The Poem of the Month (February, 2010): IN MEMORIAM: THE SHAHEEDS [MARTYRS OF BANGLADESH]

_

(Please click on the above image to read the Bengali poem in an enlarged form) 

I had written the above poem in Bangla (Bengali) and it was published by the Shurid Sangha (a Catholic youth organization) of Dhaka, Bangladesh, in its February 21, 1972 souvenir Shotabdir Shakkhor.

On the occasion of the Ekushey February and International Mother Language Day of 2010, I present below the English translation of the poem.

In Memoriam: The Shaheeds
[Martyrs of Bangladesh]

By Jerome D'Costa

Every male and female of Bangladesh today,
Under the flag of independence
Is marching forward
With the new message of hope,
This independence today
Is a success,
In lieu of so much blood and so many lives.

On a day in the year of nineteen fifty-two,
In the heavy storm
A few flowers dropped down
From their strong green stalks,
To establish their mother language
In its proper and dignified seat.

The Bangalis on that day
Proved to the world that they also know
How to shed their blood
For liberating the truth-like 'rogue'
From the clutches of the false 'ally.'

The ideal of these martyrs
Year after year, decade after decade,
Inspired the Bangalis anew
To search for the gold-like real truth,
That's why in the past nine hellish months,
Did they not tremble
At the aggressive thunder-strikes
Of the Khan [West Pakistani] soldiers.
To break their iron fetters
Millions of Bangladeshis,
Giving their invaluable lives,
Cheerfully bathed in the bloodied river.

We remember all the martyrs
Of the past twenty-five years,
On this day we remember
Those through whose sacrificed lives
We've gained our rights.
We shall never forget
Their sacrifice and self-immolation,
They will never die, never ever.

The Beauty of Different Language Alphabets

My name -- Jerome D'Costa -- in different
language alphabets (scripts)

(You may double click the above image to read it in its enlarged form)

From my childhood, I have been amazed by and curious about languages. I became more interested in it when I used to see and hear American Catholic priests (missionaries) in my village church communicate with each other in English, their mother language. When my father would return to our village home on weekends, he used to communicate with them in English, too. I would wonder how they made unfamiliar sounds but understood each other! They also wrote differently than ours and still they could decipher meanings from them. How wonderful it was!

When I gradually began to read and write English, a wider door of knowledge opened for me. I began to go through my father's collection of books and magazines like The Orient, Calcutta Municipal Gazette, and others. Later, when studying history in Notre Dame College, Dhaka, I came across different writing methods, for example, hieroglyphic (pictorial or symbolic writing of the Egyptians), cuneiform (wedge-shaped writing of the Mesopotamian civilizations), phonetic (writing the sounds -- Latin, English, Bangla or Bengali, etc.), and the like. The invention of these writing styles are fantastic.

Then it was the last quarter of 1974. Caritas Bangladesh, then known as Christian Organization for Relief and Rehabilitation (CORR), sent its Regional Director of Chittagong Flavian Quiah and me (Information Officer at the Central Office in Dhaka) to Bangalore of the Karnataka State, India, for a training on the Community Organization and Development. The training was at the Jesuit-run Indian Social Institute Training Centre.

There were several dozen trainees from different regions of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Bangladesh.

As I was getting familiarized with the participants, one day, the idea came to my mind that I let them write my name in their language alphabets. On a sheet of paper, I wrote my name first in English and Bangla (Bengali) and then I requested others to write my name in their own language alphabets. The result you can now see in the above image.

On the occasion of the International Mother Language Day, I present this little piece of gem for the international readers!

What do you think of the beauty of different languages and their importance in this world?

Today is the Ekushey February and International Mother Language Day

_

Ekushey February image representing the Central Shaheed Minar

(Central Language Martyrs' Memorial) in Dhaka. The white writing
in Bengali on the red stairs is "Ekushey" (February 21st). The white
writing at the top left corner says: "Can I forget my brothers'
blood-splattered February? Can I forget this February that's
bathed in the tears of hundreds of mothers who lost their sons?
Can I forget the February that's reddened with the blood
of my golden country?" (translated by Jerome D'Costa)

Graphics (Toronto: February 14, 2010) © Joachim Romeo D'Costa

Today is the 58th anniversay of the Ekushey February (21st February) -- the Language Martyrs' Day in Bangladesh. It is also observed as the International Mother Language Day throughout the world.

This is the day when the Bangladeshis remember how their forefathers fought and some of them gave their lives on February 21, 1952 for preserving the dignity of their mother tongue Bangla (Bengali) in the then East Pakistan (later called Bangladesh). They also remember how this Bangla Language Movement acted as the seed for the freedom struggle through the Bangladesh War of Independence in 1971.

On the occasion of the Ekushey February this year, there are two encouraging news about the Bangla language. According to a www.21stfebruary.org report, a Bangladesh Foreign Ministry official mentioned that Italy has donated a prime piece of land in Rome near the Bangladesh Embassy for building a permanent Shaheed Minar (Language Martyrs' Memorial). In the past, on February 21, Bangladesh Embassy and Bangalis in Rome had been using a temporary Shaheed Minar to observe this day. Responding to Bangladesh Embassy's request, the government of Italy demonstrated this good gesture. After the General Conference of the United Nations Educational Social and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared February 21st as the International Mother Language Day to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism, this day is being officially observed annually since February 21, 2000 in major capitals of the world.

According to bdnews24.com, while inaugurating the Ekushey Boi Mela (Ekushey Book Fair) at the Bangla Academy in Dhaka this year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the government of Bangladesh has been pursuing the case of Bangla (Bengali) language to be used as the seventh official language of the United Nations. She also mentioned that, when participating in UN sessions, she herself speaks in Bangla in all UN assemblies. She also said that the Awami League government during its 1996-2001 tenure took the initiative of forming the International Mother Language Institute. The work halted during the next government. She promised to complete the work during her tenure of office this time. She also informed that the government of Bangladesh would form an information bank to preserve local languages that are on the verge of extinction.

The Quotation of the Week (February 21-27, 2010)

The Central Shaheed Minar (Language Martyrs' Memorial)
in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Photo (March, 1975) © Jerome D'Costa

Brother Andre, CSC: The Little Man from Montreal Is Set for Canonization in October

Brother Andre Bessette, CSC,
of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Montreal, Canada

Photo courtesy: www.cbc.ca/

Pope Benedict XVI formally announced in the Consistory Hall of the Vatican on February 19, that Brother Andre, CSC -- less than five feet tall in stature -- of Montreal, along with five others, will be raised to the sainthood in coming October. The formal canonization ceremony will take place in the Vatican on October 17, 2010, reports CNA.

The five other candidates are: Mother Mary MacKillop, the founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Australia; Father Stanislaw Soltys, a 15th century priest of Poland; Sister Giulia Salzano and Sister Battista Varano of Italy; and Sister Candida Maria de Jesus Cipitria y Barriola of Spain. Representatives from these countries were present in the Consistory Hall at the time of the official announcement.

Jubilant Canada

Canadians received the announcement of the canonization with jubilation. Montreal's archbishop Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte at a press conference at St. Joseph's Oratory in Montreal said that the Vatican announcement was "the best thing that could have happened this year for the Church in Montreal." He also said: "I have always been impressed by this man [Brother Andre], both a humble man and a visionary, a man of deep faith. An example of determination, still relevant today in 2010."

Father Jean-Pierre Aumont, CSC, Provincial of the Congregation of Holy Cross in Canada, called the announcement a "wonderful gift." He further said: "For the Religious of Holy Cross, it represents more than ever a source of inspiration, a model of faith and trust in God and in the human condition. He shows us how to envision great things and how to look toward the future!"

Bishop Pierre Morissette of Saint-Jerome in his capacity as the President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) said that the bishops of Canada welcomed the Vatican announcement. On the saint-to-be he said: "Brother Andre lived his life with great humility. Guided by a deep faith and devotion to Saint Joseph, he dedicated his life to praying, serving the poor, welcoming strangers, healing the sick and comforting the suffering. To this day, his memory remains an important witness to all Canadians of faith and love."

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who is a Protestant, in his statement on the same day said: "Brother Andre's life shows us the power of faith and the importance of concern for the sick and others in need. In this solemn act, the Roman Catholic Church is honoring a Canadian who achieved greatness through humility, determination and service to others." He further stated: "Brother Andre's devotion to St. Joseph, the patron saint of Canada, led to the building of the magnificent Oratory on Mount Royal. Today's news heightens the inspiration we feel on seeing that religious landmark, a symbol and center of faith in Montreal and all of Canada."

His Humblest Life

Brother Andre, CSC, was born on August 9, 1845, in Saint-Gregoire d'Iberville, 40 kilometres (25 miles) to the east of Montreal, Canada. His birth-name was Alfred Bessette (after he become a Brother, he was given a new name "Andre"). He was one of the 12 children in a poor family. When he was nine years old, his lumberjack (woodcutter) father was killed by a falling tree. Three years later, his mother died from tuberculosis. After the parents' death, his siblings were divided up among relatives. His family situation prevented him from being a literate. He had difficulties in reading and writing.

From very young age he had to work for six years as a farm labour, shoe-repairer, baker and blacksmith in the province of Quebec, Canada. Then he went to neighbouring New England State in the USA where he worked for four years in textile mills and agricultural farms.

On his return to Canada in 1867, he, barely literate and with frail health, expressed his willingness to join a religious Order. His local parish priest, who knew him well, sent him to the nearby Holy Cross Brothers assuring its superior that "I am sending you a saint." His forecast has come to be true with the recent announcement at the Vatican.

The superior placed the 25-year-old novice at College Notre-Dame, a high school for boys near Mount Royal in Montreal, as a porter (doorman). Even after being a Brother, he remained in this same post -- for a total of 40 years.

School boys, their parents and other visitors became attracted to him due to his unusual humility, prayerfulness and cheerful spirit. They used to request him to pray for their problems and sicknesses. Many of them attributed their healing to him, but with his usual humility, he would say that it was his prayers to St. Joseph that the healing occurred.

His extraordinary devotion to St. Joseph inspired him to build a church in his honour. With small amounts of money, received mostly as donations, he built a small church in 1904. Due to ever increasing number of devotees and pilgrims, Brother Andre set to build a large church which got built gradually in stages. Ultimately it was completed in 1966, about 30 years after his death on January 6, 1937. This impressive church -- now a minor basilica -- on Mount Royal, overlooks the city of Montreal. It is interesting to note that when Brother Andre proposed to build a bigger church, many of his confreres laughed at him because such a gigantic idea was coming from a mere door-keeping Brother, who was almost an illiterate!

The process of canonization of Brother Andre, CSC, started in the 1940s. In 1978, he was declared a "Venerable." In 1982, he was declared a "Blessed."

The statement of Father David Tyson, CSC, the Provincial Superior of the Indiana Province of Holy Cross, published in the South Bend Tribune, aptly summarizes the life of Brother Andre: "We are honored and moved beyond words at Brother Andre's formal recognition as a saint. Not only because this immensely humble man is the Congregation's first recognized saint, but because he is such an ordinary example for every Catholic of every age. Not for him the trappings of power and status, of money and prestige; he simply did everything and anything that was needed, from cleaning the floors to fixing shoes, from doing students' laundry to cutting hair. What an example of prayer in action, of active service to others as the most eloquent and powerful prayer for all!"

Brother Andre: A Member of the Congregation of Holy Cross

Brother Andre, CSC, the newly minted saint, belonged to the Congregation of Holy Cross, a Religious Order of Catholic priests and Brothers. This congregation has its missionaries in over a dozen countries, including Bangladesh, on five continents. Father Basil Moreau, CSC (1799-1873) founded the congregation at Sainte-Croix (Holy Cross) village near Le Mans, France. Father Moreau himself has been beatified in the Vatican on September 15, 2007.

Ash Wednesday Ushers in the Season of Lent Before Easter

_

Graphics courtesy: http://www.zwani.com/

Today is the Ash Wednesday. With this day, starts the season of Lent, when Christians practise more penance, self-reflection, almsgiving, fasting and abstinence. The Lenten season ends with the Easter Sunday, when Christians believe Jesus Christ resurrected from death.

On Ash Wednesday, Christians receive ashes on their foreheads as a symbol of humility and a reminder for doing penance for gaining increased holiness and preparing oneself for a good death. In the Catholic churches, priests place ashes on the faithfuls' foreheads and say: "Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you shall return." Ashes are derived from palms used on the Palm Sunday Mass. Palms are burnt and made into ashes and blessed by priests.

To know more on the subject, you may visit the following:

• Catholic Encyclopedia: ASH WEDNESDAY
• Catholic Encyclopedia: LENT

Happy Family Day!

_

Today is the Family Day. This day is being observed in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan -- on the third Monday of February. It is also the public holiday in these three provinces.

This day is observed in support of the values of a family. People spend this day in various ways with the members of their families. When life is so hectic, busy and distracted in different ways, this day provides an opportunity for families to spend the day as a whole unit.

It is noteworthy that Canada has different types of families recognized by the laws of the country.