Celebrate Faith - Olvin Veigas, SJ

All of us desire to follow the right path. We strive to achieve what is true, noble, honourable, just, pure, lovely, gracious and excellent. We find meaning in doing such things. It also puts us into what we are called to be. Human behaviour is mysterious and sometimes mischievous. However, deviation is part of our lives. We stumble, fall and make no headway in our effort to make things beautiful...

It is pretty normal for us to think that what we wish must happen to us. Therefore, we might get involved actively in the process of getting those things. However, things might not happen to us as we wish. In fact, there are other factors or elements attached to that which might not allow it to happen. As a result, we might begin to question or have suspicions about those things. This might cause...

What often seems to be simple and easy becomes difficult and complicated. Our mind then takes a 360-degree turn to come back to our senses. We must simply do what we can without hurting others. There are no principles or particular mantras to put things in order. The only guiding principle is just do what you are supposed to do. There is no point in brooding over things and making unnecessary calc...

Persistence and a never-give-up attitude are what keep us going in times of suffering and failure. When things become difficult, our thoughts usually turn to giving up. The situation, circumstances and people around us, instead of encouraging us to hold on to our goal, discourage us and even influence us to give up. Often, people give many reasons why you should not hold on to your convictions. Th...

Often we think that we are strong. We are not afraid of anyone. We keep going, until at an unexpected moment, a turn takes place. We think that we are failing. We are losing. There is no one to help. In fact, we are sinking. Our life is uncertain. As mortals and sinful persons, we cannot predict our future with certainty. There is nothing that is sure or certain. COVID-19 showed us that none of us...

One of the beautiful German expressions used in understanding life in context is "Sitz im Leben." Often this expression is used in the study of the Holy Scriptures, when we study the context in which the scriptural passages are written. Today everything must be read and understood through life in context. Even the  Gaudium et Spes,  the Vatican II document "Joy and Hope," calle...

Often we are lost in small things. We do not get the bigger picture. Our thinking pattern, the way we behave and act, all demonstrate that we are lost in our small world. Opening our horizons to see the world on a much larger scale is necessary to play a crucial role in this world. We cannot deny our role in making this world better and beautiful. Our country is going through a silent turmoil. Onl...

How dare someone do that? Why is there so much evil in this world? Why does wickedness never cease to exist? These are some typical questions we often ask when we are threatened or see evil occupying the good places. Often we see this daunting task of overcoming evil. However, evil does exist. Wicked people continue to do things which are not supposed to be done. There are no limits, age, status o...

Patience, trust, confidence and hope determine the life of a farmer. A person who tills the soil knows what it is going to bring. Every effort has its fruits. There are no calculated risks here. It is said in most parts of India that farmers depend on the rains. A farmer's life depends not on choice but chance. It is not that everyone is gifted with everything. However, each one is blessed wit...

Often our lives are burdened with things. Life here on earth is not easy. It may seem nice, beautiful, happy-go-lucky, yet there are times when we feel down and have questions which may not have immediate answers. Especially when the person is diagnosed with an incurable illness, when married life gets into trouble, when there is no peace in religious or priestly life, when someone does not find t...

There is a purpose for everything. We have come into this world with a purpose. Without a particular intention, we do not go to school or college, find suitable work or a partner, or look for a place or job. Everything around us moves with a cause. We simply cannot deny ourselves or the purpose of our existence, saying that we are here for nothing. We are here on this earth with a reason. Differen...

Friends and dear ones leave behind great memories. They continue to live with us through various beautiful experiences and moments where we felt good, joyful and blessed. The memories of our best friends remain forever. They continue to remind those moments that we lived together and enjoyed together. If our friends leave behind some things or gifts as a sign of love, then whenever we see them, th...

We cannot claim that we know everything or that we can understand fully. In fact, we can claim boldly that we know something, but it still remains unclear. There is space for paradox and mystery in our lives. A mystery always remains unexplained and in perplexity. Therefore, we need to give space for such situations and unexplained things. What cannot be grasped and understood should be left for a...

In times of fear, we need someone to give us courage. In times of anxiety, we want someone to listen to us. In times of grief, we need someone to support us. In times of hopelessness, we need someone to give us hope. In times of threat, we need someone to stand by us. The death and crucifixion of Jesus brought the disciples to their knees. Not only could they not understand what happened to their...

We may feel, sometimes, that everything is perfect. Then, suddenly, something unexpected might happen, and everything changes. We expect many things from our dear ones. However, things could be blurry and uncertain. Nothing is static, including our expectations and the outcome of events. This is exactly what happened to the eleven disciples when they said goodbye to the Risen Lord in a hurry. Even...

Innocence is part of our lives. There is always a little corner for this aspect of our lives where we become childlike. We may be mature, adult and commanding many things, yet there are things which are unfamiliar to us, and often we might appear very silly. Yet, this phenomenon of our lives might give us sometimes joy and peace, moreover, a sense that we are ultimately human and we need guides on...

23 April 2026 In celebration of Akashavani’s (AIR) 90th anniversary, Akashavani Hassan organized a vibrant outreach programme titled “Akashavani Towards the Youth” (Yuvajanaratta Akashavani Chitta) at St Joseph’s College, Hassan. The initiative aimed to connect with young audiences and highlight the enduring relevance of radio in today’s digital age. The programme featured an engaging quiz conduct...

23 April 2026 In celebration of Akashavani’s (AIR) 90th anniversary, Akashavani Hassan organized a vibrant outreach programme titled “Akashavani Towards the Youth” (Yuvajanaratta Akashavani Chitta) at St Joseph’s College, Hassan. The initiative aimed to connect with young audiences and highlight the enduring relevance of radio in today’s digital age. The programme featured an engaging quiz conduct...

God enters into our lives in unexpected ways. As deeply religious and convinced of God's presence permeating around us, we believe that it is God who is guiding us and shepherding us. While looking at the incredible creation in which we live, one thing is certain: there should be some mighty power behind all of this. The world around us and all that it contains is so systematically woven and e...

What is it that keeps our memories alive? Is it the past experiences or acts that made an imprint on our memories? We remember the past based on our experiences, memories and recollections. Memory is essential to carry forward the past. Memories evoke both good and bad feelings in us. We can not live without our past; however, the memories make us come back alive and relive those past experiences....

Who does not doubt? Belief is a very subjective matter and is based on one's convictions and experiences. Doubt arises when certainty is unclear. It may be because either we have not experienced it, or we are not convinced of it. We make conscious decisions in our lives. They are based on our experiences, assumptions, knowledge or inner convictions. We cannot believe everyone and in everything...

The homily was preached at the Vigil Mass of Easter on 04 April 2026 at St Peter's Church, Gonibeedu.

The homily was preached on 03 April 2026 in St Peter's Church, Gonibeedu. It is in Kannada

The message of Easter is very clear: Christ is truly risen! The events that followed the crucifixion of our Lord give a rare glimpse of who Jesus was: Fully human and fully divine. With the resurrection of Jesus, the divinity of Jesus shines brighter than before. Jesus is no longer constrained by time and space. Jesus makes himself visible to everyone who longs to see him or waits on him. The miss...

What a day! And it is called Good Friday!! The death of God-man on the Cross, and still we call this day Good Friday!!! The poignant moment of the death of the Messiah makes us stand still and listen to the inner voice of our being. What is this all about? Why must an innocent man die on a Cross? The most brutal, terribly painful and awkwardly humiliating death a person could go through in the Rom...