Father Dominic Emmanuel
The roving preacher
If we leave out majority of people who take their religion seriously by observing all the rituals, prayers, visits to the holy places, we find two other categories of religious people who follow religion closely. These comprise the priestly class in all religions everywhere.
The workings of God
The tiny advertisement daily for Amul easily catches one’s attention, and the one last week, paying tribute to Verghese Kurien, the man credited with the White Revolution of India thereby transforming the lives of the poor farmers in Gujarat and elsewhere, was simply superb.
A unique teacher
Today on Teachers’ Day, it’s worth recalling what William Arthur Ward, the author of Fountains of Faith, said: “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” Can we recall any of our teachers fitting the bill set by Ward?
Our common brotherhood
A few days ago I was invited to a Catholic school to celebrate a Holy Mass for the repose of the soul of a staff member. I had reached there a little early and was lucky to be an observer in the shortened school assembly that day.
Colours of freedom
With the political freedom that ensued for us Indians from the British Empire 65 years ago, resulting in the formation of the Indian nation, which we as proud Indians celebrate today, along came many other freedoms.
Threads of love
It is heartening to see young girls living near India’s borders tie rakhis on the wrists of the soldiers guarding our country, soldiers who can’t go home to meet their sisters. Raksha Bandhan, so rich in symbolism, is unique to India. It continues to unite not only blood brothers and sisters and those who have become brothers and sisters through the sacred thread in our neighbourhoods, but sometimes also those who might have been enemies.
The kingdom of God
Though the shopping list we bring to the market with us is often long, the list of prayers that we bring with us to a temple, church, gurdwara or mosque is comparatively short.
Love all, hate none
On the International Day Against Torture a few days ago (June 26) I participated in a meeting organised by the European Union and the UN Information Centre. It was shocking to hear of the types of atrocities and torture that some people have to undergo at the hands of others.
Music divine
The voice of god,” is how Lata Mangeshkar described the the late Pakistani ghazal singer Mehdi Hassan. I am neither a musician nor do I understand Urdu well and nor can I claim to know much about the life of the maestro, Hassan Saab.
Anthony, the miracle saint
Ever wondered where the name Anthony in the film Amar, Akbar, Anthony came from?
