FR FERRER - A FERRETING PREACHER OF DISCIPLESHIP

I had hoped that he would persevere till I reached back. Not that I was all that attached to him.  But I found in him a good soul, and having grown old myself, somebody with whom you could feel comfortable (humanly speaking), in gaining the grace through the sacrament of reconciliation. I will miss him. 

It was the initiative of Fr Benny Nalkara (presently our provincial), and Fr Roy Palatty who could gauge the greatness of the ministry he had accomplished to help him compile the same into a readable form.  If I recall correctly, Fr Benny had done a feature on him in our in-house bulletin highlighting the great ministry, generally oblivious in the mainstream discussions.

He was indeed a powerful preacher of Catholic spirituality (read, Christian discipleship) all through his life - having himself articulated the pillars of his preaching as Simplicity, Bible, well-researched Christian doctrine (ever-updated) foundation and Practicality (what we consider today as per RBT as application).  In the gossip circle - the four pillars were often a butt of ridicule - 'so simple, so biblical, so well-studied, so practical' - thus it went. But the artless soul that he was, he was able to take such banter as a compliment.  To my mind,  he brought about a paradigm shift to the conventional preaching based on the fundamentals of Christian faith, which had a baseline of (holy) terror built on sin, death, hell, purgatory and heaven.  He transformed this conventional preaching with studied inputs on modern Catholic teaching based on the Second Vatican documents and the teachings of the Holy Father from time to time. He appears to have made full use of the training in Christian Biblical Spirituality and the exposure he received in the United States (Catholic University of America, Washington?), to his ministry - a 100-fold productivity! 

I assume, till the ripe old age of 86, he had been active as a preacher, and as he himself would say every year, with his guileless simplicity and with a great sense of satisfaction, 'my calendar is all (booked) full for the coming year'.  From a very casual assessment, I feel that he must have preached at least 1000 retreats.  Perhaps, more. He distinguished himself as a preacher - more so, for priests and religious, than for the parish communities.  Another area of his expertise, on which the CMIs and several other orders counted upon,  was discernment in terms of the vocation to priesthood and religious life. He was in great demand for this taxing task, in which he found great contentment I believe. 

I have heard that he was very meticulous in going by the book as far as religious life is concerned - attending the community prayers, and community activities, adhering to the set norms of accounting etc, at times to the point of irritating others as if it were all a sham.  I don't think so.  I think he was thoroughly ingrained in the old school of religious life with all sincerity. Maybe, he has a record in the congregation for having lived in the same monastery for the longest period - I think he had been at Aluva St. Anthony's monastery for almost 50 years as an inmate. 

In the last 2 decades, he seemed to derive immense satisfaction in leading what has come to be known as the 'Aluva Convention', where he could arrange an array of preachers from all over the state, and manage it as a great event (I resist from saying show).

Personally, we seemed to have a good bond, though we hardly stayed together in one place. Most of the recommendations he had made for admission to the college, in some manner or other, I was able to accommodate, and he was always happy about that. 

I was blessed to be in his company being on a provincial council with him, and then, as well as later, he would boost my morale by admiring that I could do many things at a time, and that I had worked hard. I regret not having even a single picture with him. I also regret I have not been able to say hello to him in the past few months, though I did manage once, soon after his hospitalisation at Rajagiri.  I did believe he would come back soon. Perhaps, the onus of being the senior most member in the province weighed down on him! 

To me, he is someone who had accomplished his mission in life - I always wanted to be someone who did powerful preaching like he did - but has never been one. All the same, I derive a vicarious satisfaction in having him (and lately, a few smart youngsters as well!) as a model who passed on a major component of the founding charism of the CMIs untiringly. 

May the blessed and faithful servant (Lk 12:37) enter into the promised domain of eternal bliss and peace (Mtt 25:23)! May he inspire and empower the growing number of the younger preachers of our community through his intercessions! 

A Thevara Fellowship in Doha - My Last Day in Doha

I thought I would get those who were very close to me in the past 20-odd months of my stay in Doha - juts to have a meal at Nehdi Mandi at Wakra Souq, one of my favourite eating joints in Doha. 

Almost all of the expected friends were there - all in some way connected to Thevara. 

Naturally, it began with Alan, who was my student, who had been there from day one of my arrival to receive me and take me around, and kind of a companion for me, and seeking out opportunities to satiate my thirst for seeing new places and things. He belongs to my parish, and had been a Thevara student from XI grade to PG, and in fact, was instrumental in initiating the alumni chapters of UAE and Qatar, almost like an emissary of the former principal (that is me!).  I had the good fortune of blessing his marriage. Then there was Bijoy, who also was a PDC student of Thevara, but the son of the late Valsa Chechi of Puthullil (Mukkungal), a family with which I was very closely linked. He was also one of the first people in Qatar to get in touch with me, to take me around Qatar, and even give me a ride through the desert sand dunes.   I felt I should have Abin, the son of my cousin Molly Chechi, also from Koramangalath family of Kadavanthra, with which I had a very deep personal attachment from my childhood, and also our parishioner.  And with Abin came, almost as a package, his roommate and Kochiite, Dibin, the entire gang (Alan, Abin, Dibin) having had their schooling in our Perumanoor CCPLM school. Dibin, with a naval band background now serving Qatar police together with Abin,  had been a constant companion on our weekend explorations throughout the coast of the peninunsula. There was Santhosh Mattathil, an active Jesus Youth member, who was a student of Rajagiri when I was a young priest, and whose mom was our parishioner d/o Manickath Pappu chettan. Johny, whose ebullient self was a great asset  for the alumni unit of Qatar for the past one year was very much there - a student of both the school and college, and almost local from Kochi. Then there was Byju, the son of a very loyal heartian Varghese chettan Chackalackal, the taxidermist of Sacred Heart College.  Byju's wife Deepa was the Heartian Alumni Association president, but the gathering was meant for exclusively my friendship circle, rather than the alumni association. Charles, my school friend from Rajagiri through KCSL, and our association having been maintained all through these years, in spite of the very different directions we had taken. (His wife Tessy had been our alumna and an associate of ours as a faculty colleague from St Teresa's.). Then there was another Thevarite - both of the school and college, Thomas, nowadays reverently abbreviated as TKG, who had also been associating with me closely on various issues related to sustainability and has been in the higher circles of industrial executives among Qatar Malayalees. Interestingly, Bijoy, Thomas and Charles had also been the alumni of CET. The principal, and my confrere Fr Joshy was there - an alumnus of SH college and now the patron of the alumni association was there. The only one who didn't turn up was another Thevarite, Mr Biju, who had been associating with me on various issues of development and was into areas of common interest like Yoga. 

I felt a little politically wrong having no women in the company, bordering on being an MCP - but then that is a company, and this had less to do with anything formal, and the freedom men have in men's company is altogether different, having been socialised thus! 

I chose the venue, and without much consultation even the menu - It was Nahdi Mandi at Wakra Souq.  I placed orders for beef mandi and 3 servings of fish.  We were provided one table by assembling three typical tables.  The food was delicious, and I think sufficient, though I would not have minded having had one more serving of the sea bass.  Sulaimani and rice came along with the order, which for me held greater attraction to Nahdi Mandi in comparison to the more popular Daanat al Bahr. We had several pictures clicked. As we wound up, the invitees started insisting that they pay the bill, which was kind of them, but as the host and initiator, I gladly and with some effort successfully resisted it. 

Charles suggested a walk along the beach - which I think was fitting. My first day in Qatar began with such a meal and walk with alumni Alan, Anas and Binoy - 3 themmadis (in an endearing sense) of my times in the college, but who were very good to me here in Qatar on my arrival.  Now the gang was big.  Anas and Binoy were missing. We had a walk along the beach in the cool breeze, and some pictures as well and ended up at the Gharissa ice cream joint said to be owned by the young Qatari Ghanim al Mufta, a victim of caudal regression syndrome, who shot to fame with his beautiful Quranic recitation at the opening of the world cup, and with his rejoinder to the Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman 'with tolerance and respect we can live together under one big home' at the kick off the world cup football at Al Bait (the house) stadium.  (He is now seen as a great motivational speaker - I feel we should have him at the school to address the children.) We were all treated to the expresso coffee mix of Affogatto ice cream - serving the twin purpose of the coffee and ice cream, tinted with regaling tales of Kochi (pazhaya Kochi) by Johny.  I felt they were worth another post. 

Suddenly, we realise it was almost midnight - almost 3 hours spent in good company and simple but delicious food.  Perhaps, to be my last night as a regular resident of Qatar.  As we conclude the daily Qurbana: I do not know whether I will come back again! 

LIGHT IN LIFE* - ENLIGHTENED FOR PEACE

On Deepavali 

My salute to the Lord who is my light

Who promises to always be my light

Ready to wait when I miss his sight

To bring me back on his path ever straight

My school is one big Deepavali

Where teachers light the light of life

Where seekers search for truth alive

Where learners form one big row of light

As pilgrims treading the path of love!

For the nation, it's one day in the year

For the school, it's an everyday affair

To be ever as torches lit

To bear always the torch of thought

To dabble in the light and power of thought

The Master promises to make it light

To take my burdens, to bear my weight

To let me go around light 

With baggages nil or light

To let my little light shine!

I seek to be His light

Amidst the mights that fight

Putting peace to flight

May I be His true light 

Making peace everyone's right! 

*Motto of Rajagiri Kochi

AN EMMAUS TEACHER FOR THE HEARTIANS - FR JOSEPH KAIMALAYIL CMI

REV. FR JOSEPH KAILMALAYIL CMI (1938-2023)

SACRED HEART COLLEGE (1974-94)

When I look back at my acquaintance over 45 years with Fr Kaimala (that's how we used to call him - Kaimala achan), the image that comes to my mind is that of Jesus accompanying the confused disciples on their way to Emmaus, and setting their heart aflame (Lk 24).  Honestly, I am not sure how far he could set the hearts aflame, but definitely, he did accompany, and many an old-time heartian has vouched for the consolation he received from his company. 

My initial acquaintance with him was through my membership in the Cherupushpa Mission League (CML) of which he was the director of SH unit. We had two-day camps where we stayed over at SH College and had some sessions. There were some trips too - two of which stand out in my mind  (i) to pilgrim centres like Koonnammavu, Paravoor, Palayoor etc, and (ii) to Mayilaadumkunnu.  The second was thought to be a very fancy place, from the name - but finally, when we reached there, it was just some hill, there was neither Mayil (peacock) nor aattam (dance).  However, we had a visit to the ashram of Kurishumala, and the high-yielding cows were the most fascinating item of the trip for me.  As the trip was winding up, a prize was announced for the best write-up on the trip, and if I recall correctly, I did give the write-up, and perhaps it was adjudged the best - but with Fr. Kaimala, those days, the prizes were 'medals', which held no fascination for me, even then! 

He was liked by the young people, and he had a way with them - to take them along. I am not sure how that friendship was of use in instilling a favourable condition in the college, as I was neither a student nor a resident of Keralam during those turbulent days of the 80s and 90s. However, I have heard several senior alumni commenting about the two of them - Fr. Kaimala (sometimes, referred to, without any malice, as Fr. Kaimal), and Fr. Varghese Kuzhikanniyil, both of whom belonged to the composite department of Economics.  Later accounts of his dealings with the youth of Thevara tell me that he was a boldacious presence among them challenging them and pointing out to them the facets of life in a realistic manner. But above all, I am happy to link him with the reference to a prayer in the Syro Malabar Eucharistic liturgy - as someone who went about with a maliceless heart and cheerful countenance (nirmala hrudayavum prasanna vadanavum - prayer after reconciliation service and before the Our Father). 

Since I was a student of the campus school of Sacred Heart from 1977 to 80, and as I used to invite him to our informal training sessions of the local KCSL unit, we got rather friendly.  So when I finally made an unexpected decision to join the order as an aspirant, with hardly any consultation with anyone, including my class teacher, Fr George Muttamthottil, I decided to confide the matter with him, and went to bid him goodbye.  And he gave a very classical piece of philosophical advice; perhaps, he too might have received the same from someone: 'Expect the unexpected'.  And I feel that the advice has stood me good, I have found many things unexpected, and in turn, might have been the subject of presenting many unexpected things for the students or the community around, on my part. 

Later on, I learnt that he had guided my all-time favourite organisation KCSL for quite some time - both at the diocesan level and the state level. 

I feel he was a person who could be described countering the famous column by Khushwant Singh, as someone 'with malice towards none' (Khushwant Sing: With Malice Towards One and All).  In his younger days as a CMI, he was known by the religious name 'Procopius' (Incidentally, it fitted him well like a nickname associated with his learning of history - Procopius being an iconic figure in the historiography).  He was said to have been a very vibrant player on the volleyball court.  At Thevara, I have hardly found him in the sports field, perhaps, with the exception of a couple of times in the basketball field. 

For him, Sacred Heart held a very warm and passionate space in his heart. Any gathering at Thevara, he would make an effort to join. The way in which he fought back a very serious illness was remarkable.  And I recall with happiness that he was present at the gathering in Thevara to which I had invited him. As Dr VS Sebastian noted, his presence made a great difference to making the staff relationships warmer and more humane. 

I think the last time I met was about 2 years ago, at Muvattupuzha.  I was there for a night, occupying the room next to his. He was seen to be happy and rather healthy. I regret his departure, though I feel God has been gracious to him to have a life lived long, full and well! I regret all the more that I am not able to bid farewell to him in person. 

May the beloved soul rest with the Lord in joy and peace eternal! 

Mount St. Joseph's, Maryland

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It was a surprise visit, the plan was made on short notice. 

Since Thomas, my neigbour from Thevara and our alumnus (and the youngest son of one of our stalwart math professors) was giving me a ride all the way from New York to Boston, and he had to drive back to Maryland all alone from New York, I thought, I should not let him do that, and decided that I would accompany him back to Maryland, as the trip back from Maryland is a familiar route for me by bus or rail. 

I negotiated with my newly found friend, Rev. Santhosh of the Trinitarian congregation to adjust the day for me to stay at his place, and find some time for our explorations for partnership across the borders in school education.  His enthusiasm for the project was contagious, it was not confined to his institution or congregation, but rather he evinced a capacity to make anybody's good his project.  I was happy to learn that he was a CMI product having had his school education with our Star Jesus High School. 

He accommodated linking me with certain institutions within his otherwise hectic schedule as the pastor of a very large parish of about 2000 members, and the being the President of a very vibrant catholic grade school - St. Mark's - in Ellicott City. 

Against the typical trends in catholic school education, the Baltimore diocese of Maryland presents a bright picture where traditional catholic families make a conscious choice to send their children to catholic schools.  St Mark's attached to the parish is doing well with some 700 students from K to VIII. We visited the neighbouring Mount St. Joseph's High School in the neighbourhood. 

The school was established by the Xaverian brothers in 1876 by Bro Bernadine CFX. He identified the spot and requested the owner to sell the property to establish the school, but the latter was unwilling. Then, as a typical catholic in the tradition of St Joseph devotion, he made a 'bargain' with the saint, that he would dedicate the school after him, if the land could be availed. And in the typical St. Joseph fashion, the owner relents, and the deal is done, and Mt St. Joseph's emerged! Though hardly any Xaverian brother is directly involved in teaching or adminstration, the vision and the spirit are maintained by the adminstration. 

The President of the school and the Principal were busy.  We met with Dr. Clay, the mission director, who is also in charge of Catholic Theology classes for the school for which there were four teachers with the school.  Grades IX to XII had over 800 students. 

The facilities appeared really state of the art - adequate stress is given to physical fitness and sports - with a well-equipped football stadium, indoor basketball courts and gymnasium, vast open areas and greenery, an excellent 3D lab with machines for 3D printing, a spacious dining hall, a student involved experiments in aquaponics, a workshop for skill training in various crafts, and a system of reaching out to the needy in the neighbourhood.

I observed that in spite of its being a high school exclusively for boys, the boys bore a friendly, receptive appearance, not boisterous and not having rebellion written on their faces. I felt at home. The school is said to have good basketball and volleyball teams. 

One of the student projects was the preparation of a way of the cross on the campus, with the stations being identified, copied and manufactured and installed in an appropriate place. Much skill learning happens by means of this. A small chapel serves as a centre for spiritual energisation. 

I felt that the key differences from the Indian schools were: (i) involved and activity/problem-centred learning (ii) the importance given to sports (iii) the friendliness of the teachers.  This is from my observation of a few other US schools as well.  On the other hand, in general information and math achievement at the end of the school, on average, the Indian school student may be far ahead.  Teachers of Indian schools appear to be younger, smarter and better qualified. A trend with school leadership is that of having higher degrees, including Ph D for top leaders of the school. 

The tall tower of the school is more than 100 years old, and is out of bounds for the students, except on the day of their graduation. They are permitted to climb up and place a brick with their name on it on that day! 

It was a sunny day in the fall, and the campus was all bright with the maples and other trees in very attractive colours. The campus opens up for prospective candidates,  one of these days when they could come accompanied by their parents, explore the campus, and see if that fits them. There would be presentations and snacks as well. 

We are eagerly looking forward to partnering with them in academic and cultural exchanges - offline and online - between our schools at the student and faculty levels. 

A Chapel in the Mall and CMI Fellowships on the East Coast

Ever since I had been hearing about our taking over the mission named: 'A Chapel in the Mall' in 2016, I was curious to see for myself what this was all about.  But since then, I had just one occasion to visit the US, and that too, for a short stint of one month, which left me with no time to explore. However, this time, when I called up my younger confrere and long-time friendly acquaintance, Fr Amal Naduvilezhath CMI, his enthusiastic response made me determined to find some time to go to Boston, and visit with him.  His present mission partner, Fr Bijo, fresh from our Kochi province, was an added incentive for me to make the 250-mile trip,  I was trying to find the ways and

means to go there, when I recalled the offer of another good young friend, Thevara neighbour, our alumnus and the son of one of our beloved stalwart math leaders, Prof. P.O. Devassia, Thomas Plackal. Over the years, we had developed some level of friendship, and I decided to check if I could count on his offer. And he had no hesitation in confirming it. 

I realised it was a tough task - having to ride almost 250 miles to pick me up, another 250 to reach me Boston, and then drive back the entire stretch of 500 miles. However, I thought that was the best option I had.  Any mode of public transport - bus or train - was bound to cost me much more in terms of both time and money.  And perhaps, my additional agendas en route could hardly be fitted into the frame. So, though with some reluctance, I decided to bank on the offer. 

Then there was the need to get a clearance from the pastor - Fr Robbins was generous to say okay to the proposal. I decided to accompany Thomas back to Baltimore so that he could have company, and I could fit in another of my planned visits to promote academic partnerships between schools. 

October 29th, had no semblance of the warmth and joy of the Lord's day - it was a very wet wet day, with rain accompanying us all through the trip. But we managed to arrive at the CMI residence at Peabody, just around 6.30 pm. almost 1 hour and a half beyond our initial estimate. Amal and Bijo warmly welcomed us,  accompanied by the warm Indian fragrance of fish fried in coconut oil.  We did not delay in placing ourselves around the fellowship table, and being treated to pal kappa (a special preparation of Cassava in milk and sauteed thereafter). fried rice, chicken curry and King fish fried, followed by Peccan apple pie, with smooth Californian Caliveda red wine to help water it down. We continued to discuss the pathetic religio-socio-politics of our state, till Amal was almost dozing at the table. 

Our proposed morning walk was prevented by the insistent rain. And by 8 am, the duo were proving their culinary skills with standard palappam and chicken curry, and a well-blended cafe latte stirred to perfection. We went to the mall ahead of its regular opening time taking into account our need to cover the long distance with several stopovers on the way. 

The Mall - North Shore & the Chapel

On arrival, it beggarred imagination.  Where I had a structure of 2 or 3 floors, a maximum of 50 to 100 meters in length, we were presented a sprawling structure, spread over a vast area of 1700000 square feet! And to learn that such grand-scale thinking was not a new thing, but something which occurred as early as 1960, was another surprise.  But my appreciation was for Cardinal Cushing who thought that 'it was time for the Church to reach to the people out in the marketplace, rather than wait for them in the parish church'!  That was far-sightedness and entrepreneurial! 

The original Carmelites (O Carm - Order of Carmelites) of the US took up the responsibility. When they found it difficult to provide personnel for the mission, they looked for another carmelite group, and finally met with the CMIs.  Since the handing over, Fr Amal (officially, Jilson George; though I feel the name familiar to us, Amal  - immaculate - is much more CMI and meaningful!), who is a Ph.D. in Counselling Psychology has been in charge of this very unique ministry. 

I was surprised to learn that 2 daily celebrations of the eucharistic liturgy on all weekdays, are attended by around one hundred people, and there is almost a non-stop call for the sacrament of reconciliation. The chapel can comfortably seat 300 people. The wooden statues of various saints are sober. I think it is a noiseless, meaningful and beautiful ministry!  The ministry also includes the management of a shop for pious articles, which also serves as a means for sustenance of the mission, besides providing jobs for four people. 

The space is rented and monthly an amount of $11000 has to be paid, other services like power and water additionally.  It is said that the contributions of the beneficiaries and the income from the shop put together, the ministry is self-sustaining. 

We had a quick walk around the sprawling complex, which served to contribute to my daily fitness target of 10,000 brisk and vigorous steps.

Thus the CMIs have been able to have a foothold in the Catholic region of Boston in the North East of the USA. I felt proud to read the name board on the house at 30 Diane Road, Peabody- Carmelite House

 

A Detour to Walden

https://prasantamcmi.blogspot.com/2023/11/eco-spirtual-trek-with-thoraeu-walden.html

On the way to Peabody, I examined what else could be achieved at Boston - a visit to the great centre of learning, Harvard, or a visit to the location of Boston Tea Party of high-school history lessons?  Then I recalled vaguely Walden and Thoeau's experiments with 'living deliberately'.  And lo, a good search revealed that it was not all that far or out of the way to Rhode Island our next destination. 

Thomas was ready for anything, and willingly agreed to do the detour.  In half an hour we were around the heritage site of Walden Pond, an estate where the young Harvard radical, Henry David Thoreau chose to live his life 'deliberately'.  

CMIs in Rhode Island - Sherlock Holmes Parathinal & Hindi Scholar Cyriac

The combined parish of St. Theresa of Lisieux, Harrisville has Rev. Jose Parathinal, my senior confrere as the pastor.  Equipped with Indian and church law degrees, he is now appointed as a judge of the diocesan court. He is assisted by Rev. Cyriac Kalambatt, another veteran from the field of school education, who was considered an authority of English and Hindi in Bijnor region, one of the few to have obtained a regular Master's in the two languages in those times. (It happens that Parathinal and me are 2 other Hindi graduates, perhaps the only two other, besides him from those who got trained there). I recall our adventure together when he got his new Kawazaki Bajaj 2-stroke bike (which was a trendsetter in the motorbike industry in India in the 90s).  I went with him to New Tehri, riding all the way up the hill station from Najibabad, and we reached there late in the night. With Parathinal, we had the adventure of solving the mystery of the disappearing support staff and money at Damdeval (Garhwal).  It was assumed that the tribal boy from Bihar might have stolen the money and run away. The priest staying there alone didn't feel safe, and the bishop felt that he needed to be supported.  So when Parathinal arrived from a trip to Keralam, he asked him to come along, and I too was included in the team. On reaching the place after a tiring four-hour drive, Parathinal went about looking around the house in a typical Sherlock Holmes style,  and then we stepped out, he in the lead and a couple of us following. After a few hundred yards, he stopped, and observed and declared that the boy had been killed.  He referred to a foul smell and the swarming flies from under the culvert.  And he went ahead and found a heap of river stones under which was someone buried, assumably the boy. 

Though a sad story, the mystery was solved, and the police were informed and they initiated steps as per the law, and we returned without delaying much. That indicated his daring instincts at solving problems, which I think has stood by him all these years.  Later, he was asked to serve in the US, which I feel should not have been the case. However, he has left his mark wherever he has been. 

This year as the parish celebrated its centenary, he has executed a befitting jubilee memorial. This is a circular rosary garden with 10 standing marble tablets, depicting the 20 instances of the salvific mystery unravelled in Jesus. The outer ones present the joyful and luminous mysteries, while the inner ones present the sorrowful and glorious mysteries. The beautiful artwork is fully pencil sketched, and then laser copied to marble slabs.  The artist went out of his way to include among the disciples receiving the Holy Spirit at the Pentecost, the commissioner of the artwork, Rev. Parathinal as well, sporting his spectacles!  I recommended that his plans to lay a boundary for the garden around the rosary slabs be substituted with a bio-boundary, befitting the Laudato Si spirituality. 

He was keen to familiarise us with the unique aspects of the Church campus -  it is the first ever parish dedicated to St. Theresa of Lisieux, even before her canonisation; it has one of the 3 or 4 replicas of the Holy Stairs (Santa Scala - said to be the stairs that Jesus climbed to praetorium to listen to the judgement by Pilate - believed to have been transported to Rome by Constantine,  replaced by new steps in place of the ruined steps in 1520 by Pope Sixtus V, now to be found before the Lateran Basilica, and to be climbed on knees); a garden of the saints, statues of various venerations of the Blessed Mother Mary etc.  The parish campus is vast and beautiful. 

The statue of Mother Teresa has a long story to unveil - the contribution of a Hindu Doctor living in neighbourhood, who is said to have received the support of St. Anthony's 'special powers', and in return wanted to do something as a token of his gratitude. 

Fr Cyriac is yet getting familiar to the new situation and culture.  Then there was Fr Jose Mapillamattel, who happens to be a heartian of the  the 1980s vintage, and always a welcoming senior. He drove some 45 miles from the historical Narragansett to join the group.  We decided to have some lunch outside - the fancy place of the locality was 'Rice Bowl', which is a unique 'all you can eat' place, worth visiting, even if you didn't have a stomach for an 'all-you-can-eat'.  Then we learn that it is not open till evening on weekdays. We try Uncle Ronnie's Red Tavern, and there the story is repeated - perhaps, weekdays in a small town do not provide sufficient customers to keep the joints open. Finally, we find a place open at noon - a pub - Lindy's Tavern. It was a friendly place. The food was good, though not very familiar.  We had a good time, and then bid goodbye to the company. 

(Five) Hundred miles... A Long Ride Back 

Thomas proved his toughness, despite his frail frame - with just about 2 breaks - one for a power nap, and another for a cup of coffee, we went non-stop, rain accompanying us almost non-stop, and we hit St Mark's rectory in Ellicott city, Baltimore by 10.40 pm. Almost 500 miles covered in the day, and for Thomas, another 40 miles to go. 

A marvellous trip! 

An Eco Spirtual Trek with Thoraeu - Walden 2023

 

On the way to Peabody, Massachusets, to visit my CMI confreres in the unique ministry of a chapel in the mall,  I examined what else could be achieved at Boston - a visit to the great centre of learning, Harvard, or a visit to the location of Boston Tea Party of high-school history lessons?  Then I recalled vaguely Walden and Thoeau's experiments with 'living deliberately'.  And lo, a good search revealed that it was not all that far or out of the way to Rhode Island our next destination. 

Thomas was ready for anything, and willingly agreed to do the detour.  In half an hour we were around the heritage site of Walden Pond, an estate where the young Harvard radical, Henry David Thoreau chose to live his life 'deliberately'.  We were led to the information centre on the eastern side of the road.  Kayle who was at the counter of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) was helpful with his guidance as to what could be done. I was thrilled to learn that we could see the site of Thoreau's cabin, its replica and go around the 'pond' on a trail of 1.7 miles. Thomas was game for the same, in spite of the persistent rain. 

The glory and beauty of the pond, and the colours of the autumn were shrouded in the cloudy morning, still I relished the trek along the trail, stopping over to click pictures, relish the pristine and clear water of the pond, soak in the rain, and breath the mystical air of Walden. It occurred to me that my good friend, rebel, recluse and radical Thomas Peechat, was perhaps inspired by Thoreau, to decide to lead a radically different life, by letting his 15 acres of prime property of rubber plantation to grow into a wild, providing solace for the several non-human species of fellow beings.  While Thoreau's experiment lasted just about 2 years making him established in the map of modern secular nature mystics, Thomas' experiment appears to be life-long, with hardly any recognition, and perhaps, not even satisfying himself.  However, I have observed that there had been several people who were awed by what he did and fascinated by the same. 

Thoreau's jottings of his reflections on his life in the wild have become a modern classic on minimalist eco-spirituality.  I had read it once, but have forgotten all about it, except his observations on his right to lead his life with inner freedom, and to disobey the state laws if they did not let one do that! I also recollected that his thinking was inspirational for Gandhiji in his articulation of the right and the need of civil disobedience. 

I wondered whether this deliberateness of living has ever occurred to me, and even if it did or does, does it really impact me or others.  Does that occur to at least the catholic religious vowed to poverty, and having no other concern than of following Christ? I would say that is still exceptional among so many so-called dedicated people, including me. 

I found the place and the people associated with it, stimulating and challenging - Ralph Waldo Emerson a powerful political philosopher who owned the estate originally, and the young radical Thoraeu, who lived a short life on earth, but showed that a life in tune with the planet is possible and rewarding. 

The pond is said to have emerged from the melting of glacier ice, giving it the unique features of a kettle hole, is good for swimming in summer, though some of its parts are as deep as 103 feet.  It is almost 1500 feet long and 300 feet broad. The pond covers 63 acres forming part of a 335-acre forest reserve is a glorious site. The DCR opens it to the public free of cost, and fishing, swimming, kayaking etc are permitted. 

There is a 20-minute video show which gives the basic information about the place and person, which is also available on youtube. 

The log cabin site was excavated and discovered in 1945, a century after Thoreau began his experiment. A visitor's ritual is to place a small stone or stones at the log cabin in memory of your visit. I refrained from doing that as I felt ridiculous doing such a ritual in memory of a man who dared to live simplicity in a deliberate manner.  I was soaked in the rain, but felt fresh and good from the quick circumambulation of the pond shrouded in its glacial and human stories. 

Thoreau's Log Cabin

The replica of Thoraue's log cabin shows how one can live with minimum things in a comfortable manner.  In the 20 x 10 cabin there are a cot with a comfortable mattress and pillow, a desk and chair, a fire place,  a chimney behind the fireplace. I wondered what he did for cooking.  Also heard that he grew vegetables and used to sell them in the market. 

The visitor's centre provides an opportunity to chart the visitor on an e-world map.  I did that enthusiastically, and found that perhaps I was the first or the lone person to be found on the map, from our part of India. Thomas also registered his entry.