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Herald Malaysia
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Herald Malaysia
‘Finding Hope in the Mother of God' at the Carmelite Chapel
In conjunction with the Jubilee Year of Hope and the Titular solemnity of the Kuching Carmelite Monastery of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a special programme entitled 'Finding Hope in the Mother of God' was held on 28 June 2025 (Saturday) in the Carmelite Chapel from 7.30pm –9pm. Jul 28, 2025 By the Kuching Carmelite Monastry In conjunction with the Jubilee Year of Hope and the Titular solemnity of the Kuching Carmelite Monastery of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a special programme entitled 'Finding Hope in the Mother of God' was held on 28 June 2025 (Saturday) in the Carmelite Chapel from 7.30pm –9pm. It was a candlelight evening of prayers, songs and reflections that resembled the Taize style of meditation, except that the focus was on Mary's immaculate example of her standing at the foot of the cross through the darkest moments of her life. The reflections were to lead the faithful to admire Mary greatly, and to enkindle the desire to imitate her example in our own dark moments of life, besides inspiring confidence that she is an unfailing mother who pleads for us and is always near to us in all our trials. The evening included four new songs inspired by the Holy Spirit which were interspersed with the reflection to help the faithful be immersed in Mary's journey of suffering and hope. The songs were soulfully expressed by an ensemble of violinist, pianist and cellist and a few singers to provide meditative and deeply moving music to help the faithful to encounter Jesus and Mary. The evening concluded with an invitation to remain in quiet prayer at the foot of the Cross. The Carmelite nuns would like to take this opportunity to send their deepest appreciation to each and every volunteer who made this evening possible through their dedicated service of love for Our Most Blessed Mother!--Today's Catholic


Hans India
3 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
God is inside you: Your body is a temple
In a world constantly seeking validation from the outside, we often forget one of the most profound truths ever spoken: God is not somewhere out there—God is within you. The body you inhabit, often neglected or taken for granted, is not just a vessel—it is a sacred temple. Ancient wisdom across cultures and religions echoes this very idea. Whether it is the Upanishadic mantra 'Aham Brahmasmi' (I am Divine) or the Biblical passage 'Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit,' the message is clear: divinity resides not in distant heavens but in the innermost chambers of your being. The Sacred Architecture of the Self Your body is not a coincidence of biology. It is the most intricate and divinely designed sanctuary. Every breath you take, every heartbeat, every impulse of your nerves, speaks of an intelligence far beyond comprehension. When we disrespect our bodies—through unhealthy habits, negative thinking, or disconnection—we do more than harm ourselves. We dishonour the divine presence that lives within. The Inner Pilgrimage You don't need to climb mountains or wander forests in search of God. You only need to turn inward. The journey toward the divine is not outward—it is inward: a quiet, consistent return to the self. Meditation, mindful living, gratitude, and self-awareness are the steps of this inner pilgrimage. When you honour your body as a temple, you create the space for this divine connection to awaken fully. Beyond Rituals: Living the Sacred It's easy to light a lamp or visit a shrine, but the deeper worship begins when you treat yourself and others with reverence. Your thoughts become prayers. Your actions become offerings. Every moment of silence, every act of kindness becomes a ritual. That is when life itself becomes sacred. Guarding the Temple Just as a physical temple is protected and preserved, your body and mind need the same care. Feed it well, move it, rest it, and speak lovingly to it. Keep the temple clean—not just on the outside, but on the inside too. Let go of guilt, grudges, and self-judgment. Fill it with light, joy, and purpose. Conclusion: Return to the Center When we begin to recognize the divine within, everything changes. Our relationships, our choices, our sense of purpose—all begin to align with something higher, something purer. The God you're searching for isn't lost. He's waiting—in your heartbeat, your breath, your silence. You are the shrine. You are the priest. You are the seeker. And you are the divine. The sooner we realize this, the more sacred life becomes.


Herald Malaysia
5 days ago
- General
- Herald Malaysia
St Jude's confirmands experience transformative retreat
The Church of St Jude recently organised a Confirmation Camp from June 6 to 8 at Villa Dominic, Genting Highlands, offering 23 young confirmands a spiritually enriching experience as they prepared to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Jul 25, 2025 The confirmands renewing their baptismal promises. By Mercy Almeida StellusThe Church of St Jude recently organised a Confirmation Camp from June 6 to 8 at Villa Dominic, Genting Highlands, offering 23 young confirmands a spiritually enriching experience as they prepared to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. The retreat was led by Kevin Pathinathan and the St Jude Praise and Worship team, who created an atmosphere of deep reflection, healing, and faith formation. The camp aimed to help participants strengthen their relationship with God and embrace their true identity in Christ. One of the confirmands, Veronica Mary, described the camp as 'amazing.' 'I got to know my real identity, and I truly grew closer to God. Thank you, Kevin and team, for guiding me throughout this journey. I hope I will always remain close to Jesus,' she shared. Catechist and Confirmation coordinator Diana Rayan commended the retreat's overall success. 'The retreat was impactful — the venue was ideal, the food was great, and most importantly, the confirmands really benefitted spiritually. Many were able to let go of their emptiness, brokenness, and false identities, and seek the Holy Spirit.' Confirmand Emmanuel Ashwin Aaron also experienced a personal transformation. 'I didn't expect the camp to turn out this way,' he admitted. 'It helped me grow emotionally and find peace with my family. The fake identity I had before this camp is gone — I feel like a whole new person.' Diana expressed deep gratitude to Kevin and the Praise and Worship team for their commitment, and suggested that the parish should consider organising more retreats for various age groups in the future. 'This kind of experience allows parishioners to encounter God personally and seek the help they need. It's essential for building our Church's future.' The confirmands' spiritual journey culminated in the Confirmation Mass on Saturday, June 28, at 6:00pm at the Church of St Jude. The Mass was held in conjunction with another milestone celebration: the installation of the new parish priest, Fr Simon Labrooy, and his assistant, Fr Jonathan Rao. The dual celebration was presided over by Archbishop Julian Leow, marking a joyful and momentous occasion for the entire parish community.


Herald Malaysia
6 days ago
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Pope invites Dominicans ‘listen attentively to the Holy Spirit'
Pope Leo XIV assures Dominicans taking part in the General Chapter of Provincial Priors of his closeness in prayer, while inviting them to be attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit and to strengthen their commitment to serving the Body of Christ. Jul 24, 2025 General Chapter of Provincial Priors of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) By Christopher WellsPope Leo says he is praying for Dominican provincial priors gathered in Krakow for their General Chapter. In a letter addressed to Fr Gerard Timoner, Master of the Order of Preachers, the Holy Father assures them of his confidence 'that these days of grace may be an opportunity for renewal, rooted in the hope that never disappoints and the knowledge that the Lord has called you as preachers to proclaim the Good News amid today's unique challenges.' Listening to the Holy Spirit He goes on to highlight the theme for the meeting, which aims to address the Dominican charism of preaching especially to 'four audiences: those who do not yet know Jesus; the Christian faithful; those who have distanced themselves from Christ; and young people in these situations,' saying it is particular timely. 'I pray,' the Pope writes, 'that your deliberations may allow you to listen attentively to the Holy Spirit, Who continues to guide the Church in the fullness of truth.' Faithful to the charism and spirituality of Saint Dominic Pope Leo went on to express his hope that the Dominican priors would strengthen their 'commitment to serving the Body of Christ in the evangelical way of life chosen by St Dominic.' 'May your shared experience of fraternity and prayer strengthen the bonds of communion that unite you as Dominicans and inspire you to live ever more fully your vocation as contemplative preachers,' he writes. He adds his conviction that they 'will undoubtedly continue to carry out your mission in the heart of the Church' in fidelity to the charism and spirituality of St Dominic. Pope Leo concludes his letter by entrusting the General Chapter to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and imparting his blessing to all the members of the Dominican Order.--Vatican News


The Citizen
21-07-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Missionary outreach uplifts Empangeni inmates
Hope pierced the walls of Empangeni Qalakabusha Correction Facility when a group of volunteers from Kairos Prison Ministry stepped inside. Kairos, meaning 'God's special timing', saw 30 volunteers participate in the outreach earlier this month, with 21 men entering the prison for ministry work, while eight women prepared meals for the inmates and Kairos team. There were 24 prisoners who, each day, received messages of hope and God's love. ALSO READ: Ordination marks 30 years in ministry for Richards Bay pastor 'May the Holy Spirit spread like wildfire in that dark place, bringing many to salvation,' said Trevor Watson, KZN Kairos state chair. While Koos Robbetse, a member of the worship team, said he witnessed first hand how music became a vessel for healing. 'There was something profoundly beautiful about hearing voices joined together in praise, especially from men who carry so much pain and regret. You could feel the presence of God moving in the room. 'Kairos is more than just a programme – it's a spiritual lifeline. It brings the message that no matter where you are in life, God's grace reaches you.' 'This experience has left a lasting mark on me. You may go in thinking you're there to help others, but you'll come out changed yourself,' said Koos. Read the full story with other Kairos members and inmates testimonials in this ZO Monday. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!