LET'S CROWD HEAVEN | KAIROS GLOBAL | NOVEMBER 2021

Author: Dr. Chackochan J Njavallil

Saint Francis is a fictionalised biography of Francis of Assisi, whose renunciation of his life of leisure and founding of a religious order dedicated to living in poverty and sharing the Gospels with all living things, profoundly influence the ways in which Christians the world over worship and give service to God even today. Recounted in Nikos Kazantzakis’s striking prose through the eyes of the saint’s brother, Leo, the life of Saint Francis shines in these pages as a heroic example of inspirational leadership and boundless love for God and all his creatures.

I read the Malayalam translation of the book more than once and am tempted to read it again. What I liked more in the book is the author's attempt to present Francis of Assisi as a simple and ordinary human being, who strives hard to overcome his limitations. This is in stark contrast to the usually glorified depiction of holy people and thus helps us to easily relate to such a person. 

It was during my middle-school years that I read the biography of Don Bosco. I doubt whether that book is still available in print but many of its cartoons and pictures are still vivid in my mind. Young Johnny trying to impress children by climbing atop a tree, performing magic to wean children away from the vicious influence of a con man and other similar incidents helped me easily relate to him.

Also interesting is the recollection of my higher secondary self, when a friend and I prepared and presented a kathaprasangam (recitation) on the life of Maria Goretti.

If asked about my favourite saint, I don’t think an immediate response would follow. I live only 45 minutes away from the shrine of St. Alphonsa, have been greatly impressed by the contributions of St. Kuriakose Chavara, deeply moved by the influence and impact of St. Mother Teresa, the great mission of love and service lived by the Little Flower, touched by the conversion of St. Augustine, the creative and innovative mind of St. Don Bosco, and so on.

Who is your favourite saint? Why do you love that saint so significantly? You may have read, heard of or watched videos related to that person. Or you probably are named after that saint or someone in your family was particularly fond of the saint. Whatever be the reason, Kairos Global offers you an opportunity to reflect and recollect about your favourite saint, this November.  

Let's draw inspiration from the lives of these ordinary people who became extraordinary. Let's strive to be saints like them, whether canonised or not. Let's make heaven a crowded and busy place.