DECEMBER 14, 2015

“Special Mass” for Sri Sathya Sai Baba at the Cathedral of St. Thomas in Madras-Mylapore

During the terminal illness of Sai Baba, the then Archbishop of Madras Mylapore A.M. Chinnappa SDB actually eulogized the self-proclaimed god-man during a 2011 Holy Week service in the Cathedral, and exhorted the faithful to pray for him. He was not alone in doing so.

Catholic news agencies reported on priests and bishops praying for the Baba … see details in:

SRI SATYA SAI BABAS CATHOLIC DEVOTEES

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/SRI_SATYA_SAI_BABAS_CATHOLIC_DEVOTEES.doc

The national media, two of India’s leading dailies, covers a scandalous “special Mass” at the National Shrine Cathedral Basilica of St. Thomas in the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore, Chennai:

Multi-faith prayer held

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/multifaith-prayer-held/article5591038.ece

January 19, 2014

The mass at Santhome Basilica was attended by an unusual crowd on Saturday — there were Hindus and Muslims in attending.

It was a special service, held on request from members of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, who observes the 33 anniversary celebrations of Sundaram, a temple dedicated to Sai Baba, in Chennai.

“Even though we spread the message of communal harmony, this is the first time our members (Hindus and Muslims) have experienced one and taken part in a prayer at a church. It was a fulfilling experience,” said Vijayalakshmi, a Bal Vikas guru and member of the Seva Organisation.

Over 700 men and women listened in rapt attention, for nearly half an hour, to the address delivered by Rev. Fr. Don Bosco (SDB; he is the Salesian rector of St. Bede’s High School, my alma mater). Following this, Muslim men and women from the village of Elavanasur in Ulundurpettai who have been involved in the services of the Seva Organisation for nearly 15 years, had a prayer session in the Sundaram complex.

“We are trying to use the anniversary celebrations to serve mankind and tell society that we are all one,” said N. Ramani, national vice-president of Sathya Sai Trust.

Several activities, including a photo exhibition, cultural programmes, and a video show, have been scheduled for January 18 and 19 as part of the celebrations.

Prayers at Santhome Church for Sundaram Temple

http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Prayers-at-Santhome-Church-for-Sundaram-Temple/2014/01/20/article2008647.ece

By Express News Service, Chennai, January 20, 2014

Sri Sathya Sai Baba devotees attending the special mass at the Santhome Cathedral. Fr. Bosco in picture

Special prayers including a service at a church, bhajans, rallies and cultural performances marked the 33rd anniversary celebrations of Sundaram, a temple dedicated to Sathya Sai Baba, over the weekend.

Sunday began with a rally by over 1,500 children of Bala Vikas, a value-based education programme for the development of children. The rally, which started from three different locations in R. A. Puram, Mandaveli and Chamiers Road, saw children aged between 5 and 14 holding placards with phrases on human values and singing bhajans. The three groups of children, accompanied by their parents, converged into one as they arrived at the Sundaram complex.

The children later shared their experiences of how Bal Vikas classes have transformed them to a better person. The celebrations also saw close to a hundred children walking to every house on Sundaram Salai and Sai Nagar, to distribute prasadam. “Our children have gone to every house to distribute a sweet and a packed lunch instead of people coming to the temple,” said N Ramani, national vice-president of Sri Sathya Sai Seva organisations. He added, “It is to inculcate the habit of giving in these children.”  Sunday evening also saw a performance by violinist A Kanyakumari.

Earlier on Saturday, a multi-faith prayer was organised at the Santhome Cathedral, with over 750 Sai Baba devotees attending a special mass. “The principle of Sai Baba is ‘there is only one religion and that is the religion of love.’ We call it unity of faith,” said G Varadhan, State president, Sri Sathya Sai Organisation.

The special service saw people from other religions attending in large numbers. About 34 Muslim men and women from a village near Ulundurpet, who have been involved in the services of the Seva organisation, had a prayer session at the Sundaram complex.

Several other activities, including an exhibition of 750 photos, a cultural programme by Bal Vikas children and a video show on Sai Baba’s visit to Chennai, were also organised as part of the celebrations.

Over 3,000 devotees visited the temple complex in the two-day anniversary celebrations.

The service for the Sai Baba devotees inside the Cathedral was held in the true spirit of ecumenism and interreligious dialogue that is being fostered in the post-Vatcan II Church.

Never mind that Sai Baba was a self-proclaimed “godman” who erected three temples in Chennai alone so that he may be worshiped as god, a charlatan and sleight-of-hand trickster, and a sexual pervert. I truly wonder what Fr. Bosco said in his thirty-minute homily!

What message does this send out to faithful Catholics?

Was there no protest from the members of the Parish Council, the anbiams or basic Christian communities, the various pious associations of the Cathedral, etc?

What role did the conservative Archbishop Most Rev. George Antonysamy play in this event?

Puttaparthi Sairam Temple Sundaram is a temple built by Sri Sathya Sai Baba situated in RA Puram and was one among the three temples established by Sri Sathya Sai Baba across India.
Sprawling over an area of 30,700 square feet, the lotus shaped darshan hall can hold thousands of devotees. On the stage, apart from Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s picture, a huge throne and the sacred golden sandals of Sai Baba, there are statues of Ganesha, Shiva and Vishnu.
The ashram of Puttaparthi Sairam Temple Sundaram is also known as Prashanti Nilayam. 
Though open on all days, one can plan a visit with the whole family on Thursdays and Sundays when special prayer meetings are held at the Puttaparthi Sairam Temple Sundaram. 
The best time to visit this pilgrimage spot would be during festivals like Deepavali, Mahashivarathri, New Year and Srirama Jayanthi or during the special occasion of Sai Baba’s birthday that is celebrated on 23rd November. 
Located at a distance of 9 km from the city centre, this temple is a perfect place to meditate, or spend some peaceful time away from the hustle of the city.

Source:
http://www.holidayiq.com/Puttaparthi-Sairam-Temple-Sundaram-Chennai-Sightseeing-328-18210.html

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/UNITATIS_REDINTEGRATIO-DECREE_ON_ECUMENISM.doc

VASSULA RYDEN-THE EUCHARIST AND INTERCOMMUNION ONE DATE AND PAN-CHRISTIAN ECUMENISM

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/VASSULA_RYDEN-THE_EUCHARIST_AND_INTERCOMMUNION_ONE_DATE_AND_PAN-CHRISTIAN_ECUMENISM.doc

INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE 01-POPE BENEDICT XVI

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/INTERRELIGIOUS_DIALOGUE_01-POPE_BENEDICT_XVI.doc

INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE 02-GOA CATHOLICS OPPOSE

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/INTERRELIGIOUS_DIALOGUE_02-GOA_CATHOLICS_OPPOSE.doc

INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE 03-THE FALSE KIND

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/INTERRELIGIOUS_DIALOGUE_03-THE_FALSE_KIND.doc

ARCHDIOCESE OF MADRAS-MYLAPORE HOLY MASS-THE SACRIFICE OF CALVARY OR A BIRTHDAY PARTY?

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/ARCHDIOCESE_OF_MADRAS-MYLAPORE_HOLY_MASS-THE_SACRIFICE_OF_CALVARY_OR_A_BIRTHDAY_PARTY.doc

BHARATANATYAM AT HOLY MASS AT CATHEDRAL OF ST THOMAS IN MADRAS-MYLAPORE ARCHDIOCESE

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/BHARATANATYAM_AT_HOLY_MASS_AT_CATHEDRAL_OF_ST_THOMAS_IN_MADRAS-MYLAPORE_ARCHDIOCESE.doc

FEE LEVIED ON PRIESTS WANTING TO OFFER HOLY MASS AT THE TOMB OF ST. THOMAS IN MADRAS-MYLAPORE

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/FEE_LEVIED_ON_PRIESTS_WANTING_TO_OFFER_HOLY_MASS_AT_THE_TOMB_OF_ST_THOMAS_IN_MADRAS-MYLAPORE.doc

FORUM FOR CATHOLIC UNITY CONVENOR IS NOT CATHOLIC IN MADRAS-MYLAPORE ARCHDIOCESE

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/FORUM_FOR_CATHOLIC_UNITY_CONVENOR_IS_NOT_CATHOLIC_IN_MADRAS-MYLAPORE_ARCHDIOCESE.doc

HINDU FLAG POLE AT CATHEDRAL OF ST THOMAS IN MADRAS-MYLAPORE ARCHDIOCESE

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/HINDU_FLAG_POLE_AT_CATHEDRAL_OF_ST_THOMAS_IN_MADRAS-MYLAPORE_ARCHDIOCESE.doc

LITURGICAL ABUSES IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MADRAS-MYLAPORE

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/LITURGICAL_ABUSES_IN_THE_ARCHDIOCESE_OF_MADRAS-MYLAPORE.doc

PETS AT HOLY MASS AT CATHEDRAL OF ST THOMAS IN MADRAS-MYLAPORE ARCHDIOCESE

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/PETS_AT_HOLY_MASS_AT_CATHEDRAL_OF_ST_THOMAS_IN_MADRAS-MYLAPORE_ARCHDIOCESE.doc

ST THOMAS TREE-ARCHDIOCESE OF MADRAS-MYLAPORE-GENUINE OR HUMBUG

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/ST_THOMAS_TREE-ARCHDIOCESE_OF_MADRAS-MYLAPORE-GENUINE_OR_HUMBUG.doc

Categories: Hinduisation of the Catholic Church in India