Month of November is also called the month of remembrance. It is a time the catholic community traditionally remembers those who have died. This is in relation to the fact that the end of November is the end of the Liturgical Year. The Church uses this end of the year period as a time to think of the end of life and the end of all things. Besides, the Catholics look to the future with great hope that our earthly end is transition into a new life in God’s heavenly reality. During this entire month, in a special way, we thankfully remember those who have gone before us, and we look with prayer and hope to their new life in heaven and our desire to join them one day.
Kunthurukam (incense in English) is a memoir book written originally in Malayalam by Father Lincoln George Kadooparayil MCBS in the context of the sad demise of his beloved sister Rev Jessy DST. All throughout this book, the author beautifully presents his cherished memories with his sister especially during the final years of her life. Each chapter of this book will help us look at our sufferings, diseases, and death positively.
Incense (Malayalam Kunthurukam) often relates us with our funeral ceremonies. However, the burning incense is a symbol of suffering humanity. Also, the smoke of burning incense is interpreted by both the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the prayer of the faithful rising to heaven. The fragrance of the incense not only rises to heaven, but it also spreads among people. Similarly, the goodness of our beloved departed souls rises to heaven and spreads among the people still living on earth.
Incense was one among the valuable gifts presented to the child Jesus in the manger. This book also is such a gift to the readers.