Pilgrimage to Spain

Sojourning in my Founder’s land


Ever since I joined the Jesuit Order, I have been repeatedly hearing about Loyola, Manresa, Xavier and Montserrat. These few places got imprinted in my heart as ‘Holy Land’. Deep within my heart a desire kept on growing to visit these Holy places. Fr Donal Neary, a Jesuit (Parish Priest of Gardiner Street Parish) casually asked me if I was willingly to partake in a pilgrimage to Ignatian sites. I grabbed the opportunity without giving a second thought!

March 26...

My country is great!

Once again March 26 is with us! The celebration for Independence and national day is all around us! The national flag is hoisting ...the patriotic songs are being played in most of the common places. The media is broadcasting special programmes on the importance of March 26.

Lent Reflections (5)

Lent: a time for renewal

For the last few days the clerical sexual abuse has been the central theme in most of the discussions/chat I had with other people. I have been listening to people speaking against the Church and defending the Church. It all began with the publication of Dublin Archdiocese’s clerical sexual abuse report last year. Since then, the media has been covering the issue intensely without any pause. Initially I had followed the news reports. Meanwhile I read a book titled, ‘the betrayal of trust’ by Chris Moore. All these readings helped me to see a ‘hidden reality of misuse of power and trust’ of which I was unaware till recently. The topic is so vast that I am afraid to speak of or make any comment.

Lent Reflections (4)

Lent: a time to come out of our little world

Recently I had a chat with the manager of a charitable trust. While talking on fundraising, she said, “We do a lot of fundraising during Lent.” When I asked her what was the reason behind, she said “many people generously donate during Lent. They consider it as a part of their penance and a good practice to be united with the suffering people.” I found it is a noble way to observe Lent.

Life in Ireland

Flipping over my last year’s diary I found the following few paragraphs. Interestingly they were written at the Abudabi airport, while waiting for the connecting flight. As I was thinking to pen my experiences in Ireland, I thought it would be appropriate to reproduce these few paragraphs. These were my genuine feelings, which spontaneously came from the depth of my heart. My days are counted in Ireland. Then I will have to say, ‘once upon a time I was in Ireland…!’ Why not pen something when I am still in Ireland…? The following article is incomplete as I will be adding from time to time…

Lent Reflection (3)

Lent: a time to return to God


Christians in general tend to perform or observe some pious practices during Lent, and these include going for Mass, Stations of the Cross, Confession and praying Rosary. I have no idea of any historical reasons or rationality behind all these pious practices. But all I understand is, that these practices directly or indirectly show our desire to return to God.

The Year of Priests (2)

A priest who loved poverty

( This year, being the year of priests, i plan to pen a few articles on priests or priesthood and here i present my second article. I am extremely happy to write something about someone who has played a significant role in my life. For me he is still alive and continue to inspire me...