Kerala’s victory over extreme poverty belongs to neither church nor state alone. It belongs to their convergence, five centuries of institution-building meeting four years of policy precision.
On October 4, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. He prayed: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” Today, this prayer also calls us to make peace with creation.
The issue is not God’s refusal to speak, but our refusal to hear. God’s voice can be found in Scripture, in nature, in conscience, and in other people.
In a world often obsessed with quick wealth and digital distractions, the Family Farm School remains a quiet reminder: real growth is cultivated patiently, on the land and in the human spirit.
As a little boy in my family home in a rubber plantation in Johor, 7 pm daily meant kneeling in the living room as the candles flickered before a small altar, hosting the Cross and several statues of saints, and of course, the Blessed Virgin Mary.
If you have drifted away, if fear or pride has held you back, know this: your first home of faith is still yours. The story of returning home is not just Michael’s, but all of ours. The Father remains, the table is still set, and the invitation endures: “Welcome home.”
“One day, an Italian PIME priest came to our village to preach the Word of God. He invited me to join a hostel, and I accepted. Gradually, my life began to change,” said Fr. Vincent Baburam Hasdak
As part of the Jubilee Year of Hope, the Archdiocese of Kuching in Sarawak, East Malaysia, will open its doors through the Landings Programme – a nine-week journey of faith, hope, and love will run from October 3 to December 5 - offering a gentle path home for Catholics who have drifted away from the Church - guiding them back with welcome and care.
While this year’s cancellation is regrettable, the Diocese and the Asmat Museum remain hopeful that the issues will soon be resolved, so that the festival can continue in the years ahead in its usual spirit, as a living witness to the resilience and creativity of the Asmat people.
“We have a new patron saint,” he said, his voice carrying across the small congregation of shopkeepers, teachers, and daily wage workers. “Pope Leo has declared Saint Devasahayam the patron saint of all lay people in India.”
Some plant trees, others take recycling seriously, while many embrace simpler lifestyles in solidarity with the earth. For Malaysian artist Christine Das, the response took an unexpected path; her brush became her voice, and her canvas a witness.
During the Season of Creation, celebrated in the Church from September 1 to October 4, we are encouraged not only to pray for creation but also to pray with creation.
Despite heavy rains and floodwaters, Bishop Broderick Soncuaco Pabillo, Vicar Apostolic of Taytay, Philippines, made a pastoral visit to the remote island community of Cagait in Culion, Palawan, from September 13 to 15, 2025.
“To you, the countless millions of men and women, our brothers and sisters who live in Asia, this crossroads of cultures ancient and modern… the blessing of God, abiding peace and fraternity,” Saint Paul VI
Over the years, the Church became a moral compass for Filipinos, denouncing human rights violations, exposing corruption, and encouraging peaceful resistance.
The theme for the Season of Creation 2025 is “Peace with Creation.” It invites reflection on the ecological challenges facing the planet and calls for renewed commitment to justice, sustainability, and spiritual renewal.
Fr. Lucien Legrand, MEP, embodied four great pillars of priestly life: prayer, hard work, humility, and compassion. His scholarship was not for prestige but for service.
