Celebrate Faith - Olvin Veigas, SJ

Faith is the greatest force in the world. Even that which looks completely impossible becomes possible, if it is approached with faith. Often, we are worried for no reason! A senior person may worry because his or her children being away for the moment, and the person feels lonely. Or the worry about one's senior years may trouble him or her. A young person may worry about one's grades in...

We live in a world of contrasts, those who have and have-nots. The rich man and Lazarus are found everywhere. The world of today needs more listening and acting, opening one's eyes and reacting. In recent months, we have been hearing that a new world order is being put in place. Instead of working with great world institutions like the United Nations, individual countries are determining the f...

25 Sept 2025Celebrating the Founding of the First Native Religious Congregation by St Joseph Vaz on September 25, 1685 at St Joseph's Chapel Hassan, Bangalore. Praying for all our native missionaries, nuns and priests and laity on behalf of Joseph Naik Vaz Institute, California 25th September 2025For more click here: https://josephnaikvaz.org/archives/1408 Get in touch with Joseph Naik Vaz Ins...

The talk was given on 21 July 2025 for the first-year students on the inaugural day of the New Academic Year 2025-2026

The talk was given to the students of BBA, BCOM, BCA, for GALA 2025 at St Joseph's College Hassan. https://www.sjchassan.edu.in/

Having seen many frauds, bankruptcies, financial irregularities, illegal activities, and dishonest managers in the business world, often, business ethics emphasizes that it is better to have people of integrity and sincerity as CEO's and CFO's than brilliant, well-educated individuals in top-most business schools of the world, but who are dishonest and people of duplicity. The world needs people o...

Who among us desires crosses in life? None of us. A cross is usually understood as suffering, and suffering, in itself, is painful and unwanted. Yet, when it is embraced with faith, suffering takes on a new meaning and dimension. It becomes purposeful. We suffer for many reasons: an illness that weakens the body, the burden of age that no longer allows us the energy of youth, the indifference or u...

Before you express your faith in someone else, you must express it in yourself. Being confident, having faith in oneself, is as essential as oxygen to one's heart. Our life experience tells us that unless and until you believe in yourself and in your abilities, no one can help you to develop confidence by giving a lecture or some exercise. It is the faith and belief that one has that makes the...

Believing in oneself is a sign of courage and determination—a commitment to live life with purpose and depth. It reflects a healthy self-awareness, where one recognizes both strengths and limitations, and learns to navigate the complexities of the world with wisdom. However, trouble arises when our belief shifts from inner conviction to external possessions—when we place our trust in material weal...

Prayer is a conversation with God. Prayer is opening oneself to the mercy of God. When we realize that we are made of finite, limited, mortal and dependent beings, naturally, there is an inner urge to look for something eternal, immortal, infinite, unlimited and independent. That is where we find the fulfilment of our lives. Only a higher being can satisfy our wants and needs. All that we hope to...

Being self-righteous is good. However, being self-righteous may not necessarily mean being honest and truthful. Awfully self-righteousness might dupe us. It may not bring good to oneself and others as well. It could be just wishful thinking. Hence, practical wisdom combined with the experience of the realities of the world with a human touch is essential. This will make a person great. As we delve...

What is the true rhythm of an authentic Christian life? It is the one that welcomes, listens, makes one feel comfortable, happy, and offers possibilities. On the 16th Sunday in Ordinary time, the Church invites us to conduct a true rhythm of a Christian life. The Word of God gives us immense possibilities to imitate those holy men and women who embraced the true vision of God. We see in Abraham th...

What is it like listening to a master and then the master asks the disciples to follow in his footsteps, including doing those unimaginable things like healing the sick and driving out the demons? Listening to the master means following what the master does. This is called true discipleship. For this, the disciples need a deep faith and a strong conviction. In fact, the disciple has to learn more...

Today, the Church invites us to celebrate  two giants of our faith, two pillars of the Church, two very different men , called and united by one Lord— Saint Peter and Saint Paul . It is rare and beautiful that these two apostles are remembered together on one solemn feast. And this year, the celebration is all the more special—falling on a Sunday—when the Church gathers in her fullest form to hono...

Friendship matters. Without love and care, our life here on earth would be boring. We are not material objects but human beings with flesh and blood. We connect with each other because of our emotions and other personality traits. Friendship is one of the most beautiful and meaningful relationships we can experience. At its heart, friendship is a bond of mutual trust, love, respect, and support be...

Working together builds and strengthens. It also says about continuity, communication and cooperation. Even though it is difficult to understand exactly the inner workings within the Holy Trinity, with our faith and inner eyes, and from our human experience, we can say that it is like various parts of the body working together. Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. It invites...

Today, we celebrate this great feast of Pentecost/ the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles. In fact, we are invited to open our hearts to the same Spirit. What happened in the Upper Room is meant to happen in us. Pentecost is not merely the Church’s birthday—it is the explosion of divine life into human history. It is the moment when frightened disciples became courageous witnesses, when the...

Today, we celebrate the great feast of the Ascension—Jesus’ return to the Father after completing His earthly mission. It is a moment filled with awe and mystery, but also with challenge and commissioning. The Ascension is not a farewell; it is an invitation to deeper faith, bolder witness, and wholehearted discipleship. This Sunday's liturgical readings invite us to enter deeper into the myst...

There is always a tussle between good and bad in our lives. It is a challenge of human weakness and divine grace. Our human nature is tossed by different pulls and powers. Ultimately, God is the referee. He knows the best in us. He delivers what is good for us. From a quick reactionary temperament of Peter, he turns out to be a leader of the rest of the group. The blessings of Jesus continue to em...

We are in the Easter Season. A Season to rejoice and be glad because Jesus is Risen! The Easter joy continues to permeate our lives as we enter deeper into the mystery of Christ's resurrection. Without death, there is no resurrection and without resurrection, there is no joy. Easter joy is the answer to our suffering lives. New vigour and enthusiasm filled the early Christians, and the experie...

Today, we celebrate in the joy of the Resurrection. Easter is the summit of the Christian faith, the day when we declare with deep conviction: "Christ is Risen!" This proclamation is not just the retelling of an ancient event but the heartbeat of Christian hope and identity. The Resurrection of Jesus is the definitive moment where God, in His boundless love, rewrites the destiny of creat...

On Maundy Thursday, the Church invites us to enter deeply into two profound gestures of Jesus: the washing of His disciples' feet and the institution of the Eucharist. Both moments, while distinct, reveal the same mystery at the heart of Christian life: self-giving love. On this day, we gather around the altar to solemnly commemorate the Lord’s Last Supper — the night before His Passion, when Chri...

What would be your situation if your are praised to the sky for the person you are and then you were seen as wicked and people plotted to kill you? Often, the human tendency is to look at the exterior and follow the crowd without critical thinking.  Palm Sunday is a day of profound contrasts. The liturgy begins with jubilation as Jesus enters Jerusalem, hailed as a king by the crowds waving palms....

Who is perfect? Who is sinless? Often, people know more about us than we do ourselves! They have their own versions of us. They wear coloured glasses and see us. Despite knowing that a human person is such a complex being, people underestimate the person. Each one has his or her own inadequacies and vulnerabilities. However, people live with prejudice, malice, wickedness, and evil tendencies. It f...

What do we do in moments of despair? Each one knows how to cope with such situations based on one's education and upbringing. Sometimes, such moments can be very painful and distressing. However, deep down, God has blessed His creation with the ability to navigate such complexities and confusion. The Gospel reading on the fourth Sunday of Lent tells us how the Prodigal Son dealt with such a di...