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Do You Want to Put Christ Back Into Christmas?

Fr. Victor Vijay Lobo,
Sandesha, Mangalore

Dear Friends,
Important information regarding Christmas
1. Please don`t use the term 'season`s greetings during Christmas.
This term is promoted by people who do not want to take the Name of "Christ". We as Christians should not hesitate to say "Christ"mas season.
2. Its wrong to use the term 'X'mas. 'X' means unknown in mathematical terminology. But we as Christians, know that it`s birthday of Our Savior Jesus Christ. We know him. He is not unknown to us. So let`s use the term "Christ"mas properly.
3. Let`s not use the image of Santa Claus to greet on Christmas. Christmas is birthday of Jesus not of Santa. This used for the commercial benefits by Non Christians. We are Christians let`s not send greetings with Santa Image. Lets send the image of Baby Jesus in the Crib or Baby Jesus with Joseph and Mary. Let`s not be blind imitators of those who misuse it.

Please pass this information to all so that we educated everyone about the true spirit of Christmas and make this year`s Christmas, "Birthday of Jesus Christ Our Savior".

Prayer for Deliverance from Lust/Pornography

“In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I renounce the desire to use my own body or the body of another for my pleasure or satisfaction. I renounce the spirit of lust that afflicts me. And I affirm that my only hope and comfort is in God Himself.”

Then say, “Into Your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.”

I ASKED the LORD, “O LORD, why is it that we are so troubled with genital arousal and erotic desires? Why does our sexuality have to be this difficult?”
He replied, “No one enters My Kingdom who has not resolutely chosen the Spirit over the Flesh. Let your genitals be a constant reminder of this, in every moment, with every breath you take.”

Christ the King

King of the Universe come forth,
Execute your Kingship on humans spiritually mute,
Come, come King of the Universe, Guide and lead us to heavenly home,
Where mind and soul are free of disturbing view

Destroy heresies, restore truth,
Purge human immorality, restore divinity,
Obliterate worldly pleasures, let heavenly pleasures rein,
Save humans from misery, let your justice prevail

Come in glory Lord of the universe,
We are your children raring on earth,
Destroy the proud, fill us with wisdom,
Till one day in your presence we all stand forever and ever.

Do you know this guy-Alessandro Serenelli?

Have you heard about Alessandro Serenelli? Come on Alessandro or Serenelli, hmmm...Oh ok, never mind. Read on...

Alessandro Serenelli was an italian who was born in a peasant family. His father was alcoholic and his mother died in a psychiatric hospital when Alessandro was only a few months old. His father worked as a coachman and a laborer but was unable to keep any job for a long time because of alcoholism and moved to Paliano, to work as a farmer. Alessandro attended school until the second grade, learning to read and write, but already at the age of seven, he was sent by his brothers to work as a cabin by to help the family. At eighteen, his father called him to work with him in Paliano. Ok alright, so what's so great about him? Was his famous or infamous?

Alessandro at 19 was shy young man but he began to harass 12 year old little Mary who was his neighbour. Powered by passion he one day decided to seek sexual favour from Mary, but Mary refused saying it was a mortal sin. On July 5, 1902 Maria was sitting on the outside stairs of her home, sewing one of Alessandro's shirts and watching her infant sister Teresa, while Alessandro was threshing beans in the barnyard. Knowing she would be alone, he returned to the house and threatened her with death if she did not do as he said; he was intending to rape her. She would not submit, however, protesting that what he wanted to do was a mortal sin and warning Alessandro that he would go to hell.She desperately fought to stop Alessandro, a 19-year-old farmhand, from raping her. She kept screaming, "No! It is a sin! God does not want it!" Alessandro first choked Maria, but when she insisted she would rather die than submit to him, he stabbed her eleven times.The injured Maria tried to reach the door, but Alessandro stopped her by stabbing her three more times before running away.

Teresa awoke with the noise and started crying, and when Serenelli's father and Maria's mother came to check on the little girl, they found the bleeding Maria and took her to the nearest hospital in Nettuno. She underwent surgery without anesthesia, but her injuries were beyond the doctors' help. Halfway through the surgery, Maria woke up. She insisted that it stay that way. The pharmacist of the hospital in which she died said to her, "Maria, think of me in Paradise." She looked at the old man: "Well, who knows, which of us is going to be there first?" "You, Maria," he replied. "Then I will gladly think of you," said Maria. Maria also expressed concern for her mother's welfare.The following day, 24 hours after the attack, having expressed forgiveness for her murderer and stating that she wanted to have him in Heaven with her, Maria died of her injuries, while looking at a picture of the Virgin Mary, and clutching a cross to her chest.

Alessandro Serenelli was captured shortly after the attack: the police taking him to prison overtook the ambulance carrying Maria to hospital.Originally, he was going to be sentenced to life, but since he was a minor at that time the sentence was commuted to 30 years in prison; judges even considered he was not as mature as he was expected to be for a 20-year-old young man, and that he grew up in a poor, neglectful family, with several brothers and relatives suffering from madness and an alcoholic father.It has also been suggested that it was due to her mother’s plea for mercy that he was not sentenced to death. Alessandro insisted he had attempted to rape Maria several times and decided to kill her because of her refusal and desperate crying. He remained unrepentant and uncommunicative from the world for three years, until a local bishop, Monsignor Giovanni Blandini, visited him in jail. Serenelli wrote a thank you note to the Bishop asking for his prayers and telling him about a dream, "in which Maria Goretti gave him lilies, which burned immediately in his hands."

After his release, Alessandro Serenelli visited Maria's still-living mother, Assunta, and begged her forgiveness. She forgave him, saying that if Maria had forgiven him on her deathbed then she could not do less, and they attended Mass together the next day, receiving Holy Communion side by side.Alessandro reportedly prayed every day to Maria Goretti and referred to her as "my little saint." He attended her canonization in 1950.

Serenelli later became a lay brother of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, living in a monastery and working as its receptionist and gardener until dying peacefully in 1970, aged 87, in a convent of Macerata, leaving the following will 
"I'm nearly 80 years old. I'm about to depart. Looking back at my past, I can see that in my early youth, I chose a bad path which led me to ruin myself. My behavior was influenced by print, mass-media and bad examples which are followed by the majority of young people without even thinking. And I did the same. I was not worried.There were a lot of generous and devoted people who surrounded me, but I paid no attention to them because a violent force blinded me and pushed me toward a wrong way of life. When I was 20 years-old, I committed a crime of passion. Now, that memory represents something horrible for me. Maria Goretti, now a Saint, was my good Angel, sent to me through Providence to guide and save me. I still have impressed upon my heart her words of rebuke and of pardon. She prayed for me, she interceded for her murderer. 

Thirty years of prison followed.If I had been of age, I would have spent all my life in prison. I accepted to be condemned because it was my own fault. Little Maria was really my light, my protectress; with her help, I behaved well during the 27 years of prison and tried to live honestly when I was again accepted among the members of society. The Brothers of St. Francis, Capuchins from Marche, welcomed me with angelic charity into their monastery as a brother, not as a servant. 

I've been living with their community for 24 years, and now I am serenely waiting to witness the vision of God, to hug my loved ones again, and to be next to my 

Guardian Angel and her dear mother, Assunta.

I hope this letter that I wrote can teach others the happy lesson of avoiding evil and of always following the right path, like little children. I feel that religion with its precepts is not something we can live without, but rather it is the real comfort, the real strength in life and the only safe way in every circumstance, even the most painful ones of life.

Signature, Alessandro Serenelli

Are you sexual addict, do you enjoy seeing pornography & sex on media? want to come out of it? Please check the links below to get started.

http://www.pornnomore.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxsZ7jm0GUE

Holy Spirit-Spirit of Life

Spirit of Life, flowing as Gods breath,
Filling the first man with Life,
Life is God`s gift you remind,
We are not owners of our bodies You affirm.

You came in the form of Dove on God's only Son,

Holy Spirit

Giving him the grace to carry God`s work,
You are Love between Son and Father,
The Third Person of the Holy Trinity

You came in the form of Fires of Tongue,
On the Apostles and Blessed Virgin Mary,
Filling them with courage to preach the Good News to Corners of this world,
Establishing the first Church in God`s chosen land

You guide every human being who invokes Your Name,
Our bodies are Your living temples ever dedicated to You,
Renew us and strengthen us as we move through this corrupt world,
Till one day we reach our destination as one with God our creator

Mary,Mother of God and Men

Oh Mary, crowned by twelve stars,
Mother of men and Mother of God,
On whose request the first miracle was made,
Whom the angel called blessed among Women.

Mother of Perpetual Succor

You yielded to the will of God even though severe,
A sword shall pierce your heart said the prophet,
You carried your work without glamour or fare,
When all flew away you stood by the cross.

God protected you from all vile,
Virgin most prudent chosen by God since the fall of first man,
The perfect Women he chose as Mother to his only son,
Even the demon flees when your name is uttered in heaven and earth.

You were rose to heaven in Body and in Soul,
To be Queen of all Angels and Men for eternity,
Oh Mother Divine, Oh Virgin most Holy,
Pray for us till one day we see  you face to face with Christ you Son.

Will I Get a Job???

Gabriel left his seat and walked the length of his room pondering over what to do about his unemployment status. He’s been at home now for a year after graduating last February and has not been able to apply for the many job vacancies he had come across because their requirements were rather too high.

.

.

.

.
After much encouragement from his Mom, Gabriel applied for the position...

Part II

On getting to the venue three days after, he realized that he was the only interviewee not gorgeously dressed. Seeing the multitude that showed up for the interview, his heart began to race. Not long after he sat down, a lass walked up to him.
“Please, can I help you?”
“I came for the interview.”
“Are you sure? You’re not putting on a suit,” she asked.
Shocked by the question, “I don’t have one,” he managed to say.
“Hmmm, let’s hope you don’t get turned back by the panelists,” she said wearing a sardonic smile. Gabriel’s frustrations grew worst but then his mother’s faith in him was quite comforting. Looking through the crowd, his eyes met with those of a lad who approached him. Taking a seat next to him, “did you come with a letter?”
“What letter?”
“A note from an influential person; a politician, governor or minister to support your candidacy?”
“I don’t know any.”
“That’s rather strange; you don’t come for such interviews without a letter from the crème de la crème.”
Just as fear was going to envelop his heart, he remembered his mother’s words, God keeps away flies from the tailless cow.
Observing the file that the young man held in his hand, “what did you bring with you?”
Opening his folder, “I came with the best of everything I could lay my hands on. My masters degree certificate, PhD certificate; scholarship award certificates and those of the volunteering and short courses I have undertaken. Lastly, a letter from a senator who happens to be a family friend.”
On hearing that, Gabriel excused himself and went to the gents. Staring at his image in the mirror, he held his thin file against his chest. Remembering the Lord’s words, he whispered a word of prayer daring to trust in His everlasting arms.
“Gabriel Matthews,” a clerk came out to call. On entering the room, Gabriel found a set of mean looking men and women that formed the panel.
“Take your seat, please,” a lady asked him looking through a set of thick bottles hanging loose over her eyes. After the introduction, she threw in the first question. Gabriel was white, not sure where in the world to find the answers. The second question did not leave him any better. Next, the panelists began to laugh, “are you here for the interview?”
Pulling him together after being knocked off, he managed to nod, “yes.”
As their eyeballs searched his body length, he was reminded that they were checking out on his dressing. “Weren’t you thought to borrow or steal or buy a cheap suit and tie when going for an interview?”
Not sure he knew what next to do, “excuse me Sirs and Mas, can I ask for a 5 minutes break?”
“Why?”
“I want to have a short prayer.”
On hearing that, they burs-ted to laughter. “You think that would help? You should have fasted for forty days and nights before coming but anywhere, permission granted.”
Gabriel hurried to the gents again and staring at himself in the mirror, he wept. Perceiving that an explanation for his red eyes could be demanded, he quickly washed his face and brought out from his pocket, a Gideon bible, searching the psalms. The young lion do lack and suffer hunger but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.
Closing it, he whispered a word of prayer and returned to the room. On seeing him, the panelists resumed their laughter but just as they were going to throw him another question, an elderly man walked in.
“Hello everyone,” he greeted as he took his seat. “I’m sorry for joining this late. I had lots of things to sort out at home.”
“It’s ok sir,” the panelists echoed; a gesture that made Gabriel suspect he probably was the CEO of the company.
“How many persons have been interviewed already?”
“Six, sir.”
“That’s fine. Guess what? Barca caned Bayer Leverkusen yesterday. I’m so happy.”
“Boss, you and football,” a male panelist teased him.
“Oh, what’s life without the game,” the CEO replied laughing. “I’m sure this gentleman is a Barca fan, ain’t you?” He asked looking at Gabriel. Responding to the question, Gabriel nodded.
“I knew it. So how many goals did Lionel Messi score?”
“Five.”
“Brilliant, you must be smart. These are the kind of persons we need in this company. You can go now,” he told Gabriel who left the room not sure if he was in a trance.
Two days later, Gabriel received a text asking him to resume work in 2 weeks time. Reading the message, he ran to show his mother who on reading for herself embraced him.
“Mum, I can’t believe this. What’s the place of football in a customer care manager’s interview?”
“Baby, God doesn’t look far nor does he use strange things to bless us rather, he uses what we already have or know to give us what we want. If he could make an ass speak so as to save Balaam’s life, how much more using football. It can be that simple when God is in it.”

Precious Blood

Precious Blood Of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Oh Precious Blood Flowing freely for our sins,
Setting us free from our bondage's,
Washing us clean from fatal carnal attractions,
Showing us Your unconditional Love

Oh Love infinite, Oh Love pure,
Freeing us from tensions unknown,
Freeing us from pressures undefined,
Giving us that much needed peace of mind.

Oh Mercy beyond imagination,
Unconditionally you forgive our iniquities,
All our transgressions wiped away,
Giving us the power to sustain in our miseries.

Oh Providence unmeasurable,
Blessing us with all that we need,
Showing us to waste our life for others,
Till one day in Your presence we stand for ever and ever.

The Cross of Glory

The Cross of Glory lays ahead me,

I gaze at it with acclamation,

Its many wounds subdue my sorrow,

The Body on it fills me with Hope

The hands of the Savior on it are still,

St. Anthony of Padua Church, RAK, UAE

The legs don’t seem to move,

He was born to die I know,

The Cross of glory is my joy

I have suffered for you it reminds me,

You sins are forgiven it assures me,

We are his children it confirms me,

Heir to his throne of glory it consoles me

Have no worries I have overcome the world it tells me,

The powers of the world have no control over you it assures me,

Do good, see well and speak truth it advises me,

The Cross of Glory is my Guide

I Love you without boundaries it tells me,

Because I have paid your due it ensures me,

Oh man of little faith trust in me it urges me,

Pointing to Heaven for eternity

The Divine Hymn

Oh Divine Master, full of love,
Full of care for your children,
Full of compassion for repenting heart,
Full of joy even in times of trouble,
Full of Hope for those who believe

Oh Divine Face, full of radiance,
Giving glow to those who call you,
Giving light to those who seek you,
Giving serenity to those to beseech you,
Giving peace to those who null you

Oh Divine Mercy, full of grace,
Shining brightly on those who worship you,
Shining gracefully on those in need,
Shining righteously on those who do good,
Shining strength on those who carry your work,
shining humility on those trying to please you

Oh Precious Blood, flowing unconditionally for ours sins,
Washing us of lust and desires of the flesh,
Washing us of all that displeases you,
Washing us clean from our sickness,
Washing us from pressures and tensions of this world,
Washing us clean from failures

Oh Divine Shepard, full of love,
Protecting us from troubles unknown,
Protecting us from tensions unexplained,
Protecting us from snare of demons,
Protecting us from carnal desires

Oh Diving Providence, blessing us with our needs,
Blessing us with good friends,
Blessing us with good spouse,
Blessing us with good earnings,
Blessing us with divine gifts,
Blessing us with peace

Heaven- Place Of Ultimate Repose

Oh Place divine, oh place of joy,
Heaven is what we call you,
Where everyone wants to be,
Great and small, all alike, in a place of joy forever.

Throne of the almighty king, land of eternal daylight,
Repose for tired soul, food for hungry,
Land of justice, land of freedom,
Oh heaven, place of eternal rest.

No lust, no attachments,
No desires of the flesh, no worry, no pressures,
Place of ultimate peace, eternal relaxation,
Where mind is free of disturbing thoughts,
Where desires of the flesh have no power,
Where evil has been conquered by good,
Oh heaven place of eternal happiness.

Where a husband doesn't doubt his spouse,
Son loyal to his mother,
No immorality every exists,
Because neither marriage nor birth every takes place there,
Everyone are like angels enjoying the presence of the Divine Master.

Like a child carefree and Joyful,
Like a eagle in the open sky,
Like a train with no obstructions,
Is our life in heaven,
No fear of losing, no fear of failure,
No depression, no oppression,
But freedom of Good everywhere.

My Fathers house has many rooms said he,
Whoever believes in me shall never die proved he,
My yoke is easy, demonstrated he,
Oh beautiful Master our hope to heaven,
Praise and glory be to You forever and ever. Amen

Conversion Story From Protestant to Catholic

For Those you doubt the catholic Faith and it`s teaching here are two conversion stories

http://www.catholic-convert.com/wp-content/uploads/Story-Tiffanys-Going-AWOL-out-of-the-Christian-Civil-War.pdf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaL2kxfsJVI

Enjoy

HOW TO PRAY FOR YOUR CHILD

By Abraham Thomas ( sankarathilsunny)

1. Pray NOTHING hinders your child from accepting Christ as his/her personal
Savior early in life. (Matthew 19:14)

2. Pray your child learns to know God and will have a deep desire to do

God's will for his/her life. (Psalms 119:27,30,34,35).

3. Pray child hears stories from the Bible that will be a basis for his/her

decisions throughout life. (Ecclesiastes 12:1, Psalms 71:17).

4. Pray child will-develop a keen sense of right and wrong and that he/she

will truly abhor evil and cling to that which is good. (Psalms 139:23-4).

5. Pray child will increase in wisdom (mentally) and in stature (physically)

and in favor with God (spiritually) and man (socially). (Luke 2:52). This

prayer covers his/her total development to his/her full potential.

6. Pray that child will develop a thankful heart and a positive mental

attitude. (Psalm 126:2-3, Romans 8:31)

7. Pray that God protect child from Satan and his/her wiles in every area of

his/her life. (John 17:55, Psalm 121)

8. Pray that God would destroy the enemies in his/her life whether they be

weaknesses, lying, selfishness etc. (Psalms 120:2; 140).

9. Pray that God would make him/her successful in the work God has for

him/her to do. (Psalm 118:25, 139:9-10)

10. Pray he/she have a strong sense of belonging to a family that is loving

and dwells together in unity (Psalms 133, Colossians 3:12-14).

11. Pray he/she will respect authority. (Romans 13:1, Ephesians 6:1-4).

12. Pray that his/her entire life will be a testimony of the greatness and

love of Christ. (Phillippians 2:15-16 Thess 5:2-3)

If you pray one of these a month, you will have your child covered for a

year!

Pray for my children also when you are praying your child.

Your brother Abraham Thomas ( sankarathilsunny)

Hear Their Cry - The cry of persecuted Christians

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12,versus:9 onwards)

St Therese: Little Flower of Jesus

St. Therese 1895 in brown scapular 

I recently read the book 'Story of a soul' by St.Thresese of Lisieux, populary known as little flower of Jesus. She was born in 2 January 1873 in Alencon, France. She desired to live the life of carmel in Lisieux with all perfection and was always lost in deep contemplation about God. She used to consider Jesus as her Divine Spouse. Her sacrifice to give up her wordly life and her father Louis Martin whom she loved so dearly are of appreciation. She entered Carmel at the age of 15, though her entry into carmel was not easy. She first faced rejection from her very own uncle Isidore Guerin, then from the the prioress Mother Marie de Gonzague of Carmel. She then along with her father goes to meet the Bishop of Bayeux, even there she met rejection. Later on a diocesan pilgrimage to Rome she meets Pope Leo Xlll and asks for the permission. The Pope replies "Well, my child, do what the superiors decide.... You will enter if it is God's Will". And just as the Pope said it was God`s will and she enters the convent on Monday 9th April 1888.

St. Therese in 1896

Therese did simple things to please God, she observed the rules of solitute and silence in carmel so strictly that she even didnt break it for the sake of her own Sisters Pauline and Celine, who were in Carmel along with her. She was always mesmerized by God`s infinite love. She writes how great sinners like St.Augustine, St.Paul and St.Mary Magdalen were forgiven by God. She used to consider herself a simple daisy of God`s garden. According to her God garden consists of all sorts of flowers Rose, Lilly, Violet etc but just like every flower is not a Rose so are we in this world. All cannot become Doctors, Apostles, Prophets that the church is composed of different members, that the eye cannot also be the hand

St. Therese at 15

As a child Therese used to read "Imitation of Christ" by Thomas A Kempis which inspired her greatly. "O My God, who art unspeakable sweetness, turn for me into bitterness all the consolations of the earth". Also lectures by Abbé Arminjon on "The End of This World, and the Mysteries of the World to Come" nourished her spiritually. She also was inspired by many people of God like St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Avilla, St. Joan of Arc and St. Anne of Jesus. Therese Prayed without great sensitive emotions, she mulitplied the small acts of charity and care for others, doing small services without making a show of them. Far from avoiding humiliations, souer Therese sought them eagerly and for that she offered herself as "aid" to a sister who she well knew was difficult to please and her generous proposal was accepted. She died on 20 September 1897 at the age of 24 out of Tuberculosis.

St. Therese at 13

If today Therese transforms so many hearts and the good she does on earth is beyond reckoning, we may well believe she bought it all at the price with which Jesus brought back our souls by sufferring and the cross. In this world there is no fruitfulness without sufferring either physical, secret sorrows or trials known sometimes only to God. When good thoughts and generous resolutions have sprung up in our souls through reading the lives of the saints, we ought not to content ourslevs, as in the case of profane books, with paying a certain tribute of admiration to the genius of their authors. We should rather consider the price which doubtless, they have paid for that supernatural good they have produced.

St. Therese with her Sister Celine at Right, 1895

Quotes: " May creatures be nothing for me, 

St. Therese at 8

and may I be nothing for them, but may You, Jesus, be everything!..let nobody be occupied with me, let me be looked upon as one to be trampled underfoot..may Your will be done in me perfectly..Jesus, allow me to save very many souls; let no soul be lost today; let all the souls in purgatory be saved.."
"Entreat thee to let Divine eyes rest upon a vast number of Little souls, I entreat thee to choose, in this world, a legion of little victims of they love"


I call upon you to read this book and lead a holy life.

The confessions of St.Augustine: A Review

Tiffany stained-glass window of St. Augustine,
in the Lightner Museum, St. Augustine, Florida.

I recently read 'The Confessions' a spiritual autobiography written by St.Augustine. It was a wonderful reading as he describes his early childhood, his lack of interest for arithmetic and his interest to study Latin. His early adolesence where he steals pears with a group of friends. His Adulthood where he goes to Carthage to study and which makes him fall in love with wisdom. How he embraces Manichaeism-a religion founded by Manes in the third century; a synthesis of Zoroastrian, Babylonian folklore and Buddhist ethics and superficial elements of Christianity. How he Becomes a teacher of rhetoric and his grief at the death of a close friend. How the sermons of Bishop Ambrose cause him to reject the teaching of Manichees. 


The confessions consists of 13 Books and this review is of first 5 books, translated by Edward Bouverie Pusey


Book 1: All of our initial childhood is full of mischiefs, which we later recollect and enjoy. But in Augustine case he regrets for having done bad in his studies, In fact he didnt like subjects like arithmetic. He also explains how he learnt Latin with interest and mere observation among his firends who encouraged him. When he explains he`s early childhood he recalls how miserable it was for him to carry on with his initial studies


Quotes: "Thee, O God, are all good things, and from my God is all my health." 


Book 2: Adolesence is the period where most of us enjoy with our friends, it is also the time when some major changes happen in our body. Augustine recalls how he stole pears with his friends at age of 16 and how lust empowered him at that age. He also further recollects that he didnt enjoy what he did but sin itself was enjoable. 


Quotes: "...there is no place whither altogethere to retire from thee"

"St Augustine and Monica"

Book 3: Adulthood is full of oppurtunities for everyone where we select the colleges we like to go and study the subject which we dreamt of in accordance with our pursuit for good future. Even Augustine goes to Carthage to study, he reads Cicero's Hortensius, which inspires him to love wisdom and embrace Manichaeism. He enjoyed the stage plays there which had lot of grieve in them. He also tell how his vanities drive him into greater vanities


Quotes: " For within me was a famine of that inward food, Thyself, my God; yet, through that famine I was not hungered; but was without all longing for incorruptible sustenance, not because filled therewith, but the more empty, the more I loathed it.


Book 4: Our early year of career are full of challenges and hardships similary was Augustine case. He became a teacher of grammer at Thagaste. He also shares a living with a woman and says how he challenged the holy convenant of martirmony. He also elaborates the death of his close friend due to fever whom he loved dearly and which made him leave his native town Thagaste. He stressed the importance of sexual morality in this book which is very relevant in this modern era full of  lust lunacy. He also suggests that he began to love his life of sorrow more than his fallen friend.


Quotes: " Wretched I was; and wretched is every soul bound by the friendship of perishable things; he is torn asunder when he loses them, and then he feels the wretchedness which he had ere yet he lost them."


Book 5: Quotes: Searching for new carrer opputurnities is also essential part of one`s life, hence Augustine moves to Carthage to take up rhetoric classes, and he would remain there for next nine years. There he meets Manichees Bishop, Faustus. He was completely disappointed with Faustus lack of knowledge. He then moves to Rome to meet the best and brightest rehtoricians as per his belief, but it too was shattered as the students in Roman schools simply fled when it was time for them to pay fees. He then moves to Milan and occupies a most visible position in latin world. It is here his actual conversion towards christianity began after hearing the sermon of St.Ambrose, Bishop of Milan he gave up  Manichaeism. St.Ambrose had most influence over Augustine. Ambrose was a master of rhetoric like Augusitne, but older and more experienced.


Quotes: "O Thou my exceeding mercy, my God, my refuge from those terrible destroyers, among whom I wandered with a stiff neck, withdrawing further from Thee, loving mine own ways, and not Thine; loving a vagrant liberty."


Download the e-book free from Gutenberg

God Our Protector

By Prajapathi bhat

Suresh was a bright boy in his class up to 10th standard. He topped in everything curricular
activities and also co-curricular activities like sports, skits, quiz. After completing his 10th when
he joined Pre-University course or 11th standard his interest towards curricular and co-curricular
activities declined. Slowly he underwent depression and lost some subjects in his 12th standard academic exams. The reason for this downfall was his focus only on himself and how he could get good marks; sometimes he didn’t even bother to cater to his friends problems or thank God. Suresh was bearing the consequences of being selfish and proud.

Though Suresh was under depression, he still trusted God. He used to pray whenever he got time. After his 12th standard board exams, just before the results he got a chance to attend a retreat at ‘Divine Retreat Center’, Muringoor, Kerala. There after various spiritual sessions and counseling he finally was freed from selfishness. God heard his prayers and he got pass marks in
12th standard, which none expected. God is our Protector.

Yes From above real life story of Suresh we come to know that God protects his children, whatever it takes! Now Suresh is leading a wonderful life with Christ filled with Joy. As the Bible says “...Acknowledge me through all thy ways and I shall direct thy path…”, so shall be our life with Christ. God protects us from all traps and tricks the world lays for us. Isn’t it wonderful to live with God our creator?

Let’s surrender ourselves before God. Let us thank him at least at the end of the day, before we go to sleep. Let’s pray at least once a day. Let’s read the bible at least once a day. Most of us neglect these basic soul needs and then regret. Our soul does needs food and its nothing but prayer.

Prayer: God enlighten our mind. Help us to accept you and to be one with you. We thank you for all the good you have done to us so far. Thy will be done oh God. Amen

Prayer Brings Victory

By Prajapathi bhat

I saw this word crypted on a rear window of a Car, which made me think- does prayer bring victory? The obivious answer which every human being will agree is yes, prayer does gives us victory. May it be a hindi movie or real life, prayer makes miracle happen. It has got tremendous power. But how many of us really believe in this concept?

Prayer food for our soul - there is no food for our sould except prayer. It enriches our souls and saves us from spiritual poverty! As young most of us easily succum to smoking, alcohol and pornography, which makes us spiritually poor. People who can`t overcome these menances are on the brink of loosing their life. When we pray it gives us power over these three evils and shows us the true meaning of life. Prayer helps us to enjoy life to the fullest.

Our Father - it is the most popular and accepted prayer throughout the world. Short and sweet our father is recited to us by our own Lord Jesus Christ. Whether you are depressed or finding yourselves in a tough situation, you have a free remedy and that is 'Our father'. Since the Bible says "all things came from him...", via our father we call the creator and ruler of living and dead to intervene in our present situation. Beautiful isn`t it.

Pray and you will recieve- Bible stresses a lot on the importance of prayer. Prayer fills us with love, faith and home. In most of my desparate situation i pray and i find the needed attitude to deal with the situation. It strengthens our oneness with God our creator and gives us sufficient energy to deal with evil. Then why delay to pray?

Rosary- Our routine but powerfull prayer. Reciting the rosary daily gives solutions to our problems, may it simple or serious. Jesus is the answer to all our questions and solutions to all our problems. We get a chance to talk to him daily via Rosary. Let`s remember God, heaven, angels and Mother Mary are more real then we even think they are. Hence not only prayer is our tool to get victory, but also our medium through which we show our responsibility towards God by praising him for all that he has given to us so far.

Dont lose your soul.

By Anil Melwin Machado

Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

How little attention does this infinitely important subject gain in the world! How few consider the salvation of their precious souls, as the great business of life! You who are reading these lines, did you ever consider it? Did you ever lay it to heart, and are you acting accordingly? If this is the case, the following language will express your heart-felt convictions:

" I have a soul as well as a body. My soul must live for ever in happiness or misery. It is capable of pain or pleasure inconceivably greater than my body. It is a matter of comparitively little importance whether I am in abject poverty or the greatest affluence, during the few years I am to continue in the present world; whether I am respected or despised by my fellow mortals; whether my body is sickly or healthy, painful or at ease. These are matters of small consequence; death is certain, is near. 'Ashes to ashes, and dust to dust,' must soon be pronounced over my lifeless body. In a dying moment, if I could call the whole world my own, what good would it do me? What comfort could it afford me?

But whether my soul is to be happy or miserable; the companion of angels and saints made perfect around the throne of God, or doomed to weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, with devils and damned spirits in hell, where the worm never dieth and where the fire never will be quenched; this is the momentous inquiry I ought to make. To escape from the wrath to come, and secure an inheritance among the saints in light, ought to be my great concern. Is it so? Which world is most in my thoughts, this or the next? What am I most anxious about? Am I not often inquiring, what shall I eat, what shall I drink, or wherewithal shall I be clothed? But when did I seriously inquire, 'What shall I do to be saved?' If I have no prevailing concern about my soul, I may be certain my state is bad, and its danger awfully great."