We are kindred spirits, I would like to believe.
The first time we ever got to talk (over the telephone), there was an immediate connection. It was a connection that defied the boundaries of distance, space and time. It was a bonding that could only exist between people who have known each other for a very long time. Yet there we were talking casually for the first time, imagining how each other looked like. I was not even surprised that he called me up... it was like I knew we would become friends even if we still haven't met. On this first encounter, he told me things about me that not even my husband knows about. He said he called because he needed help for his visa. He wanted me to ask my husband for a letter to the Bureau of Immigration, Department of Justice (DOJ). I told him that my office was an attached agency to the DOJ and told him I knew the people he wanted to see at the DOJ and that on my own I can help him get in touch with these people. This was to be the start of my friendship and tutelage with Fr. Swamy.
At around Christmas time in 2005, I personally met him in Davao City, He was my mother-in-law's visitor at home where my in-laws, my nephews and my children had the chance to go to confession to him. As he shared a simple merienda with us, he talked about the spirits that were haunting my in-laws' house. He spoke about our deceased ancestors and how he could help heal our family. He mentioned details of events and peoples who may have caused our family some harm. He spoke about his apostolate in helping families, exorcisms, evangelization and the like. When it was time for him to leave, my sisters-in-law, Ana and Mariel, and I offered to bring him back to his parish in Mintal, Davao City. On the way there, we were discussing his 'job' as an exorcist. We had so many questions and at one point I told him I did not believe spirits could hurt people who had strong faith in God. Then he said to me that as we spoke, he saw two evil spirits in the townhouse unit where we lived in Makati City and he also told me about spirits that dwelt in the house we were building in Quezon City. I was speechless because he described my house in detail, the trees there, etc... and he has not even been there!
Since then, we have become really good friends. It is strange how he would call or text when I knew I needed him for healing, counseling or wanted to refer people to him. I am blessed to have him as my long-distance spiritual director and also, to an extent, my guru. I am also honored and humbled at the same time, that he seems to prefer calling me when he needs an 'assistant' for his healing and even exorcism missions in Manila. I have accompanied him to many of these missions already and it is always a learning experience when I accompany him. There are times that when the onslaught of the evil spirits is too strong, he lets me lead the rosary and be his prayer warrior. He is also happy that I can anticipate when he needs to drink hot water, hot tea or coffee and when I should tell those consulting him to just be still and quiet. I also explain to these people what he means when he gives details of his 'visions' or on how to go about his instructions to them. Sometimes I wonder why he entrusts me with these tasks of which I feel I am unworthy...
I was with Fr. Swamy yesterday. It was a most pleasant surprise that he decided to squeeze into his busy schedule the blessing of our office and hearing the confessions and concerns or requests of my officemates. He also graciously agreed to visit the family of my Friendship, Fr. Flavie Villanueva, SVD who is in town for a brief visit to his ailing aunt.
And so today, I offer this blog as a thanksgiving for the gift of person and presence that is Fr. Swamy. I give praise and thanks to God for the gift of Fr. Swamy's priesthood, who icidentally, is celebrating his Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee this year (April 17, 1982 to 2007)
Here is his story:
He was born Chatarajupalli Balashowry in 1953 in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India and brought up in his native place of Mutlur. He was born to his saintly parents, Chatharajupally Mariadas, a missionary chatechist and Catherine from whom Fr. Swamy received the gifts of intuition and interior prayer. He has six younger sisters.
His call to the priestly vocation started while he was in fourth grade on a Sunday evening when he felt an overwhelming presence of God. It was a very absorbing experience for him that he became inspired to become a priest. He became sacristan in his sixth and seventh grade. Then he went to St. Xavier's High School, Mutlur for his high schol studies, where the seeds of missionary life was sown. Then he went to St. Ambrose Seminary, Nuzvid, for his minor seminary and stayed there for two years. It was here where he discovered his writing talent in Telugu, his mother tongue. From 1972 to 1974, he went to St. John's Regional Seminary, Hyderabad for his studies in Philosophy followed by his one year regency in Amruthavani, Regional Communications Center where he was introduced to mass media. From 1975 to 1982, Fr. Swamy went to the St. Peter's Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore. The first three years were devoted to his studies for Bachelor of Arts at the Bangalore University. The next four years were devoted to his Bachelor in Theology. His thesis was entitled "The Hermitage Within". He was ordained a priest in April 17, 1982.
In his priestly journey, he admits that during his diaconate retreat in 1981, he was drawn towards Indian Christian Spirituality based on St. Benedict. He began to think seriously if he had a call to Ashram life or contemplative life. But his spiritual guide asked that he serve the Lord first in the diocese. First, he was an assistant priest in St. Mary's Parish, Secunderabad, where he was ordained; and in Sacred Heart Parish, Lallaguda. Then he became a parish priest at the St. Thomas Parish Lillipur and St. Jude Shrine, Vikarabad. It was here that he was blessed with the charism of healing and exorcism.
He admits that he is not very good in his studies, games or cultural activities. As an introvert, he grew more fond of interior prayer, silence and solitude. He loves the Scriptures and visits to the Blessed Sacrament. His role models are Jesus and Mother Mary whom he loves dearly. His favorite saints are St. John Marie Vianney, St. Francis of Assisssi, St. Padre Pio, St. Catherin and St. Claire. (This information gives a tingling sensation in my spine because these too are my own personal favorites... maybe only St. Therese of Lisieux is not included.)
As he is not an extrovert, Fr. Swamy took to the life of "Sanyasa", a pilgrim of prayer in January 1, 1989. For most part of the three years, he was in Shanthivanam, a Benedictine Abbey in Trichy. From there, he used to visit may Ashrams all over India to satisfy his thirst for a life of prayer. Thus he was drawn to hermitical life. Before becoming a hermit though, he lived in a cave of a hill for three months. It was for him a most transforming experience. Then he went about as a pilgrim of prayer, at times guiding retreats and recollectrions to the religious and mostly to the laity all over his province.
While a hermit, he was invited to Euntes Asian Mission Formation Center, run by PIME priests in Zamboanga, He came over yearly to be a resource person on Indian Christian Spirituality from 1995 to 1999. It was during these yearly visits that he was attracted to adoration chapels which made him want to stay in the Philippines.
From May 2000, Fr Swamy served at the San Pablo Parish, Davao City for three years and then at the Immaculate Conception Parish, Mintal, Davao City where he is now based.
During his stay here in the Philippines, he has so far written "Everyday Prayer", a beautiful, practical book of prayers for families and individuals; "Spirit World", a collection of his many articles that are regularly printed in the Davao City local newspaper, the Mindanao Times (and also the source of most of what I am writing about him), and just recently, "Prayer Book for Children", a wonderful book of simple prayers for children and the child at heart.
The other night, Fr. Flavie proposed to me that I make a stampita for Fr. Swamy using the photo I took of Fr. Swamy at the Blessed Sacrament of our parish church, Our Lady of Consolation... Fr. Swamy beat me to this preposition! Just yesterday, he said he had a surprise for me. And so in front of my officemates, he 'unveiled' the first copy of the "Prayerbook for Children". When he opened the book, on the first page was this photo I took of him! Talk about psychic connections!
Dear Fr. Swamy, I dedicate this blog to you. I thank God for blessing me with the gift that you are. May you be abundantly blessed. May you continue being such a blessing to people. And may others be blessed by you. I pray too that my friends and those who will read this, especially my priest and seminarian friends be inspired and be blessed by you.
Namaste!
