The recent Triple Celebration Symposium at Vailankanni was more than just a gathering; it was a profound learning experience for the Catholic laity of Tamil Nadu. Focused on the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and the inspiring legacy of Saint Devasahayam, the event served as a masterclass in modern lay leadership.
However, for me, the true "awakening" happened in the spaces between the sessions—in the heat, the physical struggle, and the long road to a fresh start.
The Physicality of Penance
As a professional with nine years in the banking sector, I am used to "operations"—to systems that must be clear to function. Yet, I arrived in Vailankanni feeling "blocked." The intense heat triggered a grueling headache and a digestive rebellion that forced me to slow down.
I realized then that transformation is rarely comfortable. Offering my prayers in the Holy Tank and eventually seeking the Sacrament of Confession, I felt a physical and spiritual "clearing." You cannot pour new wine into old wineskins; I had to let go of the "Old Man"—the stress of the corporate grind and the internal blockages—before I could receive the message of the symposium.
From Lectures to the Basilica
While the lectures gave me the "why," my trip to the Poondi Madha Basilica gave me the "how." Taking the 07:00 AM train to Budalur, I moved from the crowded energy of the symposium to a space of deep, personal silence.
One line from the sessions stuck with me: "Differences are natural, but discrimination is not."
As I prepared for the 12:30 PM Mass at Poondi, I saw my career at Bank of America through a new lens. My workplace is my mission field. To be "Salt, Light, and Leaven" means returning to Chennai to see the natural variety in my team not as a hierarchy, but as a community. If Saint Devasahayam could witness to equality in the face of death, I can certainly witness to it in the face of a busy work week.
My Lenten Blueprint: Turning Knowledge into Action
To ensure this spark doesn't fade, I am committing to a structured Lenten plan that integrates my spiritual goals with my daily life:
Discipline of the Temple: Treating my body with respect through my 3km daily walks, cycling, and mindful nutrition—maintaining the "reset" I found this weekend.
The Call to Study: I will move from being a spectator to a participant by deeply studying the Vatican II documents gifted to us, grounding my faith in intellectual reflection.
Witness in the Public Square: Understanding our Constitution and civic duties is not separate from my faith. I commit to being an informed, active citizen.
Social Leaven: Using my blog and my role in Training and Development to act as a positive force for change, ensuring that in my circles, differences are celebrated and discrimination is challenged.
The symposium has ignited the spark. The pilgrimage to Poondi provided the peace. Now, it is time to lead with a spirit of service and a "New Man" awareness.
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