Yesterday a youngster wanting to make his confession was directed to my office by one of our staff members (who did not know what exactly he was asking for!). I was more than neck-deep in some urgent and complicated stuff, juggling more than a couple of them delicately. Nonetheless, I tried to locate a Priest to hear his confession. That's when he said he wanted to confess in Malayalam. So the search was narrowed down still further. Unfortunately no one was immediately available and I asked the young man if he could come a little while later - more than for him, I was making time for myself. To my surprise, he returned exactly at the specified time.
This time I walked up, with the young man in tow, to the neighbouring community in search of a priest. I didn't find any - at least none who could speak Malayalam. So I again asked him for some more time. I got back to my office. And again, at the agreed time, there appears the young man at my door. Looking at the fervour of this youngster, this time I was more than eager to assist.
Ultimately I approached Fr AR Jose. He was in bed, unable to get up, due to his illness and was merely covered in a bedsheet. Initially he wanted to get into his wheel chair but I thought that would be asking too much of him. So I convinced him to stay in bed, got him a stole and led the young man to his bedside. And returned to my office!
My greatest joy in this whole episode was to be able to facilitate the reception of the sacrament for a young man so greatly desirous of it. Greater joy was when the young man, after making his confession, joyfully came looking for me to thank me. This act of mine may not be counted as a sacramental service, but is certainly pastoral! And who says, Brothers cannot do pastoral work!!
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