ADMINISTERING THE MINISTERS OF LECTOR AND ACOLYTE

ON THE SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY ON 8^TH OF DECEMBER 2018, SIX OF OUR BROTHERS RECEIVED THEIR MINISTRY OF LECTOR NAMELY DERRICK, NELSON, HEROLD, RAHUEL, KEN AND JOSEPH AND FIVE OF OUR BROTHERS RECEIVED THEIR MINISTRY OF ACOLYTE NAMELY ANTONY, DESMOND CROOS, DESMENRAJ,RAJASEKAR AND SELEXON.

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The Fact and the Mode of Institution of the Seven Sacraments by Jesus Christ

“The seven sacraments were instituted by Jesus Christ”. Church did not institute the Sacraments. And “Jesus Christ is the Sacrament of God”, Church is the Sacrament of Jesus Christ”. So seven Sacraments were instituted by Jesus Christ.

The Reformers of the 16^th century, Luther, Calvin, and Zwingly negated saying that all the Sacraments were not instituted by Jesus Christ. They argued that Jesus Christ established only three of the seven sacraments, namely Baptism, Eucharist and penitence. Later they said that only two sacraments could truly be considered by Jesus Christ. According to the Reformers Jesus Christ did not expressly established the rite or He did not explicitly promise the Sacramental grace to be conferred or both of the above. The fact of the institution of the Sacraments Martin Luther claimed that seven Sacraments do not have the scriptural warrant.

In Syncretistic Hypothesis the Rationalists at the end of the 19^th and the beginning of the 20^th centuries brought about the theory of “syncretism”. Certain things borrowed from Eastern rites. Some similarities in words adopted in Christianity. They accepted that: (I) Christianity depends more on the Judaic institution rather than on pagan ones. (II) The pagan mysteries are based on myths whereas the sacraments are based on history. (III) For pagan, purification is external but for the Christians it is internal.

St. Thomas Aquinas says Sacraments are encounters with Jesus Christ in which He reveals, offers and communicates His divine life to men. In certain sacraments, we do not have explicitly, we have implicitly. Therefore, with regards to the institution of sacraments we must consider not only what Jesus Christ said, but also everything that happened in and around him, what He did, what He spoke and what He ordered the Apostles to do. Further St. Thomas Aquinas says that Jesus Christ instituted the church. Now the pillars of the church are the sacraments. As Jesus Christ instituted the Church, the Sacraments are also instituted by Jesus Christ.

Institution of sacraments are older than scriptures. Because scriptures were written after the death of Jesus Christ, but sacraments were practice during the time of Jesus, and carried out by the Apostles. Apostles knew that the seven sacraments were instituted by Jesus Christ. As the followers of Jesus Christ they believed and propagated the sacraments and thus now they are existing in the Church. So no one cannot deny the fact the Sacramental were instituted by Jesus Christ. Therefore, there has been indeed considerable difference of language about the manner in which Jesus Christ instituted the Sacraments but about fact of institution by. Jesus Christ there has been no doubt in the teachings of the Catholic Church.

                                                 

  

C.Desmenraj

desmenraj@gmail.com  

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SAINT OSCAR A. ROMERO AND THE CLARETIAN MISSIONARIES

The martyred Bishop of El Salvador, Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero will be canonized on October 14 in Rome.

On April 5, 1942, Archbishop Romero celebrated his First Mass in the crypt of our Basilica in Rome, now transformed into a place with the display of Poliscenic Nativity and Crucifixion miniatures. We read in the Bulletin of the Claretian Missionaries of the time:

“On Easter Day, 1942, in the crypt celebrates his first solemn Mass Oscar Romero, of the Pío Latino American School, native of the Republic of El Salvador, very close to our Fathers. The Very Reverend Father Andrea Resa was the presbyter assistant. The Mass celebrated by the priest was a true apotheosis. “

Oscar Arnulfo Romero was born in a humble family in El Salvador on August 15, 1917. From a young age he expressed the desire to be a priest, and entered the diocesan minor seminary of San Miguel which was run by the Claretian Missionaries, then passed to the Jesuits. He was chosen to complete his studies in Rome, and it was there where in 1942 he was ordained a priest at the age of 25 years. He continued his theological studies in Rome until he returned to El Salvador because of the Second World War.

He was ordained bishop on June 21, 1970, and served as the fourth Archbishop of San Salvador. On March 24, 1980, he was murdered around 6:25 pm while celebrating the Eucharist in the Chapel of the Hospital of Divine Providence.

REMEMBRANCE IN ROME

Monsignor Romero kept his whole life in close contact with the Claretian Missionaries and with the Basilica of the Heart of Mary in Rome.

In his Diary he wrote on May 3, 1979 in Rome, ten months before his martyrdom:

“Finally, I dined at the General House of the Claretian Fathers, having shared the main table with Father General, who tomorrow will leave for Germany for the celebration of his predecessor, who is now more than eighty years old. With them, I remembered the days of my minor seminary and also my first Mass, which I celebrated precisely in the temple annexed to this center of Claretian authority, the Temple of the Heart of Mary. And when I asked for an autograph in their guestbook, I wrote: “Today I went back to my origins: I did my minor seminary in San Miguel (El Salvador) with the dear Claretian Fathers and celebrated my first Mass here on April 5, 1942 . Thanks and blessings. 3-V-79. Oscar Arnulfo Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador “.

In the archives of the house this autograph is kept together with his photograph.

The reason for his visit to Rome was to attend the beatification of Fr. Francisco Coll. On May 1, 1979, he wrote in his Diary:

“In the afternoon I went to concelebrate at the beautiful Basilica of the Heart of Mary where the Claretian Fathers invited the Dominicans to signify their old friendship with the newly Beatified Fr. Coll. The Father General of the Dominicans and the Father General of the Claretians joined the main celebrant who was Cardinal Tarancón. The concelebration was splendid, about 60 bishops and priests, and the large temple was completely filled with religious and pilgrims. The Father General of the Claretians preached about the similarities between these two saints, Saint Anthony Mary Claret and Father Francisco Coll”.

It was on this occasion that the Claretians invited him to dinner on May 3. He wrote in his Diary on May 2:

“I was invited by the Claretian Fathers to go to dinner tomorrow at the Church of the Heart of Mary with the Father General of the Claretians. I will do so with feelings of gratitude for the Claretian communities that work in our Archdiocese. “

VIC MEMORIES

And he continues in his Diary on May 10 with his visit to Vic, as he had made the trip to Rome given by the Dominicans of the Annunciation for the Beatification of Father Coll:

“Afterwards, I had the good fortune to visit the tomb of Father Antonio Maria Claret, founder of the Claretians. There is a very rich reliquary and a magnificent temple where the center is the corpse adorned with a silver mask and Episcopal adornments. And, above all, they have reconstructed the places that witnessed the creation of this cordimarian religious Institute in its original form. In the background, there is a portrait of the figure of Father Claret, about 1.50, small in height, and the other companions of the foundation; names that I knew from my first years of seminary, since I began my priestly formation with this congregation that was then taken by Monsignor Dueñas to San Miguel. I narrated these memories to the Fathers, who thanked me very much for the visit and I thanked them very much for their welcome, always cordial “.

The chronicle of our House briefly notes:

“The Bishop of El Salvador, accompanied by Priests and Dominican Nuns of Father Coll has visited our Saint and the Museum “

OTHER MEMORIES

In these very familiar events, Romero himself indicates the root of that affection for the Congregation. Expelled from Mexico during the persecution of Calles, several of our people came to El Salvador hired by the Bishop of San Miguel to take charge of the diocesan seminary. For ten years, from 1927 to 1937, they fulfilled their delicate mission with real competence and to the satisfaction of all. The chronicle says that they left when their contract ended, although in another part it indicates that they were called by the Superiors to assign them to other Organisms that are in need and to whom it was impossible to send personnel from Spain after the enormous bloody suffering of the 271 martyrs of the religious persecution of 1936.

Mons. Romero, many years later, in 1962, wrote for the newspaper Chaparrastique, San Miguel, how were his first seven years of seminary with our brothers:

“They were, under the mantle of the Heart of Mary, the Claretian Fathers and the seminarians, a family whose spirit was that of the same founder, Saint Anthony Mary Claret. That famous manual of the seminarian that was taught, El Colegial, was not only read in by pages, but lived in that environment of dignified, humble and helpful priests, in their active system of education”.

Statuette of Fr. Claret given by Mons. Óscar Romero to Fr. Lino Hernando. It’s a pity that the chronicler of the House of Palencia, in a note written much later than the moment, already 1995, did not write down dates or other details that would have been very interesting. It says:

“The visit of Bishop Most Reverend Romero to Fr. Lino Hernando, whom he valued so much, since he was his formator in the Major Seminary in Central America, to the point that while Fr. Lino was in Cuba, Monsignor Romero called him to Central America to render him a tribute with all his formands. When he came here to visit him, he left as a souvenir a statuette of Fr. Claret, which he kept with great affection and today is displayed in front of us in the TV room as a perpetual memory of both Monsignor Romero, a martyr in defense of the poor, and Fr. Lino who worked much and well in the Antilles and Central America. Besides, this was his last residence before he retired and lived his last already sick years in Colmenar Viejo.

Of the statuette referred to (now in the Claretian Museum of Colmenar Viejo), notes in Palencia:

“Statuette of Fr. Claret given by Mons. Óscar Romero to Fr. Lino Hernando.”

Moreover, we find in his Diary, already very close to his martyrdom, on September 19, 1979, a reference to the Claretian missionaries:

“I went to lunch with the Claretian seminarians in Santa Tecla, a nice group of nine boys and a priest who attends them, with whom we shared moments of my many memories with the spirit of the Claretians, who fed my first minor seminary in San Miguel. It was very interesting the dialogue on table and after dinner and, they were, I think, were very satisfied, as well as they gave me a lot of encouragement too.”

Each year the Salvadoran community present in Rome, with its Ambassador, Consul and authorities, celebrate in the Basilica of the Heart of Mary the Independence Day on the second Sunday of September. Every year, the historic figure of Saint Oscar Arnulfo Romero is remembered together with the said celebration.

 By - Fr. Efrain Vasquez Mamani, cmf

  zhengyuanyu66@yahoo.com

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Reflection - 28th Sunday in Ordinary time

Today’s readings are inviting us to reflect on Detachment from worldly inheritances. We are so much attached to the worldly wealth. First reading tells us to obtain the wealth of wisdom instead of the wealth of this world. The 2^nd reading tells us that the Word of God is alive and active, even sharper than a two- edged sword. 

In the Gospel passage, we see the words which came from Jesus’ mouth pierces the heart of the Young man who wants to inherit the eternal life. He says to Jesus, “Good master, what must I do to have eternal life?” Jesus replies that no one is good but God alone. For human beings it is impossible but not for God. God alone is perfect and he is infinite and eternal and he is the highest Good and we the human beings are sharing his Goodness. So Jesus tell us that his father alone can be called as Good. The young man might have thought that by following the Commandments alone he can inherit eternal life, but it is not right. Jesus invites the young man to detach from all what he owned. The sad part of the story is that the young man could not.  The words came from Jesus’ mouth disappointed him.

The same invitation given to all of us today.  All of us are too eager to possess the eternal life.  But we are also blocked into some worldly wealth. We hardly want to share our wealth with poor. We prefer to hold onto our possessions. My dear friends, if we want to inherit the eternal life, leave all the wealth which could get decayed within one day, but inherit the wealth of wisdom which can lead us to eternal life. When we leave all these for the sake of Kingdom of God, we will receive them in hundred times in the presence of God.

By - Ithayaraj

ithayarajcmf@gmail.com

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Membetrs of our Community 2018 - 2019

Rev. Fr. Maria Arul cmf	Date of Birth & place -  18. 10. 1955 Alenchy - India       arulcmf@gmail.com        0768615550 / 754002036 1st Profession – 07. 06. 1976 Perpetual Profession – 31. 05. 1981 Priestly Ordination – 09. 04. 1983 Present Status - Superior & Prefect of Students - Theology
Rev. Fr. B. S. Danushka Silva cmf	Date of Birth & place - 27. 09. 1982, Galgamuwa - Sri Lanka  danushkacmf@gmail.com  0772207341 1st Profession – 08.09. 2005 Perpetual Profession – 08. 09. 2011 Priestly Ordination – 09. 04. 2013 Present Status - Prefect of Students Philosophy -  III & Secretary of independent Delegation of Sri Lanka
Rev. Fr. Devaseelan CMF	Date of Birth & place – 22. 12 . 1976, Kandy, Sri Lanka Seelan22@yahoo.com 0777879034 1st Profession – 08.09. 2004  Perpetual Profession – 08.09.2009 Priestly Ordination – 30.04.2011 Present Status - Econome, Prefect of Students
J. Dilan Rojan cmf	Date of Birth & place - 22. 12. 1989,  Jaffna,Sri Lanka jdrojan@gmail.com 0771446961 1st Profession – 08. 09. 2014 Present Status - Theology -  IV
A. Reginold Ronson cmf	Date of Birth & place - 09. 10. 1988, Jaffna – Sri Lanka ajrronson@gmail.com 0778868259 1st Profession– 08. 09. 2014 Present Status - Theology -  IV
J. Donal Christy cmf	Date of Birth & place - 17. 12. 1989,  Jaffna – Sri Lanka donalchristy@gmail.com 0774666497 1st Profession – 08. 09. 2015 Present Status - Theology -  III
Iresh Nimarshana cmf	Date of birth & place – 30.05. 1990,  Colombo – Sri Lanka Iresh.nima4u@gmail.com 0771536692 1st Profession – 08. 09. 2015 Present Status - Theology -  III
K. Ann Roy Aravinth cmf	Date of Birth & place - 06. 10. 1990,  Jaffna – Sri Lanka annroycmf@gmail.com 0766723837 1st Profession – 08. 09. 2016 Present Status - Theology -  III
T. P. Johnson cmf	Date of Birth & place - 22. 04. 1990,  Jaffna – Sri Lanka 0769372716 1st Profession – 08. 09. 2016 Present Status – Pastoral Year
Y. Sutharsan cmf	Date of Birth & place - 04. 11. 1988,  Ampara – Sri Lanka aathisutha88@yahoo.com 0776998163 1st Profession – 08. 09. 2016 Present Status - Pastoral Year
Charles Mathews Desmenraj cmf	Date of Birth & place  - 05. 10. 1990 Atchuvaley, Jaffna,  desmenraj@gmail.com  0770687669 1st Profession - 8-9-2017 Present Status - Theology  II
Gunaseelan Selexan cmf	Date of Birth & place - 28. 07. 1991  Murungan,Mannar,  gselexancmf1991@gmail.com 0778865914 1st Profession - 8-9-2017 Present Status - Theology II
S. Rajasekar Dias cmf	Date of Birth & place  - 15.07.1993 Emilnagev, Mannar.  rajasekardias@gmail.com 0775779637 1st Profession - 8-9-2017 Present Status - Theology  II
A. Desmond Croos cmf	Date of Birth & place -  17.04.1988  Thalvapada, Mannar. desmondcrosscmf@gmail.com 0763612259 1st Profession - 8-9-2017 Present Status - Theology II
Antony Danoshan cmf	Date of Birth & place - 03.12.1993  Sinnakkadi, Mannar.  Antony@gmail.com 1st Profession - 8-9-2017 Present Status - Theology II
Sewanyana Joseph cmf	Date of Birth & place  - 05.05.1990 Kakumiro District Bukumi parish-Uganda.  Sewanyanajoseph038@mail.com 1st Profession - 8-9-2018 Present Status - Theology I
Nelson Mandela Dominick Shirima cmf	Date of Birth & place - 12.04.1991  Arusha, Tanzania.  Nells99@yahoo.com 0768600126 1st Profession - 7-16-2017 Present Status - Theology I
Ken Omondi cmf	Date of Birth & place - 05.12.1992  Homa-Bay, Kenya.  kkamollo@gmail.com 1st Profession - 8-9-2018 Present Status - Theology I
K. Derrick Samuel Mariae cmf	Date of Birth & place - 28.04.1992  Makindye, Kampala, Uganda.  kawukiderrick@gmail.com 0771311525 1st Profession - 7-16-2017 Present Status - Theology I
Rehuel Waclin cmf	Date of Birth & place - 24.06.1995  Buguias, Bunguet,Philippines.  waclinrehuel@gmail.com 1st Profession - 8-9-2018 Present Status - Theology I
Harold Tan cmf	Date of Birth & place - 08.04.1994  Tayabas, Philippines.  hrtan94@gmail.com 1st Profession  - 8-9-2018 Present Status - Theology I
A. Ithayaraj cmf	Date of Birth & place -16. 07. 1994,  Mannar – Sri Lanka ithayarajcmf@gmail.com 0762911445 1st Profession - 8-9-2018 Present Status - Philosophy - III

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