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Catholicism was introduced in Eastern India in the late 19th Century in the State of Jharkhand as it is called now by Pioneer Belgian and Dutch Jesuit Missionaries. The most prominent of them was Father Constant Lievens S.J. -- The Apostle of Chotanagpur. He arrived in Ranchi -- The Headquarters of the Chotanagpur Plateau in 1885. He did not know at that time what the future held for him in terms of evangelization and as a Missionary Pastor too. With strong faith in God, he started educating and evangelizing Animist Oraon Tribals in Ranchi and in the surrounding areas too....

Today is World Tiger Day. On this day we remember Iconic Tigresses of the past like Machli of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in the State of Rajasthan in North - West India. We also remember Iconic Tigresses that are still living like Katrina of Bor Tiger Reserve from Maharashtra State and Collarwali of Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh State. Tigers are Flagship Species of Temperate and Sub- Tropical Forests from Siberia to India.

Introduction : It is with a heavy heart that I am writing about Snow Leopards and their Conservation. Bound to Craggy Cliffs, Snow Leopards have always been present at "Low Densities" but what is shocking is their "Mass Slaughter" by Poachers in recent years in India, China, and Mongolia. The Daily Mail -- A British Tabloid reported in March 2017 that Poachers in India kill 45 Snow Leopards a Year. That is "Terrible". It is bad enough that there are only 500-600 Snow Leopards at the most in the Wild in India specially in the States of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand,...

Introduction : Catholicism was introduced in China in the Middle Ages by an Italian Jesuit Missionary called "Matteo Ricci". Thereafter, It got an impetus from Belgian Catholic Missionaries most notably from the Missionaries of the Immaculate Heart of Mary also known as "Scheut Missionaries". Hebei is the largest and most numerous Catholic Province in China with an estimated population of 1 Million Catholics. Other Traditional Catholic Strongholds in Mainland China are North- Western Shaanxi, Central Shanxi, and Zhejiang Provinces -- All of them with estimated Catholic Populations of more than 200,000 each. This is all due to the untiring efforts...

Introduction and History : Iraqi Catholic Christians also known as "Chaldean Catholics" are an Ancient Catholic Community that exists in the Middle East. There are less than 400, 000 left today in Iraq. 75% of all Iraqi Christians are "Chaldean Catholics". The Chaldean Catholic Church was founded in Babylon in "Ancient Mesopotamia" sometime during the 2nd Century A.D. The Chaldean People who lived in and around the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers were evangelized by Saint Jude Thaddeus, An Apostle of Jesus Christ sometime towards the middle of the First Century A.D. to Christianity. They are one of 3-4 Catholic Communities...

Introduction : Saint Peter Julian Eymard was born in the Diocese of Grenoble, France on February 4, 1811 in the town of La Mure. An Extraordinary Passion for the Blessed Sacrament took root in his heart from a young age. After a number of years in the Marian Sanctuary of Our Lady of Laus, Peter Julian met Father Touche, an Oblate of Mary Immaculate who seeing the beauty of the young man's soul advised him to direct his life towards the Priesthood by studying Latin and receiving Holy Communion more often. Peter Julian Eymard was ordained a Priest at the...

Introduction : Saint Bridget, daughter of Birgir -- Royal Blood Prince of Sweden was born about the year 1302 of highly pious parents. Having lost her virtuous mother soon after birth, little Bridget was raised by one of her highly virtuous aunts. She could not speak before the age of 3, but as soon as she spoke, she began praising God. In early childhood, serious discourses on Religion pleased her and grace powerfully filled her heart so that only pious readings attracted her. At the age of 10, she was particularly touched by a sermon she heard on the Passion...

Dear Friends in Jesus and Mary, The Holy Rosary has a very special place in my "Spiritual Life". Recitation of the Holy Rosary has helped me to cope with the ups and downs of life. My Mother used to often tell me, that if you are troubled in any way ---- "Go to Jesus and Mary" by reciting the Holy Rosary. They will never let you down. When I recite the Holy Rosary, I often think of the unique and special relationship between Jesus Christ and Mother Mary during their life on earth. I have never stopped reciting the Holy...

The Mystery of Holy Saturday Its Spiritual Significance Introduction : One could say that the "Shroud" is the Icon of this mystery, the Icon of Holy Saturday. Indeed, it is a winding - sheet that was wrapped round the body of a man who was crucified, corresponding in every way to what the Gospels tell us of Jesus Christ who was crucified at about noon, died at about 3.00 in the afternoon. At nightfall, since it was "Parasceve" that is the eve of Holy Saturday, Joseph of Arimathea, a rich and authoritative member of the Sanhedrin, courageously asked Pontius Pilate...

Introduction : It is great to know that Catholicism is increasing by leaps and bounds in Arunachal Pradesh, a Frontier State in North - East India. Catholics in Arunachal Pradesh now number 200,000 out of a population of 1 Million. They are all Tribals of various Tribes that live in Arunachal Pradesh. This I believe is primarily because of the pioneering missionary efforts of a Benedictine Brother from the State of Maharashtra popularly known as "PREMBHAI" or Loving Brother. He passed away in 2008. His real name was Brother Henry Gaikwad. A Little about him now : Br. Henry Gaikwad...

Dear Friends in Jesus and Mary, Greetings again from Mumbai, India. I am back @ FR mostly because of Friends and only because of Catholic Posters like Salvation, NYer, Marshmallow, Grateful2God, Slyfox, TaxChick, Kolokotronis, and a Poster whose "Real Name" I know but whose username I have forgotten. I have a solid devotion to the Divine Mercy, To the Sacred Heart, and to Our Lady. I have a deep- rooted "Eucharistic Spirituality". I was born a "Cradle Catholic" but I am now a "Catholic by Conviction" rather than a Catholic by Custom or by Circumstance. One of the main Objectives...

Dear Friends in Jesus and Mary, Greetings from Mumbai, India. I have taken an important decision. I will not be posting threads on the "Religion" Section of the Forum any more. That is only because of 2 things that have happened recently. 1)My PC just a few days back broke down suddenly and it took the life out of me to get it working again. 2)On the last thread, I posted @ FR, there were numerous negative comments against the Blessed Mother which really incensed me and riled me. One was that Our Lady was a "Frigid Housewife". This is...

Introduction : It is my objective and endeavour to bring Ex-Catholics back to the Catholic Church in 2015 as well as in 2016. I intend to achieve this through "Catholic Classics". What I mean is this -- I want Catholics who have left the Catholic Church to read awesome and amazing "Catholic Books" posted on my Catholic Blog. Many Catholics in India specially in "Metro Cities" have left the Catholic Church and have joined "Non - Denominational Churches". Most of them are unaware of "Catholic Classics" which encompass and explain the beautiful Catholic Faith. In Cities like Mumbai in Maharashtra,...

First of all, I would like to say that a "Christopher" is a "Bearer of Christ". Here is what Catherine De Heuck has to say about a "Catholic Priest". 1. A Priest is a Lover of God. 2. A Priest is a Lover of Souls. 3. A Priest is a Holy Man because he walks before the Face of the all Holy. 4. A Priest understands all things. 5. A Priest forgives all things. 6. A Priest encompasses all things. The Heart of a Priest like Christ's; is pierced with the lance of love. 7. The Heart of a Priest...

Part 1 : Introduction : Forest Elephants are found exclusively in Central Africa. Gabon is situated in Central Africa. The situation is very "grave" for forest elephants and their safety in many National Parks in Gabon but specially in Minkebe National Park and in Wonga Wongue Presidential Reserve. Gabon's Minkebe National Park has lost numerous Forest Elephants consistently to "Ivory Poaching" since 2004. It is distressing to know that 11,000 Forest Elephants or more were slaughtered for their ivory in the last 10 years. Recent Surveys of areas within the park revealed that two-thirds of its Forest Elephants have vanished...

Goa which is situated on the West Coast of India is well known for its famous beaches such as Calangute, Vagator, Colva, and Arambol. However, it is relatively unknown as a "Refuge" for Tigers. Camera Traps installed by the Wildlife Conservation Society in April 2013 in Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa captured 4 Tigers on film. These findings, on film give some hope that the State Government of Goa in its wisdom will now declare this sanctuary located in the ecologically rich "Western Ghats" or Western Indian Mountains a "Tiger Reserve". It is necessary to declare 500 square kilometres of...

Introduction : Many of us are aware that in East Africa and in Central Africa Wild Elephants are being slaughtered in their hundreds and in their dozens for their "Ivory". 2013 and 2014 were terrible years for Wild African Elephants. In 2013, 96 Elephants were lost every day to "Organized Poacher Gangs" in Africa. It is sad to say this, but it is true that African Elephants in most parts of their range are declining extremely fast specially in National Parks in Kenya, Tanzania, Gabon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic. Botswana...

Botswana is a landlocked country which is situated in Southern Africa. It is my favourite country in the world. It is a "Wildlife Paradise" in more ways than one. It is home to the "Big Five" namely Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Elephant, and Rhino. They are called the "Big Five" because they were difficult to hunt on foot in the past. Botswana has reserved 40% of its land exclusively for wildlife. Botswana is home to many famous "National Parks" and "Game Reserves". The most famous are Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve. Chobe National Park in Northern Botswana is globally...

Mass is over. Jesus Christ and I are alone together. Just "All by Ourselves". If I can, I will always remain after Mass and make a good Thanksgiving. This maybe my last Communion; I will make it my best. This maybe my last Thanksgiving; I will make it my best. Thanks to others always, but always thanks to God; and with all my heart- these few are precious moments. "Jesus Christ, I believe that you are my God. I believe that I have received your Body, your Blood, Your Soul, and Your Divinity. You are my Creator, My Redeemer, My...

In his great love for us, Lord Jesus Christ gave us a great miracle of mercy- the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. Christ's Resurrection into glory was not the final reason for the Incarnation, when God became Man. The Incarnation looked forward to Jesus Christ remaining with us to the end of time in the Eucharist. By this greatest miracle of his love, Jesus Christ remains with us under the form of bread and wine, not only for our spiritual nourishment, but to be kept company by us as well. In the Holy Eucharist, Christ is fully present as he...