CONFESSION IN A CROWDED TRAIN

                Monsignor C. J. Varkey, the late Spiritual Director of Shalom Ministries, India, was once travelling in a train from Mangalore (The Parasuram Express) to South Kerala for conducting a Convention. After a prayer, he started a conversation with the person occupying the opposite seat. He learned that the man was returning from the Central Jail at Kannur after completing a term of imprisonment following conviction for murder by the Court. The Father understood that the man was a Catholic and needed a confession. The priest invited him for a confession but he resisted, explaining that he hated priests. On further enquiry, he revealed to the priest that he had approached three priests for confession but they had ruthlessly turned down his request, labelling him as a murderer. The compartment was full of passengers. Suddenly, Mgr. Varkey knelt down at the feet of the ex-prisoner and kissed his legs, begging his pardon for the priests who had denied him the Sacrament of reconciliation. Seeing a priest in cassock falling at his feet in front of a large number of fellow passengers, the man was transformed totally and immediately confessed his sins in tears before the priest.

                The Late Mgr. C J Varkey was born on 11th June 1921 in the Diocese of Pala in Kerala, South India. He was ordained priest on March 16, 1947 for the Diocese of Calicut. Later, in 1953, he was chosen to serve the newly formed Diocese of Thamarassery. Rev. Fr. C J Varkey, who was aware of the spiritual needs of his parishioners, founded the Congregation of Missionary Sisters of Mary Immaculate (MSMI) on Sept 8th, 1962. He rendered 16 long years of service in the parish of Kulathuvayal.   In 1973, he took charge as the full time Director of MSMI congregation and stayed at its Generalate in Kulathuvayal thereafter.

                In 1976-77, Rev Fr. Varkey came into the charismatic renewal movement and by divine inspiration, conducted charismatic retreats along with MSMI sisters. Seeing the great number of people coming into the experience of God, he decided to start a retreat centre. Thus in 1985, the Nirmala Retreat Centre (NRC) was started in Kulathuvayal. NRC became instrumental in inspiring many Consecrated and lay people to serve in the preaching ministry of the Catholic Church. A small group of young people, transformed by Catholic charismatic renewal, used to come together regularly to pray under the spiritual guidance of Msgr. C. J. Varkey.  This group, developed into the renowned ‘Shalom Ministries’. Shalom ministries have illuminated the lives of millions across the globe through a number of publications, television programmes and other new media initiatives. The ministry organizes retreats and leadership conferences inviting people to open their lives to Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

                Mgr. C J Varkey served as the Spiritual Director of Shalom Ministries till his death. During the 60th year of his ordination, on 4th January, 2007 the title of Monsignor was conferred on Father Varkey. On 24th June, 2009, at 6.10pm Mgr. C.J Varkey left for his heavenly abode. His mortal remains were brought to the Generalate of MSMI Congregation in Kulathuvayal and were solemnly buried there. 

                God offers His mercy, love and forgiveness in the Holy Sacrament of reconciliation. God says to us: "Now, let's settle this matter. You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as clean as snow. Although your stains are deep red, you will be as white as wool" {Isaiah 1: 18}.

                 When God forgives our sins, he casts our sins into an ocean of mercy, kindness, forgiveness and forgetfulness. St. Isaac the Syrian taught, "Our sins are as so many grains of sand cast into the ocean of God's mercy."

                Jesus had said, "I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine respectable people who do not need to repent."{Luke 15: 7}.

                Archbishop Fulton. J. Sheen says about the confessional in the Church, "In it is to be found the Sacred Heart of the forgiving Christ forgiving sinners through the uplifted hand of His priest as He once forgave through His own uplifted hands on the Cross." It is said that the Church is a hospital for sinners; not a museum for saints.