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Such is the case of Fr. V. Anthony Saji, who was born in India in 1977. He had dreamed of becoming a priest since childhood. However, he was not accepted into the religious congregation immediately because he wasn't able to talk freely in public.
When he was finally accepted into the Vincentian Congregation, he had to work in the pigpen. In spite of this situation, he completed his seminary courses in India and Kenya, East Africa, and was ordained a priest on Dec. 29, 2006 in Kerala, India.
He was not sure about preaching in public, but the Holy Spirit gave him a miracle. In the end, by the grace of God, he was appointed to go around the world to hold the "Six Days Silent Healing Retreat with Mary Our Mother," in the footsteps of the late Fr. Joseph K. Bill (1928-2008). At present, Fr. Anthony Saji devotes himself to celebrating a "Healing Mass" and to holding the "Popular Mission Retreat," so as to help people to open up to the spirit of God.
Fr. Joseph K. Bill was born on Feb. 23, 1928, and was ordained a priest in 1958. He was a devoted and gifted priest of the Vincentian Congregation. At the age of 48, he suffered two heart attacks. Therefore, his doctor warned him not to undertake any strenuous physical activity. He had to take medication regularly to control and stabilize his condition.
One day, he participated in a retreat organized by the Charismatic movement. At the end of the retreat, a bishop invited him to be prayed over and asked him to tell him his wish. Then, he saw Jesus touch him, and a major transformation occurred in him. Through him, God healed many people.
After healing, he studied "Faith Healing" and traveled to Pittsburg, the U.S., for this particular training. His first healing miracle occurred in a Boston church, when he prayed over a paralyzed person in a wheelchair to get them to walk.
In memory of Fr. Joseph K. Bill, Fr. Anthony Saji walks the same spiritual path of healing for the goodness of people. When Fr. Anthony first preached in public, some people complained that he was so young. Among those who enrolled in the healing program, they went back home without listening to his talks.
Nevertheless, Fr. Anthony Saji follows the Holy Spirit and gives talks centering on the words of God in the Bible. Every year, he also visits Korea to meet those who want to participate in the Healing Retreat.
Marvelous works are going on through those who experience the grace of God. Truly, the baby Jesus comes every moment to those who seek the truth and put "love" into practice.
"Moment of Healing," written by Father V. Anthony Saji has recently been published by the Daughters of Saint Paul in Seoul. It is a collection of homilies from the "Six Days Silent Healing Retreat," and comes out after "The Very Special Moment: The Healing Retreat with Father Anthony," which was published in 2013.
The author is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul (fsp.pauline.or.kr.), living and giving good news to the world by means of social communication.
