Prayer of the Faithful during Christmas

Ka Jingduwai Ki Riewngeit ha ka Kristmas

1.     Ka Por Kristmas ka dei ka por jong ka jing kyrkhu. Ngi duwai na ka bynta ka  Balang, ba U Blei un kyrkhu ia ka balang jongngi hakane ka por advent da ka da ka mynsiem sngewrit, iarap lem bad iamap khnang ba ka balang jongngi kan suhthied ha ka jingieid, jingsuk, bad jingiatylli. Na ka bynta kane ngi kyrpad ia me ko Trai.

2.     Ka por Kristmas ka dei ka por ba wanrah jingshai. Ngi duwai na ka bynta U Kpa Bakhuid jong ngi U Pope Francis. U Pope Francis u long u briew ba jylliew ha ka jingngeit, ba ieid ia ki baduk, ba pynshlur ia ki samla, ba ai mynsiem ia ki longing longsem bad ba ai jingkyrmen ia ki phadar bad ki riewniam. Ngi duwai naka bynta jong i ba U Blei un kyrkhu ia i da ka jingshai U Krist khnang ba un nang iai lah ban ialam ia ka balang Katholik jongngi sha ka Jingshai U Krist. Na ka bynta kane ngi kyrpad ia me ko Trai.

3.     Ka por Kristmas ka dei ka por jong ka jingpynbna. Ngi duwai naka bynta ki Bishop, phadar, ki brodar, ki sistar bad baroh kito ki ba pynpriang ia ka khubor ba bha jong U Jisu ba U Blei un nang iai kyrkhu ia ki da ka mynsiem jong ka jingshlur, un ai ia ki ka met ba koit ba khiah bad ka mynsiem len lada ban dup lah ban pynbna ia ka khubor babha jong U Jisu kylleng satlak ka pyrthei. Na ka bynta kane ngi kyrpad ia me ko Trai.

4.     Ka por Kristmas ka dei ka por ban pynsuhthied ia ka jingieid jongngi bad U Blei bad ruh bad ki parabriew. Ngi duwai naka bynta ki pa pang ba shitom, ki ba duk ba toi, ki khunswet khun rangli bad ia baroh kito ki parabriew ki bym ioh jingieid, jingkmen ha kane ka pyrthei ba U Blei un bsuh ia ka mynsiem sngewlem ha ki parabriew ban iarap bad duwai ia ki. Na ka bynta kane ngi kyrpad ia me ko Trai.

5.     Ka por Kristmas ka dei ka por jong ka jinglen ialade. Ngi duwai na ka bynta ki nongshynshar ia ka ri bad ka jylla jongngi, Na ka bynta ki NGO bapher bapher bad ki briew ba trei na ka bynta ka jingbha ki parabriew ba U Jisu un kyrkhu ia ki da mynsiem ba luilui, ka mynsiem trei hok bad ka mynsiem ban long kum ki nongsharai ym kum ki nongbishar. Na ka bynta kane ngi kyrpad ia me ko Trai.

6.     Ka por Kristmas ka dei ka por jong ka jingiatylli. Ngi duwai naka bynta ki longing longsem ki ba la iapaid iapra ba U Blei un pyniatylli biang iaki ba kin don ka mynsiem sngewthuh, ba kin iamap bad ba kin iaieid biang. Na ka bynta kane ngi kyrpad ia me ko Trai.

7.     Ka por Kristmas ka dei ka por jong ka jingkmen. Ngi duwai na ka bynta i mei-i pa, ki hynmen ki para bad ki ba haiing ha sem jongngi ba U Khunlung Jisu un wanrah ka jingkmen, jingieid, jingsuk bad jingkyrkhu ia ki iing ki sem jongngi. Na ka bynta kane ngi kyrpad ia me ko Trai.

8.     Ka por Kristmas ka dei ka por ban kham pynjanai ia ka jingim jongngi. Ngi duwai na ka bynta jongngi i wei pa iwei ki ba don lang hangne ba U Jisu yn kyrkhu iangi da ka mynsiem ban kham trei shitom ha ki kam ki jam jongngi, ban kham pynleit jingmut ha ka pule puthi jongngi bad ba ngin don borabor hapdeng ka met ka bakoit ba khiah. Ngi duwai ruh na ka bynta baroh ki member ka BCCM ki ba la leit nangne na Bangalore bad ki bym lah ban wan ha kane ka sngi. Na ka bynta kane ngi kyrpad ia me ko Trai.

Youth celebrate The World youth Day for Better Tomorrow

Youth celebrate The World youth Day

    The 28^th World Youth Day (WYD) which is organized by the Catholic Church is held from 22-29 July, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro. The theme of WYD is “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Approximately 3,000,000 pilgrims are expected to attend the event. Pope Francis will grant a plenary indulgence – a remission of all temporal punishment due to sin – to World Youth Day participants. Various activities like seminars, cultural events, faith sharing and other major events like Opening Mass, Papal Welcome Ceremony, Stations of the Cross, the Vigil with the Pope and the Final Mass will take place during the WYD. The aim of WYD is to unite the youth from all over the world irrespective of class, colour, caste and sex.

    The World Youth Day was started by Pope John Paul II in 1984 and in December, 1985 he announced that World Youth Day will be an annual gathering.  From 1984-1986 the WYD was held in St. Peter’s square, Rome. In 1987 it was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina with the theme “We ourselves have known and put our faith in God’s love towards ourselves (1Jn 4:16)”. In 1989 it was held in Santiago de Compostela, Spain with the theme “I am the way, the truth, and the life (Jn 14:6)”. In 1991 it was held in Czestochowa, Poland with the theme “You have received a spirit of sonship (Romans 8:15)”. In 1993 it was held in Denver. USA with the theme “I came that they might have life, and have it to the full (Jn 10:10)”. In 1995 it was held in Manila, Philippines with the theme “As the Father sent me, so am I sending you (Jn 20:21)”. In 1997 it was held in Paris, France with the theme “Teacher, where are you staying? Come and see ( Jn 1:38-39). In 2000 it was held in Rome, Italy with the theme “Jubilee – The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn 1:14)”. In 2002 it was held in Toronto, Canada with the theme “You are the salt of the earth; You are the light of the world (Mt 5:13-14)”. In 2005 it was held in Cologne, Germany with the theme “We have come to worship him (Mt 2:2)”. In 2008 it was held in Sydney, Australia with the theme “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses (Acts 1, 8)”. In 2011 it was held in Madrid, Spain with the theme “Rooted and built up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the Faith (Col 2:7)”. In 2013 it was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with the theme “Go and Make Disciples of All Nations (Mt 28:19)”. Youth make up more than 50% of the total population in the world. In India itself as per the survey in 2013 the current population is 1,270,272,105 (1.27 billion) but more than 50% of India's current population is below the age of 25. Since the youth population is half of the total population Pope John Paul II felt the need to unite the youth, trained them in various aspects of life, channelize them for purposeful work and gather the youth to be messenger of peace, love and hope.

    When we look into the various aspects of growth and development in our society the work is done mostly by youth. IT companies, BPOs, Banks, and other sectors have employed so many youth because they know that they could get the best from the youth at the required time. Youth are involved in various sectors whether it might be private, government, joint venture undertakings.  World Youth Day brings the youth from all over the world so that they can share with each other about the various types of work, methods, and techniques they do and use. The WYD will transform thinking and acting pattern of the youth and thus get energized and work with zest and enthusiasm when they return.

    Youth today have been affected tremendously by the fast moving world. They want to grow, get educated, and work fast. Youth in modern times are money, pleasure, power and possession oriented. They will build and break relationship just to obtain their goals. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), US survey reveals that 56.2% of the youth drink, 44% of the youth take drugs, and 42% of the youth involves in criminal acts. Most of the crimes like fighting, rape, murder, robbery, terrorism and others are done by the youth. National Crime Records Bureau data shows that 60% of criminal acts in India is done by the Youth. According to WHO reports there are around 1 million suicides a year in the world. Why the youth are falls in such a category or stage of life? The World Youth Day through various seminars, faith sharing, and presentations try to answer the problems face by the youth today. Through talk and various meetings held during WYD the youth will come out with various solutions which will be beneficial for the youth throughout the world.

    Most of the youth today have whatever they need; they have good education, enough money, fame and all sort of entertainment they wanted. However, we see that many of the youth do not have a happy life. Why is it so? The reason is because they do not really know who they are from deep within. They have all materialistic things but their heart is empty. The World Youth Day gather the youth of all faith and countries to help them to enter into their inner being through prayers and fill their hearts with an inner joy which material things will not be able to give.  Pope Francis said, “World Youth Day aims at bringing the youth from all over the world for prayer, worship, to build and strengthen the bonds of faith, friendship and hope, symbolizing the union between people of different cultures and countries and it invites the youth to take up the call to the mission, and to be witnesses of the Risen Christ”.

    World Youth Day has also been criticized because of immoral behavior of the youth during this occasion. When youth of mixed sexes travel together like one big family for camping trips or overnight retreats they are tempted to other vices like drinking, fighting, consuming drugs and live a loose moral life. Marian T. Horvat, Ph.D. in her book What’s Wrong with World Youth Day? writes: “World Youth Day delivers a counterfeit, emotional pep-rally religion. Its ceremonies contain countless novelties, practices and sacrileges that have been condemned by the constant teaching and practice of the Popes throughout the centuries. WYD is a scandal to our young people. It corrupts the youth.” WYD is like and occasion to brainwash the youth to become fundamentalist, to imbibe western culture and neglect our reach traditions, and to run away from the reality by seeking refuge in God, through religion. WYD is a waste of time, money and resources for a youth. A youth could have used that money to educate himself or get a job during those days instead of going for WYD. Some said that WYD is a Christian method conversion.

    St. Joseph’s College is an institution that educates and transforms many youth for a better tomorrow. So as we celebrate the World Youth Day let us be messenger of peace, love, and hope to all people irrespective of status, colour, caste and sex. Josephites are suppose to be persons with good education and with a loving heart; loving God, nature and human being.

Celebrating the World Youth Day for Better Tomorrow (Edited Version)

The 28^th World Youth Day (WYD) an initiative by the Catholic Church is being held from 22-29 July, 2013 at Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. The event which has “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) as its theme is expected to gather approximately 3,000,000 youth from across the world. The Supreme religious head of the Catholic Church Pope Francis is scheduled to pray along with the youth during the meet. Various activities like seminars, cultural events, faith sharing and Eucharistic celebration, Stations of the Cross are all geared towards uniting the youth from all over the world irrespective of caste, class, colour, creed and gender.

The World Youth Day was started by Pope John Paul II in 1984. Realizing that the youth population is half of the total population of the world Pope John Paul II felt the need to unite the youth, train them in various aspects of life, channelize them for purposeful work and gather the youth to be messengers of peace, love and hope.

Youth today have been affected tremendously by the fast moving world. They want to grow, get educated and be settled in life at the earliest. Money, pleasure, power and position are driving their decisions quite often. They will build and break relationships just to obtain their goals. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), US survey reveals that 56.2% of the youth drink, 44% of the youth take drugs, and 42% of the youth involves in criminal acts. The number of youth involving in crimes like fighting, rape, murder, robbery, terrorism is on the rise. National Crime Records Bureau data shows that 60% of criminal acts in India are done by the youth. According to the WHO reports there are around one million suicides a year in the world. These figures only reiterate that youth today are at the cross roads.

Inspite of being the beneficiaries of the most advanced modern technologies the youth today seem not be content with themselves. They are engaged in a deep search and longing which the pleasures of the materialistic world cannot provide. Pope Francis’ words, “World Youth Day aims at bringing the youth from all over the world for prayer, worship, to build and strengthen the bonds of faith, friendship and hope, symbolizing the union between people of different cultures and countries and it invites the youth to take up the call to the mission, and to be witnesses of the Risen Christ,” assures an assistance in their search for meaning.

St. Joseph’s College is an institution that educates and transforms many a youth for a better tomorrow. Let this World Youth Day celebration enable each of its students to be a messenger of peace, love, and hope in the society that is increasingly being divided. 

New Evangelization of our Faith

New Evangelization of our Faith

The theme of my Recollection talk is “New Evangelization of our Faith” therefore let us first understand what this New Evangelization means. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines evangelization as: “the proclamation of Christ and His Gospel by word and the testimony of life, in fulfillment of Christ’s command.” New Evangelization of our faith means deepening our relationship with Jesus through the Church, live like Jesus and inspire people to follow Jesus through the Catholic Church (Conversion), to revive the faith of prodigal Christians, bring them back to the church and finally to foster Gospel values in our society. The New Evangelization calls each of us to deepen our faith, believe in the Gospel message and go forth to proclaim the Gospel.

By faith, Mary accepted the Angel’s word and believed the message that she was to become the Mother of God in the obedience of her devotion (cf. Lk 1:38). By faith, the Apostles left everything to follow their Master (cf. Mk 10:28). By faith, they went out to the whole world, following the command to bring the Gospel to all creation (cf. Mk 16:15). By faith, the disciples formed the first community, gathered around the teaching of the Apostles, in prayer, in celebration of the Eucharist, holding their possessions in common so as to meet the needs of the brethren (cf. Acts 2:42-47). By faith, the martyrs gave their lives, bearing witness to the truth of the Gospel that had transformed them and made them capable of attaining to the greatest gift of love: the forgiveness of their persecutors. By faith, across the centuries, men and women of all ages, whose names are written in the Book of Life (cf. Rev 7:9, 13:8), have confessed the beauty of following the Lord Jesus wherever they were called to bear witness to the fact that they were Christian: in the family, in the workplace, in public life, in the exercise of the charisms and ministries to which they were called. (Apostolic Letter “Motu Proprio Data”, Porta Fidei of The Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI)

The African impala antelope can jump to a height of over 10 feet and cover a distance of greater than 30 feet. Yet these magnificent creatures can be kept in an enclosure in any zoo with a 3-foot wall. The animals will not jump if they cannot see where their feet will fall. Faith is the ability to trust what we cannot see, and with faith we are freed from the flimsy enclosures of life that only fear allows to entrap us. Faith is all about believes, believing in God, in the people and in nature.

The New Evangelization of faith invites all of us to ponder about our faith, practice our faith in our daily lives, introduce others to the faith, encourage others who have experienced crises of faith to live their faith with zest and zeal and proclaim the gospel of love to where you can reach. To make this year of Faith a meaningful year and to imbibe the spirit of the New Evangelization of Faith we have to allow ourselves to be transformed in different ways so that we can be means of transformation to the whole world. Some of the areas that we need to reflect and if necessary transform ourselves are;

a.      Retracing or retreating to the root or foundation

Go back to the root, recalled your baptism, first communion, confirmation, vows which you made and the feelings that you have towards God when you were small. In short find ways and means to balance your emotional life and help others in this regard.

b.      Communion with God

We need to open our hearts to the Word of God by reading the Bible, spend more time in prayer and reflection and take time off to contemplate about the baptism, ministries of Jesus, the passion and death, resurrection and thus participating with Jesus in the glory of the heavenly home. Renew your faith by going for confession, recite the rosary and visit the Blessed Sacrament. This is the moment when we try to re-connect with our creator in our spiritual journey and lead others to God.

c.        Rejuvenating our Intellectual and Physical life for service

The Porta Fidei writes, “Faith without charity bears no fruit, while charity without faith would be a sentiment constantly at the mercy of doubt”. To share our faith with others we need to know something. So, the theme “The New Evangelization of our faith” invites us to know the Bible, The Catechism of the Catholic Church, read more spiritual books, life of saints and other books to enhance our intellectual life. In Porta Fidei, The Holy Father invites us to be Messenger of the Gospel. To be messenger we need to have good health of mind and body, therefore, we need to have proper care of ourselves so that we can help others.

d.      Set the world on fire

Pope Benedict XVI in Porta Fidei said “The Church as a whole and all her Pastors, like Christ, must set out to lead people out of the desert, towards the place of life, towards friendship with the Son of God, towards the One who gives us life, and life in abundance.” Pope Benedict XVI called for the re-proposing of the Gospel "to those regions awaiting the first evangelization and to those regions where the roots of Christianity are deep but who have experienced a serious crisis of faith due to secularization." Pray, help, love and share what you have with other people.

Be the change to the world. Let the social structure of our society be transformed because of you. Educate and empower the people especially the backward classes. Conscientise the people to share the wealth of the world so that all have their fill and no one goes hungry or homeless. Instill the idea of love, respect, care and concern for others. The more we share our resources better will be the society in which we live in. We should be messenger of peace, love, respect and hope in this world. Invite people to go for mass, start community activities, conduct Bible quiz competition, begin a Catholic club and organize prayer service to pray for the welfare of the community and for others. The Holy Father is entrusting us of leading those many people who are seeking it to the “door of faith.” Pope Benedict XVI said to the Jesuits to ‘reach the geographical and spiritual places where others do not reach or find it difficult to reach”.

e.       Igniting Love for nature

Raimundo Pannikar in his book ‘Invisible Harmony’ gives the notion that cosmos, anthropos and Theos ought to stay interconnected to exist in this world. Human being have used and abused nature therefore, in this Year of Faith we need to reconcile with nature. We ought to love and care for the nature so that we can trust in nature. If we neglect, exploit and destroy nature, nature will not keep up the faith we have in her. When nature is not in its proper shape, it will also behave in unnatural way. We have to reconcile with nature and strengthen our interconnectedness with nature. When we care for nature, we care ourselves, our parents, siblings, our near and dear ones and our future generation. Loving nature is loving ourselves, loving our fellow human beings and loving God.

There are lots of works to be done for the glory of God and the church calls all of us to for this mission of transformation. Will you accept this invitation? Pope Francis invites all religious to concentrate on the four fundamental pillars of religious life that is spiritual formation, the intellectual formation, the apostolic formation and the community formation. When a person is healthy in his life he/ she will be able to serve God through the people joyfully. Pope Francis said, “When you find a seminarian, a priest, a nun, a novice, with a long face, sad, one feels as though we have thrown a fully wet blanket on their lives”. People who have no joy, love, peace will not be able to be joyful and fruitful. In this Year of Faith and as we reflect on the theme “New Evangelization of our Faith” let us all pray that we deepen our faith in Jesus, inspire people to follow Jesus, encourage the lost sheep to come back to the same flock, be messenger of the gospel and of social transformation.

 “Go ahead, with joy, with consistency, always with the courage to tell the truth, the courage to get out of yourselves to encounter Jesus in prayer and go out of yourselves to encounter others and offer them the gospel. With the pastoral fertility!” (Discourse of Pope Francis to the Seminarians and novices on July 6, 2013).

Reference: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_ben-xvi_motu-proprio_20111011_porta-fidei_en.html

BASA AND IWBIH

        Khasi tribe is one of the tribes in the Northeast, which has many ancestral legends. These legends are connected and related to the mountains, caves, rocks, rivers etc. Here is one among the classic legends.

        Long ago there lived a family. The father of the family was Sdieng, the mother was Khain and their three-month old daughter was Iwbih. They survived on rice cultivation. One day Khain with her daughter went early to the field because Sdieng was fully drunk. Sdieng got very wild at his wife. He told her, ”I have been loving you for a long time but now you responded me in this way.” As soon as he finished uttering his words he killed Khain. When he finished killing his wife, a dense cloud covered the sky. After sometime it started raining. Sdieng ran away and left the child untouched. In spite of the rain the child did not get wet as her mother kept safe in the place which was nicely prepared and covered with umbrella. When evening came the child cried for milk but no one could hear the sound. After a long time a big snake called Basa appeared, he took the child and looked after the child. When Iwbih was crying for milk, the snake would go to the village and forced the cow by pulling from its tail to come and feed Iwbih. After some days the cow started to come by itself everyday.

        Iwbih grew up to be a fine lady; she considered the cow as her mother and the snake as her father. When she was able to walk she used to come out of the cave an then collected some fruits to feed herself and Basa. Her pets were small snakes and different kinds of insects. She was able to play and even communicate with them very well. One day when she came out to collects some fruits some hunters saw her. They were astonished at the sight. They tried to meet her, but they could not, for Iwbih ran away to the cave. She was terribly scared because she had never seen any human being before. She could not speak in human language. With this strange experience the hunters could not keep quiet anymore. So they informed the King about the lady and her beauty. The prince was impressed by what he heard and by all means he wanted to find Iwbih.

        The prince and the hunters went to Iwbih’s palace and saw her. She was sitting on a stone beside the cave arranging her long beautiful hair. When the prince saw her, he couldn’t help falling in love that moment itself. The hunters and the prince tried to approach her. But Iwbih did not respond, instead she ran to the cave. The prince was depressed and went home sadly. After a few days he again organized a group of hunter to capture the lady while she was relaxing outside the cave. Before reaching the cave, the prince advised his followers to be very alert. He asked them to walk quietly and block the entrance of the cave, So that the lady would not be able to enter the cave. When Iwbih saw them she tried to run but she could not enter the cave as the hunters already blocked the cave. She was then caught and took to the prince palace. As soon as she reached the palace, the king organized a feast for the prince and Iwbih. But every time she was filled with sweet remembrance of the activities in ht cave. So one day she requested the prince to take here to the cave so that she could meet Basa.

        The prince and Iwbih went to the cave. When they reached they saw Basa crawling round Iwbih’s stone weeping in grief. She went near Basa and talked with him. When Basa saw Iwbih standing just beside him, how was very pleased and his tears stopped suddenly. But seeing the prince standing at a distance from them, Basa coiled the prince with his long tail bringing close to his wide open mouth trying to swallow him. At that moment Iwbih pleaded Basa not to gulp him for he was her friend.

        The Prince was led inside the cave by Iwbih and Basa. He was afraid to enter the cave. But when he reached inside, he was stunned to see the wall was decorated with gold and precious stones far better than any other building in the world. Iwbih explained Basa all tat had happened to her. Having listened to her, Basa also narrated how she was saved by him. Also told her that he was a special snake which can fly, change his appearance, produce light and reach anywhere to help his subjects, After saying this he gave Iwbih and the prince all the treasures of the cave and promised them that he will be their helper. He also advised her to call his name in times of trouble.

        Here ends the story but te rears of Basa is now turned into a stream and the Khasis believed that whenever they go to jungle they always feel the presence of his spirit. If they go out of their Kingdom they never shout or do anything that would destroy the sanctity of the place lest they get sick.

        The Khasis believed that Basa was a unique creature created by God therefore, no one should kill Basa.

MUSICAL PLAY ON ST. STANISLAUS KOSTKA

MUSICAL PLAY ON ST. STANISLAUS KOSTKA

Composed by Fr. Victor D’Mello S.J

Narrator :      Way back many centuries ago

            There was a duke named Kostka

He lived in the land of Poland

And looked after his beautiful land

Choir :            Prince Kostka of Poland who always loved his land

As a prince he lived in luxury

Seeking always wealth and glory

Wanted to make a great history

O listen to his great story

The duke has two young sons

Paul Kostka, the elder one

Who always loved games and fun

Stanislaus the young and devoted one

He liked to get his duties done

The prince had all his dreams on his sons 

Who would make his name a great one

(The house of the prince (curtain opens)

Prince : If I need my sons to become smart intelligent what we need is education. Janek where do you think I can send them?

Janek : for the last few years the Jesuits are running very good schools my master, I think that will be good?

Prince:  But where are their schools?

Janek: There is a school at Vienna, the capital city of Austria.

Prince:  O my friend too far,

Janek : But it is worth it.

Prince:  Yes education, I know where to send them. I will put both of them with the Jesuits.

(Calls two sons and tells them): “you will go to the Jesuits for your education and study there. You know they are a recent congregation and well known for education. Come my sons, I will tell you about them.

The prince Sings:

O! these Jesuits are known for their education

They have very good reputation

They will make you do recitation

and at times you learn some notations

Learn even some great quotations

That will make a good rotation

But keep away from all temptation

Learn to succeed in competition (2)

                        Well go my sons and study

All things I have kept ready

Remember you need to be steady

On holidays go for some cream and candy

(Calls Billlinsky and the porter)

Prince: You see, I am sending my sons to abroad for their studies, make sure you take care of them properly.

                        O my porter take their luggage

                        Make sure that you miss no baggage

Porter: Yes Master

You Billinksy Please see that they study well in college

                        Now come on go into the carriage

Good luck good bye (3)

Narrator: Thus the two brothers left for their education with the Jesuits.  The Jesuits there welcomed the two princes of Poland.

Paul and Stanislaus: Good morning Father

Fr. Pold sings: Welcome to the Jesuit school

  This is a place to be calm and cool

In your study you give your best

Sometimes you have some fun and jest

Never be absent for any test

Then you can have some good rest

Students sing: Always try to do what’s right

                        Never ever try to fight

                        Studies you should never take them light

                        Only then at you will delight

Always practice punctuality

In free time bring out some creativity

Have some fun and have some play

But never forget to sometime to pray.

Well now you know what you are suppose to do.  I wish you a pleasant stay and good luck in your new career.

Both: Thank you father we will try our best

Narrator: The house where Stanislaus and his brother were staying was given to the Jesuits in lease for some time and now the new prince of Austria decided to take back the house. Thus Stanislaus and his brother had to leave the place and take shelter in another place. They ended in the house of a Lutheran.

Kimberkly sings

            This, my house, is a cozy little place

The best in the city, my dear

Warmth and comforts, plenty of space

You’ll find’ em all only here!

Princes: Anything more to enjoy

A glass of whisky, bottles of beer

Seasoned Austrian wine

And though at times I tend to be queer

Have no fear

I am a host benign

And it’s not a boast that I am a good host,

Ask any one in Austria

They speak about my hospitality

In France and Spain and Poland and Portugal

And even Italia

Princes: Any regulations?

And in my house, there aren’t restrictions

On eating and drinking and sleeping enjoying life

And there are absolutely no regulations

On sleeping and rising and playing and gambling and living luxurious life.

Eat and drink, and Gamble and booze

I’ll always leave you at peace!

Relish your lives you’ve have nothing lose

I’ll make sure you’re at ease.

Princes: What about play?

Boys, live as you like and do what you want.

But pay my rent in time

‘Cause for all the kindness that I ever flaunt

I count every dime

I have no Restrictions, and no regulations

But I do have just one condition

Princes: A Condition! What is it?

No statues no rosary will you pray

Enjoy and live from day to day

Eat and drink and have some play

Make sure in time you give your pay

Kimberkly: Agreed?

Princes: Yes

Kimberkly: Any objection?

Princes: No objection

Kimberkly: You are welcome

Stanislaus: Paul this is not a place for us. Come on we will look some other house.

Paul: what are you talking? Where do you get such a lovely place Stanislaus? Look everything we need his here. I want to enjoy life.

Stanislaus: Paul I do not like this place. This does not seem to be meant for our study.

Paul: even if you do not like we will stay here.  Because I like freedom. I am elder to you and you obey me.

Narrator: It was not for Stanislaus to live with Paul. The two were of exactly opposite character. Stanislaus was simple and Spiritual, whereas Paul was proud, mean and worldly, the clash of characters was extremely painful for Stanislaus. He always thought of enjoying life with his friends. There was no much chance for mass or to any other sacraments. Stanislaus also missed the inspiration and example of Jesuits. To compensate he would spend many hours in prayer. But Paul would always enjoy with friends.

Paul: Come on let’s enjoy

We are the princes

We love our dances

For this we take all the chances. X2

Though we have to study

We are never ready

Come let’s enjoy everybody

Eat and drink makes merry right in time

Most o the times like to play the game

We never bother if it is wild or tame

Enjoy the life try to get fame

Life is there to make merry

Dad will give money so why worry?

Paul:               Take things slow for there is no hurry. Agreed?

Princes:          Yes

Make sure we get nice food and curry

We want to enjoy our life

Don’t like much work and strife

Always make merry and never worry

(Rodrigo, Gruber and Chomski with Paul, gambling and drinking)

Rodrigo: Bye folks, I’m off. See you tomorrow.

Chomski: Son of a bitch! He’ll have good fun tonight.

Gruber: And think of it, when he enjoys we’re languishing here, losing all our money to that cunning fox.

Paul: I lost al money. I’ll have to write to my father again for more, and that stingy old man will curse me? I only hope that worthless brother of mine doesn’t write home about what’s really happening here.

Chomski: Oh, you have really a strange brother, Paul. I have never seen such a nuisance in my life. You see ever since we have settled only we enjoy. Hay Paul your brother Stanislaus he never joins us. What is wrong with him.

Grubber: in fact it’s a mistake he is your brother. He is only fit to be a monk. He is a disgrace to the nobility of Poland.

Chomski: Paul why don’t you talk to him and make him understands?

Paul: make him understand? Oh that’s an impossible dream. You talk to him, shout at him kick him or beat him he is always the same. Studies and prayer and studies his world is so small. If I talk to him about how he’s missing in his life, he starts telling me that it’s not he but I’m missing so much in life stubborn to the core! you see Chomsky he is at least praying for us. The holy man. We like to play and he likes to pray. Let him do what he wants. I am fed up. He makes my room a monastery.

Gruber: Stubborn indeed: and yet, he looks so happy!

Paul: Happy you call that happiness: It’s so boring. He has such a irritating smile besides.

Chomski: and what makes him smile all the time?

Paul: Prayer, he says, prayer: I simply can’t understand how it you kneel down and mumble something you become happy.

Grubber: And he prays for long time?

Paul: Oh he can go and on. He can pray without break for a whole day. Perhaps he’s praying even now.

Grubber:  Let’s have a look come on we lost all the money tonight. Let’s have some fun at least!

Scene III

(Stanislaus kneeling in prayer. Paul  leading the group purposely stumbles on him)

Paul:  You fool! Can’t you be somewhere in a corner: why do you come in my way>

Stanislaus: I’m in a corner Paul; there is so much space for you to walk!

Grubber: Hey don’t know how to talk to holy people? (Kneeling) your holiness, we’re extremely sorry for you brothers misbehavior. Buy that was necessary to remind your holiness that night is the time to sleep….

Chomski: And not practice superstitions.

Paul:  Hey, Chomski, how dare you call his holiness’s saintly day-dreaming a superstition?You must fine a better word.

Grubber: Better word.  Shall we call it holy folly?

Paul: Or saintly escapism?

Chomski:  Or knee exercise?

Grubber: Hidden hypocrisy?

Chomski: Cowardly time waste?

Grubber: Hey, look? There’s a halo around his head!!

Chomski: And his face glowing

Paul: his ears are rousing

(All look at each other; laugh, and kneel down)

All three: Hail Stanislaus!

(Laugh and exit)

Billinsky: Paul, Stanislaus is sick. What to do? You take care of him.

Paul : No let that saintly guy take care of himself or everyday he is praying to the saints let them take care of him.

Billinsky: No he is your brother and if your father comes to know that you are not taking care of him he will be angry.

Paul: O my god this brother of mine any way I will try. I have to do the duty as a brother

(Scene where Stanislaus us lying)

Stanislaus: Give me some water,

Paul: now water, now food now coat and everything else

I just dislike you.  You are a disgrace to the family.

Stanislaus: O my lord, teach me to bear all this and teach me to obey your will.

O lord help me.

Narrator: That night mother Mary appeared to him and healed him. And next morning he was moving around

Billinski: My God Stanislaus you are moving around. How is that? Please go and lie down.

Stanislaus: No, I am well now and mother Mary came and healed me.  And you know what she asked me to be a Jesuit.

Billinski: What a Jesuit? Stan what are you talking? You know you are a prince.

Stanislaus: but I am born not for this world but for eternity.

Next day meets Fr.  Pold.

Fr. Pold: hello Stanislaus. I heard you were very sick and now I see you well again and attending classes.

Stanislaus: Yes father, I had a vision of our lady yesterday and after that I felt strong again.

Father I want to tell you one more thing. Mother Mary asked me to be a Jesuit.

Fr. Pold: But you know it will be difficult for you

Stanislaus: But why father?

Fr. Pold:         You are a son of prince

                        You will lot of trouble

                        Please ask your father

If he does not bother

Then you may be one

For we need parent’s permission

Or else there will be repercussion

Though I am moved with compassion

I just can’t decide in this your passion.

However my friend you go and pray

Then god may show you way

Ask for grace day by day

That from his will you may not stray

Stanislaus:      All my life for this I long

Day by day my desire is growing strong.

Fr. Pold: You may meet Fr. Provincial and ask his opinion. He is right now in Augsburg. You will have to go there.  But Augsburg is 200miles away from here.

Stanislaus: But it will have to tell my brother. My father will never give permission. How to do? I will see. Father pray for me.

(Stanislaus come to his room (praying)

Enter Paul: You are a disgrace Stanislaus. All the time on your knees and in prayer or with your study. I am fed up of you. I just hate it.

Stanislaus : this is where I get my happiness. If you do not like me and cannot adjust let me go.

Paul: Go get lost go where you want but be out of my sight. Unworthy brother of mine.

Narrator: Next day Stanislaus left for Vienna. On the way.

Beggar: please give me some money.

Stanislaus : I do not have money. Come take my clothes.

Narrator: Thus he gave the clothes to the beggar. Meanwhile Paul got worried about his brother. He went in search of him. Though he saw him he could not recognize him.

Paul: did you see a boy of your age going this way?

Stanislaus: Yes he went ahead this way a few minutes ago.

Narrator : He walked 200 miles to reached Augsburg and met Fr. Peter Canisius

(In Fr. Peter Canisius office)

Peter Canisius: May I know you?

Stanislaus : Yes Father I am from Vienna

Stanislaus sings:       I am Stanislaus Kostka

I want to be a Jesuit

This is my life long desire

Yes that is all wish

Many miles have I walked

To come here and meet you

Please never reject me

I will do what you say.

Peter Canisius:          You are prince of Poland

You dad is a powerful man

To accept you as a Jesuit

I just do not think I can

Stanislaus:                I will do what you say

Please please let me in

And see if there is a way

Peter Canisius:         When I see you I am moved with pity

Long have you walked to come to this city

If you do not want to go home

Go and meet Fr.  General and he is in Rome

Peter Canisius: Brothers come here. Meet Stanislaus

Novices: Welcome Stanislaus

Peter Canisius: Brothers you must take Stanislaus to Rome. Now go and prepare for the journey, you have to walk for miles and miles.

Peter Canisius: Stanislaus you come with me and take some rest. Bro. Mark bring some tea. I will write a letter for you to be sent to (Fr. Francis Borgia), the General. Bro. Mark you take the letter and give to Fr. General and make sure that you are save on the way.

Novices: Thank you Father. Come let us go.

Reciting the “Hail Mary”

Walk with me o my lord

Through the darkest night and brightest day

Be at my side o lord

Hold my hand and guide me on my way

Sometimes the road seems long my energy is spent

But lord I think of you and I am given strength

Novices: Good Morning Father.

Fr. Francis Borgia: Good Morning my sons what bring you here?

Novice I: Father here is a letter from Fr. Peter Canisius

Fr. Francis Borgia:  So you are Stanislaus. Welcome my son. Fr. Peter has already told me about you. If God has really inspired you my son no one can come your way. Come let us pray to god that there may not be trouble. You will be a novice from today.

Stanislaus: thank you father thank you lord

Fr. Francis Borgia:  Bro. George go get a dress for him. Come one put it on him.

Fr. Francis Borgia:  Stanislaus will live with us and be one of us take care of him

Stanislaus: tell me something about our life

Novices and Choir:   We are all the Jesuits the sons of Ignatius

                        We serve the lord and serve the church with all our minds and hearts.

If we ever feel discouraged we pray and thus we proceed.

God is always there to take care of our every need

Cho: We keep marching on

           For the Greater Glory of the Lord

           And in the Lord we always trust

           In Him we trust, In Him we delight

           And we do our best, yes we do our best

We must serve the lord with joy and cheer

People in our presence must feel that god is near

In times of temptations you must never fear

From the lowly we must try to wipe every tear

Stanislaus: that sounds great. I hope with the grace of God I can make it. Help me to grow in this way of life.

Garden Scene

Narrator: Stanislaus began to do all his works cheerfully. He would do even ordinary things in an extra-ordinary way. This brought about a lot of admiration from his friends.

Bro. George: Stanislaus how come you are so cheerful when you work everyday.

Stanislaus: Brothers in whatever work I do, I do it for The Greater Glory of God and this give me immense happiness. Come brothers let us work together

Narrator : But the lord had a different plan for Stanislaus, after a few months in the novitiate he fell seriously ill. Perhaps the lord wanted such holy man in heaven.

Fr. Peter Canisius: Stanislaus how are you feeling? Your fever seems to be very high. I hope the lord will heal you.

Stanislaus: father I feel the lord is calling me to him. I feel my time is near.

Fr. Peter Canisius: I do not know what you say and what to say. But just may the will of God be done.

Stanislaus: Father I feel my time is near. Please let me down on the floor. I want to die lying on the floor.

Fr. Peter Canisius: I will call the brothers and pray for you.

Fr. Peter Cannisius and Novices put Stanislaus down and recite “Our Father”

Narrator : The sickness grew worse. All the attempts of the doctors did not bear fruit. His companions gathered round him.  (Finally on the 15th of August god took this holy young man to his abode).

(play the Song nearer my God)

(Fr. Peter and a novice appear on the stage)

Bro. Mark: Father so sad that Stanislaus left us so early. Is he a saint?

Fr. Peter Canisius: It is for the Pope to decide. He is the holiest novice I have ever seen.  Great determination, great courage. You see he had opposition from the parents to become a Jesuit. That did not stop him. He had to walk from Vienna to Augsburg 200 kilometers on foot. He said yes. Then once again another 500 kilometers to Rome. He undertook even that journey once again on foot. Once you are determined then you have no problem such are the people we require today, determined to do God’s will. Such people can make a difference.

Narrator: it is said a bunch of determined spirits can make a difference to the humanity. Stanislaus did not have the chance to serve the humanity but his life and his determination became an inspiration for many. So, let us also try to be determined like Stanislaus in spite of difficulties to do God’s will. Be an inspiration in the life of others.

(Concluding song sings by all)

All:      Sometimes in life there are difficulties we face

At time there may be some very tough days

It is in such moments you trust in God’s ways

And He will give you the grace

Trust in God and do his will

Surrender to him and you be still

All dreams He will one day fulfill

Only you say “Lord do your will”.  X2

Yes there will be trials as we live our life

But never get discouraged in such strife

Just do your best, and in God you rest

He will guard you in every quest.

THE END