From the President's Pen

The 8th of September is a very significant day for every Catholic family as we celebrate and commemorate the birth of Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ. Born in an insignificant and obscure village, Nazareth, to Joachim and Anna, she grew up so pure and strong in faith, that she was chosen by God, to be the Mother of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

The first woman 'Eve', created by God was, because of her disobedience, the cause of loss of paradise created by God for mankind. Then another woman 'Mary' was chosen by God to establish a new paradise for mankind because of her obedience of the will of God . With the birth of Jesus Christ a new era came into existence. It is the era of redemption of mankind.

In all her apparitions to mankind there is one similarity.She has appeared to only a chosen few, namely pure and simple innocent children, the downtrodden and the neglected. In the cities of Lourdes and Fatima, she appeared to shepherds of tender age and appealed to the people to follow the path of God.

In India we have the good fortune of her apparition at Vailankanni, where she appeared to a shepherd and to a lame disabled child who was cured by her. History records the salvaging of a storm tossed Portugese ship on the shores of Vailankanni, thereby saving all the soldiers and the crew. They were grateful for her miraculous help and contributed to the construction of the historical church which has today become a pilgrim centre, where Mary is invoked as 'Our Lady of Health'.

Let us repose absolute confidence in her and rest assured of her favourable response and blessings in all our needs.

I wish you and your families best of health and our Mother's choicest blessings.

Hugh Pinto
President