousands of ‘Adivasis’ who found solace to their misery in the good news brought by these men of God.   Since then, hundreds and thousands accepted the Catholic Faith and today the faithful among these tribes are spread in several dioceses across several states of the country.

Son of the Soil

Born on October 15, 1939 in an Oraon Catholic family in the remote village of Jhargaon in the present diocese of Gumla Cardinal Toppo’s journey has been a remarkable one. As a kid he walked around 5km daily to attend the Primary School and later even a greater distance to attend the High School, at Barway, Chainpur.  He was ordained a priest on 8 May, 1969.  Nine years later, on 7 October, 1978 he was consecrated as the Bishop of Dumka. On 8 November, 1984 he was appointed the Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi and one year later he took charge as the Archbishop of Ranchi.   On 21 October, 2003  Archbishop Toppo was elevated to the status of a Cardinal, the first Asian tribal bishop to receive this honour.

Fr Manoj Abraham TOR

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In the Christian calendar, the season of Advent is a period of expectation and planning. It serves as a period of thought and anticipation before the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and signals the start of the liturgical year. Within the Church, there has been a growing understanding in recent years that the old ways of being and doing church need to change, to reflect the shifting social and cultural milieu. This essay analyzes the idea of Advent as a metaphor for the new way that the church will be and operate, stressing important ideas and practices that can direct this change.

1. Hope: A sense of expectation and hope marks the start of Advent. The Church also needs to foster a spirit of optimism for the future. In order to do this, the Church must reconsider its place in society, concentrate on the message of hope of the Gospel, and take an active role in addressing global issues.
2. Reconciliation and preparedness: Advent calls for reconciliation and preparedness. This entails accepting responsibility for past wrongdoing, working toward reconciliation, and laying the foundation for a more welcoming and caring community within the structure of the Church.
3. Community and Fellowship: The Church should place a high priority on community and fellowship, much as Advent promotes collective waiting and celebration. Within the Church, emphasizing connections and shared experiences helps increase the members’ feeling of purpose and sense of belonging.

Fr. John Singarayar SVD

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Saints, in their essence, were quite ordinary individuals who transformed into the extraordinary through dedicated efforts. In his reflections, Fr. Johnson shares the youthful path of Francis de Sales, illustrating how he grappled with inner struggles much like any young person today. However, Francis transcended these challenges by placing his trust and surrendering to Jesus, thus becoming an enduring inspiration for today’s youth.

Mark your calendars! The Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales has designated the period from April 2023 to March 2024 as the “Year of Fransalian Youth.” Get ready to be inspired and motivated!

Studies in Paris

At the tender age of 11 or 12, Francis de Sales embarked on his educational journey, completing his initial studies in La Roche and Annecy, France. Accompanied by three cousins, he departed Savoy on the 25th of September 1578, bound for Paris, where they enrolled in the College of Clermont. During their time in Paris, they resided at Rose-Blanche, in close proximity to the college. Their academic curriculum was modeled after the Jesuit program and adhered to the rules of the University of Paris. Over the course of a decade, Francis diligently pursued his studies, covering a wide range of subjects. He mastered courses in grammar, humanities, and rhetoric, even delving into the intricacies of Greek in pursuit of his B.A. degree. Additionally, he completed coursework in philosophy, natural history, and music, culminating in his pursuit of an M.A. degree, a prerequisite for joining the faculty of Law. In addition to his academic pursuits, Francis’s father, Lord of Boisy, held aspirations for his son to excel in martial arts. Consequently, Francis dedicated himself to mastering fencing, horseback riding, music, dance, and various other skills to fulfill his father’s wishes. Throughout this period, Francis left a profound impression on his teachers and peers. He was known for his sharp intellect, humility, deep religious devotion, and impeccable manners. Following his father’s guidance, Francis actively cultivated connections with noble families in France and even ventured into the royal court. By mingling with these influential circles from a young age, he gained invaluable insights into the highest echelons of French society and politics.

Youthful Struggles

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