I was born and raised in a devoted Catholic Family in the small town of Mundamveli, Cochin, Kerala, India, was a unique and enriching experience. My parents and grandparents instilled in me a sincere love and devotion to the Holy Family through stories of many miracles and rewards for those who serve them faithfully. The Catholic prayers and principles learned from my home in India always guided me in my personal and spiritual journey.
My childhood memories of prayer in India are an integral part of my Life. One of my fondest memories is of us (my Grandfather and I) attending the Holy Mass every morning at the parish near our home in Mundamveli. Then, every evening our family would recite the Holy Rosary, Litany of the Holy Mother, prayers for departed souls, consecration prayers to St. Joseph and the Holy Family, prayers to Arch Angels and the Holy Spirit, followed by Reading of Psalm 91 and Bible Scriptures. We also included reading special devotions to St Joseph in March, the Blessed Virgin Mary in May, the Sacred Heart of Jesus in June and Souls of Purgatory in November every year. Singing hymns was a regular part of our family prayer time that I will remember forever.
The sense of love and unity created by these moments is something that I still treasure even after all these years. I’m grateful for the strong sense of Faith, love and unity that was fostered through these special moments we shared. I’m grateful for those times spent in prayer as a family, and it reminds me of the importance of keeping Faith in our lives. These memories are precious to me, and I’m thankful for the beauty it has brought to my Life. Hence, I still follow the same schedule of daily family prayers in our present-day Canadian Life with my wife and children.
Our strong personal prayer life has always helped my family to source comfort and strength in times of turbulence and hardships. The familiarity with which we approached these spiritual practices has stayed with me throughout my Life and continues to bring me joy. These moments will always remain close to my heart as a fond reminder of my upbringing. The beauty created by such times is something I am thankful for every day. And so, I carry on the tradition each evening with gratitude in my heart and peace in my spirit. Growing up in such an environment has made my Faith unshakeable, even today. It is something that I will carry with me forever.