Oriens

We dedicate this Edition to

COVID 19 WARRIORS

ORIENS THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE 1

Inter-Diocesan Theologate for Northeast India
Affiliated to

PONTIFICAL URBANIANA UNIVERSITY (ROME)

Oriens Theological College, Shillong

2 Oriens Theological College, Shillong

Oriens Theological College, Shillong 3

Most Rev. John Moolachira Artchbishop’s House
Post Box 100, Guwahati - 781 001
Archbishop of Guwahati Assam, India
Phone : +91-0361-2547664
Email : [email protected]
URL : www.guwahatiarchdiocese.org

Message

I am happy to know that Oriens Theological College, Shillong is going to bring out
the next college magazine “Oriens’. Nurturing creativity and inspiring innovation
are two of the key elements of sccessful education, and a college magazine is the
perfect amalgamation of both. I am very sure that the annual magazine boosts
important skills such as critical thinking, communication and writing ability.
The theme chosen “Rejoice in Hope” is relevant as this year takes on special
significance due to many uncertainties and anxieties that surround us. Though we
expected Covid 19 pandemic to be over by beginning of 2021, it is recurring and
causing problems in many parts of the world. Yet, we need not to be discouraged
for Jesus, who was tempted, betrayed, suffered, and died for us to rise agins after
three days, is with us this gives us the reason to Rejoice in Hope (Rome 12:12).
I take this opportunity to congratulate the editor and the board for bringing out
this magazine as per schedule, which is an acheivement considering the effort
and time required. May all of you soar high in uncharted skies and bring glory
to God, I wish it all success and hope that this tradition that has been set by the
former students will be carried through by the coming generations.
I thank the Rector and the entire staff for their selfless service rendered in moulding
and forming the priests of tomorrow. I also extend my warms wishes to the
community of Oriens Theological College and wish you God’s abundant blessings.

Yours in Christ Jesus,

+John Moolachira
Archbishop of Guwahati

4 Oriens Theological College, Shillong

Pontificia Universita Urbaniana

Rome

Dear Reverend Fathers and Brothers, P. Leonardo Sileo, O.F.M.
The situation that the current world is going through is severely marked by the

pandemic that has hit the whole world. Pope Francis briefly described this reality
with the expression: “we are all in the same boat”, using the Gospel episode of the
storm in the Sea of Galilee to describe our current condition. All peoples are in the
storm and all are afraid of being submerged. But if we are forced to share the dangers
and fears, then it is even more necessary to pool efforts to overcome the moment
of crisis. Unfortunately this does not happen and the pandemic has confirmed
what we already knew before: the world is heavily marked by divisions, rivalries,
injustices and inequalities. If this is the general picture in which we find ourselves,
shouldn’t we as Christians ask ourselves, with seriousness and responsibility, on
the contribution of reflection and action that we can offer in view of building a
future not dominated by fear but animated by hope?

The traumatic interruption of any educational and cultural activity in
universities, in addition to the security measures imposed by the epidemiological
emergency from COVID-19, the new and obscure virus, are sad effects of the loss
and anguish fuelled by the growing of the dramatic news of his rapid propagation.
In fact, the prevention and containment measures adopted coincided precisely
with the spread of the fear of contracting the virus by interpersonal contagion.
Paradoxically, virologists and politicians are still struggling to persuade us of the
need to promote the fear of contagion from person to person as an effective social
weapon against the virus. The fear of health risks deriving from the coexistence
and interdependence of human beings would therefore be playing a decisive role
in every movement of personal conscience and in every form of social expression.

Moreover, perhaps the same public health objectives cannot be achieved by
promoting not fear (a serious illness of the soul according to classical thinking) but
interpersonal behaviours generated by the trust that one has the good of others at
heart and also nourished by respectthat every person owes to all the others anyway?
Questions to reflect and to go further.

Here then is the importance of the Apostle’s invitation: “Rejoice in hope”
(Rom 12:12). I am very happy that you have chosen these words of St. Paul as the
theme of your college magazine titled ‘ORIENS’. I would like to congratulate the
whole team behind this work. In fact, true joy can only come to us from a strong
commitment to change the reality in which we live and to undertake a new path,
animated by the hope that “Everything is possible for those who believe” (Mk
9:23). I believe that living this hope is our vocation today, as Christians and as
responsible and audacious human beings. Hope that concrete actions are taken,
personal and collective choices, pushed towards the sense of universal communion
that Pope Francis has indicated to us as a perspective in his Encyclical “Fratelli
tutti”. In fact, it is time to ensure that the current health crisis pushes towards a
global regeneration that can only start from one’s personal choice. This is the wish
and the invitation that I address to those who try not to be overwhelmed by the
sense of fear, bewilderment and helplessness that the pandemic is transmitting
to us, so that it may instead be the beginning of a new path, illuminated by the
Word of God and accompanied by the request to the Lord to continue to guide
us on our journey.

P. LEONARDO SILEO, O.F.M. 5

Rector of the University, Pontifical Urban University
Oriens Theological College, Shillong

Conrad K. Sangma Office : 0364-2224282
PABX : 2200
Chief Minister Fax : 0364-2227913
MEGHALAYA (R) 2522752

Conrad K. Sangma Message

Chief Minister It gives me immense pleasure to learn that Oriens Theological College,
Shillong, is bringing out an annual magazine under the theme ‘Rejoice
in Hope.’
I extend my best wishes to the editorial team of the Magazine. I am sure
the curated treasure trove of ideas and thoughts will be of immense value
to the students as they prepare themselves to serve in their respective
fields of Christian service.
I look forward to the publication of the Magazine and contribution from
the students enthusiastically.

Conrad K. Sangma

6 Oriens Theological College, Shillong

“If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?” so says
the poet P. B. Shelley. Life on earth blossoms
in spite of fear and threats. Despite the continuing
perils of destruction and death, we fight to live. The
desire to live is universal. We are currently facing the
biggest pandemic in this century. Fear of a virus took
over human capabilities. For more than a year, the
world is trying its best to fight the novel coronavirus
- Covid 19. It is a crucial time in human history.
The past one year witnessed the helplessness as well as the
perseverance of human will. People come up with innovations
in religious customs, literature, and other art forms to sooth
our struggles. Hope is innate, we live because we hope. St. Paul
urges us to “Rejoice in hope” (Rom 12:12). The Bible is replete
with stories of hope: starting with the story of Abraham and Sarah, the
childless couple who dreamt of children as many as the stars, the Bible has
innumerable stories of hope. Gideon, the military leader whose victory
over a massive force despite a feeble troop of men proved his belief in God’s
words - “I shall be with you.” Daniel in the lion’s den; Hanna who endured
the despair of infertility; David with his sling and stone; Nehemiah who
went on a mission on rebuild Jerusalem; Job who could reclaim whatever
he had lost; Paul who showed that there is a comeback no matter however
far one goes; Stephen who embraced death with hope and fulfillment, etc.;
it still has stories to tell.

Long ago, when a camera was a rare and valuable gadget, Christopher
Coylo lost his camera and all its accessories aboard a train. After filing
a complaint with the police, Coylo returned to his room disappointed.
After a short while, he leaped up with joy into a revelation which he later
mentions as “eureka” in his book Now I Can See. He looked at his fingers
for a moment realizing that the Lord has given his fingers not just to set the
camera aperture. He has his fingers intact to play the deserted guitar in his
room, to mix the colours in the palette, to turn the yellowed pages of his
favourite books. What remains is what matters, not what is lost.

“In three words I can sum up everything I have learned about life: It
goes on….!” (Robert Frost)

Flip through ‘Oriens’ with Hope.

Ajay Thekkilakkattil

Chief Editor

Oriens Theological College, Shillong 7

CONT E NT S

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ACADEMIC RIVER GAME

12 YEAR 2020-2021 46 Rev. Dr. Graviour Augustine
Rev. Dr. Kuriakose Poovathumkudy
UTMOST HOPE ( Hyku Poems)
“REJOICE IN YOUR HOPE” ROM 12,12
51 Momin Cheran Salgrak
18 Bishop John Kattrukudiyil
BE A SOLUTION
SAINT JOSEPH A Person of Hope
51 Sigeon Pradeep
21 Rev. Dr. Kuriakose Poovathumkudy

COVID-19 – A Look back 64 MOBILE PHONE IN .....
Rev. Dr. Stanislaus Chinliankhup
26 Litsuvi Christopher

28 PICTURE 68 St. JOSEPH:A MODEL FOR ....
Anson Puthanchakkalakkal Vishal Jangam

29 HOLD ON TO HOPE 69 HOPE RESTS IN HEART
Phawa Phidalist Rai Joseph Munsi

30 PANDEMICS AND THE CHURCH SETTING TRADITIONS – AN ...
Rev. Dr. Isaac Padinjarekuttu
70 Rev. Dr. Joyee K. Vellattukara

HOPE IS THE ONLY THING THAT... HOPE IN GOD: AN INSPIRATION...

34 Rev. Fr. Basumatary Satyajit 72 Albin Antony

FAITH IS A 24 HOUR DOUBT AND.... 73 THEY RUN NOT TO WIN, BUT ...
Naulak Nenghoumuan Samuel
37 Ajay Thekkilakkattil

VIRTUE OF HOPE HOPE AGAINST THE HOPELESS...

40 Iohteibok Nongkhlaw 74 Francis Thomas

CLOUDS OF HOPE OVER A ... EBdoitaorrdial

76 Sangma Dibru Nicholas Thekkilakkatitl Ajay
Fr. Samuel Kapani
EVERY HUMAN BEING IS A GOD... Fr. Graviour Augustine

78 Thettininnapurayidam George Simon (OSJ) Samuel Naulak
Vishal
79 PICTURE
Shangdiar Lamkupar

FUTURE OF CATHOLIC CHURCH...

80 Josey Niju

88 STAYING POSITIVE IN THE...
Lyngdoh Wanlambok

89 DIGNITY DIGNITY ALWAYS
Haomuonlian Joseph

91 NEW BORN YEAR
Mardi Nicodin

QUERIDA AMAZONIA....

92 James Chapao

EVERYTHING WILL BE OK

94 Arun Rongpi

98 BEST COMPLIMENTS

AUTOGRAPH

99 Valayathil Albin

104 HUMAN INDIVIDUAL : AN ...
Fr. Samuel Kapani

Academic
Council

Rev. Dr. KAPANI SAMUEL Rev. Dr. POOVATHUMKUDY
(President) KURIAKOSE (Rector, OTC)

Rev. Dr. KERKETTA ATHNAS Rev.Fr.PERUMPALLIOLICAKAL JAMES, Rev. Fr. RAJ STEPHEN, SDS Rev. Fr. TOMY PULICKAL, OFM Cap
MSFS (Rector, MSFS Study House) CMF (Rector, Claret Villa) (Rector, Otto Hopfenmuller (Rector, Capuchin Theology Study House)
Theology Study House)

Rev. Dr. CHINLIANKHUP Rev. Dr. VELLATTUKARA (K.D.) JOY Rev. Fr. KAPOOR RAJ Rev. Dr. R.R.GRAVIOUR AUGUSTINE
STANISLAUS

Rev. Fr. BASUMATARY SATYAJIT Rev. Fr. YANTHAN PAUL THEEKILAKKATTIL AJAY ARULANTHU MICHAEL RAJA

10 Oriens Theological College, ShilTloHnUgNGBEMO

Students' Council

Theekilakkattil Ajay Niju Josey SDS Arulanathu Micheal Raja
(President) (Vice president) MSFS (Secretary)

Naulak Nenghoumuan Lyngdoh Wanlambok Kujur Prince
Samuel (Beadle, OTC) (Beadle, Second Year) (Beadle, First Year)

Amit Dang Wahalang Wadbhabantei Dkhar Ricky CMF
OFM

Oriens Theological College, Shillong 11

ANNUAL REPORT OF
THE ACADEMIC YEAR
2020-2021

Introduction Christ and dedicated their lives North East India as members of the
primarily for the service of God Governing Body. By the year 1990
To the idyllic cultural and ethnic and the betterment of the people it became a full-fledged seminary
diversity, with its unique demography, in society, irrespective of creed or with four years of theology courses
creed and cultural extravaganza of culture. and its statutes were approved by the
North East India, Oriens Theological Sacred Congregation for the Catholic
college is a landmark as far as the Short History Education on 4th December 1990.
local Church is concerned. The name On 7th December 1993, Oriens
‘Oriens’ means “The Rising Sun Oriens Theological College was College was formally affiliated to the
of the East” and accordingly, the founded in the year 1979. It began Pontifical Urban University, Rome,
college has taken a befitting motto: as a study house for the theology with the decree (vide no. 442/93/7)
‘To Give Light.’ It is an institution students of the then Archdiocese of of the Sacred Congregation for the
primarily meant for intellectual Shilling-Guwahati. Since the need Catholic Education. Since then, the
pursuit and theological research, to have a full-fledged seminary for B.Th (Bachelor of Theology) degree
above all a formation house for the formation of the diocesan clergy has been conferred on students who
the intellectual, spiritual, pastoral, in the region was felt, in 1986 the fulfil the basic requirement of 4
human and missionary training College began to hold lectures on its year theology.
of the prospective candidates to own premises and the Congregation
priesthood. The members are drawn for Evangelization of Peoples raised Governing Body
from different parts of the country, it to the status of an Inter-diocesan
hailing from different regions and seminary, with all the bishops of Oriens Governing Board is headed
cultural backgrounds who have
made fundamental option to follow

12 Oriens Theological College, Shillong

Oriens, Light under the Chairmanship of Most
of the East Rev. John Moolachira, Archbishop
of Guwahati, with the Episcopal
Oh! Rising Sun; Oh! Beautiful dawn Delegate Most Rev. John Thomas
True wisdom from above here is born Kattrukudiyil, Bishop of Itanagar.
You give to all beatific light All the other Archbishops, Bishops
Dispelling all the darkness of the night andAuxiliary Bishops of North East
India Regional Bishops Council are
Oh! Shining Star, resplendent, so tall its council members. It has three
Mid Shillong pines, you stand and do call Emeriti; being two Archbishops
You Sisters Eight, in God shall abide as its honorary members. Rector
To eager minds, the light of Christ provide of the Seminary Fr. Kuriakose
Poovathumkudy is its Secretary.
Oriens, Light of the East
Share with joy your love and peace Staff
Spread your light to all
Every corner of the world. The Oriens Theological College has
nine residential teaching Staff and 17
visiting staff. The College also has
13 visiting staff, including Bishops
to teach the Pastoral courses.

Oriens Theological College, Shillong 13

Candidates between the student body and the Oriens Publication
Academic Council and the Head
The College imparts theological of the Department, and to share The Publication Department of the
education to 158candidates for responsibilities in organizing co- College is called Oriens Publications.
priesthood in the current academic curricular activities in the College. It brings out regularly books and
year. They are of 22 dioceses from It also publishes the College Annual monographs relevant to theological
Northeast and other parts of the country, Magazine “Oriens”. formation and pastoral ministry in
and seven religious congregations. Northeast India. The College also
Some of the religious congregation Oriens Library publishes a theological journal
students reside at Oriens and form called Oriens Journal for Contextual
part of the community. The Oriens library building was Theology, which appears annually,
constructed in 1996, and the books to facilitate an encounter between
Academic Council were shifted to this new facility in the Gospel message and the cultures
1997. Ever since, the library has grown and traditions of the people of
The Academic Council consists of leaps and bounds – quantitatively Northeast India. The College, on
all permanent resident teaching staff and qualitatively. The college is behalf of the Diocesan Priests of the
of Oriens and Representatives of the extremely proud to claim its high Region (The Diocesan Fraternity
Rectors of Study Houses that send standard quality library, renowned of Northeast India), also edits and
students to the college. The Head of for its collection in the field of publishes The Diocesan Priest, a
the Department, who is the president Biblical Studies, Tribal Studies, bi-annual, primarily for contextual
of this Council, convenes its meeting Northeast Cultural Anthropology, and pastoral reflection.
at least twice in every semester. and Contextual Theology, besides
The Competence of this Council other branches of Theology. It Cultural-Historical
extends to all matters concerning houses a collection of more than Documentation Centre
the academic life of the College. 36,000 books and over 5740 bound
volumes of Reviews and Journals. Being in the midst of diverse cultures,
Students’ Council The library is fully digitalized to the College has set-up a Cultural-
enable staff and students to have Historical Documentation Centre to
easy access to titles and authors, facilitate the study of cultures and
and other recourses of the Library. religious beliefs of the natives. The
Documentation Centre gathers and
This is a consultative body consisting maintains valuable information on
of four representatives (Beadles) the Church and the socio-cultural,
– one each from the four courses political and religious life of the
– elected at the beginning of the people of the region, which is a
Academic Year, and the House haven for research scholars. The
Beadle of Oriens and four other Museum attached to the Centre has a
members – one from each of the good collection of original artifacts
four courses – nominated by the of the tribes of North East India. Its
Head of the Department, ensuring work started with the establishment
also adequate representation from of the college in 1979. Some of
the various Study Houses. The the attractions of this museum are
purpose of this Council is to ensure musical instruments, ancientweapons,
effective and responsible participation domestic implements, ornaments,
of the students in the academic costumes, cremation kit and coffin,
programme of the College and to remains of the rare and extinct
facilitate effective communication animals, etc.

14 Oriens Theological College, Shillong

Oriens Media Construction Work was celebrated with much fanfare on
4 August. On this day the Governing
Oriens College has a fairly established Since last year the college has Body appointed Rev. Dr. Kuriakose
Media Centre which produces undertaken various construction Poovathumkudy as rector of the
documentaries and short videos works. The College Library is being College for the fourth term.
especially on Culture with Pastoral extended and some of the renovation
and Catechetical instructions. work of the college building is under Mid-Semester Exams for both Second
Recently the Media Centre produced way which will soon be completed. and Third Years were held from 14-
documentaries on Seven Sacraments 20 August. Independence Day cum
and Popular Devotions. Assumption Day was celebrated on
15 August with solemn Eucharist
Sunday Ministry followed by Flag hoisting.

The staff and students of Oriens Agricultural Work First years join the seminary on 26
Theological College are fully involved August. Teachers Day was celebrated
in the ministry within and without. Pope Francis in his encyclical Laudato on 5 September with Claritian Fr.
The Fathers and Brothers go to si says, “we ourselves are dust of the Mathew Vadakkel as chief guest.
various parishes,oratory centers and earth (cf. Gen 2:7); our very bodies
villages, taking part in the mission are made up of her elements, we Recollection in view of the institution
of Jesus, by teaching catechism to breathe her air and we receive life of the Lector and Acolyte was held
the youth and children, preaching and refreshment from her waters… on 9 September. On 10 September
the Word of God in Church services We are part of nature, included in it Bishop Victor Lyngdoh of Jowai
or house services (jingiasengieng). and thus in constant interaction with institutes 25 Second year seminarians
The brothers also organize and it” (LS §2, 139). Understanding this, including two Claritians into
conduct programs like seminars, the seminary provides opportunity Lectors, and22Thirdyearseminarians
retreats, awareness programme, for the seminarians to actively intoAcolytes, with one from Claritian
teaching music, dialogue with the participate in the agricultural works. congregation.OnthisdayOriensAnnual
people, visiting families, praying Students cultivate different types of Magazine and Fr. Manjaly’s book titled
for the sick, comforting the sorrow vegetables in the plots assigned to ‘Introduction to Sacred Scriptures’were
and suffering and helping the poor each group. released. Freshers’meet was held in the
(Clothes distribution). evening of the same day.
Important Events
Extension Annual Seminar on “Querida
Programmes The Academic Year 2020-21 was Amazonia” was held on 17 September.
anticipated due to the Covid-19 Administrator Fr. Raj Kapoor
This year the Blood donation camp pandemic. The informal inauguration introduced the papal document with its
was held in the college and many was held on 1 July with a solemn background. Four students presented
students willingly and freely donated Eucharist celebrated by Claritians the entire apostolic exhortation in
blood to the needy and the poor Regional Superior Rev. Fr. Pius four parts . Fr.Stephen SDS was the
people in various hospitals. Thuruthel, CMF. All the religious Chief Guest of the event.
communities were in attendance,
as they were being accommodated A week-long Community Day
in the college since June 31 due to competitions commenced on the
the pandemic. First years did not evening of 25 September with the
join yet. choir competition. The community
was divided into six groups along
The feast day of St. John Marie with the students of religious houses.
Vianney, the patron of parish priests Max Millian Kolbe group was the
winner of the event.

Final Profession of eight MSFS
brothers of three provinces was
held on 30 September with a
solemn Eucharist presided over by

Oriens Theological College, Shillong 15

Guwahati MSFS Provincial Rev. had the visit of Bongaigaon Bishop the dinner he was felicitated by the
Fr. Sabu Francis MSFS along with Thomas Pulopillil along with Fr. community members.
the MSFS House Rector Rev. Fr. Tomy Palely of Diphu diocese.
Athnas Kreketta and other Oriens Annual Lecture was held on 11 March
community priests. 28 First Year Seminarians were Rev. Dr. U.V. Jose SDB lectured on
admitted to candidacy on 3rdof March “Communicating Word in words.”
Community Day’scelebration by Archbishop Victor Lyngdoh. Dn. Ajay Thekkilakkattil moderated
culminated on 1 October with several Newly installed Archbishop Victor the session. New college jersey
sports and games competitions. Lyngdoh visits OTC a former student was released by Rev.Fr. Kuriakose
The day began with the Eucharist of the College, came for the first Poovathumkudy on this day.
presided over by Rector, Fr. Kuriakose time as Archbishop to OTC. During
Poovathumkudy. The celebrations
concluded with the prize distribution
before Lunch.

Blood donation camp was held on Our Gratitude
8 October by Nazareth Hospital at
Oriens. 20 brothers along with Fr.
Raj Kapoor donated the blood.

OTC General Body meeting was At the outset we raise our hearts in thanksgiving to the Almighty
held on 9 October evening. Many God for his unfailing and abundant blessings through the year.
Bishops of NE region including two We also express our filial affection and gratitude to His Holiness
Archbishops and newly ordained Pope Francis for his paternal blessings. We are grateful to Most
bishop Jose Chirackal, along with Rev. John Moolachira, the chairman of the governing board of
two diocesan administrators of the college, and Most Rev. John Thomas, the Episcopal Delegate,
Nongstoin and Shillongattended the for their constant support. We express our sincere gratitude to all
meeting. A felicitation cum books our efficient staff members, visiting professors and our dedicated
releasing ceremony was held at seminarians for their wonderful cooperation in the process of
7:30pm. A Festschrift in memory of seminary formation. The college extends love and gratitude to
Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee of Rev. our benefactors and funding agencies from Germany and other
Fr. Manjaly and a book on Sunday countries. We greatly appreciate their generous contribution and
Homilies by Rev. Dr. Graviour prayer for the smooth-functioning of the seminary. Finally, we
Augustine were released. fondly greet all well-wishers and supporters of the seminary and
thank them in God’s name.
Second and Third Years leave for
their long winter vacation after Oriens Theological College needs the friendship and support,
staying one full year on 24 October. guidance and encouragement, prayers and sacrifice of many to
form the future missionary priests in order to continue the mission
On 4 November, the first years of Jesus Christ among the diverse ethnic and cultural groups of
concluded their Semester Examination. the region and outside. May Oriens continue to shed the light of
knowledge and spread the ray of hope here and now, and in the
On 5 November, there was a pre- days to come! Ad multos annos. Beseeching the intercession of
Christmas celebration. Winter the Blessed Virgin Mary, the heavenly patroness of the seminary,
vacation for the first years began. I conclude this report.

On 9 February, all the students Rev. Dr. Kuriakose Poovathumkudy
returned to OTC after the winter
vacation. Now the community has Rector, Oriens Theological College
three newly ordained deacons
namely and two finally professed
OSJ conferrers.

In the afternoon of 24 February, we

16 Oriens Theological College, Shillong

Resident
Staff

Fr. Poovathumkudy Kuriakose Fr. Chinliankhup Stanislaus

(Rector) (Vice-Rector)

Fr. Vellattukara (K.D.) Joy Fr. Kapoor Raj Fr. Kapani Samuel

(Treasurer) (Administrator and Prefect) (Dean)

Fr. R.R.Graviour Augustine Fr. Basumatary Satyajit Fr. Yanthan Paul Thungbemo

(Librarian) (Director - Cultural-Historical (Asst. Director Cultural and Historical Centre
Centre and Orines Publications) and Oriens Publication)

Fr. Chanikuzhy Mathew Fr. Nedumarathumchalil Fr. Padinjarekuttu Isaac
George (Spiritual Director) Oriens Theological College, Shillong 17
(Spiritual Director)

Focus Story

“Rejoice in ‘Don’t lose hope’ is a piece of common unsolicited advice
Your Hope” that we freely give to each other. The occasion for
such encouraging words would be usually a difficult situation
Rom 12,12 someone is facing. It is our lived-out experience that we have to
go through some difficulty or other in this ‘vale of tears’. St. Paul
Bishop John Kattrukudiyil too had his share of difficulties. He noticed that his Christians too
were despairing due to various reasons. That is why he told the
18 Oriens Theological College, Shillong Christians in Rome to “rejoice in your hope” and to be “patient
in tribulation”(Rom 12,12).

These words of Paul are relevant for the Church of today also.
The Church in every age had faced various crises. The seriousness
of a crisis depends on its nature and intensity. Some crises have
only a short impact and others have long-lasting consequences.
In the past one year, the whole world was going through a crisis
caused by the pandemic caused by COVID-19. It was and is still
a serious problem. It affected the common man economically
and psychologically. The privation of liturgical life also had its
consequences on the life of priests and believers. These are
however passing events. The people are resilient and will bounce
back to normalcy.

There are other types of crises that gnaw at the very that were once held as sacrosanct are being rubbished.
vitals of the Church. We have to fear them as their The Churches in the German-speaking nations are
impacts last longer. The Church had faced several of ignoring Papal authority and are claiming the right to
them in the past. There were times when everyone declare for themselves as right what they feel is good
thought that the Church was finished. The Christological for them. Hence, they are pushing for admitting to Holy
heresies, the Schisms, the Reformation, the French Communion divorced and remarried couples, giving
revolution, the rise of people like Hitler and Mussolini communion to protestants, ordaining women, lifting
were all occasions that brought the Church to the brink clerical celibacy and legitimizing same-sex marriages.
of what looked like the ultimate disaster. But she rose All these moves are enough to indicate that the Church
again on the wings of hope: hope lived out by the then may be drifting towards a schism. These developments
leaders and simple faithful. That should be a lesson are compounded by the sad fact of a sharp drop in
for us today when the Church is facing another type vocations and consequently a shortage of priests to
of crisis. If it was the dictatorship of the fascist forces give pastoral care to the faithful. The people in the
that threatened the destruction of the Church towards West have become like sheep without shepherds and
the middle of last century, today it is the dictatorship the few shepherds that are there seem to have lost their
of relativism, as Ratzinger would put it, that is making direction. The situation is alarming.
the Church implode on herself. The real enemy is not
‘out there’, but in the Church herself. People have In sharp contrast to this above-mentioned situation,
become indifferent to religion itself and any sense of we see that the Church in Asia and Africa are moving
morality as understood by our forefathers. Any action in another direction. There are visible signs of vitality
is acceptable as long it is pleasing to the individual. and vibrancy. The moral questions that seem to derail
Morality is made relative to satisfying my needs. the western Church are hardly discussed in the Church
Believers of western countries,who once formed the
bulwark of Christianity, are now moving away in large
numbers from any form of religiosity. Moral principles

The situation of the Church in
India also gives us signs of hope.
The sense of religiosity has not
decreased in any part of this
Sub-Continent. A sense of the
sacred is still there in the minds
of all the people. The Indian
culture itself fosters a sense of
religiosity and a reverence
for the sacred. It is true that
there have been visible
changes in the vocation
situation

“Hope is a lover’s staff; walk hence with that and manage it
against despairing thoughts.”
William Shakespeare

Oriens Theological College, Shillong 19

circles in these continents. Vocations have not dropped the levelof statistics, there may be a small drop in the

and are still stable. These are visible signs of hope. total number of Catholics in India. That is, however, a

When there is darkness somewhere, there is a light reflection of a drop in birth rate rather than an indication

somewhere else. The Church in the developing countries of people leaving the Church.

is shining like stars in the night of darkness enveloping Therefore, the Church in India can appropriate for

the western Church. herself the invitation of St. Paul to rejoice in hope. The

Church in India can hope for a better future. She may

The situation of the Church in India also gives us have to struggle a little because of antagonism from

signs of hope. The sense of religiosity has not decreased a few resurgent fundamentalist outfits in the country.

in any part of this Sub-Continent. A sense of the sacred Such opposition will only strengthen the resolve of

is still there in the minds of all the people. The Indian the people to remain faithful to the Church. It is a fact

culture itself fosters a

sense of religiosity and a
reverence for the sacred. May the Church in
It is true that there have
been visible changes in India and in the developing

the vocation situation. nations be shining stars
There was a time, when
in the 18th, 19th and till of hope for the Church in

the first half of the 20th the West that is groping
century, the Church to find her way in the
in Goa was supplying

missionaries to the whole darkness caused by the

of Southeast Asia. Now

they don’t have that many dictatorship of relativism

vocations to go around. enveloping them.
Later, in the second half

of the 20th century, we

saw many vocations

from Mangalore, Kerala and Tamil Nadu manning of history that the Church has thrived when it faced

the Churches in North India and many even going out opposition. The best way of destroying a Church is to

to serve in the western countries. Indian missionaries give it absolute freedom and security. Then she will

from South India are rendering their services also destroy herself. The Church in Poland has proved that

in Africa and South America. At the turnof the 21st theory. Under the Communists, the churches in Poland

century, we see a drop in the number of vocations from had full attendance and vocations to the priesthood and

those Churches in South India. However, relatively religious life flourished. After the fall of communism,

younger Churches have come up with vocations to the Church was free and the footfalls in the churches

fill the vacuum. Now there are many vocations from came down. It began to reflect also in the number of

Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Orissa. As for the vocations. So, adversity is not a reason for despair but

Church in the Northeast, we have also communities that a catalyst for a resurgence. Paul understood that. That

are rich in vocations. Missionaries are now going out is why he was able to tell his suffering Christians to

from older Churches of Northeast, like that of Manipur “rejoice in your hope” and to “be patient in tribulation”.

and Nagaland, to various parts of the same region and May the Church in India and in the developing nations

to even outside. Thus, in contrast to the tepidity of the be shining stars of hope for the Church in the West that

West we see that the Church in India has not lost her is groping to find her way in the darkness caused by the

warmth and vibrancy and is holding her ground. On dictatorship of relativism enveloping them.

“Hope opens new horizons, making us capable of dreaming Pope Francis
what is not even imaginable.”

20 Oriens Theological College, Shillong

Cover Story
Joseph,
through a life of
scintillating hope
illumines the path
of fellow-believers
in their journey
towards the Divine.
Hope was one of
the distinguishing
characteristics of
Joseph

SAINT JOSEPH
A Person of Hope

Rev. Dr. Kuriakose The Catechism of the Catholic become the Spouse of Mary and
Poovathumkudy Church (CCC 2090) teaches foster father of Jesus. While God’s
that when God calls someone, s/ plan was gradually unfolding, Joseph
he must cherish hope in return that had to face obvious and inexplicable
God will grant her/him the capacity contradictions in life, for his earthly
to act in conformity with the call. vocation was clouded and shrouded
It further explicates that hope is in mystery. He hoped against hope
the confident expectation of timely like his forefather Abraham, and
assistance and divine blessing in ultimately became the exemplary
carrying out the mission. Hope model of hope to a new generation
and despair are incompatible and of Israel, “who were born, not blood
diametrically opposed to each other, or of the will of the flesh or of the
for the latter is contrary to God’s will of man, but of God” (Jn 1:13).
goodness. God in his divine plan Joseph firmly believed in the divine
foresaw in the person of Joseph a providence of God and resolutely
responsible partner in the economy hoped in its fulfilment like the
of salvation and accordingly he was anawim of Yahweh. Thus, his prompt
entrusted with a specific mission to obedience to God’s command and

Oriens Theological College, Shillong 21

a life of expectant and unwavering in the magisterial teachings of the CARTA APOSTÓLICA
hope made him a household name Church than St. Joseph.
in the NT as well as in the annals PATRIS
of the Church. “Go to Joseph” has Various Popes have endeavoured CORDE
become an energizing, invigorating to promote special devotion to him
and captivating spiritual slogan among and they have given him honourable DEL SANTO PADRE
the believers, especially when they titles, written Apostolic Letters and FRANCISCO
face rough weather of vicissitudes Apostolic Exhortations to emulate
in life’s journey. Joseph, through a his virtues. Pope Francis is an puts on the statue, so that Joseph
life of scintillating hope illumines ardent devotee of St. Joseph, who might dream about it and answer the
the path of fellow-believers in recites a 19th century prayer daily prayers.To mark the 150th anniversary
their journey towards the Divine. from a French prayer book. He has of the declaration of St. Joseph as
Hope was one of the distinguishing also acknowledged the practice of the Patron of the Universal Church,
characteristics of Joseph. taking his concerns to the statue Pope Francis proclaimed the “Year
of the “sleeping Joseph,” which he of St. Joseph,” from 8 December
An Honourable Man carefully and devotionally keeps in 2020 to 2021. To make the event
his study at Santa Martha. Whenever memorable and momentous he also
The Church has a rich tradition of the Pope has a problem, he writes issued the Apostolic Letter Patris
honouring saintly men and women, prayerfully a letter and painstakingly Corde (PC), With a Father’s Heart
whom she proposes as models and on 8th December 2020.According to
examples of holiness. Their life of Pope Francis the primary aim of the
sanctity and testimony are the valued observance of the Year of St. Joseph
treasures and the patrimony of the is “to increase our love for this great
Church, because Saints continue saint, to encourage us to implore his
to inspire believers during their intercession and to imitate his virtues
earthly pilgrimage. The life of and his zeal” (PC 7).
holiness of saints are recognised
and acknowledged by the Church
and they are given public veneration
for the spiritual benefit of believers
on earth. Among all the saints, St.
Joseph occupies a place of high
honour and special veneration as
spouse of Mary and foster father of
Jesus. Very fervently he is sought
after by people of all cultures and
traditions, especially in times of
distress and anguish, because he
himself has had similar experiences
and understands the agonising cry of
the innocent. The Gospels present
him as an amazing and awe-inspiring
‘just man,’ with a natural aura and
halo around him. After Mary, no
other saint is so frequently mentioned

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”

Desmond Tutu

22 Oriens Theological College, Shillong

A Cursory Glance at of the family of Nazareth that turned provided for the daily sustenance
Patris Corde his human vocation to domestic love of his family at Nazareth, and thus
and care. In him, Jesus saw and became the patron of dignified work
experienced a Tender and Loving and workers. In spite of his exalted
Father (PC 2) and in all probability status and pivotal role in the history
he might have drawn the inspiration of salvation, he was a Father in the
from his foster father to narrate the Shadows (PC 7), preferring obscurity
acclaimed parable of the Prodigal and inconspicuousness. While Paul
Son (Lk 15: 11-32). As an Obedient through his fearless and ceaseless
Father (PC 3) Joseph carried out preaching exhorted the Christian
God’s plan without reluctance and community to be imitators of him
reservation. It is in the school of (1 Cor 4:16) in following the Lord,
Joseph at Nazareth that Jesus learnt to Joseph by his loud and eloquent
do the will of his Father. Obedience silence proclaimed similar message:
qualified him to be an Accepting “Be imitators of me” in carrying out
Father (PC 4). In spite of grappling God’s command unhesitatingly. We
with contradictions, Joseph had the pick up two outstanding virtues that
audacity to safeguard the good name we can emulate from St. Joseph for
of Mary and protect her dignity as our life of faith.
the true “daughter of Zion” (Isa
3:17). As a Creatively Courageous Prompt and Trusting
Father (PC 5), he turned the stable Obedience
into a loving home and fled to Egypt
in the middle of the night with the Obedience in common parlance
mother and the child to defeat the has various connotations and
draconian plan of infanticide by interpretations in today’s culture
the notorious king Herod. Thus, he and some incline to attribute it to
“was able to turn a problem into a people who are weak and vulnerable,
possibility by trusting always in fragile and feeble. In short, they
divine providence” (PC 5). Joseph
was a Working Father (PC 6) who

The Apostolic Letter Patris There are increasing incidents of ‘pseudo cult
Corde consists of only 6059 words, worship’ in diversified forms in the contemporary
with 7progressively numbered units society; many have built reverential niche for
with subtitles and 30 footnotes. The athletes and actors, singers and musicians,
entire document focuses on the designers and business magnates. For young
personal charisma and the delicate adults, these celebrities become ‘the icons’
mission of Joseph, who incognito of their lives and they struggle and fret over
has played a decisive role in the to imitate them, by frantically and ruthlessly
history and mystery of salvation. following a path of superficiality and triviality.
The most outstanding and befitting
title and designation given to him
in the document is ‘father,’ which
the 7 subtitles incorporate. Joseph
devoted himself totally to the care

“Hope is the beacon which points to prosperity.”

Edward Counsel

Oriens Theological College, Shillong 23

presume that obedience is meant to and discern the will of the Divine forms in the contemporary society;
for fickle minded and goody-goody in their lives through mediums of many have built reverential niche
people, who have no guts or valour persons and events. St. Joseph is for athletes and actors, singers and
to express their views forcefully and an optimal model in carrying out musicians, designers and business
confront the adversaries fearlessly, the task entrusted to him in loyal magnates. For young adults, these
including people in authority. In their obedience, and his adherence to celebrities become ‘the icons’ of
estimation, soft-spoken pacifists God’s command should serve as a their lives and they struggle and fret
do not make any headway, and the paradigm to comprehend the very over to imitate them, by frantically
public looks for persons who can concept and true understanding and ruthlessly following a path
create ripples and achieve sensational and practice of this great virtue. of superficiality and triviality.
feats by bravado and Joseph shows that obedience is The personal incompatibility and
swaggering dramatic
actions.Theyhaveneither never contrary to human dignity relational bankruptcy of public
fear nor human respect or self-respect of individuals. It is luminaries and super stars are
to challenge anyone and relational and dialogical in every swept under the carpet and they are
take the adversaries aspect. He listened and obeyed all kept on high pedestals, because in
head on collision. Social that God had deigned and designed today’s culture the importance and
media acclaims and for him, by maintaining his ‘golden the value of persons are equated
lauds such persons and silence’ in faith, while carrying with public status. The figure of
often spearheads anti- out the task quietly and diligently. Joseph is an antidote to frivolity and
authoritarian movements. Thus, he has become the paragon grandiosity. Joseph never suffered
Any perceived or and embodiment of the virtue of from the ‘spot-light’ or ‘lime-light’
concoctedmisdemeanour obedience. syndrome of the modern generation.
of people in leadership His greatness consists in being ‘a man
roles becomes sensational AMan in the Shadows in the shadows,’ who acts but never
news and gets wide speaks. The axiomatic expression
publicity at the national There are increasing incidents of “Action speaks louder than words”
and global level. They ‘pseudo cult worship’ in diversified can safely and unhesitatingly be
promote exaggerated applied to the simplicity of life and
form of autonomy
and instill in people pseudo sense
of self-sufficiency, which sees the
important virtue like obedience as
superfluous and frivolous. In such a
vitiated atmosphere the very concept
of obedience become sarchaic and
obsolete.

These are fictional conjectures
and overtly projected presumptions,
for obedience is neither an attitude of
timidity, nor culture of conformism,
leaving no room for responsible
dialogue. It is comprehensible
only to people who surrender their
freedom responsibly for a higher
cause and have the audacity to listen

“There are difficult moments in life, but with hope the soul goes Pope Francis
forward and looks ahead to what awaits us.”

24 Oriens Theological College, Shillong

nobility of the mission of and turmoil, only persons
Joseph. He did everything of hope can perceive the
in his capacity to mould and providence of God guiding
train infant Jesus quietly, so her destiny in the vicissitudes
that he could take up the of various enigmas and
mission of his Heavenly diverse paradoxes. Hope can
Father with great dedication. channelize her spiritual energy
Joseph’s golden silence to become agents of hope in
is louder than the vocals the world of hopelessness.
of other notable persons Today the Church needs
in the NT, and this “man the charisma of St. Joseph
in the shadows,” through to give credible witness to
his mysterious presence Christ’s universal message
and golden silence sheds of love and unconditional
more light to the mystery forgiveness, social fraternity
of Salvation than his mere and human solidarity without
verbosity. John the Baptist seeking the spotlight and
followed the path of Joseph, resisting the temptation of
by playing the second fiddle limelight craving. Pastoral
and pointing out the “the leaders should realize that
Lamb of God” (Jn 1:29 & availability to God’s work
36) to the people around was the rule of life of
him; his strategy was, Joseph and he consistently
“He must increase, but I pursued the same path until
must decrease” (Jn 3:30). he completed the mission
entrusted to him. In the
Mary, ‘the Handmaid of the Lord’ eyes of God greatness of
was a woman in the shadows, but a person consists in loyal
led the disciples to see the glory of faithfulness and humble obedience,
the Messiah: “Do whatever he tells by submitting oneself into His
you” (Jn 2: 5) … and “His disciples hands and committing to His
believed in him” (Jn 2:11).During mission. While remaining in the
this unpredictable time “Saint Joseph shadows, the Church continues
reminds us that those who appear to point out Christ the Light to
hidden or in the shadows can play people of all nationalities and
an incomparable role in the history cultures. The servant model of
of salvation” (PC Introduction). her ministry is of paramount
importance to remain faithful
Conclusion to her vocation as the universal
sacrament of salvation. “Joseph
The Church is going through then teaches us that faith in God
unpredictable and uncertain times includes believing that he can work
and in the midst of this volatility even through our fears, our frailties
and our weaknesses” (PC 2).May
St. Joseph inspire us to be obedient
servants and person of hope. Wish
you Happy Holy Year of St. Joseph.

“Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future.”

Robert H. Schuller

Oriens Theological College, Shillong 25

COVID-19 – A LOOK BACK

Litsuvi Christopher The year 2020 was a year which, when we look back seems like it
almost never happened and for many of us, we felt that it would
have been better if it wasn’t. There were innumerable global and local
events that almost seemed at times apocalyptic and towering above all
these is the COVID-19 pandemic that engulfed the entire world and
continues to keep the world in its grip till today. It has occupied the
heart and mind of everyone, bringing everything to a standstill except
the steady increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and resulting
mortalities. But the year 2021 has come as a welcome breather with
the introduction of various vaccines against COVID-19. We have hope
again, hope for a new normal.

COVID-19 is an infectious disease that is caused by a newly
discovered corona virus, which is a family of virus that causes various
respiratory diseases among the human and animal population. COVID-19
is caused by the virus identified and named as SARS-CoV-2 (Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). After its detection and
identification from the seafood market in Wuhan city of Hubei province
in China in the late 2019, it has spread to almost all the countries of the
world. There were some initial conspiracy theories going around that
the virus was biologically engineered and was used by certain countries
as tools of biological warfare, but these theories have been proven to
have no scientific backing. The general consensus among researchers

26 Oriens Theological College, Shillong

is that it is zoonotic, meaning it arose from WHO and various other government and private

living wild animals, most probably bats pharmaceutical companies. And today we

through a natural process of mutation. can proudly say that we indeed have

The first case of the pandemic The virus is here to developed many vaccines to combat
that has engulfed the world is hard stay. We must learn the pandemic. As of 22 February
to pinpoint but it was officially 2021 around 9 different vaccines
recognised and identified by WHO have been rolled out.BBIBP-CorV
on 31 December 2019, following (Sinopharm), Sputnik V, Pfizer-
a cluster of cases of pneumonia in BioNTech, Moderna COVID-19
Wuhan. By March of 2020, it was Vaccine, Oxford-AstraZeneca
declared a global pandemic. As of 22 (Covishield), CoronaVac (Sinovac),
February 2020, there were a total of 111 Ad5-nCoV (Convidicea), EpivacCorona,
million confirmed cases of COVID-19 BBV15 (Covaxin), Ad26.COV2.S and
with the total number of deaths at 2.46 CoviVac are some of the vaccines that
million. The infection to mortality ratio have been released for emergency or full
seems very low compared to other diseases use in various countries.

and cases of pandemic of old, but this low to live with it. We With the introduction of various
mortality rate could be attributed to the must also prepare vaccines, another problem that has come
advanced health care system and also the to the attention of both scientists and

precautions that were put in place. The ourselves for any ordinary people is the different strains
relative lack of scientific and medical of the original COVID-19. There are
knowledge and the high infectivity rate contingencies and already numerous strains or variants of

contributed to increased danger and fear not be caught by the virus due to natural mutation. Some
of the disease. of these strains were found to be more
surprise like we
While we do not go into the depths were by COVID-19. virulent and also showed more severe
of common knowledge about COVID-19 symptoms. The fear is that the current
namely the symptoms, persons who are at Climate change vaccines developed may not be able to
risk, social and medical protocols
and the increasing
and possible treatments, we will

try to take a brief look at some of natural disasters
the vaccines that were developed

and researches on COVID-19. The could lead to

rapid spread of COVID-19 brought increase in the rise
to us the need to develop highly

effective vaccines to combat the of new and unknown

increasing infections and since diseases and
there were no magic medicines

to treat it, the need was felt even calamities
more acutely. Under ordinary

circumstances, viral vaccines

usually take years of research and

field testing to be developed and

released for public vaccinations.

The global alliance to expedite the

development of viable vaccines,

COVAX has worked closely with

“If Fortune torments me, Hope contents me.”

William Shakespeare

Oriens Theological College, Shillong 27

fight these new variants but it was shown that most He sustained him in a desert land,
of the vaccines were highly effective to the different in a howling wilderness waste;
strains. In a recent study in India, the presence of he shielded him, cared for him,
a human protein, neutrophil elatase among most of
the population in South Asia has slowed the spread guarded him as the apple of his eye
of the virus compared to the population in most of
Europe and America who lack the particular protein (Deut 32:10)
and the virus seems to have spread more easily among
them. Experts have also shown that the people in Anson Puthanchakkalakkal
India and other Asian countries which lack behind
the European or American countries in sanitation and
health care have shown more resilience to the virus,
they have attributed this to the passive immunity
that the people have developed due to exposure to
various microbes.

Now, we have come to the point where it is imperative
that we learn to live with the virus and adapt our lives
accordingly. We are left to our own to ensure that we
are protected and also do not endanger those with
whom we live. We must keep ourselves healthy and
develop our immune system. We must remember the
basic protocols and operating procedures. An easy
way to protect ourselves and others is to remember
the three Cs and avoid them – avoid Crowded area,
Closed spaces and Contact. These should be done
along with maintaining proper hygiene, washing of
hands, use of sanitisers, disinfection of commonly
used things and wearing of properly fitting masks.

The virus is here to stay. We must learn to live
with it. We must also prepare ourselves for any
contingencies and not be caught by surprise like
we were by COVID-19. Climate change and the
increasing natural disasters could lead to increase in
the rise of new and unknown diseases and calamities.
It is now the time to act and be prepared. We should
be well informed about the various aspects and try
to learn as much as possible of any of these new
challenges so that we do not succumb to rumours
and hearsay and are prepared to face them head
on. Humans have shown remarkable resilience and
ability to rise from the ashes back again and again
through the ages and today is the day to show our
resilience again, to stand together as one. We are the
world and when we are together as one we can all
live in happiness and peace.

“Courage is like love; it must have hope for nourishment.”

Napoleon Bonaparte

28 Oriens Theological College, Shillong

Hold There has always been a constant
on to warfare; between the body and soul.
Hope Sometimes the body succumbs to the
soul, at times the soul is weakened by the body.
Phawa Phidalist This is an inevitable reality, embodied human complexity.
But hold on to hope the best that we can be.
Mortals are we, beings entwined with
frailty, At times we rise to the peak,
At times we sink down to the abyss.
That’s our lives, pivoted around
disparity, Knowing not where it leads thee.
But hold on to hope the best that we can be.
When life fails to offer a purpose of living,
When all dreams and aspirations are dashed to
ploughshare; When splendid thoughts seem to be
strewn to the ground. And even though we may fail to
hear soothing sound,
Yet, hold on to hope the best that we can be.
Through thick and thin, yet not a good book with
actuality, Despair seems to hover over our destiny.
Perturbed, ourselves left at the base,
Even so our dropping hands too heavy to raise.
Dejected with life impediments,
When caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.
But, hold on to hope the best that we can be.
The poor man wakes at the break of the day,
With the first cock crow wish the best on his way.
Yet with the push and pull of life,
Goodness seems beyond strive.
Forlorn and dejected on a couch he flakes out,
Yet he awaits for another better day somehow.
So, hold on to hope the best that we can be.
To our inner- most, is its castle, Yet pervading our entire self.
Beyond the reach of human enmity, It offers us serenity.
Its unceasing balm flows, To ease our sorrows.
There its soothing melody is heard, To remind us hope beyond the earth.

Oriens Theological College, Shillong 29

Pandemics

and the
Church

Pandemics have had great influence in shaping human society, politics
and religion throughout history. From the Justinian Plague of the
sixth century to the Spanish Flu of the last century, pandemics have
triggered the collapse of institutions and created social upheavals. They
have changed the course of human history.

Justinian Plague

Rev. Dr. Isaac One of the deadliest pandemics in recorded history broke out in the
Padinjarekuttu sixth century in Egypt and spread fast to Constantinople, which was
the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. The plague was named after
the then Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. The outbreak, which spread
from Constantinople to both the West and the East, killed up to 25 to
100 million people. The plague hit Constantinople when the Byzantine
Empire was at the pinnacle of its power under Justinian’s reign. The
Empire had conquered much of the historically Roman Mediterranean
coast, including Italy, Rome and North Africa.

The plague would come back in different waves, finally disappearing
by AD 750, after weakening the Empire substantially. As the Byzantine
Army failed to recruit new soldiers and ensure military supplies to
battlegrounds in the wake of the spread of the illness, their provinces
came under attack. The plague had also hit Constantinople hard
economically, substantially weakening its war machine. By the time
the plague disappeared, the Empire had lost territories in Europe to
the Germanic-speaking Franks and Egypt and Syria to the Arabs. The
weakening of the Empire led to the weakening of the Church and the

30 Oriens Theological College, Shillong

hastening of Muslim conquest of Christian territories In the first place to tell
in the East in subsequent centuries. the people that that
the pandemic is not a
punishment from God

Black Death working people. Land rents and interest rates dropped.
Landowners stood to lose, and workers could hope to
The Black Death that hit Europe and Asia in the14th gain. In parts of Europe, wages tripled as demand for
century was the deadliest pandemic recorded in human labour rose. And once the economy started improving,
history. It killed some 75 to 200 million people, according the landowning class pressured authorities to check
to various estimates. In early 1340s, the plague struck rising labour costs. In England, the Crown passed
China, India, Syria and Egypt. It arrived in Europe in legislation to control wages which led to the Peasant
1347, where up to 50% of the population died of the Revolt of 1381. The pandemic also led to large-scale
disease. The outbreak also had lasting economic and persecution of Jews in Europe who were blamed for
social consequences. spreading the illness.

In the words of the Stanford historian Walter The most significant impact of the Black Death
Scheidel, pandemics, along with wars, revolutions and was perhaps the weakening of the Catholic Church.
state failures are the “four horsemen” that have created The plague challenged man’s relationship to God.
social revolutions. In his book, The Great Leveller, he How could it be that an event of this kind could occur
writes how the Black Death led to improved wages for with a wise, all-knowing and omniscient God? The
serfs and agricultural labourers. Land became more Church was as helpless as any other institution as
abundant relative to labour after the death of millions of

“If Fortune torments me, Hope contents me.”

William Shakespeare

Oriens Theological College, Shillong 31

the plague spread like wildfire across the continent, that has already infected about 27 million and killed
which shook the people’s faith in the Church and the over 800,000 by the end of August 2020, would change
clergy. While the Church would continue to remain as the world. But the outbreak has seen countries, both
a powerful institution, it would never regain the power democratic and dictatorial, imposing drastic restrictions
and influence it had enjoyed before the outbreak of the on people’s movements and curtailing even basic
plague. The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century rights. A collapse of the economy is staring at many
would further weaken the Catholic Church. countries. The western world, the centre of the post-
World War order, lies exposed to the attack of the virus.
Spanish Flu Rich countries across the world are offering help to the
citizens in various ways but no such help is coming
The Spanish Flu, which broke out during the last forth for the people in poor countries. It is feared that
phase of the First World War, was the deadliest pandemic hundreds of millions of people will be thrown back
of the last century that killed up to 50 million people. into acute poverty. Radical changes, good or bad, are
The flu was first recorded in Europe and then spread already unfolding.
fast to America and Asia. India, one of the worst-hit by
the pandemic, lost between 17 and 18 million people, What changes will the Church experience? Will it
roughly 6% of its population. try to make the Good News of Jesus Christ present in
the world or will there be a scramble to preserve its
One of the major impacts of the outbreak was on institutions and structures as before? The choice is a
the result of the First World War. Though the flu hit hard one but one that has to be made. The crisis should
both sides, the Germans and Austrians were affected so be accepted in the biblical sense as a sign of the times,
badly that the outbreak derailed their offensives. It was for self-critical and honest introspection and conversion.
one of the reasons for Germany’s defeat. The Armistice From a theological perspective, there is no explanation
was signed on November 11, 1918 that ended the War. for the pandemic than the classic answer in the book
But the flu would continue to ravage parts of the world of Job: We do not know why the world is the way it is,
for many more months. why some suffer and others do not. We would like to
know but we simply cannot. But there are things the
Covid-19 Church can do.

It’s too early to say how the COVID-19 outbreak In the first place to tell the people that that the
pandemic is not a punishment from God. Even many
religious people speak of suffering as a punishment for
sins but Jesus himself has rejected that argument (Jn

9:2-3). The honest answer
to the question of why the
Covid-19 virus is killing
thousands of people, why
infectious diseases ravage
humanity and why there
is suffering at all is: we
don’t know. Pandemics
have always existed and
they would probably also
occur in the fairest and most
ecological of all worlds.
The decisive challenge
now is to prevent or limit

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. Albert Einstein
The important thing is not to stop questioning.”

32 Oriens Theological College, Shillong

the spread of the virus as much as possible. His advent of theology now and probably in the near future. That

has nothing to do with revenge, punishment or guilt. means not speculating about what will change and

In fact, it is an opportunity to critically look at our life what society will look like in the future. The fact is

and religion and to come out of an infantile faith. Who that we simply don’t know what is going to come. Let

is God and what is the meaning of creation? We are us openly and honestly admit it. But we can observe,

a tiny part of the universe which itself is yearning for accompany and contribute attentively and critically to

redemption (Rom 8:22-23), where there is constant social processes. Many fundamental questions will be

death and resurrection. God has created the world as asked and the Church has great stakes in helping find

a world in process, in evolution. May be it is time for answers to these questions. Will the curtailed fundamental

an old world, including the religious, to die and for rights of people be restored? Who will bear the cost of

another world to emerge. rebuilding the economy? Will

The Church can offer the The Church may have we succeed in creating a more
confidence of hope to the world. to seriously think just and equitable society?
We do not know why the world about developing a new Will people choose a more
is as it is, but we may trust God’s approach to liturgy and sustainable lifestyle? What
promise with good reason that prayer. In the time of form will the Church take
he holds our life in his hand, when everything is somewhat
accompanies and leads it, is present settled? But the urgent priority
and faithful even in the greatest is to help end the pandemic
misery and suffering. Looking with all the means at hand.
at Jesus will help us to remain

realistic about suffering which we the pandemic the best
try to combat with all our means
way to worship God is
at hand. This confidence is not to care for the neighbor
accessible to us in the mode of
knowledge, but only in the mode

of faith and hope. Developing this

hope is a core task of theology.

In this the Church is following

her basic mission.

The Church may have to seriously think about
developing a new approach to liturgy and prayer. In
the time of the pandemic the best way to worship God
is to care for the neighbor. The most important, most
original and highest form of worship is charity, solidarity
with the needy. It is the time when the option for the
poor, the disadvantaged and vulnerable about which the
Church speaks loudly can become concrete. It is time to
rediscover the social dimension of the Eucharist. Prayer
itself will hopefully take different shapes and forms,
and gatherings for prayer in smaller groups, like the
Jingiaseng may be rediscovered. The Church is always
called upon to recognize the signs of the times and
interpret them in the light of the Gospel (Gaudium et
Spes 4). Helping to do this could be the greatest service

“Hope is the companion of power, and mother of success; for who so hopes
strongly has within him the gift of miracles.”
Samuel Smiles

Oriens Theological College, Shillong 33

Hope is the only thing that we
all have: Hope in times of despair

When I think of the pandemic COVID-19, the origin of Covid-19 is from nature itself.
I am reminded of this particular verse
from the Bible: “Do not handle, Do not taste, It is to be noted that COVID-19 is not
Do not touch” (Col 2:21). These guidelines the first pandemic in the world. In the last
from St. Paul were in order to prevent the 2000 years, the world has seen many
spread of the virus of heresy in the Colossian such epidemics or pandemics which
community. For us too, the same guidelines are resulted not only in the disruption
useful in order not to get infected ourselves, of normal living but loss of ample
and also prevent the spread of COVID-19 lives. Let’s have a look at some
with which we have grappled for more than a of those epidemics or pandemics
year now. Thomas A. Summers in his article, that took place over the last
“A Film and Its Message of Suffering and 2000 years. 1) Antonine
Hope in a Pandemic,” mentions some of the Plague, Year 165-180, with
popular hypotheses with regard to the origin 50 lakhs death; 2) Plague of
of COVID-19. He listed five major ones that Justinian, Year 541-542,
received major attention: a) the Covid-19 with three to five crores
is produced in the lab as bioweapon, b) this deaths; 3) Japanese
pandemic is produced by Bill Gates to install Smallpox Epidemic,
human trackers, c) 5G cell towers are responsible Year 735-737, with
for the virus, d) the pandemic is purposely 10 lakhs death; 4)
created in order to create a new “World Order.” Black death, Year
Nevertheless, its still not 100% certain that 1347-1351, with

Rev. Fr. Basumatary
Satyajit

34 Oriens Theological College, Shillong

20 crores death; 5) New World Smallpox, Year 1520 is surprisingly low considering the number of her
onwards, with five and half crores deaths; 6) Italian population. Some of the reasons given by the experts are:
plague, Year 1629-1631, with 10 lakhs deaths; 7) Great i) Since birth, Indians are already vaccinated for various
Plague of London, Year 1665-1666 with one lakh types of diseases. This might have helped indirectly.
deaths; 8) The Cholera Pandemics, Year 1817-1923, ii) Many Indians have suffered from one or other type
with 10 lakhs death; 9) Third Plague Pandemic,1885, of coronavirus up to date. We know that Covid-19 is
with one crore and twenty lakhs death; 10) Russian only one of the types of Coronavirus. iii) Majority of
Flu, Year 1889-1890 with 10 lakhs death; 11) Yellow Indians are constantly exposed to ample unhygienic
fever, Year late 1800s, with one lakh fifty thousand conditions and environmental pollution. Probably, they
deaths; 12) Spanish Flu, Year 1918-1920, with five have developed a certain level of resistance. iv) The
crores death; 13) Asian Flu, Year 1957-1958, 20 lakhs population of India is relatively young. As reported

death; 14) Hong Kong The good news is that the vaccines Covid-19 is more severe in
Flu, Year 1968-1970, with are available now despite the fact those who are above 60 and

10 lakhs death; 15) HIV/ that many people have reservations those with underlying health
AIDS, Year 1981-present, issues. v) In India many old
with three crores and fifty against them. The question which people do not live in old age or
lakhs deaths; 16) SARS, Year care homes unlike in Europe,
2002-2003, with 774 death; everyone has in mind is, are America or some developed

17) Swine-Flu, Year 2009- these vaccines safe, since they countries. What happened in
2010, with two lakhs death; are produced in record time? western countries was that the
18) Ebola, Year 2014-2016, Grim Reaper with its scythe

with eleven thousand deaths; According to experts, it usually (Covid-19) found them together
19) Mers 2015-present, with takes a minimum of 10 years to in those homes.According to a
850 deaths; 20) COVID-19, BBC report, they were literally

Year 2019-present, with more produce a vaccine and it costs sitting ducks. On the contrary, in
than two crores and sixty lakhs a huge amount of money India it was extremely difficult
death till present. for the Grim Reaper to find

old people living together at

India’s death due to Covid-19 one place.

“There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope.”

Bernard Williams

Oriens Theological College, Shillong 35

The good news is that the vaccines are available Whereas, in Greek, hope can be
now despite the fact that many people have reservations both positive and negative. In
against them. The question which everyone has in mind this sense, one can even hope
is, are these vaccines safe, since they are produced in for negative things to happen in
record time? According to experts, it usually takes life, e.g. hoping to be punished by
a minimum of 10 years to produce a vaccine and it parents for the mistakes we have
costs a huge amount of money. However, if we want made. According to Barbara K.
to get back to some sort of normalcy we will have to Sain in her article, “What is Hope?:
get vaccinated in spite of whatever apprehension we Insights from Christian Theology
have. The question here is, now we have the vaccine and Positive Psychology,” religion
to fight this virus but do we have any vaccine to fight answers the question ‘what is hope’,
against the traumatic experiences which we all have while psychology is concerned
gone through as a result of this pandemic? Well, we with ‘how to foster hope’
can only ‘HOPE’. I’m happy that ‘Hope’ is the theme
chosen for Annual Oriens College Magazine 2020-21.  ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the
will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess 5:16-18).
Thales when asked We rejoice and give thanks not because the pandemic
what the commonest thing is over, not that we didn’t suffer but because God never
was, answered, ‘Hope abandons us. I think this attitude, this hope, that God
for even those who have never abandons us even when circumstances are bad
nothing else still have will enable us to bounce back from any situation in life
this. To add to Thales’ be it COVID-19 or other things. Let me end with this
saying, even though quote: “Those who do not hope in God, do not share in
COVID-19 has affected a rational nature…only humans have hope…whoever
us so much, everyone still despairs is not humans.
hopes that things will be
better as the days pass
by. To say the least, it is
the only thing left with
many. Hope has different
connotations in different
languages, religions or
schools of thought. In
English language, hope
is inherently positive. In
the sense, we hope only
for good things in life. Whereas, in Greek, hope can be
both positive and negative. In this sense, one can even
hope for negative things to happen in life, e.g. hoping to
be punished by parents for the mistakes we have made.
According to Barbara K. Sain in her article, “What is
Hope?: Insights from Christian Theology and Positive
Psychology,” religion answers the question ‘what is
hope’, while psychology is concerned with ‘how to
foster hope’. As far as our faith is concerned, St. Paul
tells us what should be our attitude in all circumstances.
This is what he says, “Rejoice always, pray without

“I think it’s a mistake to ever look for hope outside of one’s self.”

Arthur Miller

36 Oriens Theological College, Shillong

Faith is a 24 hour
doubt and one
moment of hope

Ajay Thekkilakkattil The French movie, The Innocents being cruelly raped by the Russian
(Agnus Dei) is made for a soldiers. They conceal it from the
matured audience. It is set in the outer world fearing their despicable
winter of 1945 after the Second future and the forceful closure of
World War. Mathilde Beaulieu, their convent. The Innocents pictures
a young doctor working with the misery of the nuns who even
the Red Cross, is treating the hesitate to be examined by a lady
wounded French army.APolish doctor believing that it will violate
nun meets her at the hospital their vow of chastity. Perhaps no
and requests her to treat a other movie ever depicted the naked
sick woman in the convent. truth of the believer’s life.
Beaulieu finally agrees to her
continual requests. When she Thoughdismayedbytheirexperiences,
reaches the convent violating Sister Maria, the Mistress of Novices,
the rules, she finds a fully replies to Beaulieu’s question of still
pregnant nun struggling in labour having faith: “Faith in the beginning
pain. Eventually, she realizes that is like the security a child gets from
six other nuns are also pregnant, holding his father’s hand. Later he

Oriens Theological College, Shillong 37

frees DOUBT
him
into the
dark. His heart
breaks then.” What

prompted me to watch

this movie is a beautiful

line, “Faith is a 24 hour doubt Like

and one moment of hope.”They react

differently to the sufferings that faith the mantra,
inflicted upon them. A nun suicides, one “Aham
leaves the convent and another one decides to
look after her baby while some others, though gave Brahmasmi”,

birth, decides to resume their life as nuns. The movie faith is the vision we
ends celebrating their happy faces. have to see the God in

How do we react at the naked truths of our belief? ourselves.
While a priest is giving his holy speech at the church, We have heard that faith
two armed men in masks enter the church. They is a leap into darkness,
threatened the people to escape in two minutes if they

wish to live. Everyone, except two or three believers but faith also needs

and the priest, ran out in fear. The intruders unmasked, the light of
put their gun down and told the priest: “Father, please knowledge
resume your speech, the church is now free of fake
for it.
Christians.” Faith isn’t an easy journey with God. Even

when fighting the cruel realities of life, faith is about

not giving up on God.

At times, we think
that faith is the way to
achieve our bundle of
desires. A blind man
kept praying to God to
get his eyesight. Finally,
God appeared before
him and told him to ask
for any one desire. He
couldn’t ask as he was
perplexed.The God gave
him another chance on
the next morning. He
went home and discussed
with his wife. She told
him to ask for a child
as they are a childless
couple. She reminded

“Hope is the only bee that makes honey without flowers.”

Robert Green Ingersoll

38 Oriens Theological College, Shillong

him that getting eyesight won’t bring prosperity to them. became friendly with his mirror image. Then came
Both kept thinking and couldn’t sleep. At midnight, the a tiger who saw his enemy in the mirror. It tried
wife changed her mind and asked him to request for to win over the reflection, roaring vigourously.
wealth and gold so that they can enjoy their life. God We see different images in a mirror. We lose our
appeared the next day. He requested, “God, please let ability to view ourselves. Saint Jacob says: “The
me see my children having food in golden plates.” one who only hears the holy verses is like the
He combined every desire in a single request. This is one who forgets how he looks like after seeing
how our belief works. Faith isn’t about requesting for through a mirror” (1:23). Like the mantra, “Aham
all desires, it is about planning your life according to Brahmasmi”, faith is the vision we have to see
God’s Plan. the God in ourselves.

Faith is then a mirror to see ourselves through it, We have heard that faith is a leap into darkness,
in order to check if we’re living in God’s plan. The but faith also needs the light of knowledge for it.
National Geography came up with the idea, “Mirror The blind Bartimaeus says, “Jesus, Son of David.
in the Forest”. A mirror is set up in the forest to check Take pity on me.” His faith knows knowledge.
how animals react to it and camera traps were fixed at He knows that Jesus is David’s son, the Messiah
many places. First came a big bird who couldn’t see and the one who can cure him. We should know
itself in the mirror but only the forest. It struck on accurately about our Church, sacraments and holy
the mirror and got bruises. A monkey came next who sayings. Otherwise, anyone can easily destroy
our faith. The media which suddenly sprouted
in a rain shouldn’t decide our faith. Our faith
was established by the spiritual works of the
Apostles, martyrs and the Church which shouldn’t
be tarnished by a petty media report. Our faith
is full of knowledge and wisdom.

“Time is no longer endless or the horizon destitute of hope.”

Charles Lindbergh

Oriens Theological College, Shillong 39

e of Hope Iohteibok Nongkhlaw

Virtu Hope is described as the desire of
something together with the ex-
pectation of obtaining it. The Scholastics
say that it is a movement of the appetite
towards a future good, which though hard
to attain is possible to attain. According
to Thomas Aquinas, “Hope is a desire of
a good that is hard but not impossible to
obtain.”

Hope as a Theological Virtue

Hope as a theological virtue is defined as a
divine virtue by which we confidently expect, with
God’s help, to reach eternal felicity (eternal life) as
well as to have at our disposal the means of securing it.
It is said to be divine not merely because its immediate
object is God, but also because of the special manner
of its origin. Hope is directly implanted in the soul by
Almighty God. God is both the material and the formal
object of hope. He is the material object because He is that
which is chiefly, though not solely, aimed at when we elicit
acts of this virtue.

Hope as a theological virtue answers the Christian’s
strong burning desires for happiness, a desire that God
has implanted in every heart. It includes the inspirations

that lead to his actions, making them pure of heart so
they are oriented towards the Kingdom of God. It
gives Christians strength so that they will not be-
come discouraged. It supports Christians when
they feel deserted. Hope makes the Christian’s
heart shine in anticipation of eternal supreme

40 Oriens Theological College, Shillong

blessedness. Encouraged by the virtue Nature of Hope
of hope, the Christian is preserved from
self-concern, leading him to greater happiness
that comes from charity (CCC 1818).

The Source of Hope According to the Bible, faith is never static
or passive. It is dynamic, active, directive and

sustaining. In other words, a biblical hope is

not an escape from reality or from problems.

God of the Bible is called “the God of Hope.” He It does not leave us idle and drifting. It is the
is the source of all real hope. God is called “Thou certain expectation or confidence on the fullness
hope of Israel” (Jer 14:8; 17:3). The book of psalms of salvation, and fulfilment of the promises of
invites us to have hope in different ways, “For you God. The reason for the hope is primarily God’s
O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my omnipotent aid, i.e. the readiness to assist us and
youth” (Ps 71:5). “For God alone my soul waits His absolute power to do so.

in silence for my hope is from Him” (Ps 62:5).

For Paul the Holy Trinity is the source of NNececsessitsyityofoHf Hopoepe
hope. He has this to say on hope. “Now may

the God of hope fill you with all joy and

peace in believing that you may abound

in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” Catholic doctrine explicitly

(Rom 15:13). teaches that hope is necessary

Christ is the hope of all. It is clear in for salvation. It is necessary first
St. Paul’s writings if you are without of all as an indispensable means of
Christ, you are without hope. Paul attaining salvation, so that no one can
says “Remember that you were at enter upon eternal bliss without it. The
that time separated from Christ, ex- habit of hope is infused in Baptism.

cluded from the common wealth of Hope gives us strength to pursue tasks and goals in difficult

Israel and strangers to the covenants times, encouragement to persevere in virtues and embrace suf-

of promise, having no hope and without fering happily for the sake of the kingdom of God and even

God in the world” (Eph 2:12). Moreover martyrdom (Rom 8:18; 8:28). Likewise Christian life of hope

in his letter to Timothy, Paul states that is a journey towards the future with a definite encounter

Christ himself is the hope of Christians: with God and consequently a life of ever new beginnings.

“God our Saviour, and of Christ Jesus, who Hope opens the hearts of people to further development

is our hope” (1 Tim 1:1). and perfection.

“Hope fills the holes of my frustration in my heart.”

Emanuel Cleaver

Oriens Theological College, Shillong 41

FIRST YEAR STUDENTS

ANTONY ALBIN BABY ABIN BARIK BISWANATH BENNY NIRMAL BORDHON ANANDA DHANUWAR NOBIN DKHAR LAMPHRAN-
(MSFS) (MSFS) (CM) (MSFS) (CM) (Dibrugarh) GLINGKAND (Shillong)

DKHAR RICKY GOMANGO RAJULU HORO BIJAY KLEIN FELIX AIBAN KUJUR PRINCE KURBAH KYNSAI LOUNII-O SOUDE
(CMF) (CM) (Tezpur) (Shillong) (Diphu) (Shillong) (Imphal)

LYNGDOH DOMESIUS LYNGKHOI PHRANGSNGI MARDI NICODIN MARING JOHN MINZ BIRAJ MURMU MYRTHONG DEFENDER
(Nongstoin) (Nongstoin) (Guwahati) KORUNGIN (MSFS) (MSFS) KARNELIUS (SDS) (Nongstoin)

NONGKHLAW PANSA SAMJON PARIONG CYRIL PHAWA PHIDALIST SANGMA JECKOB SANGMA MARTIN SANGMA RUNEN
IOHTEIBOK (CMF) (Miao) (Nongstoin) (Jowai) (Dibrugarh) (Tura) (Tura)

SANGMA SANJUEL SANGMA SEMAL SANGMA THOMAS CHISIM SHITIO ALBERT SOBHANAYAK SOUVEI DOMINIC SUJA MESHELMON
(MSFS) (Guwahati) (Tura) RENAO (Kohima) SIBUN (CM) (MSFS) (SDS)

THOMAS FRANCIS TIRKEY JEBERIUS URAW BILLIAM WAHLANG MARSHAL WAWNIANG RESIUS WILLIAM JALEM
(CMF) (SDS) (Guwahati) (Nongstoin) (Nongstoin) (Miao)

42 Oriens Theological College, Shillong

SECOND YEAR STUDENTS

BARA ADIP BUDDING NICODIM CHINNAM KAMPAN DKHAR EBORMI DOHLING DONBOKLANG GANPATI JANAGAM GEORGE PRINCE
(CMF) (Dibrugarh) (Itanagar) (Jowai) (Shillong) VISHAL (Chanda) (Idukki)

HALAM CHIMNEI HEMBROM JOSEPH HORO RAJESH JONAH LAWKHULOW JOSEY NIJU KACHIIPOMAI JAMES KUJUR LIPTON
LEAN (Aizawl) (CMF) (Dibrugarh) SHEHII (Imphal) (SDS) (MSFS) (Tezpur)

KUJUR NOAS LALRINSANGA LAWAI EDRINGSON LIMA PURNA LYNGDOH WANLAM- MANTRY DEBASISH MARAK
(Jalpaiguri) JEROME (Aizawl) (MSFS) CHANDRA (CM) BOK (Shillong) (CM) BENNYCORTH (Tura)

NGAOVEINII HIINII RAI JOSEPH MUNSI RONGPI ARUN RUME LITSUVI SHANGDIAR LAMKUPAR SOHKHLET MAJAW TERON SAMSON
(MSFS) (Shillong) (Diphu) (Kohima) (Nongstoin) PYNDAPBOKLANG (Diphu)
(Shillong)

THETTININNAPU- THURR TAPITU VEMAI DAPUNII WAHLANG
RAYIDOM GEORGE JOHN (Kohima) POUPAO WADBHABANTEI
(Imphal)
SIMON (OSJ) (OFM Cap)

Oriens Theological College, Shillong 43

ARULANTHU ATHIKHO ISAAC BARA RUBEN BATTULA KALYAN BHENGRA BIAM MATHIUS CHITHUNG HORAM
MICHAEL RAJA (MSFS) (MSFS) (Dibrugarh) (MSFS) JOHNSON (SDS) (Jowai) JOEL (MSFS)

DAIMARY NIKHIL DANG AMIT DILBUNG ADVIN EKKA TELESPHORE GOMANGO JOSIYO HAOMUONLIAN HEMROM JOSE
(Tezpur) (Gumla) LAMKANG (MIAO) (CMF) (CM) JOSEPH (Imphal) (Guwahati)

KOOLIYATTAYIL KRENI SALEW MINJ AVIRAL MOMIN CHERAN NARZARY PAKON NAULAK NENG- PATMAJHI PAUL (CM)
ANOOP (MSFS) (Imphal) KUMAR (SDS) SALGRAK (Tura) (MSFS) HOUMUAN SAMUEL

(Imphal)

PUTHANCHAKKALAKKAL PUTHENPURACKAL PYRTUH JOB PYRTUH JOB RINGJUANGAM KAMEI SAMAD SHANTIEL SANDIGURIA
ANSON (OSJ) TOMY PRIJU (Chanda) (Jowai) (Jowia) JAMES (Imphal) (Simdega) CHRISTOPHER (Dibrugarh)

SANGMA DANDALI SANGMA DIBRU SANGMA SIGEON PRADEEP SORENG ROSHAN SORENG SANTOSH THANGAPPAN ANTO
BARNABAS NICHOLAS MANGSANG (SDS) (Simdega) (MSFS) (MSFS)
(Tura) (Guwahati) VINCENT (Tura)

THIRD YEAR STUDENTS THEKKILAKKATTIL VALAYATHIL ALBIN
AJAY (Mananthavady)
44 Oriens Theological College, Shillong
(Mananthavady)

FOURTH YEAR STUDENTS

BUNGA NAVEEN DKHAR RYNGKATBOR EKKA AMRIT GEORGE MILTON KAMEIH GAICHUNGDAI KANDULA VEERAIAH
(CMF) (Shillong) (Baruipur) (Guwahai) ANTHONY (MSFS) (CMF)

KHARKONGOR KHIANGTE LALTHAN- KOSONAMIE NENI LALDUHAWMA LALRUATTLUANGA MARAK KONGKAL ED-
ELVIS (MSFS) MAWIA DAVID (Aizawl) (Kohima) ALOYSIUS (MSFS) JAMES (Aizawl) MUND HELLY (Guwahati)

MARIA SHIBU MINJ SANJAY MUNDA RAHUL PAINAPALLY JIMAL PANNA NOBIN PEHIACHANGLU
(CMF) (Baruipur) (Dibrugarh) JOHNY (MSFS) (CMF) PETER (Kohima)

SANGMA CHISIK SANKHRON SORENG BONOMI SOUBA STANDFORT SYNGKLI ANDREAS WAHLANG BASIL
BILSENG (Tura) SUNBEAM (Imphal) (Tezpur) STEPHEN (MSFS) (MSFS) (Shillong)

XAXA SULEMAN KHAKHA ERNIUS MARAK RANGSA POUVEICHE JOHN WARJRI STAIBOK
(CMF) PRABAL (Hazaribag) THOMAS (MSFS) DAHRII (Imphal) (Shillong)

Oriens Theological College, Shillong 45

The autumn was at its
peak. Fields on the
slopes had turned golden.

The crops of paddy began

to bow being unable to

carry the weight of their

heavy grains. Dry creepers needed to be always there to scare awayby providing sentries in each one’s field.

and roots of various kinds, colonies of sparrows, parrots, minas andWho could be a better sentry than the

found only in the hills of other birds which tried to feast on thefarmer himself in his field? Shillen had

Zotoma area, crisscrossed grains, the fruits of his hard labour oftherefore to spend much of his time in

the slopping fields with more than six months. the field.

its central controlling line To the people of Zotoma, it was a In many ways Shillen felt sad at what

attached to the shack built moment much awaited for with delight.had happened to Kingen, his dear friend,

in the middle of the field. It was also a moment of anxiety,in the village. It was more a feeling of

Thatched only with a kind of unlike in the past, when safety ofguilt than sadness that Shillen suffered

palm leaves and bamboos and crops was never an issue. Peoplefrom whenever he met him. He could

canes the shack added to the then were troubled not so muchnot reconcile with the fact that it was

rustic beauty of the fields waiting by the nuisance of the birds onon that night, a year ago, when Kingen

to be harvested. But shillen, a the maturing grains, but bywas with him, during the trying time

young man in his early twenties, the recent development ofwith a most unfortunate event, someone

stealing of crops which kepthad stolen crops from the field. Shillen

the farming Zotomites ontherefore had decided to give at least

pins and needles. The facthalf of his standing crops to his friend

that Kingen’s quarter ofas a compensation which he knew he

a portion of the fieldwould have to compel him to accept. But

was sickled out atdespite these constraints, he would never

night the yearmiss the chance of meeting Kingen. For

before madeit gave him a moment of relief besides

everyone toproviding for him the needed relaxation

be on theand motivation which he claimed to gain

Rev. Dr. Graviour s a f e rat his home with his dearest wife, Amen,
sideconfined permanently to bed.

Augustine

46 Oriens Theological College, Shillong

them. To me it appears that the culprit cannot be
from anywhere else. He has to be someone who
knew your movements to the minute details.
Otherwise, it is impossible to do exactly at
that time when you left your field for a
couple of hours.”

“Come on, Shillen” Kingen replied,
“Crops are nothing. I meant how

your daddy is now towards you
and Amen.”

As the food was ready, Kingen

kept the small pot of curry,

cooked the previous night,

over the oven. He also took

the ever boiling kettle of

tea and poured it in the big

One night after ensuring that his elderly dad was sent as sentry to his field, bamboo cup and handed it

he went to Kingen’s home to spend a little while. As he neared the house, he over to Shillen. He again

could hear the sound of bamboo pipe blown to flame the fire in the oven. asked, “Tell me now how

“Kingen” he called but received no reply. But the sound of the fire blowing your daddy is towards you
kept rising. both?”

On entering the house he asked, “Your fire blowing seems to have deafened “Kingen, you will wear
your ears!” me out if I do not tell you,
you know everything.

“This blessed wood is giving so much trouble and never catches fire that My mother was such a

easily!” replied Kingen. consolation both to me

“Then have you not finished cooking food? Had I known I would have and to Amen. Much of
brought for you food to eat!” the things needed to be
done for Amen, my mother
“Never mind, it would not take much time to cook. Today I came back was doing. In fact, it was

late from the field. The good woods were all finished up and I do not want to because of her my daddy
waste these woods though they are not good” replied Kingen. could not do anything to make

“Kingen, now stop this time, come with me and have meals at my house. me marry another woman.
There is enough left.” Yes, we men could become
at times so blind and utterly
“Thanks very much, Shillen, it will not take much time. Take the insensitive to the feelings and
murrah and sit down. How is Amen?” plight of women. A loving mother

“She is fine and as cheerful as ever. In fact, I left home after feeding and wife that she was, my mother
her and she was enquiring about you today.” was beside me in my resolve not to

“Oh Shillen, I have no words to describe your love for her. It think of any other woman. I cannot
is now going to be one year. Do you remember?” forget what I overheard, one day, when
she was arguing with my dad, of course,

“Yes very much. How can I forget that fateful day? And not at home but in the field, and asking

you lost your crops on that day and despite the best of him, ‘Have you seen two hens sitting over

efforts we could not as yet trace the fellow who stole the same eggs to hatch?’ To my shock, my dad

was contemplating two women for me, though

“A whole stack of memories never equal one little hope.”

Charles M. Schulz

Oriens Theological College, Shillong 47

one to marry and another one to care for.” Let me leave you. Amen would be wondering at this
long delay. And much more we have to get ready for
“Oh my God”, exclaimed Kingen, “Imagine, the harvest. We shall harvest yours first, on Monday, the
what might have resulted in? What would day after tomorrow.”
Amen have felt?”

“You know what? Amen herself was, at The supper of that day ended with suspense for Kingen as

one point of time, forcing me to do that, Shillen departed. He wondered all the more why he brought the

of course with flooding eyes saying, subject of his separated wife whom he was trying to forget while

‘you have loved enough, done enough, Shillen himself was undergoing immeasurable suffering on account

suffered enough and paid enoughand of his wife, Amen, though he would not admit it.

you deserve in return a minimum The next day, Sunday, marked the street of Zotoma

of happiness that life can give.” dotted with people going to the church in their

And I told her in no uncertain best attire. Such a luxury was lost to Shillen

terms shutting her mouth with ever since Amen came into his house. But he

my hands, never to pronounce was wondering why his father who would

such words of madness. Well, never miss Sunday service was not back

what about Kanmai? When yet from the field. “Has anything happened

will she come home?” asked to him in the field the night before?”

Shillen. he wondered. Perhaps he went to the

“Please do not mention church directly from the field as he used

that unfortunate name! to do sometimes, he consoled himself.

I have enjoyed enough But even after midday, when everyone

peace ever since she left

me. I made one mistake in

marrying her. Let me not was back to one’s own house after the
make another one by going church service, there was no clue to
after her again. Ever since I his father. He therefore got ready to
dated her, misfortunes came move out of the house to enquire about
one after another – father, his dad’s whereabouts. But hardly had
mother and everything – I
have been losing them one he gone out of the house when a hunter
by one and the year of my from Zonato, the village from the other
marriage rewarded me with hill, came in with a dozen of smoked
losing my crops. I will not be
surprised, if it was even done rats and a smoked leg of venison. Being a
by her….” regular customer there was no need for him
to bargain to fix the price. So as he put his

hands in the pocket to pick up currency notes,
“Kingen, you are going too far”
the hunter said,“The price had already been paid
interrupted Shillen, “It is absolutely
by your father on his way to Zonato.”
superstitious and unfair to accuse her
of all that. I know what both of you “But how and why?” Shillen prodded the hunter. “I do not know
are going through. It is normal to have anything. He was heading towards Zonato while I was coming to
bickering in families particularly in initial
years. You are too hasty in concluding. I Zotoma. He saw these stuff in my hands and instantly he bought
them asking me to inform you to cook for tomorrow’s evening.”

will not rest until I bring her home to be with The unfolding of events posed to Shillen many questions:

you. How long will you go on alone with no “Why should he go to Zonato, that too on a Sunday
one in the house? Now calm down and sleep.

“He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope has everything.”

Thomas Carlyle

48 Oriens Theological College, Shillong