St. Sebastian Church

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!” Luke 1:42. Mary is called “blessed among women” because she was chosen to be the Mother of Jesus, the Savior of the world. The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the most beautiful and joyful feasts of the Church. Celebrated every year on September 8, this feast commemorates the birth of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, who was specially chosen by God to bring the Savior into the world. Mary’s birth is a moment of hope for all humanity. Through her, God prepared the way for the coming of Jesus Christ. Her life reminds us of the power of humility, obedience, and faith. By her “yes” to God, Mary became the
first disciple of Christ and the Mother of the Church.

“Love the Madonna and pray the Rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. ” St. Padre Pio.
October, is the month of the Holy Rosary. The Feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary is on 7th October. This month is dedicated to the Holy Rosary to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary in gratitude for the protection that she gives the church in answer to the praying of the Rosary.

According to Dominican tradition, in 1206, Dominic de Guzman was at the Monastery of Our Lady of Prouille, in France. The young priest received a vision of the Blessed Virgin, who gave him the Rosary as a tool against heretics. This traditional origin of the Rosary was generally accepted, by people all over the world, including Popes. Praying the Rosary is so valuable that Holy Mother Church grants a plenary indulgence when prayed with others. Many churches pray the Rosary before or after Mass.

Patron Saint of artists, bachelors, physicians, and surgeons Saint Luke was a physician, evangelist, and historian who authored the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. A probable Gentile convert from Antioch, he was a loyal companion to Paul the Apostle on his missionary journeys, serving as his physician and chronicler. Luke is known for his beautifully written, historically accurate accounts Based on the prologue of his own Gospel, Luke was not an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry; rather, he accurately investigated everything anew and wrote down his findings in an orderly sequence (see –Luke 1:14). According to Saint Paul’s epistles, it is likely that Mark, the author of the first Gospel, and Luke knew each other well and that Luke used Mark’s Gospel as a source.

Imagine a world where uncertainty and challenges seem to overwhelm us at every turn. In such a world, the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima to three young shepherds
in Portugal shine like a beacon of hope. The messages she shared with them are a powerful reminder of the importance of prayer and devotion in our lives.

The Power of the Rosary
Our Lady’s message is simple yet profound: pray the Rosary daily. This beautiful prayer has brought peace and comfort to countless people over the centuries. As Jesus says in the Bible, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) When
we pray, we open ourselves up to God’s love and guidance.

We write stories, post tributes, print books, and even make films once a person is gone. But why? Will they ever see it? Will they ever feel it? Or is it only to
show the world that we cared? If only we had the courage to say those words while they were alive. If only we had the time to hold their hand, to look into their
eyes and say, “You matter to me.”

Children run after parents when they need something, but the same parents are often left alone in old age. Do we ever pause and ask ourselves, what right do we really have over a house, over a family, if the very foundation of it, our parents, are pushed aside? These are the same people who gave us food when they themselves stayed
hungry, who worked tirelessly so we could sleep peacefully, who carried us when our feet were too small to walk. And now, when their steps falter, when their voices tremble, when their hearts only crave for love, we look away.

My long – awaited pilgrimage to Christ the King Church in Vilakkannur, Kerala, finally became are a lit y—a journey
inspired by the miraculous appearance of the Holy Face of Jesus in the Eucharist, a phenomenon recognized by the Vatican. Our travel began with a train ride from Madgaon Junction to Kannur, followed by a 40-kilometre drive through winding roads to Vilakkannur.

Though the journey was lengthy, my wife and I were filled with anticipation and a deep reverence for what awaited us. Stepping into the church for the first time, my heart trembled with awe. As I gazed upon the Eucharist, the luminous face of Christ was clearly visible, radiating peace and love. Having previously studied the documented Eucharistic miracles compiled by St. Carlo Acutis while preparing for the International Exhibition, I was familiar with such accounts. Yet, this was different—it was no longer something I had only read about; I was beholding it with my own eyes.

On 2 October we celebrate the feast of Guardian angel. Afeast in thanksgiving to our angel who is there besides us since our birth. God assigned him to every
child born as a special guard to look after our well-being. He is there in every need, deed and entrusting us not to stray from God. His presence is felt by us.
Maybe he is not visible, but his presence in our lives cannot be missed. Because he guides our every step, sometimes we make mistakes, it is not because he is
not there, but because we failed to intercede to him. We have many angels mainly Gabriel – who announced the birth of Christ.
Michael who always guides and protects us, Raphael, Uriel, Ariel and many th more whose feast we celebrate on 29 September.

We have Archangels, Seraphim who are constantly praising GOD. The whole Kingdom of Heaven is filled with angels who resonate the area with their singing, playing the instruments making music to feel peace in heaven. Guardian Angel is there for us as a spiritual guide assigned to protect our lives. In the Bible we have many references to Guardian Angel. In Matthew 18:10. See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. In Hebrews 1:14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation. In Acts 12:6-10 An angel frees Peter from prison showing angels can intervene directly in human lives. Psalm 34:7

Like every year, our little children were trained to sing the Monte Saibinni rosary, followed by Marian hymns and showering Mother Mary with fresh flowers. Their joyful voices and innocent devotion brought a special charm to the novenas.

Each novena was meaningfully organized by the catechists along with the parents of the catechism children, based on the theme of the year, helping the faithful to reflect and grow spiritually. The liturgy and hymns were wellprepared, and the active participation of the children made the novenas a true family-centered celebration of faith.

The little ones also brought groceries like dal, rice, oil, and stationery, which were offered during the offertory. These offerings were later distributed to
needy families through the St. Vincent de Paul Society, making the devotion not only prayerful but also an expression of Christian love and service.

September-achea mhoineant sorginche avoicho zolm-dis monoitana/Nativity of Mother Mary, amcheam AVOI-ancho Dis/MOTHER’S DAY ami khuxalkaien somarombhtanv: avoianchea dennea khatir Devak dhinvastanv, amche khatir tannim kelam titlem-i monant haddtanv ani tanche sovem kherit môg dakhoitanv. Jivitachea dennea uprant AVOI amkam Devachem vhoddantlem vhodd d e n n e m m h o n n l l e a r h a n t u m k o sl i c h othitai/exaggeration asunk nezo. Oslea sandarbant thoddea AVOI-ancher ek dhanvti nodor marun Povitr Pustok koslem chitr amche mukhar dovorta, kitlem motv eke avoik dita, hacher lokx ghalum xem mhaka dislem.