CYCLONE FREDDY IN MALAWI Cyclone Freddy has devastated the southern region of Malawi with heavy rains and strong winds. Nearly 200 people are now confirmed dead by 14th March. Heavy rains have been continuously falling from the evening hours of 11th to 14th March. Reports started coming already the same night of 11th March of the damages being caused. There has been extensive damage to infrastructures and homes, electricity and communications are still down in many affected areas.  

THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY  History, Theology, and Its Spiritual Reflection in FIC Congregation By Bro. Wensislaus Parut, FIC   The Dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary was promulgated by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1854, with the bulla innefabilis Deus. One year later, on December 8, 1855, the FIC brothers celebrated the promulgation with great joy in Maastricht. This reflection on the momentum of the brothers' celebration refers to three important points: first, the background ....

Mary, full of Grace By: Fr. B.M. Mardiatmaja SJ   The theme that I would like to share is the dogma (1854: “Ineffabilis Deus” of Pius IX) about the teaching that the Virgin Mary is without the original sin from the beginning of her existence. It was mentioned in different words by Gabriel “You are full of grace”. The five words have formed the most joyful expression, which has helped me to explain, what Brother FIC is: “honoring the immaculate Lady of Nazareth, ....

HEAVY RAINFALL IN MALAWI The month of February has been painful to bear to some people living in some parts of Malawi. February is regarded as a difficult month already as it is the time that many people experience challenges in terms of finances. Coming from the celebrations of Christmas and New Year, people struggle to be feeding their families with many bills at their disposal. It is already farming season, hence farm inputs have to be purchased. In addition, schools ....

REFLEKSIKAN HIDUP!   Hidup yang tidak pernah direfleksikan tidak layak untuk dihidupi! Keras sekali pernyataan ini. Bayangkan kalau kita dalam hidup ini tidak pernah secara sadar merenungkan apa yang telah kita lalui dan mencoba merencanakan langkah ke depan! Bayangkan kalau kita setiap hari melalui hidup ini bagaikan robot, hanya begitu-begitu saja dengan segala rutinitasnya! Bayangkan kita hidup tanpa makna apapun! Apa yang akan terjadi? Bagaikan manusia tak bernyawa, robot, yang bergerak hanya seperti mesin. Apa jadinya dengan kehidupan kita kalau kita tak ....

MY KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE OF MARY’S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Mary is the Patroness of our Congregation. We are happy to place our lives under her special protection. Mary’s life was completely consecrated to the service of her Son. (FIC Constitution Art. 12). Mary was preserved immaculate, not only because the Lord cannot stand sin, but also because she was meant to be as a gift, a total self-giving to the God. This explains her answer, “Behold I am the handmaid ....

FROM THE EDITOR   This is the 8th publication of Volume II of the Congregational magazine “Brothers FIC” reaching you. The theme of this issue is “Mary’s Immaculate Conception,” and the aim is to enable FIC brothers and their collaborators to deepen our knowledge of Mary, the Patroness of the FIC congregation, and especially on Mary’s Immaculate Conception which is part of our name. This will also enable us share with readers our understanding of the dogma and how we try to ....

Immaculata Conceptio (The Immaculate Conception of Mary) Fr. B.S. Mardiatmadja SJ   It has been a very long time since I served as altar boy in the Chapel of the Brothers of the Immaculate Conception, Yogyakarta in 1974. Since then, I have been serving very often there. I have always enjoyed the service. The joy has always been much more every feast-day of the immaculate conception. The brothers have always had a beautiful feast day, every 8th of December. Well, you know, ....