Kindly Light

At a recent farewell dinner held in Tana, the missionaries of the Daughters of Heart of Mary sang a soulful hymn in Malagasy for our benefit. Your columnist and his spouse who had enjoyed their hospitality had to return the favour with an Indian tune.

We first thought of ' Bambai se aya mera dost.' But it was more suitable for a secular gathering; so we opted instead for the famous Vedic prayer, Asato maa sadgamaya/Tamaso maa jyotirgamaya/Mrityor maa amritan gamaya/Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantihi.

Our hosts instantly warmed up to the hymn when we presented the translation: "From the unreal, lead us to the Real; from darkness, lead us unto Light; from death, lead us to Immortality. Om Peace, Peace, Peace." The Vedic chant reminded some missionaries of John Henry Newman's famous hymn, "Lead kindly, Light".

Cardinal Newman composed it in Italy in 1833, when he was still a young priest. He had became sick and was travelling home to Britain by boat when the vessel was becalmed almost for a week in the Strait of Boniface. That's when he implored Kindly Light to lead him out of the encircling gloom.

"The night is dark, and I am far from home," Newman's renowned allegory for the soul adds. "Lead Thou me on! / Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene; / one step enough for me." Newman confesses that he wasn't ever thus. Nor did he ever pray that 'Thou shouldst lead me on'. He became tranquil after giving up pride and doubt.

Now, as he follows the narrow rugged path that the Saviour himself has trodden, he is certain of coming home in childlike faith.