CONFESSION IN A CROWDED TRAIN
Monsignor C. J. Varkey, the late
Spiritual Director of Shalom Ministries, India, was once travelling in a train
from Mangalore (The Parasuram Express) to South Kerala for conducting a
Convention. After a prayer, he started a conversation with the person occupying
the opposite seat. He learned that the man was returning from the Central Jail
at Kannur after completing a term of imprisonment following conviction for
murder by the Court. The Father understood that the man was a Catholic and
needed a confession. The priest invited him for a confession but he resisted,
explaining that he hated priests. On further enquiry, he revealed to the priest
that he had approached three priests for confession but they had ruthlessly
turned down his request, labelling him as a murderer. The compartment was full
of passengers. Suddenly, Mgr. Varkey knelt down at the feet of the ex-prisoner
and kissed his legs, begging his pardon for the priests who had denied him the
Sacrament of reconciliation. Seeing a priest in cassock falling at his feet in
front of a large number of fellow passengers, the man was transformed totally and
immediately confessed his sins in tears before the priest.
The Late Mgr. C J Varkey was
born on 11th June 1921 in the Diocese of Pala in Kerala, South India. He was ordained
priest on March 16, 1947 for the Diocese of Calicut. Later, in 1953, he was
chosen to serve the newly formed Diocese of Thamarassery. Rev. Fr. C J Varkey,
who was aware of the spiritual needs of his parishioners, founded the
Congregation of Missionary Sisters of Mary Immaculate (MSMI) on Sept 8th, 1962.
He rendered 16 long years of service in the parish of Kulathuvayal. In 1973, he took charge as the full time
Director of MSMI congregation and stayed at its Generalate in Kulathuvayal
thereafter.
In 1976-77, Rev Fr. Varkey came
into the charismatic renewal movement and by divine inspiration, conducted
charismatic retreats along with MSMI sisters. Seeing the great number of people
coming into the experience of God, he decided to start a retreat centre. Thus
in 1985, the Nirmala Retreat Centre (NRC) was started in Kulathuvayal. NRC
became instrumental in inspiring many Consecrated and lay people to serve in the
preaching ministry of the Catholic Church. A small group of young people,
transformed by Catholic charismatic renewal, used to come together regularly to
pray under the spiritual guidance of Msgr. C. J. Varkey. This group, developed into the renowned ‘Shalom
Ministries’. Shalom ministries have illuminated the lives of millions across
the globe through a number of publications, television programmes and other new
media initiatives. The ministry organizes retreats and leadership conferences
inviting people to open their lives to Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.
Mgr. C J Varkey served as the
Spiritual Director of Shalom Ministries till his death. During the
60th year of his ordination, on 4th January, 2007 the title of Monsignor was
conferred on Father Varkey. On 24th June, 2009, at 6.10pm Mgr. C.J Varkey left for
his heavenly abode. His mortal remains were brought to the Generalate of MSMI
Congregation in Kulathuvayal and were solemnly buried there.
God offers His mercy, love and
forgiveness in the Holy Sacrament of reconciliation. God says to us: "Now, let's
settle this matter. You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as clean
as snow. Although your stains are deep red, you will be as white as wool" {Isaiah 1: 18}.
When God forgives our sins, he casts our sins into an
ocean of mercy, kindness, forgiveness and forgetfulness. St. Isaac the Syrian
taught, "Our sins are as so many grains of sand cast into the
ocean of God's mercy."
Jesus
had said, "I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner
who repents than over ninety-nine respectable people who do not need to repent."{Luke 15: 7}.
Archbishop
Fulton. J. Sheen says about the confessional in the Church, "In it is to
be found the Sacred Heart of the forgiving Christ forgiving sinners through the
uplifted hand of His priest as He once forgave through His own uplifted hands
on the Cross." It is said that the Church is a hospital for sinners;
not a museum for saints.
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
© By: Prof. Dr. Babu Philip, Former
Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue,
Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu,
Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally, Leo. S. John, St. Antony's Public
School, Anakkal, Kanjirappally and Neil John, Alfeen Public
School, Kanjirappally, Kerala, India. For more moral stories, parables and
anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit
our web-sites:
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