Day 47, Sept. 26

The day, in effect, began at 2:45 when I was to be picked up. My ride seemed to be late. I waited a bit longer and he arrived. Actually the gate had been locked. The priest then jumped the high fence and opened the gate from the inside. He got me to the station in plenty of time. The agent assured me of my status in the sleeper. I preferred a seat. She said I’d have to arrange that with the conductor.
I had over 45 minutes waiting time. I took out my breviary and began the Office of Readings at an appropriate time. That was until a young woman came and sat next to me. She asked if I were alone. I said “yes” and returned to prayer. I could feel her watching me. Sure enough, 2 minutes later she interrupts me showing me a Divine Mercy prayer card. She asked if I were a Christian. I told her I was a priest. Then she began to tell me her story of being engaged to one man an in love with another. I tried to be as non-directive as possible. She didn’t seem to go for that. So, I obliged and gave her some solid advice. She didn’t go for that either. Then my train came in. She tried to stop me from boarding. She didn’t get her way this time. I boarded with a woman, young n fairly attractive chasing me. I still do not know her scheme. I asked some Indians about this and none even tried to answer me.
On board, I quickly found my berth. I’m an expert by now. It was on the window side – a single bed on top. I made the bed, climbed in, and soon enough fell asleep for about 2 hours. Then the sun began to shine. The top berth had no windows but the train was getting light. Since the owner of the bottom berth had already gotten off the train, I took over that bed, changed it to the seating position and lounged back to stare at the lovely and strange countryside flying by. It was a far better experience than I would have had if I were in a regular seat. I only had to make sure I got off at Dindigul. That was not a bit difficult. On a clear bright morning I had made my way one more time on the Indian Railway.
There was a minor problem. I could not find the people who were to pick my up. I did call them earlier that morning telling them we wee on time. Thanks to the miracle of mobile phones, I called Fr. Deveraj back again and he said they were 5 minutes away. I reached the exit and, before I could get down all the steps, they were on their way up. Fr. Deveraj and I hugged. We had met in the Bronx. He was a sight for sore eyes and an end to this adventure.
He was the beginning of the next one. We first had lunch at a nice restaurant in a busy transportation depot sot of town with no definition except for trucks and warehouses. After lunch, we headed for the parish in the city(?) of N.Poolampatty.
It proved to be a quaint country town. My quarters were more than adequate. Once again the pastor gave me his room. O the first time the floor was neither stone nor concrete. It was a Pergo product which made the room feel cleaner. I was shown first two families who were being helped by Love & Care. They would have been coolie laborers as pre-teens I it had not been for the little bit of funds making it possible o them to go to school.
We returned to the rectory and got a short rest (I had only those 2 hours of real sleep in two days). I was called at sunset and got ready for Mass. There was dark, then there was fire, the there was the sound of drums beaten wildly. All this theater was on my behalf welcoming me to the town. I proceeded to be blessed with fire, had a garland put around me as well as the distinctive mark on my forehead. (This was the third time I had that experience.) Then we entered church for Mass. Thee wee introductions all around and speeches by the leading townsfolk. It’s nice when almost everyone in town is Catholic. I said a couple of words which happened to be the right ones. He people seemed very happy. Maybe it was my reaction to the children that won them over. Whatever it was, the people and I seemed to get al0ng very well together.