Analise D Mello MBBS, MS obgyn, DNB

But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say,
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Its Halloween ! as per popular culture.. my country does not believe in it though… But we celebrate a festival of Hinduism called Diwali – the festival of lights where the mythological Hindu God Ram defeats the evil Ravana and gets his wife back to his land in Ayoydhya, India and in celebration the entire city lit up with lamps and lanterns…

I absolutely love the fact that I could burn fireworks and light up lamps or diyas across my home and school/ college … decorate the floors with paint powder designs called rangoli …

It brings the air of festivities for every Indian … cleaning houses , expecting the Hindu Goddess of wealth Lakshmi to come and bless each home, exchanging gifts and making yummy sweets…

Yes I have fond memories of school , neighbor hoods celebrating it all together!

I am a catholic with immense faith and believer in Christ and Mother Mary for intercession but I believe in celebrating the life I life and loving someone who doesn’t believe but has their own system of beliefs ins something I learnt living in a community with so much diversity!

Although like Christmas the true meaning of the festival is lost amongst the noise with firecrackers and blind us from seeing our blind worldly overview that we miss the bigger picture —- attaining eternal life and being beacons of the message of light!

This year with advent approaching let us use every day to renew our faith in tiny ways !

AMEN

About the Author

Hello! I’m Dr Analise Maria D’ Mello, (MBBS, MS obgyn, DNB) from the beautiful state of Goa in India. I was born and raised in a Roman Catholic family, learning my prayers, catechism and Catholic values from my parents and grandmothers. I am currently practicing as an obstetrician and gynecologist for 3 years since my residency.

I often speak on anti-abortion to college students and married couples, and counsel distressed pregnant women with appropriate medical advice. I am part of the St Luke’s Medical Guild of Catholic Doctors in my state providing services in prisons, and Lenten and advent retreats for medical professionals and their families.