“Jesus is breathing his Spirit into our people with gusto and grace!” He shared that the day before, for the first time in his priesthood, he was blessed to celebrate “all seven sacraments in a single day!”
In an interview with Aleteia he shared how fired up he was, how amazing the people and community are, how hungry people are for the graces received through the sacraments, and just “how much the Church has to offer.” Their openness “to receiving the fullness of God’s life” is already cooperating with what God’s action.
Thanks to that reciprocal dynamic, Fr. Metz added, “This place is really rockin’ and rollin’.”
One day, seven sacraments, many soul encounters
Father Metz celebrated the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation for a man who was raised Mormon and read his way into Catholicism, supported by his wife. Convalidating the couple’s marriage through the sacrament of Matrimony was the fourth sacrament of the day.
Fifth was hearing numerous confessions, offering Reconciliation for 45 minutes before Mass at which he baptized five other infants of families on base. Sixth was the Anointing of the Sick for a male volunteer at the church who has cancer and was going in for a surgery.
The seventh, Holy Orders, wasn’t received that day, but was the means through which the others were all made possible. “I felt like a big leaguer, hittin’ a grand slam, celebrating all of those sacraments in one day,” he shared with audible joy.
Sister Maria Nirmalini A.C. is an Indian Catholic nun, the Superior General of the Apostolic Carmel Congregation, and President of the Conference of Religious Women India.
The appointment was formally communicated in a Vatican document issued on June 18, 2026, by the Secretariat of State. The decree, addressed to the Consultors of the Dicastery, states that Sr Maria Nirmalini has been appointed to the position for five years.
The appointment places Sr Nirmalini among those called to assist the Vatican Dicastery in its work concerning institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life across the Catholic Church.
The Dicastery is responsible for matters relating to religious institutes, consecrated life and societies of apostolic life, accompanying communities in their life, governance and mission.
As a Consultor, Sr Nirmalini will be expected to contribute her experience and insights to the Dicastery’s consultations and deliberations on issues concerning consecrated life. Consultors assist the Dicastery by offering expertise and counsel on matters brought before it.
Her selection reflects the contribution that experienced religious leaders can make to the Church’s reflection on the challenges and opportunities facing consecrated life in different cultural and pastoral contexts.
Her five-year appointment also brings an Indian religious perspective to the Dicastery’s international consultations at a time when religious congregations worldwide are responding to changing pastoral realities, new forms of mission and the evolving needs of consecrated life.
The appointment is significant for consecrated life in the Church, highlighting the role of women religious and religious leaders from different parts of the world in contributing to the discernment and mission of the Holy See.
The couples had dreamt of celebrating a wedding surrounded by fellow twins since childhood (ETV Bharat)
While the wedding rites were officiated by twin priests, Anto Pezhumkadu and Ajo Pezhumkadu, twin brothers Geron James and Johan James served as altar boys.
The unique wedding saw Akhil K Thomas and Nikhil K Thomas, twin sons of Kunjumon Thomas and Jomol of Vettuparambu, tie the knot with Maggie Mary Thomas and Maria Mary Thomas, twin daughters of Tomichan and Marykutty of Kulathur.
Adding to the uniqueness of the occasion, the wedding rites were officiated by twin priests, Fr Anto Pezhumkadu and Fr Ajo Pezhumkadu of the Kanjirappally Diocese, while twin brothers Geron James and Johan James from Pala served as altar boys.
According to the families, the couples had dreamt of celebrating a wedding surrounded by fellow twins since childhood. They even made special efforts to find twin priests to solemnise the marriage, turning their long-cherished wish into reality
The unusual ceremony attracted the attention of relatives, friends and local residents, with photographs and videos of the wedding quickly gaining popularity on social media.
The twin bridegrooms are employed in the Merchant Navy, while the twin brides work in the IT sector. Family members said the ceremony marked not only the union of two couples but also the coming together of two families that shared the same joy and excitement.
Speaking after the ceremony, the couples said they were delighted that their childhood dream had finally come true. The officiating priests also described the occasion as a memorable and rare experience, saying it was a blessing to solemnise the marriage of twin siblings beginning a new chapter of life together.
Guests described the ceremony as a heartwarming celebration of family bonds and togetherness, making it one of the most unusual weddings witnessed in Kerala in recent years.
Twin priests with the twins who married another twins. Photo: www.irinjalakuda.com
Twin brothers marry twin sisters accompanied by twin page boys and twin flower girls. Oh, did we tell you the wedding was officiated by twin priests?
It’s not often you see many identical twins together, if not for some reality show competition.
In an unusual wedding that happened in the St Xavier’s Church in Thrissur district in Kerala, twin priests – Reji and Roji – officiated the wedding ceremony of identical twin brothers – Dilraj and Dilkar – to identical twin sisters – Reema and Reena.
The couples were accompanied by identical twin page boys and identical twin flower girls. To add to the confusion, all twin siblings colour coordinated their attire as well.
The photo might trick your eyes because the resemblance is uncanny!
Led by the dedication of his late wife and a friendship with a deacon, a World War II veteran has joined the Catholic Church at almost 100 years old.
Father Edson Elizarraras, pastor of St. Christopher in Marana, Arizona, gives Raymond Martin, 98, a blessing. (photo: Photo courtesy of Deacon Jack Trevino)
A World War II Army veteran, Raymond “Ray” Martin Sr., has joined the Catholic Church at 98 years old.
Before finding his way to the Church in Tuscon, Arizona, Martin served in Okinawa, Japan, and in the Philippines; he then spent 27 years as a police officer in Illinois.
Martin’s connection to Catholicism began with his late wife, Ann Marie.
When Deacon Jacinto “Jack” Trevino, a hospice chaplain and parochial associate at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in the Diocese of Tuscan, met with Martin in December 2025, the two bonded over a shared background in law enforcement and spoke about his wife and her faith.
“Ray is an amazing person,” Deacon Trevino told EWTN News. “We hit it off from the beginning. We talked about the job a lot — and shared some laughs.”
It wasn’t all laughs, though. As they got to know each other, their conversations grew serious.
“Ray talked about his wife, who passed,” Deacon Trevino recalled. “He said she was Catholic and he would attend Mass with her and pray the Rosary.”
“One day he mentioned that he was never baptized or had any of the sacraments and he wanted to be Catholic,” Deacon Trevino continued. “We began deeper discussions of the faith.”
Martin, it turned out, had a deep faith in Christ and in the Eucharist.
“He expressed true belief in Christ and the teaching of the Catholic Church,” Deacon Trevino said. “He expressed his belief in the Eucharist and the importance of baptism and confirmation. Ray said that even though he was not Catholic, he would always pray the Act of Contrition.”
Raymond Martin Sr. is baptized at 98 years old by his friend and confirmation sponsor, Deacon Jack Trevino. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Deacon Jack Trevino
At the Edge of Death, Life
Deacon Trevino, along with Father Edson Elizarraras, pastor of St. Christopher in Marana, Arizona, had a sense of urgency in bringing those sacraments to Martin.
Martin has survived a stroke, multiple falls and other health concerns in recent years, even bordering on the brink of death in May after he suffered another stroke.
“Remarkably, Ray pulled through,” Father Elizarraras told EWTN News. “It was after this stroke that he clearly expressed his desire to become Catholic and receive the sacraments of initiation.”
Deacon Trevino and Father Elizarraras approached the bishop about advancing Martin’s sacraments. Usually, would-be converts to Catholicism go through a one- to two-year Order of Christian Initiation of Adults before receiving the sacraments.
“Though he married a Catholic woman and faithfully attended Holy Mass with her prior to her passing, Deacon Trevino noted that Ray always felt unworthy to receive the sacraments, despite believing in God,” Father Elizarraras said.
“Ray came to tears expressing his desire for the Catholic faith, sharing that throughout his life, he would pray the Act of Contrition and the Rosary,” Father Elizarraras said. “The more Deacon Trevino visited him, the more questions Ray asked, showing he was fully convinced and willingly prepared to receive sacramental grace.”
One of the Most Important Days
So the date was set for July 16; the location, the assisted living home where Martin resided. The facility manager had put up banners with crosses to prepare the living room for the celebration, according to Deacon Trevino.
On the day of the celebration, Father Elizarraras gave Martin the short-order form of OCIA, which is written for those in near danger of death.
“The moment I approached to greet him, he began to cry and smile; he knew this was one of the most important days of his life,” Father Elizarraras said.
World War II Army veteran Raymond “Ray” Martin Sr. receives his first Communion at age 98. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Deacon Jack Trevino
Residents, caregivers and Martin’s family attended the Mass.
“Beautifully, at the start of the liturgy, Mr. Raymond asked to be helped closer to the small, dignified altar we had prepared,” Father Elizarraras said. “He wanted to hear clearly and see God at work.”
“When I asked him, ‘Dear brother, Raymond, you have asked to be baptized because you wish, as Christians do, to have eternal life. … This is the faith of Christians. Do you know this?’ He responded firmly, ‘I do, Yes!’ and wept tears of joy,” Father Elizarraras recalled.
“Throughout the rite, he remained deeply attentive, smiling and occasionally meditating with his eyes closed,” Father Elizarraras continued. “When the moment came for his baptism, he opened his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest, recognizing this supernatural encounter with God.”
Deacon Trevino described the day as “powerful.”
Father Edson Elizarraras, pastor of St. Christopher Parish in Marana, Arizona, celebrates Mass at 98-year-old Raymond Martin’s baptism, confirmation, and first Communion on July 16, 2026. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Deacon Jack Trevino
“I was so blessed to humbly participate and witness how Christ, the bridegroom, pours out his love and mercy through his bride, the Church, in the sacraments for his people,” Deacon Trevino said.
Afterward, they celebrated with cupcakes — and made plans for how Martin would practice his newfound faith from the assisted living home.
“First thing he asked me and my wife, Elena, was how he could receive Communion again since he can’t get around to go to Mass,” Deacon Trevino said. “We promised that we would bring him Communion directly and he could watch Mass on EWTN.”
Martin asked for a medal of St. Christopher; he’d “always wanted one,” he told Deacon Trevino, and St. Christopher was now, officially, his confirmation saint.
At the baptism, confirmation, and first Communion of Raymond Martin. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Deacon Jack Trevino
Encountering Christ
Father Elizarraras left the celebration that day “with immense joy and peace.”
“In Rayʼs response to grace, I saw a soul truly coming alive,” Father Elizarraras said.
The celebration brought to Father Elizarraras’ mind a line from Deus Caritas Est, “God Is Love,” an encyclical letter written by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.
“Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction,” Father Elizarraras said, quoting Benedict.
“For Ray, at 98 years old, this sacrament was that very encounter, giving his final days a glorious new horizon,” Father Elizarraras said.
A week later, Deacon Trevino’s wife, Elena, a lay ecclesial minister, brought Martin Communion.
“She read the Gospel for the upcoming Mass, the Parable of the Buried Treasure,” Deacon Trevino said. “She told Ray that he was the man in the parable who found the great treasure. He was very happy.”
Jarvish Macwan the first male Football referee from Gujarat earned admission in AFC, Malaysia.
Gandhinagar’s well-known national football referee Jarvish Macwan has been selected for the prestigious Referees Academy (Batch 8) of the Asian Football Confederation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He has become the first male football referee from Gujarat to gain admission to this academy.
Macwan began his career as a national player in the Under-17 and Under-19 categories. In 2017, he started his refereeing journey with local-level matches. Gradually, after clearing State Level-8, Level-7, and Level-6, he became a Level-5 National Referee in 2022. After being selected for the AIFF’sProject Future (PFI) batch in 2019, he served as a reserve referee/fourth official in the Santosh Trophy final and also officiated as a center referee in the Durand Cup and the I-League.
During this three-year course, which will begin in October in Malaysia, there will be six offline exposure classes along with online sessions. The program includes rigorous assessment of the Laws of the Game, fitness, and personality. After completing this training, if Jarvish is selected in Grade A or Grade B, he will have the opportunity to become a FIFA Elite Referee. He would then be eligible to officiate as a referee in international competitions, including the FIFA World Cup.
This remarkable achievement reflects years of dedication, discipline, and commitment to excellence. This milestone is not only a personal success but also a proud moment for the entire football fraternity of Gujarat. We wish him continued success as he represents India on the Asian stage and beyond.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup was the 23rd FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international men’s soccer championship contested by the national teams of the member associations of FIFA. The tournament began on June 11, 2026, and concluded on July 19 with Spain winning the championship for the second time. It was jointly hosted by 16 cities—11 in the United States, 3 in Mexico, and 2 in Canada. The tournament was the first FIFA World Cup to be hosted by three countries and the first to include 48 teams, an expansion from the previous 32-team format. FIFA World Cup 2026 selected 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video assistant referees for the tournament. (Wikipedia)
The 2030 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be the 24th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football tournament that is contested by the men’s national teams of the member associations of FIFA. The tournament is planned to be jointly hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. (Wikipedia)
મારું જીવન…મારાં સ્વજન…મારો સમાજ…મારું જગત…૨૦૦૪ થી આ જાળું ગૂંથી રહ્યો છું…
