DECEMBER 2014
Prayer to the Guardian Angel Oh, my dear Guardian Angel, protect me from all dangers. Help me, so that I may remain a beloved child of my Jesus. Safeguard me from all dangers and bad dreams tonight.
Prayer to St. Michael, The Arch Angel St. Michael the Arch Angel, be our guide and our guard during the time of our spiritual warfare. Protect us from the evil designs of Satan, our enemy. We humbly pray that God rebuke him. Oh chief of the heavenly army, expel all the wicked spiritual forces that roam the earth with the intention of destroying souls. Drive them to the fires of hell by the power of God.
ANGELS’ARMY ARMY ANGELS’ Editor Sunil Elias Executive Editor
Preetha Joseph Executive Manager
Sinjo P.K Editorial Board
Fr. Cherian Nereveettil Renny Njarakulam Tintu Sony Suja Siju Martin Jose Rose Mini Wilson Justin Patrons
Bishop Mar Raphel Thattil (Chairman, Charismatic Commission KCBC)
Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Karikkassery (Vice Chairman, Charismatic Commission KCBC)
Bishop Samuel Mar Irenios (Vice Chairman, Charismatic Commission KCBC)
Spiritual Advisor
Rev. Fr. Varghese Manavalan Advisory Board
Rev. Fr. Justin Kaiparambadan, Sr. Sergius, Dr. Edward Edezhath, Baby Chacko, Boney Chellanam Animator
Rev. Fr. Abraham Pallivathukal S.J. Printer & Publisher
Jose Dominic Layout Kithos Illustration Madhu Jesus Youth, Emmaus, H.M.T. Colony P.O, Kalamassery-683503, Kochi, Kerala Ph: 0484 644 4702, E-mail: info@angelsarmy.in www.angelsarmy.in
Sweet baby Jesus, Let me warm you up with my Kisses
ess...
arkn D n i t h g Li
A
PHI A R E S T AIN
S
Hi friends, don’t you like to hear adventurous stories? The heroes and heroines of these stories thrill us, don’t they? There are many saints in our Church who loved Jesus heroically and became martyrs for him. Let’s get acquainted with one such
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heroine today… Seraphia was born to deeply pious parents in Antioch. Later her family migrated to Italy. Her parents sowed the seeds of piety in her heart. Thus she dedicated herself to God when she was a small child. After the death
of her parents she gave away all her wealth to the poor. Finally she sold herself as a slave to a noble Roman lady named Sabina. The piety of Seraphia, her love of work, and her charity soon gained the heart of her mistress. Seraphia used every opportunity to proclaim the good news of Jesus to her. She also exposed the hollowness of idol worship. It’s not through words, but through deeds that she charmed others. As a result, many people disowned their superstitious beliefs and came to love Jesus. When the Roman Government came to know of this, the authorities jailed her and asked her to worship their idols. But the heroic virgin refused all their demands. She said," My God
is Almighty and Powerful. I will pay homage only to the God whom I love”. Then the judge asked her, “Where is your God’s temple? How do you offer your sacrifice?” She replied gently. “I am his altar. My holy life and the souls I gain for him are my sacrifice and offering”. The cruel judge tried to molest her, but she escaped miraculously. He asked her, "From where did you learn this magic? Teach me as well”. She replied, “I am a Christian. I do not know any magic. My God does these miracles for those who seek his help.” On hearing this, the judge got furious and yelled at her. “Do homage to our Gods, else you will be killed”. She replied. “Do as you please”.
It is not through words, but through deeds that she charmed others. DECEMBER 2014
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She was at first placed on a burning pile, but remained uninjured by the flames. Then he ordered to beat her with iron rods. As he was watching her being tortured, a piece of iron fell into his eyes and he became blind. Inflamed with anger, he ordered that her head be cut off! She was beheaded on July 29, 119 and received the crown of glory which she so richly merited. Friends, did you like
the story of St Seraphia, who became a martyr for Jesus? Does her life inspire you to live a daring life for Jesus? Every time we say no to temptations, give up something we love, listen to our parents and teachers, and offer up our struggles and sufferings, we too are acting brave. To stay courageous, we need grace and let us ask our Heavenly Father to grant us the amazing gift of grace.
I am His Altar. My holy life and the souls I gain for Him are my sacrifice and offering.
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St. Francis Xavier (Second apostle of Christ in India)
Friends, last month we had a trip to Goa. There at the Basilica of Bom Jesus we witnessed a miracle. The sacred body of St. Francis Xavier was seen incorrupt even after 420 years of his death. Don’t you want to know what was special about the life of this saint?
The famous castle of Xavier is situated in the Kingdom of Navarre, Spain. I wish to name As you wish. our sixth beloved child ‘Francis’.
Juan was a council member at the court of Navarre King.
I am sad that I cannot be with him, I must get back to the king.
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Francis was raised under the spiritual guidance of Miguel, a priest and cousin of Maria.
Juan and Maria were devoted Christians and brought up their kids as God fearing. They even had a small chapel in their house.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen O Sacrament most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, All praise and all thanksgiving, be every moment Thine. Maria, the army of Spain has conquered our city. They can take us for captive and loot our wealth any time.
Stay strong Juan. Let us trust in the lord.
After Juan passed away, the battle against Spain was further led by Francis’ brothers. Let us keep fighting Our family for the freedom of our lands are country, the people are seized, and with us. we lost our freedom.
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After several months Mom, till now we continued fighting. Ignatius, Chief of the Army of Spain has been shot. Yet we had to surrender. We are fleeing to France. May God Almighty save you. Lord, protect my children in the strange land.
May the Almighty God protect you. Before long the brothers of Francis were pardoned, and Mama, don’t returned home safe. be worried. Let us pray Mom, the good God heard for the your prayer. The king conversion pardoned us and let us free. of the king. All glory be to God.
A family rooted in prayer will stand firm resisting all challenges. Let us never skip our personal and family prayer. See you next month. Good Bye. To be continued DECEMBER 2014
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The Baby in
the Crib
What a joy it is to behold the face of Baby Jesus, looking up at us from the Christmas crib! I fondly remember my childhood days when we used to make cribs without having to spend even a penny. Running around collecting things from the garden and getting to work in the kitchen, we used to spend weeks, putting together our cribs. As Christmas time gets closer, what preparations can we do to make our own cribs without spending a fortune on it? What is the fun in spending big money and bringing home a crib from the store on Christmas eve? We could put to use the things readily available to us from nature, make use of our creativity, and prayerfully make a crib ourselves this year. We don’t need to empty our parents’ pockets for that; we only need to fill our hearts and our time with prayer. Let Baby Jesus be born this year in cribs which we ourselves have put together with our hard work. The Babe will raise his hands and beckon us to him; he will look upon us lovingly; and he will whisper to us the way to heaven. Come on friends, let’s make the Christmas cribs ourselves this year - without draining our parents’ pockets. Fr. Cherian Nereveettil
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Mittu, what is the commotion at Jordan? Somebody is preaching there.
Our John the Baptist is preaching there. He is strongly advising everyone to repent of their sins.
The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. W h a t should we do then?
Anyone who has two tunics must share with the one who has none, and anyone with something to eat must do the same.
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Is he the Christ?
John, turns around as though he senses the presence of God
It is I who need baptism from you, and yet you come to me!
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I am not Christ. I am His forerunner. I baptise you with water, but He who comes after me will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with Fire.
Here is the Lamb of God. Why has my Lord come before me? To fulfil the prophecies.
John walks into the water. Jesus gets ready to be baptised. Let this ritual be performed. Let all the demands of righteousness be fulfilled.
As John was baptising Jesus, there came a voice from heaven, saying
“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased�.
Jesus in absolute obedience to His Father, lets himself be baptised by a man, even though He is God. Heavenly Father delightfully acknowledges and honours His Son who is baptised in this humble manner. If only men understood the value of obedience and true humility, right Mittu?
To be continued DECEMBER 2014
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KidCat
Youcat 40 CCC 268, 269, 273
Can God Do Anything? Is He Almighty? “For God nothing is impossible” (see Lk 1:37). He is Almighty.
Grandma
Son, you are back from your Catechism class! What did you learn today?
Child:
Grandma, we had lots of fun today. We did a play on the story of David and Goliath. Teacher told us that God empowered David to fight against the powerful Goliath? How does God strengthen a person, Grandma?
Grandma:
Do you want to know how? I will tell you. Yesterday, why did you call your father to lift this box?
Child:
Dad is very strong. So when we lifted the box together, it was very easy.
Grandma:
In the same way, when God almighty comes and helps us with our chores, everything becomes easy.
Child:
So Grandma, just as God helped and empowered David, will He help us also?
Grandma:
There is nothing impossible for God. Don’t you remember Mary’s words praising God in the Bible - “He who is mighty has done great things for me” . When we depend on the Lord with absolute faith, He will do great things for us. Ph 4:13 says” I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Child:
From now on, I will do all things through Jesus.
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nd Word of Gopdraayer ejaculation ur needs ill meet all yogl Christ s “And my Godthw es of hi ory in ch ri e ER B to g EM in DEC accord 19) Jesus.” (Phil 4: pirit to nd your Holy S se s su Je r: ye Ejaculatory Pra cies of my soul. en rectify the defici EMBER r my power DEC fo u, yo r fo nt fficie “My grace is su in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:9) t ec rf pe e is mad I am weak. d, help me when or L r: ye ra P ry Ejaculato ORD; keep er my mouth, L “Set a guard ovdoor of my lips.” DECEMBER watch over the (Psalm 141:3) k good. ach me to spea te s, su Je r: ye Ejaculatory Pra DECEMBER let it d; or L e th of d e handmai ) “Behold, I am thing to your word”. (Luke 1:38 rd co be to me ac me that r: Jesus, bless ye ra P ry to la Ejacu r words. I may obey you you, and the t will come on ershadow ri pi S y ol H he “T igh will ov DECEMBER power of the Most He to be born will be on 35) you. So the holy God.” (Luke 1: of on S e th called my heart. s, come dwell in su Je y ab B r: ye Ejaculatory Pra
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DECEMBER 2014
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Experience
Sunitha Thomas
I love my
Jesus
One evening our family reached home quite late after a church gathering. As we were all exhausted, we decided to cut short our family prayer and skip the Rosary. Even though she was tired, my 5 year old daughter Joanna wanted to pray the Rosary. As she insisted on praying the entire Rosary all of us knelt down and started to pray. After a while everyone sat down except her. As I watched her on her knees, I thought to myself, "maybe her knees are not hurting". Even as I thought so, she turned towards me and said. “mommy, my knees are hurting, but I think Jesus and Mother Mary will be very happy if I knelt and recited the Rosary�. We did not know what to say and looked at each other. Then all of us knelt down again and continued with our Rosary.
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John and James were walking home along with their friend Chris John, are you practising Christmas material at home?
A Crib for Baby Jesus
Weren’t we told to visit t h e elders in t h e neighbo urhood?
She was very upset that day, as she was out of her medicines and there was nobody to refill her prescriptions.
Yes, we do that every day after our family prayer.
We sure did that. Mom also came with us. One day we went to visit an old g r a n d m o t h e r. There was nobody in her house except a sick relative. All her children are away.
Mom asked James to get her medicines, and we sat down and talked to her and her relative for some time. After James got back, we prayed with them and that made them very happy.
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I heard mom tell her that she would ask dad whether he could take her to the church for Confession.
Our brother Jim felt so happy, right James?
I went with my family to a nearby old age home.
There we helped some old men with haircuts and shaves. We also met some old ladies, and spent the day with them. We sang songs to them, and they told us many stories. We shared all the goodies that we had brought with us and it was a marvellous experience.
Just a few more days to Christmas. We have to make a small crib for Baby Jesus.
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I heard one of the sisters tell mom that Mother Teresa’s mother used to go and visit their old neighbours and help them. She used to bathe and feed them. Little Agnes used to watch all this in astonishment. It is this seed that her mother planted in her, that grew and inspired Mother Teresa to become a saint. Well, that's wonderful
That’s right Chris. We’ll see you later. Bye.
To The Manger With Our Families
Kids, don't we have to prepare for Christmas? You must plan out the activities for every day of Advent with your family. Prepare and think about it after your evening prayer. Do not forget to read and talk about the scriptural passage for each day. Together let us get to know the people who stand out in the salvation history. You could also note down whatever you like about them.
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To The Manger With Our Families Let us create a new trend this year and prepare, along with our family, for the advent of the Lord. Aren't you joining Angels' Army family to receive the savior? Let us welcome the King of kings, the fulfiller of prophecies into the manger of our hearts along with St.Joseph, Mother Mary, the angels and wise men. From Nov 30th to Dec th 24 , let us read and contemplate on the prophecies and the path of salvation mentioned in the Old Testament. We are preparing a leaflet to help and guide you in this process. For more information and copies, please contact Angels’ Army office : Tel No; 0484 64 44 702.
Angels Army, Jesus Youth, Emmaus, H.M.T. Colony P.O, Kalamassery-683503, Kochi, Kerala 0484 644 4702 info@angelsarmy.in www.angelsarmy.in