Administrator's Message
The Pastor Speaks …..
Dear Fathers, Brothers, Sisters and People of God,
The announcement of Bishop Udumala Bala as the Archbishop for the Archdiocese of Visakhapatnam has come as a great relief for me and all of us. I offer my hearty congratulations to him, the bishop of my home diocese. I am sure you will co operate with him and extend your obedience and love to the new archbishop of Visakhapatnam. He will be installed on the 03rd April 2025 as the archbishop of the archdiocese of Visakhapatnam. Let us prepare ourselves for this great event of the archdiocese.
We have entered the season of Lent on March 5, Ash Wednesday. The priest poured ashes on our forehead reminding us that we are dust and unto dust we return. Lent is a sacred time of grace, calling us to renewal and deeper union with God. It is a journey that mirrors the forty days of Jesus in the wilderness, inviting us to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. As we enter this holy season, let us reflect on its spiritual significance and embrace its call to conversion.
Lent is a journey of Renewal: The Bible is filled with stories of transformation—Moses encountered God in the desert, Elijah was strengthened for his mission, and Peter turned from denial to deep faith. Lent is our time to step away from distractions, to examine our lives, and to renew our commitment to Christ. This is not just an external observance but an invitation to deep interior change.
The Three Pillars of Lent are Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. Lent is built upon these three essential practices. Prayer deepens our relationship with God, fasting purifies our hearts, and almsgiving makes love visible in action. Jesus Himself fasted and prayed before beginning His public ministry, and He taught us to serve the poor and needy. Let us use these forty days to intensify our prayer life, discipline our desires, and reach out to those in need.
The Holy Cross should guide our Lenten path. The cross is not just a symbol of suffering; it is a call to radical discipleship. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Lent challenges us to ask: Are we seeking comfort or conversion? Are we followers of Christ or mere bystanders? Are we willing to sacrifice, or do we settle for superficial faith? True discipleship demands courage, commitment, and love.
Most Rev. Dr. Jaya Rao Polimera
Apostolic Administrator of Archdiocese of Visakhapatnam
Lent is a season of mercy. The story of the Prodigal Son reminds us that no sin is too great for God’s forgiveness. King David, after his fall, prayed with a contrite heart: “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10). Jesus Himself forgave the repentant thief on the cross. This is the time to seek reconciliation with God and one another. Let us not delay in receiving the Sacrament of Confession, for through it, we experience the healing love of Christ.
I know you will be organising Lenten retreats and other spiritual activities befitting the season. Every Lent, we are invited to walk the path of suffering love with Jesus. Through the Stations of the Cross, we meditate on His passion. Through acts of self-denial, we share in His sacrifice. Through acts of love, we embrace His mission. As we approach Holy Week, let us not be passive spectators but active participants in His journey to Calvary. Let us walk with the Lord from Gethsemane to Calvary. As Thomas said, “Let us also go with him that we may die with him.” Jn 11/16. Thomas challenged the other apostles to follow Jesus even into danger, despite knowing the hostility they might face in Judea. Can we join Thomas to demonstrate our dedication to Jesus ready to face death alongside Jesus?
Dear friends, Lent is not merely a season of obligation—it is a season of grace. If we embrace it with faith, it will transform us. May this holy season lead us to Easter with renewed hearts, purified souls, and a deeper love for Christ and His Church? Let us follow the example of Mother Mary, a symbol of prayer and hope.
With prayers and blessings,
† Jaya Rao Polimera
Bishop of Eluru & Apostolic Administrator,
Archdiocese of Visakhapatnam