22nd Anniversary - Dec. 28, 2016 11.40 pm.
Anniversary? I don't know how it is for the rest of the world - married couple? Are they very sentimental and particular about it? I remember only my parents' wedding anniversary - Jan 21st, it coincided with my brother's birthday. Then it coincided with my good colleague and friend Dr. Injodey's anniversary, and my good friend and colleague Benny's birthday. Then there is May 19th, my eldest sister's wedding day (the first one in the family), the second one is also remembered - second eldest sister's - it was Dec. 26th, the day after Christmas of 1982, and I was not present - away in Meerut in the final year of the three year long secluded training in religious life which had severed my family ties for good. Anyhow, some of my family were very keen to call up and greet! OK - fine!
Now it was the 22nd year completion as a priest - and though I began my day with unusual zeal - waking up early and snoozing till 5.40. Then some asanas, private celebration of qurbana, remembering all possible people in prayer - esp the ordinandi. Then being rather well in time for the morning meditation, and sparing myself for hearing confession of a few people!
My initial plan was to reach camp either previous night or early morning and join the campers in trekking the famous Elaveezha poonchira. However, as the Principal Ms Arunima of Rajagiri Manappuram reminded, I had dropped that plan.
I was all set and ready - stopped over at Thevara (Kundanoor) Junction to chat with NSS volunteers of GHS and to give them some direction regarding their work in the plot we have chosen to clear up and make a model area. Then to Manappuram via Thycattussery. Reaching almost 7 minutes ahead of schedule for the proposed programme - MELANGE! I changed into cassock (green) in no time, and was ready for the programme. Only then did I realise there were other (perhaps, more prominent) guests, and the organisers would rather wait, in spite of my promptings. There arrived the local hero, Saiju Kurup from Panavally. He is rather well recognized now. We started off with the reception procession. As we were on the stage, the MLA Arif also arrived. Then there was the usual bouquet (plastic wrapped) and the memento - both of which, I had strictly warned not to have. And plenty of plastic bottles and flex. Sufficient cause for me to be irritated. However, in my inaugural speech - I deliberately switched over to Malayalam, though Fr. Joshy wanted that to be in English - the majority of the listeners were Malayalees, and would rather follow Malayalam, than English. I would have continued in English, had it been a student audience. Without much prolonging and touching upon some bit of laudatory aspects of the growth of the institutions, some bit of Carmelite tradition and some bit of melange, I cut my speech short (I hope so)!
I started off to Kalamassery and reached before 11.30 am just to pose a photo with my old time chela of FYRE brand Lijo. Said hello to the young parish priest Francis. And left for Neeleswaram - Kalambattupuram, where Dn Jithin Njalian was being ordained. Reached there as he was intoning the final blessings. Met the priests gathered, said hello to many and then jumped the queue to embrace and greet the new priest.
Via Manjapra - Angamaly to Thoombakkode. Stopped over at Lisue's place hoping to refresh myself. Fortunately, there was no one to answer the door, and I had to seek asylum at our Centre for Spiritual Renewal - sakshatkara (again, another instance of the anti-Malayalam Malayalee consciousness - the anuswaram is missing! Why was not it made 'malayalam' - as saakshaatkaaram - even, that is bit too sanskritized and sanitized. Perhaps, it is difficult to find pachcha for such concepts!). I reached the house of Paulson (spelt Palson) sir. Greeted him. Made some introductory remarks and prayed the office for the dead for his departed mother.
On my return, got delayed by traffic jam between Edappally and Ernakulam. However, reached (in my own time!) As I guessed, it was the Cardinal celebrating and also preaching a rather lengthy, but meaningful homily - on I Cor 13 on 'love' as the basis of marriage. Hence I could attend the core part of the sacrament. It was the son of the Vice President of PTA marrying the daughter of the famous-notorious Dr. Jacob Thomas IPS! And Rishi Raj Singh was prominently there! After the wedding, the Arch bishop beckoned me to join him for tea at the priest's house and I willingly obeyed.
Then arrived at monastery - met bunch of younger priests visiting including our former student Tony. Joined the young boys of school to play basketball for about 30 minutes, in rather good nick! Then got ready in no time to greet the young boys of SH football academy selected to travel to Mumbai (by flight) to take part in the under 16 version of ISL! Then after some chit-chat, unusually early for the rosary and the evening prayers!
There was still time and the speedometer showed 198 kilometers. And there was still time after dinner - so left to Ernakulam - Savita. Watched the entertaining movie - Kattappanayile Hrtik Roshan. What a fulfilling day - it was 'children's day according to Church calendar. I had gone with the idea of speaking to the children of Rajagiri - Manappuram. However, forgot all about it. But in effect, I celebrated children's day with children. Then a wedding, an ordination, a funeral and a 'bon voyage' cum felicitation ceremony and 200+ kilometers! Vow! what variety indeed! What was missing was, perhaps, a baptism. However, that was taken care of the previous day - when I attended the baptism of the son of another of my chelas, the former state basket ball team member, Manoj. (It was at the Mar Thoma Church, Kalamassery and I joined the function, with the celebrant, already known to me, was trying to accommodate me too at the altar and asking me to offer some of the ritual prayers.)
But as I was about wind up the long day on a 'high', there was a shock - the packets of carrot cake, bought for Christmas and thought to be utilised in the forthcoming days were all found to have been affected by mould. In spite of that, I have consumed them, ad experimentum, after removing the fungal patches. God knows what awaits me tomorrow! The old confidence is ebbing away! All said and done, almost 6 packets are doomed for destruction!
My vacation agenda of retreat and desk clearance remain distant dreams as yet.
Anniversary? I don't know how it is for the rest of the world - married couple? Are they very sentimental and particular about it? I remember only my parents' wedding anniversary - Jan 21st, it coincided with my brother's birthday. Then it coincided with my good colleague and friend Dr. Injodey's anniversary, and my good friend and colleague Benny's birthday. Then there is May 19th, my eldest sister's wedding day (the first one in the family), the second one is also remembered - second eldest sister's - it was Dec. 26th, the day after Christmas of 1982, and I was not present - away in Meerut in the final year of the three year long secluded training in religious life which had severed my family ties for good. Anyhow, some of my family were very keen to call up and greet! OK - fine!
Now it was the 22nd year completion as a priest - and though I began my day with unusual zeal - waking up early and snoozing till 5.40. Then some asanas, private celebration of qurbana, remembering all possible people in prayer - esp the ordinandi. Then being rather well in time for the morning meditation, and sparing myself for hearing confession of a few people!
My initial plan was to reach camp either previous night or early morning and join the campers in trekking the famous Elaveezha poonchira. However, as the Principal Ms Arunima of Rajagiri Manappuram reminded, I had dropped that plan.
I was all set and ready - stopped over at Thevara (Kundanoor) Junction to chat with NSS volunteers of GHS and to give them some direction regarding their work in the plot we have chosen to clear up and make a model area. Then to Manappuram via Thycattussery. Reaching almost 7 minutes ahead of schedule for the proposed programme - MELANGE! I changed into cassock (green) in no time, and was ready for the programme. Only then did I realise there were other (perhaps, more prominent) guests, and the organisers would rather wait, in spite of my promptings. There arrived the local hero, Saiju Kurup from Panavally. He is rather well recognized now. We started off with the reception procession. As we were on the stage, the MLA Arif also arrived. Then there was the usual bouquet (plastic wrapped) and the memento - both of which, I had strictly warned not to have. And plenty of plastic bottles and flex. Sufficient cause for me to be irritated. However, in my inaugural speech - I deliberately switched over to Malayalam, though Fr. Joshy wanted that to be in English - the majority of the listeners were Malayalees, and would rather follow Malayalam, than English. I would have continued in English, had it been a student audience. Without much prolonging and touching upon some bit of laudatory aspects of the growth of the institutions, some bit of Carmelite tradition and some bit of melange, I cut my speech short (I hope so)!
I started off to Kalamassery and reached before 11.30 am just to pose a photo with my old time chela of FYRE brand Lijo. Said hello to the young parish priest Francis. And left for Neeleswaram - Kalambattupuram, where Dn Jithin Njalian was being ordained. Reached there as he was intoning the final blessings. Met the priests gathered, said hello to many and then jumped the queue to embrace and greet the new priest.
Via Manjapra - Angamaly to Thoombakkode. Stopped over at Lisue's place hoping to refresh myself. Fortunately, there was no one to answer the door, and I had to seek asylum at our Centre for Spiritual Renewal - sakshatkara (again, another instance of the anti-Malayalam Malayalee consciousness - the anuswaram is missing! Why was not it made 'malayalam' - as saakshaatkaaram - even, that is bit too sanskritized and sanitized. Perhaps, it is difficult to find pachcha for such concepts!). I reached the house of Paulson (spelt Palson) sir. Greeted him. Made some introductory remarks and prayed the office for the dead for his departed mother.
On my return, got delayed by traffic jam between Edappally and Ernakulam. However, reached (in my own time!) As I guessed, it was the Cardinal celebrating and also preaching a rather lengthy, but meaningful homily - on I Cor 13 on 'love' as the basis of marriage. Hence I could attend the core part of the sacrament. It was the son of the Vice President of PTA marrying the daughter of the famous-notorious Dr. Jacob Thomas IPS! And Rishi Raj Singh was prominently there! After the wedding, the Arch bishop beckoned me to join him for tea at the priest's house and I willingly obeyed.
Then arrived at monastery - met bunch of younger priests visiting including our former student Tony. Joined the young boys of school to play basketball for about 30 minutes, in rather good nick! Then got ready in no time to greet the young boys of SH football academy selected to travel to Mumbai (by flight) to take part in the under 16 version of ISL! Then after some chit-chat, unusually early for the rosary and the evening prayers!
There was still time and the speedometer showed 198 kilometers. And there was still time after dinner - so left to Ernakulam - Savita. Watched the entertaining movie - Kattappanayile Hrtik Roshan. What a fulfilling day - it was 'children's day according to Church calendar. I had gone with the idea of speaking to the children of Rajagiri - Manappuram. However, forgot all about it. But in effect, I celebrated children's day with children. Then a wedding, an ordination, a funeral and a 'bon voyage' cum felicitation ceremony and 200+ kilometers! Vow! what variety indeed! What was missing was, perhaps, a baptism. However, that was taken care of the previous day - when I attended the baptism of the son of another of my chelas, the former state basket ball team member, Manoj. (It was at the Mar Thoma Church, Kalamassery and I joined the function, with the celebrant, already known to me, was trying to accommodate me too at the altar and asking me to offer some of the ritual prayers.)
But as I was about wind up the long day on a 'high', there was a shock - the packets of carrot cake, bought for Christmas and thought to be utilised in the forthcoming days were all found to have been affected by mould. In spite of that, I have consumed them, ad experimentum, after removing the fungal patches. God knows what awaits me tomorrow! The old confidence is ebbing away! All said and done, almost 6 packets are doomed for destruction!
My vacation agenda of retreat and desk clearance remain distant dreams as yet.
