FEBRUARY 2015
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 ANGELS’ ARMY Sunil Elias Editor
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, info@angelsarmy.in www.angelsarmy.in
To pray means to think lovingly about Jesus. Prayer is the soul's attention that is concentrated on Jesus. The more you love Jesus, the better you pray. BL. CHARLES De FOUCAULD
St. Christina
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Christina was a saint who led many women and young girls to the Catholic faith. She was born in Tuscany around the 3rd century to wealthy parents of a noble family. Her father, Urbanus, was the governor of Tuscany and he hated Christians. Being extremely beautiful, Christina started to receive marriage proposals from many wealthy families. She lived in a palace that her father had built for her and was waited upon by 12 servants. Once she was visited by an angel from the Lord who addressed her as “The Bride of Christ.� He instructed her in the true faith and told her about all the sufferings she will have to endure in the future. One day she
requested her father to take her to the place where they were persecuting Christians. She was amazed at the joy, peace, love and courage that the Christians showed in the midst of great suffering and thus bearing witness to Christ through their lives. There, she learned her first lessons of Christianity. Later, s he s ecretly received Baptism. She destroyed all the golden idols built by her father and distributed the gold pieces among the poor. This greatly angered her father. When he questioned her, she proclaimed her faith in Christ with courage. Infuriated by her act, her father ordered her body to be torn up by iron hooks. Though pieces of flesh were torn off from her body, she did not deny her faith in Christ. Instead, she continued to praise God, thanking Him for considering her worthy to
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suffer for Christ. Her father sent many of her relatives to prison to try to persuade her, but she remained unshaken. This further angered her father. He ordered an iron wheel to be brought. Oil was poured on it and she was bound to the wheel. Fire was prepared under it to roast her alive, but the flames did not touch her. Dio, who was Urbanus' successor, ordered an iron cradle to be constructed. It was to be filled with boiling oil and tar so that Christina could be cast into it. Christina made the Sign of the Cross, walked into it, and emerged unharmed. Later, she was bound in chains and taken to the temple of Apollo, and commanded to offer sacrifice to him. But the moment she set foot in the temple, the idol fell to the ground and shattered into pieces. At the same moment, the governor fell down dead. At least 3000 people, who witnessed this, accepted the Christian faith
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that day, including the soldiers. Thus Christina was released from bondage. She sold all her possessions and gave them to the poor. Many believed in Christ because of her. Julian, the governor who succeeded Dio, ordered her to be thrown into a furnace. She had to suffer many torments after that. She was thrown into a prison filled with serpents and wild beasts, but she remained unharmed. They tore out her tongue to stop her praising God. She desired to be one with the Lord and receive the crown of martyrdom. The Lord heard her prayer. Arrows pierced her heart and she died a martyred in 234 AD. The Church celebrates her feast on 24th of July. Dear friends, Like this saint who praised God by singing psalms even in the midst of her sufferings, let us thank God when we go through small pains and troubles in our life. We are thus able to please Jesus more by our thanksgiving.
St. Francis Xavier -3 (Second apostle of Christ in India)
Dear Friends, are you busy with your exams? Our Francis Xavier wished to receive honour and glory by his education. But God's plan about him was different. Let us continue‌..
Peter Faber and Francis Xavier got a new roommate; a new student, Ignatius Loyola who was older than them. I think the one with Peter is a monk.
Peter entered the room with Ignatius He is Ignatius, a new student in our college. We should help him with his studies. Sure, no problem.
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Soon Ignatius became famous in the college and youth began to gather around him during breaks. When I was adm-itted in a What made hospital, after I you decide got injured in a to live for w a r, I r e a d Christ, many books on leaving the lives of behind your saint. It inspired position as me to think that a Spanish if all these Knight? people cou-ld become saints why couldn’t I? This lead me to What should I do to live for Christ. be a saint? His words are powerful and Surrender your life touching. But I need to to Jesus. Abandon follow my dreams, and my your plans and path is different. follow the will of Christ.
Ignatius, I am ready to abandon everything to be a Catholic priest.
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?
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I also desire to be a priest; not to serve but to gain authority and honour.
After his studies were done, Francis joined a Seminary and started working in Paris University. Within no time, he became a famous public speaker.
After few days Lord, all my dreams are fulfilled. I have power, authority and social approval, yet I am not satisfied. What good is it to me to have all the worldly possessions, but to lose my own soul?
Francis decides to meet with Ignatius. With the guidance of Ignatius, Francis was able to say yes, to the will of God. Let us try not to avoid the good words of our friends.
to be continued FEBRUARY 2015
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A family prayer that moved his heart‌. One fine day, as a prominent businessman was returning home from his farm, he noticed a young man along the roadside. He was standing beside his car and looked very worried. The businessman stopped his car and asked him what happened. The young man said that his car engine had failed and he was unable to continue his journey. The kind businessman took him to
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the next town, bought all the parts for the engine and came back to repair the engine. When he was done fixing the car it was late, and he requested the young man to spend the night at his home and continue his journey the next day. The businessman's family welcomed the young man; gave him dinner and invited him for their family prayer. They gave him a place to sleep and then went to bed. The next morning they found him missing. They searched everywhere and came to know that he had left. The businessman was hurt as the young man had left without thanking him or saying goodbye. Time went by and he forgot about the incident. Months later he received a letter, and it read as follows: “You must have forgotten me. A few months back you helped me when my car broke down. You took me home, fed me and gave me a place to sleep. But the next day I left without even saying
goodbye. Here is the reason why I left without saying a word. I was ashamed of myself. I had stolen a large amount of money from the firm that I was working for. I was running away with that money, and then my car broke down. But your family prayer touched my heart and changed my life. It led me to repentance. I woke up early the next day; came to my firm, returned the money to the company and repented and requested for forgiveness. The company owner accepted my apology and took me back. Now I am the general manager of that company". Dear friends, this incident teaches us a lesson. A family prayer led to a Person's repentance. Let us not disregard our daily family prayer which strengthens us and helps us to lead a life of purity, love and unity. Suja Siju Vaduthala, Cochin.
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Who are these people, that are following Jesus?
They are John and Andrew. They are trying to get near Jesus. Let us find out.
Jesus walks beside the river Jordan. John and Andrew are right behind him.
Oh! Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
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What do you John the Baptist has seek here? told us that you have the words for eternal We seek you, life and you are the Master. Lamb of God.
He is Andrew. I am John, son of Zebede. We are disciples of John the Baptist, and are fishermen.
Who are you?
Where is John the Baptist?
King Herod has jailed him. Master, shall we come with you?
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Do you truly understand what you are asking for? One who follows me, has to abandon everything – his home, and relatives.....I don’t have any riches to offer; you may not even have a place to rest your head. It is a narrow gate and a constricted road that leads to life. Are you ready for it? Yes Master. Your words enlighten us.
Come and stay with me.
John is the first one, who showed courage to follow Jesus. The Bible says “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” It is the innocence in him that has helped John to find Jesus. to be continued
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How should a family live its faith together? A Christian family should be a miniature church. All Christian family members are invited to strengthen one another in faith and to outdo one another in their zeal for God. They should pray for and with each other and collaborate in works of charity. Child:
Grandma :
Child : Grandma :
Child :
Grandma :
Child :
KidCat
Youcat 373, CCC 2226-2227
Grandma, please excuse me from today’s family prayer. I want to watch the football game. I promise, I will pray the Rosary after the game. Son, there is no substitute for family prayer. You cannot replace it with Rosary or any other forms of personal prayer. What is so special about family prayer? Prayer is truly powerful. But when we pray together as a family, that power increases tremendously and sanctifies our family. Heaven rejoices to see a family come together in prayer. One of God’s highest priorities is preserving family relationships. Family prayer encourages us to become more sensitive to one another’s feelings and builds faith and love within the family. It’s hard to hold on to grudges when we’re together before the Lord. That is true! Ma scolded me yesterday when I refused to do my homework. I was mad at her. But after our family prayer, I felt different. I knew I was wrong, and I apologized to her. I hugged her and I was really happy. Our Heavenly Father loves to talk with us and cares deeply about our problems. Knowing that He protects and rescues us from our fears provides invaluable peace and unity to a family. Together we can present all our needs to Him and thank Him for all the blessings. That is wonderful! I will not miss our family prayer. I now recall mother Teresa’s words “The family that prays together stays together”. Thank you grandma, for inspiring me. FEBRUARY 2015
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Word of God and ejaculation prayer FEBURARY
01-07
Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.� When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them. (John 12:36)
Ejaculatory Prayer: Jesus,
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08-14
Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. (John 14:21)
Ejaculatory Prayer: May
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15-21
enlighten me with the Holy Spirit.
the love of Jesus dwell in me.
Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. (John 14:23)
Ejaculatory Prayer: Jesus,
please teach me to love my friends
sincerely.
FEBURARY
22-28
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
Ejaculatory Prayer: Jesus,
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I love you in all my sufferings.
Kids, hurry up. It’s time for our Bible study.
Bible Study Ann, read the passage from the Gospel of St. John.
Saint John, chapter 14, verse 21 onwards; “Whoever holds to my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me”……… To love God, do we have to follow his commandm ents?
Yes, dear. Those who love God, would obey his commandments For instance, when you love me, don’t you listen to me and do as I say?
Yes, dad. I love you and I like to obey you.
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So, If you really love God, you will follow his commandments. It will never be a burden for you.
When we do not listen to our God, it makes Him sad, doesn’t it?
Yes dear. When we don’t pay attention to His words, we are the ones to suffer loss. Ann, could you just read that Word once more? “Whoever holds to my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me”.
Kids, God the Father grieves, when we ignore His commandments and follow the world. It breaks His heart to watch us falling into the traps of Satan.
Don’t worry, dad. We will obey His commandments. We want to love our heavenly Father and make Him happy.
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Bible Reading Kids, did you all learn the Bible verses in our January edition? Hope you were able to implement most of it in your daily life! Now this month, let us read, meditate upon and put into practice a fresh set of Bible verses. Thus we can become the very own loving children of Jesus. February 01, 02
February 23, 24:
John 12:32-36
John 16:21-24
February 03, 04:
February 25, 26:
John 12:44-50
John 16:25-28
February 05, 06:
February 27, 28:
John 13:31-35
John 17:01-05
February 07, 08:
John 14:01-07 February 09, 10:
John 14:08-14 February 11, 12:
John 14:15-17 February 13, 14:
John 14:22-24 February 15, 16:
John 14:25-31 February 17, 18:
John 15:06-08 February 19, 20:
John 15:09-11 February 21, 22:
John 15:12-17
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Family retreat by Angels' Army Team (For children upto the age of 12 years and for their parents, including parents-to-be) Venue:
Yaeshu bhavan, Kanichukulangara junction, Chertala, Aleppy, Kerala. Date: February 15, 5:00 p.m. to February 17, 4:00p.m. All those who are interested, please reserve in advance. For further details please contact at 0484-644702 or 8281469989
A Program Organized by Angels Army on Shalom Television.......
Every Tuesday 5.30pm Repeats on Friday 9:30 a.m and Sunday 8 a.m.
Angels Army, Jesus Youth, Emmaus, H.M.T. Colony P.O, Kalamassery-683503, Kochi, Kerala 0484 644 4702 info@angelsarmy.in www.angelsarmy.in