Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners Now and at the hour of our death. Amen

Dear People of God,

Peace of the Babe of Bethlehem. I am glad indeed to join the psalmist saying, “How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?”

We all have enjoyed last year 2017 the various gifts God gave us. Above all gifts, the Lord has given himself up to save all of us. I have always waited for a blessing after some sufferings or vice versa. Again it is the Lord who gave us strength to drink the cup of suffering, Let us praise and glorify the Lord.

Our Blessed Mother Mary is a great source of inspiration to magnify the Lord God who not only accompanied us but also carried us whenever there were problems and difficulties. Without His help we felt powerless. Moses’ stick became powerful to divide the sea due to his total surrender to God’s strength. “If the Lord does not watch over the city in vain does the watchman keep vigil.”

With our Blessed Mother we can finally sing “a litany of benefits that God has given us the true gift of His Son, the gift of Incarnation in which God gave Himself to us and stays with us, in the Eucharist and in his Word, everyday, to the very end of history,” (Pope Benedict XVI on Psalm: 135) I wish all of you a grace-filled and purposeful year 2018! God bless us!

Yours in Christ Jesus,

† Jude Paulraj, A

Bishop of Palayamkottai.