posted September 10, 2006 01:57 AM         

quote:

---

LUCKNOW: It’s not the kind of thing that routine school assemblies witness. On Wednesday, Lucknow’s prestigious Loreto Convent organised a date with Lord Jesus Christ that led to students fainting and horrified parents asking what the school up to?

The school principal, a dozen staff members and about 250 Class VIII to XII girls were privy to the 'special' occult session that had a medium ‘transforming’ into Christ and blessing them. A dozen students fainted and a couple needed medical attention. Most girls were either horrified or too shocked to explain the phenomenon.

Principal Sister Monica on Saturday admitted some girls fainted during the 'holy experience'. "It is not unusual to be terrified when the Lord comes before you. Even I was frightened," she said. The children were exposed to a demonstration of a little-known Chandra Cult with its headquarters in Krishnagar (West Bengal).

The cult is headed by Nobo Kumar Mandal, a rickshaw-puller patronised by Father Sebastian Kuzhipala, a Catholic priest based in Murshidabad. Father Sebastian and Sister Monica conducted the show at Loreto as Nobo Kumar served as the medium to bring ‘Ishu’ to ‘heal and bless’ the gathering. Nobo Kumar went around grunting and growling, making hissing sounds while 'inducing' Jesus to enter his body.

"It is very painful when Jesus enters his body. That is why he was writhing on the ground," explained Sister Monica.

During the ritual, Nobo started shuddering and collapsed. "I thought he was dead and I also passed out," said a student.

"It looked like he had a massive heart attack...we all were so scared," said another student.

---