‘Poverello’ – the Life-story of St.Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)
The grace of God ’lone suffices
To help all persons live on earth,
A life, God-directed, divine,
And leave the world in happy state!
A wealthy merchant father’s son,
The boy was christened ‘Giovanni’
After ‘St.John, the Baptist’;
His name was changed to ‘Francesco’;
The lad grew up in lavish ways!
The boy was fond of songs in French-
Troubadours and French traditions;
He was a Roman Catholic,
But loved his Mother Nature much.
His father wished son be like him:
A wealthy businessman and great!
The boy grew up at first that way;
And led a group of raucous men!
His life was easy, staying rich;
He loved his fatherland, France;
He loved the romantic French songs;
War was one way to turn noble.
He joined the war ’gainst Perugia;
His many companions got killed;
He spent a year of dungeon life,
Resuming life of revelry!
Allured by glory, war could give,
He joined the Fourth Crusade again;
With fine a horse, costly armour,
He left for war, a clarion call!
But having galloped for one day,
He heard God talk to him in dream:
God bade him come back to his home;
And Francis obeyed God at once!
His angry father lost control;
He could not bear son’s cowardice;
He had to give up ‘right as heir’;
And led a life of fervent prayer!
God’s spirit took over his soul;
He started meditating much;
He kissed a leper’s hand to show –
‘All men are equal before God! ’
‘Repair my Church! ’ said God to him;
He sold his father’s cloth, rebuilt
The damaged Church wherein he prayed;
But God’s mission was much bigger!
The grace of God was all enough
To make a person live on earth;
In poverty, he spent his life,
And served the poorest poor in strife!
His former wealthy friends joined him.
They followed him to serve the poor;
A humble existence was prime;
To follow Jesus Christ was aim!
In poverty, he was near God;
He surrendered his life to Him;
His health was never good at times;
He got the stigmata while blind!
His master-piece was writ in French:
‘The Canticle of the Sun’
that praised the beauty of Nature,
a holy poem famous still!
He died at age of forty-five;
He was a saint declared by all!
His life was so exemplary!
The ‘Poverello’ lives with God!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 3-26-2009
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Saint Jeanne Jugan (Foundress of ‘Little Sisters of the Poor’)
When four, she lost her father while at sea!
Her mother worked hard, raising family!
She grew in France amidst Revolution;
Her love of God was her life’s solution.
She cared for sick and poor elderly souls,
By assuming the humblest of earth’s roles!
Young Jeanne Jugan grew up a shepherdess;
Her love for Jesus made her a Foundress!
With heart aflame with fire of love for God,
She sacrificed her life for Jesus Lord!
Through exemplary life, she showed the world
That love of God was worth more than all gold.
The elderly poor needed love and care;
So, young Jeanne chose the road traveled quite rare.
Her charity became a noble cause;
She worked for poor without making a pause.
It was a time when violence was rife,
And begging was common by those in strife;
She followed Christ, carrying her cross of life,
And served the poor and downtrodden all life.
Her name was ‘Sister Mary of the cross! ’
All life, Christ Jesus Lord was her one boss!
‘Come to my aid, O God, ’ she prayed and cried
all life in humility, till she died!
A Saint for elderly and every age,
She wrote her life upon a golden page;
She saw the Lord in every poor man’s face,
And served God through her love of human race!
‘God wanted her all for Himself, ’ she said,
‘And kept her for a work yet unfounded! ’
On October eleven, two thousand nine,
The Blessed Jeanne Jugan became a Saint!
Dedicated fondly in memory of the Sister Saint.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 10-25-2009
poem by John Celes
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Life of St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (in verse)
A baby boy was born
To peasants, one fine morn;
And christened Francesco,
A day after birth, Oh!
Much pious was the lad,
In world so very bad;
He prayed a lot in life,
And didn’t mind any strife!
He loved to be a priest,
And work for Jesus Christ;
And loved the cassock brown
Of Capuchins in town!
He talked with Christ each day,
And guardian angel Fay;
And Mother Mary too –
His duty well, to do!
He joined the Friary,
As per his wish-diary;
And took his priestly vows,
In Capuchin’s main House!
He lived a humble life,
Despite his sickness rife;
And saw Christ in his dreams:
All crucified, it seems!
He chose the suff’ring way;
And so, in illness lay;
He took the prayer-key,
Opening Eternity!
God gave him unique gifts,
And spiritual uplifts;
He wrought miracles great,
And kept soul like clean slate.
He was a good preacher;
He was a good teacher;
And said the Holy Mass;
Heard confessions, Alas!
He loved the Holy Cross;
Christ Jesus was his boss;
He prayed the Rosary
Fervently to Mary.
He lived to ripe old age,
And turned to be a sage;
They saw him in places
Afar, with love’s gazes.
He used to tell others:
Pray, Hope – sisters, brothers;
And don’t worry at all:
God lifts you if you fall.
‘Confess your sins’, he said;
‘Fill soul with grace instead;
Avoid Almighty’s rod,
And take more souls to God.’
Christ’s stigmata, he had:
The wounds painfully bled;
But just before his death,
They healed with his last breath!
Christ’s stigmata, He bore,
For fifty years or more;
The crucifix, he held
All life, as God’s love welled!
Close to his heart, the Cross –
Yes, Jesus was his boss!
His love of God was great;
For sins, he had a hate.
A poor friar, he was,
And toiled for divine cause;
Despite a not good health,
But virtues – his one wealth!
God made him ‘Blessed’ soon,
And canonized him – boon
To Capuchin’s order,
That spread his good odor!
Even the earth, may be,
Without the sun surely;
But Holy Mass is one
Sacrifice of God’s Son!
Lovingly dedicated to St. Padre Pio
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-20-2008
poem by John Celes
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St. Peter Julian Eymard, ‘The Apostle of the Eucharist’
Founder, Societas Sanctissimi Sacramenti (SSS)
And Third Order of Mary (Feb 4,1811- Aug 1,1868)
The saint exhorted:
‘Go set the world afire,
For love of Eucharist!
Adore the Lord Jesus
In the Blessed Sacrament.’
‘Glorify God always;
Let Eucharist reign world;
Go often to Jesus,
Alive in Eucharist.’
‘The Holy Eucharist
Is the fountain of life;
Receive the Lord Jesus,
Often into your heart! ’
The cross appeared before mind’s eyes,
And beckoned him to follow it;
‘Give up all worldly, carnal ties, ’
Said Jesus Christ. ‘Follow, grace-lit! ’
The call was loud and clarion;
The Lord had plans for Julian;
There was never much confusion;
God gave him divine fore-vision!
The teenager from country France
Was born when dawned art, music, dance;
His poor physique and poverty,
Delayed life in Seminary.
He tried again when twenty-three,
And was ordained a priest at last;
For the Grenoble Diocese;
His service done became too vast.
Eymard believed in confession,
Repentance and reparation;
This was the soul’s preparation,
For a life of Lord’s adoration.
The spirit grows stronger in Christ,
With frequent communion athirst;
The Marist years made him good priest;
His love of Jesus never ceased.
He practiced vows of chastity,
Obedience and poverty;
His Eucharistic piety,
Engulfed the French Church freely.
Despite his poor physical health,
He grew in Lord Jesus Christ’s wealth.
His love of Christ seized upon him;
He gifted his whole self to Him!
‘The Apostle of the Eucharist’
Spread devotion to Jesus Christ;
To him, Jesus was always first –
That was why he became a priest.
‘O Sacrament, most Holy!
O Sacrament divine;
All praise and thanks-giving,
Be every moment, Thine! ’
Copyright by Dr John Celes 13-10-10
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Sonnet: Like Father, so Son
A father loves that son, who most obeys,
And maintains sense of values in his life,
And tends to parents when old, in last days,
With faith in God, unswerving, amidst strife.
A son loves father who is role-model,
And lives an exemplary life on earth,
Good-principled, undaunted, healthy, well,
And loves the son, whole-heartedly from birth.
With time, the son must equal father’s feats,
Surpassing him in fields where possible;
The father’s happy when son, glory meets,
And does great things which were impossible.
Like father, so will son then tend to be-
A truth the world will almost, always see.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 3-3-2008
poem by John Celes
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The Priest with Christ’s Stigmata – St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina
A baby boy was born
to Catholic parents both –
Father, Grazio and mother, Maria,
On May25,1887,
In Pietrelcina, town in Italy.
Fourth amongst the seven children,
He was baptized next day as Francesco,
After St. Francis of Assisi,
At Castle Church.
He was a special child of God.
The Forgione family
Was pious to the core;
They were just peasants;
Although, they could not read or write,
They kept God above everything:
Attending daily mass;
Reciting Rosary,
And fasting quite often;
They told their children
Bible stories and Scriptures
By heart!
Strong faith in Jesus Christ
Was nurtured in Pio
When he was only five!
He spoke to Jesus,
Mother Mary,
And guardian angel,
And suffered temptations
From devils.
When only ten years’ old,
He yearned to be a friar
Of the Capuchin order.
He joined the order
And took the habit
When he was fifteen,
And the name, Pio
After Saint Pius V.
At twenty-three,
He was ordained priest,
And said his first mass,
Four days later.
A month later,
He got the stigmata
Of Jesus Christ;
Unable to bear
The annoyance,
He prayed;
The wounds vanished
For a while.
Pio desired to suffer
Secretly.
Due to illness,
Pio was sent home
But kept his friar life –
Said mass,
And taught at school.
He went to the friary
Of Our Lady of Grace,
And led a holy, simple life.
Ordered to work
In the Italian Medical Corps,
He was unhappy,
But was discharged soon.
Pio grew up in piety;
‘Prepare for battle in the morning;
Purify your soul in the evening;
Pray, hope and don’t worry.’ –
Were his keys to spiritual success.
Pio prayed for the end to the World War;
He saw Christ and got a wound on his side;
It showed his love of God and vice-versa.
In 1918, he saw the wounded Christ
And received the Visible Stigmata:
The five wounds of Jesus Christ
Forever – a gift of God!
The wounds were painful
And bled from time to time.
For fifty years, he bore
The stigmata of Christ!
The blood had an odor of perfume;
He could Prophesy and foretell;
Bilocation was his unique power.
He read the sins of persons
Who came to him to confess.
Padre Pio became famous
So, did the Friary and the Church;
People flocked to see and confess sins;
Pio became very busy;
He’d barely just two hours to sleep!
Spiritual fame brought detractors;
False accusations were leveled;
They tried to curb his work-schedule;
They tried to transfer him afar.
Undeterred, Padre Pio continued;
The ban on Mass was soon reversed;
His faculties were soon restored;
He was also allowed to preach.
More pilgrims flocked to visit him;
He heard their confessions promptly;
Pio started a Medical Center;
A larger Church was constructed.
He’s known now internationally!
With over-work, he became ill;
And bed-ridden in 1968.
He died in the early morning;
As he’d foretold, he lived sick
But died healthy, at 81 yrs’ of age,
on September 23,1968.
With the stigmata,
All healed!
A lakh of people attended
His holy funeral!
His yoke though heavy,
In Christ became easy;
And his burden light,
When borne with faith in Christ.
The crucified Christ
Had chosen the lad
To be a priest,
And make Him glad.
He was declared ‘Blessed’
On May,2,1999,
And Saint, on June 16,2002
Both by Pope John Paul II.
He’d drawn a lot of souls,
Closer to God!
Padre Pio loved to repeat:
‘I’m a poor Franciscan who prays;
Prayer is the best weapon, we have –
A key that opens the Heart of God! ’
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-19-2008
poem by John Celes
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Tis True What Is Said About People
'Tis true what is said about people that everyone has a life story to tell
Though not everybody's life story in book form a million copies would sell
The biography of a poor homeless person many would not be interested to read
Life's journey from the poorest suburb to success for most people never lead
The lives of elite sports people and celebrities and those of power and money makes the best sellers list
Just reading of and hearing about them the masses cannot seem to resist
Suppose we only admire in others what we ourselves aspire to be
Most wish to be wealthy and famous and none wish to live in poverty
Most do wish to be wealthy and famous and others their praises to sing
Suppose to wish to be loved and admired is quite human it does seem a natural thing
But the road to success is a steep road and few ever climb to renown
And what hope for the poor and the homeless who live in the poor side of the town?
You ask one of their life wishes poverty he or she never choose
But the sad thing about the Human World is that for one to win many must lose.
poem by Francis Duggan
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Little Flower of Jesus Christ - ‘St. Therese of Lisieux
O little Flower of Jesus Christ!
How young and yet so wise, you turned!
And showed the world that heaven's first;
For love of Christ, your heart well burned!
You had your way, when pampered young;
The clarion call of God, you heard;
Though suff'ring from TB of lung,
You changed a cloistered divine bird!
How sad you lost four sisters, mom!
Their demise hurt your heart profound;
But then, you did Jesus welcome,
And turned earth heavenly a ground!
In just short span of life on earth,
You proved ‘like children' all must live
In love of God, and right from birth;
In to will of heaven, we must give!
For sake of Christ, you lived your life;
And preached that love was one thing prime,
That helps us through, our joys and strife,
And live Christ-centred for life-time!
O saint and Doctor of the church!
Pray that all sinners well repent;
No soul for want of light must lurch,
But walk in heaven's road, God-lent!
Fondly dedicated to the poetess-nun, St.Therese of Lisieux! '
Copyright by Dr John Celes 30-08-12
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Bible in Poetry: Gospel of St. John (Chapter 17)
When Jesus had said this, He raised
His eyes to heav’n and said, ‘Father,
The hour has come to glorify your son,
So that, He may then, glorify You too.’
‘You gave Him authority o’er
All people so that, He may give
Eternal life to all you gave.’
‘As this is eternal life then,
They should know you, the one true God,
And one you’d sent, that’s Jesus Christ.’
‘I accomplished the work you gave,
And glorified You here on earth;
So, glorify me Father then
With all the glory I’ad before.’
‘I told your name to ones you chose
To give it to, out of the world;
They were your sheep and kept your word
They know all that I gave is yours,
Because, they accepted my words,
And truly understood I came,
From you and sent by you alone.’
‘I pray for those you’ve given me,
And not for rest ones of the world;
And everything of mine is yours,
And everything of yours is mine.’
‘I have been glorified in them;
No longer will I be on earth,
But they remain all in the world;
I come to you Holy Father,
To keep their names as one as we’re.’
‘I protected them when I should;
I guarded them and none got lost,
Except the son of destruction,
So that, scripture may be fulfilled.’
‘So now, I am coming to you;
I tell you this to share my joy;
I gave your word and world hated
Because, they do not belong there.’
‘I ask not for taking them out,
But guard them against Evil One;
Like me, they don’t belong to world;
Consecrate them in word that’s truth.’
‘Like how you sent me to the world,
I sent them into world likewise;
I pray for them and also those,
Who will believe me through their word.
So that, they may be all as one,
And they may also be in us.’
‘I’ve given all glory you gave them,
So that they may be one as we’re.
That they may be in perfection,
And you loved them as you sent me.’
‘They are your gift to me Father.
I wish that they could come with me;
So that they see my glory well;
As you loved me from former times.’
‘O Righteous Father, world knows not,
But I know you right from the start;
I’ve told them all, your name and mine;
So that your love in all remain.’
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-25-2007
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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St. Anthony of Padua
A son of noble parents rich
Of Portuguese lineage
His Baptism name Ferdinand
Grew up fifteen of age
He never cared for lucre
He renounced worldly things
To follow Christ seemed greater
‘The Lord and King of Kings! ’
He loved the habit friars wore
Of St, Assisi clan
So, left the Augustinian door
To be a hermit man
He read the Holy Scriptures well
And preached and taught, they tell
His memory was indeed swell
Although he had turned ill!
The Lord gave him the gift of the gab
To Anthony, now named
His erudite speeches would stab
heretic’s hearts unashamed
He worked miracles so often
He found lost things quickly
He sermonised to fish even
Although he had ‘dropsy’!
He loved the poor brethren so much
He taunted crime doers
With hands of miracle a touch
He made them church goers!
His love of Jesus was too great
He loved a martyr’s fate
Poison didn’t work when he ate
His life was clean a slate
And when he died, most children cried
‘The Holy father’s dead! ’
All on their own, most church bells tolled
In Padua, people said
The hermit was made saint too soon
A year after his death
His earthly life was all a boon,
Until his very last, breath!
They say that baby Jesus came
And climbed upon his hand
He had a stick with live lilies
An icon of the land!
poem by John Celes
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On Becoming a Priest…
Tomorrow may not come at all;
Listen today to Jesus’ call;
Now is the time to truly act;
This is the truth of life and fact.
The man of poverty can shine,
More than the moon or sun so fine;
Humble yourself and make accord
For life, with Almighty God, Lord.
Stands before him, the Holy Cross;
God shows that Jesus Christ is boss;
The Monstrance is Christ’s earthly home;
The penitent is most welcome.
Only the soul pure can commune,
And walk or run to divine tune;
The Eucharist is prime in life,
No matter any kind of strife.
The body, blood of Jesus Christ
Is food for any holy priest;
Nothing can deter when God calls,
For Jesus lifts you up from falls!
The greatest gift of life from God
Is returned back to Jesus Lord;
The world or devils can’t stop you
From love of God, that you thus do.
The grace of God strengthens your soul,
And brazens you up for new role;
And if your calling is so true,
God gives you every kind of cue.
Ascertaining your love for Him,
While crave for world turns very dim,
The oracle is very clear;
The road to heaven brings no fear.
One needs to do much sacrifice,
And give up every kind of vice;
For anyone can turn a saint,
When grace of God becomes soul’s paint!
The Lord will surely help you out
From obstacles, without a doubt;
For, priesthood is the clarion call
For man to enter God’s own hall.
Ordination is Sacrament
Most Holy, and most paramount;
God’s love encompasses the soul;
Service to God becomes prime goal.
The road to heaven becomes straight;
Eternity with God is fate;
Bringing more souls to God is prime;
God shows the way in His own time!
Love priesthood, man for God beckons,
And Jesus Christ Himself reckons;
Rewards in Heaven you await,
However narrow be its gate!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 10-12-10
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Love of The Cross
Love my friend, is best described, by The One who came and died.
Sent down by The Father’s Love, from His Heavenly Throne above.
Christ left His Throne in Eternity, and came to earth for you and me.
Friend, He came with His life to give, so that all men could truly live.
Because The Father loved us so, God sent His Son for all to know,
Whosoever would believe in Him, Christ would wash away their sin,
To be remembered by God no more, if you accept His Son as Lord.
For His love sent Jesus Christ, to the cross as our atoning sacrifice.
God’s Love was sent for all men, who in trespass stood condemned.
While we were still sinners friend, Jesus who had no sin died for men.
What better love could there be, than One who died for you and me?
And through the Love of Jesus Christ, He grants all men Eternal Life.
And in His Love God did not leave, all those men who would believe.
From them, Christ did not depart, as He sent His Spirit into our heart.
The very moment that we believed, The Holy Spirit we then received.
The Holy Spirit sent to us by Christ, is a guide and comfort in our life.
The Love God displayed on the cross, was for a world of sinners lost.
God’s Love is available to anyone, who by faith shall accept His Son.
The Love of Christ will never end, and all you do is believe my friend.
Then His Love will fill you and me, from the cross through all Eternity.
(Copyright ©04/2006)
Thanksgiving On my Birthday
O thank you mum, for giving birth to me,
Unlike the mothers who abort their babes;
The love and care you showed for me was fine;
You toiled so much to make the man, I am!
O thank you dad for rearing me so well,
Unlike the fathers who neglect their young;
The exemplary life you lived on earth
Made you my role-model unmatched till date!
O thank you sisters, brother - all of you,
For sharing in my joys and woes on earth;
Despite some strife, we spent a joyful time,
Experiencing life every moment!
O thank you teachers, neighbours, friends and foes;
You taught me things in life of value great;
And without you, life could have been a bore;
I thank you Mother Nature, my teacher!
O thank you dear, my wife beloved one;
And thank you children for your obedience;
You made our home a pretty one indeed;
God bless and keep you healthy, wealthy, wise!
O thank you God for blessings and your grace;
Your boundless love revealed I am special;
O help me do my duty to my race,
And earn my place in heaven in great style!
O thank you Almighty for my birthday,
That falls on Valentine's Day - lovely day!
And let me pen poems on love for all
Who want to lead a virtuous life, God's way!
'Happy Valentine's Day! '
Copyright by Dr John Celes 14-02-12
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Glory of The Lord
The Glory of The Lord came down, in the midst of men, He was found,
When on this darkened earthly sod, men had beheld the Glory of God.
John the Baptist prepared the way, for the Glory of Christ on that day,
When upon this earth came the Light, displayed by God in men’s sight.
When Christ, by John, was baptized, He by His Father was recognized,
For that moment His Father seized, to say, in His Son He was pleased.
Then The Spirit in the form of a dove, descended on Christ from above,
Acknowledging Christ for everyone, confirming that Jesus was His Son.
Through The Spirit of The Lord, the Father and Son are of one accord,
Healing and teaching He’d proclaim, all authority in His Father’s Name.
Christ had spoke with such authority, coming from The God of Eternity,
For all Authority was given to Christ; The Son who came to give us life.
Even when Christ Jesus had died, His Father in Heaven was Glorified,
As this earth quaked down below, many hearts of men began to know,
This was The Christ God had sent, as He had the Temple curtain rent.
As one soldier said with a fearful nod, surely this was The Son of God.
Although that day Christ was killed, it was God’s Word that He fulfilled,
Being buried by men close to Him, in a tomb in the midst of men of sin.
But, much to the surprise of men, in three days, Christ had risen again.
He was resurrected just as before; Glorified again was Christ our Lord.
And Jesus again appeared to those, who heard from the grave he rose,
Appearing to men in a body Glorified, Christ who on the cross had died.
After forty days Christ would ascend, to Heaven as risen Savior of men,
And the Heavenly Glory was restored, to Jesus Christ, the Eternal Lord.
Obituary: To My Beloved Parents
My Dear Dad:
From humble beginnings, my dad
Rose up by sheer struggle in life,
And turned a teacher to serve God,
Uncorrupted and straightforward.
He kept God first, within his heart,
And did his earthly duty, part
Unflinchingly, undauntedly,
And showed the world, his love for Christ!
Oh, what a fine man, my dad was!
He loved his brethren like himself;
He did not care for his own life;
He did his part for sake of Christ.
The wealth he made was his children;
His air of pride was his good wife;
He smiled while facing life’s troubles;
He bore his cross and followed Christ.
He stood steadfast in honesty;
He taught the pupil worst in class;
He towered high with confidence;
He would not dither from his God.
My Dear Mum:
And in his task, his wife joined him,
A pious lady from the start;
She did her duty to husband
And children without second thought.
She loved her family members all,
And kept the harmony intact;
She prayed fervently throughout life,
And waded safely through all strife.
A workaholic, all her life,
She helped her children’s assignments,
Encouraging souls all alike,
To walk on ‘heaven’s road on earth’.
She was a lovely mum and wife;
She eased her bread-winner’s worries;
She loved to do much charity;
She lived beyond ninety-three age!
We children are so proud of both;
They earned their heaven here on earth;
They both lived exemplary lives;
We pray we’ll meet in God’s abode!
God, make that day soon possible;
The life on earth worthlessly goes;
Oh, how we wish to see and speak
To dad and mum, in heav’n above!
Dedicated to my dear dad, (late) A.T.Antoniswami,
And dear mum, (late) Stella Thangamarie
Copyright by Dr John Celes 24-06-2010
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Honor Our Father! ! !
I remember when I was young,
My New Life with Christ, Just begun,
I became Born-again!
I'll Never forget that day,
When Jesus came in my heart, To Stay!
He's been guiding me all this way,
One day I asked Him'Father, What should I do?
My earthly Dad, wants to be called father too
I know Your Word says, Call No man Father
On Earth, But Only Our Father in Heaven,
You're The Father -of us all, This is True! ! !
Father replied'My Child, You don't understand
'I AM' 'Your Holy Father'
Your earthly father is a Human, man
But You are to Honor Your Father and Mother,
Because that's one of My Commands,
By Honoring them, You also Honor Me!
I appointed Your Parents, to guide You to see,
Jesus! Through Him, You've come to me,
'I AM' The Holy Father, I give Eternal Life!
poem by Patricia Martin
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Yet By Grace
I’ve experienced a lot of grace, while on earth I’ve run my race,
This race on earth, we call life, while being led by Jesus Christ;
The Grace of God, so undeserved, yet by grace I have served,
The Eternal God and Creator, when by Grace, I met The Savior.
God’s Grace I had never known, while Truth I was never shown,
Bible Truths from God of Eternity, yet by Grace, He saved me;
It was God Who loved me first, while an unbeliever at my worst,
Deceived, lost and totally depraved, yet by Grace, I was saved.
After cleansing me of my sin, His Grace to me would just begin,
As I began this life brand new, God’s Grace did see me through;
Starting life on the narrow way, with God leading me day to day,
His Grace was apparent in my life, guided by the Spirit of Christ.
The grace God had granted to me, in a weary world set me free,
Freed from the anxieties of life, in a world that’s filled with strife,
And as I live my life day to day, His Grace given, is here to stay,
To quiet all that anxiety and fear, as life’s troubles do draw near.
His Grace is there at every bend, being all sufficient with no end,
Especially in the darkest of time, surely dispersed by His design,
Grace that brings comfort and light, while in that darkest of night,
Along come trial’s gloomy rays, yet His Grace comforts my days.
(Copyright ©12/2011)
God, I am Yours (a prayer)
God, I am Yours –
My body, mind, spirit and soul;
You made me with Your divine love;
Let me proclaim the same love
To everyone in this world You made;
Let me renounce all that is sinful;
Let me live life as per Your code;
Let me reveal to the world Your great love for humanity;
Let me lead an exemplary life so that others and non-believers
realize the presence of God in everything I do;
Let me suffer if need be for Thine sake
And bear witness of Thine only Son and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Let me bear my cross and walk in His footsteps to Calvary;
Let me show others how special I am in being a Roman Catholic;
Let me change the world and make it a better place for all to live;
Let me tell the atheists that there is a living, loving, longing God,
Who cares for all and wants us all to be back with Him,
In the city of Eternal bliss called Heaven, the Abode of God.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 15-2-2009
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The So Called Good Economic Managers
Due to Government mismanagement we see a society in decay
And the wealthy at the expense of the poor get wealthier it should never be that way
In so called affluent Western Nations people live rough on the street
Without a place to call home to out of rubbish bins they eat.
The Government due to so called good economic management get re-elected but the poor getting more poor
And for the youth of the poor Suburbs job opportunities are fewer
And many young people never find employment because of their address
And lack of career opportunities give rise to feelings of hopelessness.
Life is tough for those in the poor Suburbs where poverty is rife
From the day that they are born they must struggle on through life
The Monarch became Monarch due to birthright doesn't life seem so unfair
Whilst millions are dying of hunger in the bigger World out there.
The so called good economic managers are back in power again
But from their good economic management only the wealthy gain
And even in so called wealthy Western Nations there is widespread poverty
And more people dying of malnutrition than ever before in the twenty first century.
poem by Francis Duggan
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Sister Alphonsa (Aug 1910 – July 1946) From Blessed One to Saint
The cradle of Christianity
In India is Kerala-
Where Saint Thomas, the Apostle
Set foot, two thousand years ago.
The fourth child of father, Ouseph,
She lost her mother, Mariam,
When she was just three years of age,
Remaining sick, all through her life.
‘Be a nun, my child’- were the words,
A Carmelite nun said to her:
These were engraved within her heart
Of love for Jesus Christ, till death.
She did not want to get married;
She chose to be a nun in life;
So, burnt her leg in live ash-pit,
To prove her wish to follow Christ.
She joined the Franciscan Convent
Of Clarist nuns and took her vows;
She suffered pain all life in bed,
But offered it to Jesus Christ.
With pain and agony, she lived,
Self-mortified a life for Christ;
Her suffering had turned all joy,
When love of Savior, filled her heart.
She suffered from malaria,
And Tuberculosis and ulcer;
Some doubted her piety too;
But in the end, just truth triumphed.
A robber attacked her by night,
And left her bleeding and upset;
She died when just thirty-seven;
Of double pneumonia illness.
A one-year boy of Kottayam
Was cured of his deformity,
When parents prayed over her tomb,
Starting a string of miracles!
Beatified by John Paul II,
In 1986 itself,
She wrought miracles numerous,
For devotees who prayed to her.
Young children flocked to see her tomb
And prayed to Sister Alphonsa;
Their handicaps were cured at once;
Ailments of stomach vanished fast.
Some barren wombs had gift of child;
All kinds of ailments vanished fast;
She interceded when they prayed
To God and miracles were wrought.
Her name has brought her hometown fame;
The sister will be canonized
On October twelfth of this year-
First Indian nun and female saint!
Like how wheat grains are crushed and ground
To bake the Holy Eucharist;
And grapes are pressed to make good wine,
Our sufferings too make us good.
Her tomb at Bharananganam,
Is famous pilgrimage centre.
She is the proof of God’s great works;
The road to sainthood isn’t easy!
Dedicated to the loving memory
Of the Venerable Sis. Alphonsa,
Who will be declared Saint shortly.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 3-6-2008
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A Catholic House-warming Prayer
By sweat of human forehead built,
And money earned in honest ways;
Reside good Christians within it;
God bless this family always!
O Holy Spirit, Dove of peace,
Preserve love, faith and unity;
Help us to live our life with ease
Through fortitude and piety.
O Mother Mary, pray for us!
Ask Jesus Christ to ever bless,
And keep our souls in grace of God,
Until we part to His abode!
Saint Joseph, show us God is first,
And how to be a father best;
And teach our children about Christ,
And emulate the Holy Nest.
O saints and angels, dwell here-in;
Pray that we stay away from sin;
And keep our soul’s gaze towards God,
Living our lives, like Jesus Lord.
O Jesus Lord, bless us, we pray;
Protect this home both night and day;
Help us to carry our life’s cross,
And serve God nobly without pause!
Lord Jesus, be our guiding Light;
Help us to speak the Truth always;
Goad us to do all things aright;
Proclaiming God to human race!
Dedicated lovingly to my dear sister Dr. A.Sugagemma, M.D.,
Dr. Gangadharan M.S., and son, Gautham Anto
Copyright by Dr John Celes 11-17-2009
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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