On Earth as it is
in Heaven
Vincent , a one-time
drunkard, is now the foster father of 29 rag pickers. He, who could not
maintain his wife and two children because of his alcoholism, is now caring
not only for his family but also for these street children.This is not
a myth. It is a reality. This is the marvel of God's providence. "Nothing
is impossible to God" (Lk 1:37)- This truth is testified to in the life
of Vincent and wife Anice as the following witness account proves.
- Editor
Vincent and his wife Anice
were reminiscing about bygone days and the satisfaction of a dream come
true. As he narrated how the divine hands of Jesus touched him and how
he was anointed for this ministry, his face visibly glowed with the innocence
and cheerfulness of a young lad.
Vincent was a heavy smoker
and alcoholic. Peace in the family was absolutely nil. Wife Anice kept
praying and waiting. After nine long years, the gentle touch of the love
and consolation of Jesus came to that family with the message of salvation.
Vincent and family were members of St Antony's Church at Elamakara, Kerala.
It was on the insistence of a Carmelite nun, Sr.Deborshe CMC, that Vincent
reluctantly attended a five-day Bible convention led by Fr J K Bill V C
in 1983.
The first day passed without
any change in Vincent. On the second day Father was speaking on the depths
of God's love illustrating it with the parable of the prodigal son in the
pigsty; when good sense prevailed the young man walked out of it towards
his father's house; the intensity of his love prompted the father to welcome
him with a warm embrace and prepare a banquet for him. Tears began welling
up in Vincent's eyes. He was slowly making his way towards his Heavenly
Father with a repentant heart.The closing sentence of the preacher's sermon
pierced Vincent through and through: "Son, you are always with me. Whatever
I have is yours." All defences were down and Vincent broke into tears.
When he enjoyed the sweetness of conversion, he was blessed with another
great healing.A bad ulcer which had plagued him for years was healed. Vincent,
who became a witness to Jesus during that convention, is still a witness
giving Jesus to numerous people; giving the word, himself being transformed
into the good news.
Vincent received the grace
to completely give up drinking and smoking. And then he began bringing
people to Jesus. He began to make arrangements to send groups of people
to various retreat centres in Kerala.He formed several prayer groups. Thousands,
who had not known Jesus, came to accept him as Saviour and Lord.It was
at this time that he sold his house at Elamakara and settled down at Edappally
because of financial straits.
Vincent was an autorickshaw
driver and had no other means of livelihood. A terrible pain in the legs
forced him to give up that job.Then followed days when he enjoyed the providential
care of God in a superb manner. The pain in his limbs disappeared whenever
he was engaged in the work of evangelisation.
The retreat that Anice made
at Tabor Retreat Centre at Kodumbidi,Palai, was an event that totally changed
the lifestyle of Vincent's family. Anice was listening to the talk given
by Fr George Kuttikkal who is in charge of a house for "The birds of the
air" (beggars on the streets) at Chennaipara near Thrissur. Anice received
a deep insight. There were ten "birds of the air" making their retreat
with her.Their presence proved an extra-ordinary experience of heavenly
joy for Anice. It was not enough being engaged in the ministry of the word
only on one plane. It was necessary to see Jesus in those around. She shared
this insight with Vincent. It was the fulfillment of a life-time for Anice,
who had cherished the desire to become a nurse and grown up with a deep
faith in God and devotion to the holy Rosary.
1994 saw a historical event
in the ancient Church at Edapally. The 1400 -year -old Church of St George
was celebrating its jubilee. Mother Teresa of Calcutta was the chief guest.Among
the thousands congregated there, was Vincent. A blessing from Mother Teresa
with her hand placed on his head, seemed to Vincent as a new and special
mandate being given to him by the Lord. The decision he made was a strong
one. The vision he had at Mass one day of Jesus standing before him in
the guise of a beggar, was a great inspiration to him, says he.
Shortly after, a retreat
was organised for "the birds of the air" in the Edappally parish hall.Vincent
was its chief organiser and Fr George Kuttikkal, the retreat preacher.
It became a turning point in a social revolution based on gospel values.
It was inaugurated by a
free noon-meal given to the beggars roaming about on the Ernakulam and
Alwaye railway stations and those coming to Kalur and Edappally Churches
on Tuesdays and First Fridays of the month. Friends began dissuading Vincent
from going ahead with his project. How could he, who had no means to maintain
his family, manage this work, they argued. But the words, "Cast all
your anxiety on him, because he cares for you"(1 Pet 5:7), gave Vincent
strength. Several people came forward to help. Psalm 23:1 became a source
of consolation: "The Lord is my shepherd. There is nothing I shall want."
Vincent is lovingly known among the street children as the "Appachan (Father)
of the street." The spiritual delight he enjoys while engaged in this ministry
is indescribable.
Sindhu, the elder of the
two children born to this couple is now married. The second girl Sneha,
just four yeas old, born to them in later years, when Anice was 43, posed
a problem-how were they to bring her up while busying themselves with this
ministry?
In October 1997, when the
doors of their house were opened to the "birds of the air," God took away
this anxiety from Anice. The blessing of this house, called "Preshidalayam",
took place on October 5 1997. The very same day a retreat for "the birds
of the air" was conducted by Fr Francis Dominic, a Capuchin priest. Soon
after, those who wished to stay in this house started coming.Bro Maurus,
who works day and night for rag pickers, is Vincent's close friend and
a frequent visitor to this house. There are four children here who were
brought by Bro Maurus. In the early stages this house was located in Eroor
near Trippunithura. Now it has been shifted to a thatched shed on a site
given free of rent by a generous person named Carmali, at Muttinakam in
Verapuzha.
Today these three stay here
along with 29 other inmates-from a four-month-old baby to an eighty-five-year
-old man. There is also an insane girl and homeless young women. The couple
introduced to us their elder young son, Shaji just turned twenty. Looking
at eighteen-year-old Victor from Andhra, Vincent and Anice said: "This
is our second son." The other children kept hanging on to Vincent's arms
or Anice's sari.
They experience any number
of heavenly moments of divine providence in their day-to-day life. Generous
people come forward to support this large family. Vincent recalled a poignant
moment. Last Christmas was their first one after the home was established.
The children crowded around Vincent crying, "Appacha, this is our first
Christmas. We must celebrate it merrily." Vincent's eyes brimmed with tears.
"I don't have anything, darlings," he said. "Let us tell our heavenly Father
about it." A real marvel took place. All that was needed for a happy celebration
somehow came to them as gifts from donors. Anice gratefully recalled Jesus
words, "I will not leave you orphans" (Jn 14:18).
There was an incident that
took place while they were at Eroor. To their neighbour Radakrishnan, Vincent
and his family were subjects of great admiration. Their love, unity and
fraternal charity made a great impression on Radhakrishnan. For his son's
birthday, the chief guests were none but this benevolent man and his family.
Vincent says with a sense
of great gratitude: "From the time these God-given children entered my
house, it has been abundantly blessed by God's mercy. My wife and I are
extremely happy in the work we do." Looking at the elderly Vishwambharan,
Vincent says, "The sorrow of having lost my dad is made up by him". "Jesus
Youth" members had brought Vishwambharan to this house, when, having lost
all his property in Palai, he had landed at Vypeen, as a beggar. Victor,
the second son, is a linguist, having mastered five languages. He wishes
to be an evangelist. Now he is busy learning to play the organ and leads
the intercessory prayer every day.
To Vincent and Anice these
words give strength and courage: "When the Son of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory"
(Mt 25-31). "See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according
to everyone's work"(Rev 22:12). Vincent and Anice are waiting for the
Lord and the reward he will bring . Waiting and praying.
Bro Vincent
Kurian
Preshitalayam
Charitable Trust Muttinakam, Depokadavu,
Verapuzha P.O
683 517.
(Prepared by Leeji
John Tholath)