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| Indian Mission Congress Blog |
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Shining examples
Shining examples
By Don Monteiro
How a hardcore criminal can repent and turn towards God; a roller-coaster life can change dramatically; art remarkably has a sacramental dimension and life and lifestyle can turn upside down, were some of the highlights of testimonies of elite speakers who focused on the theme, ‘How The Light of Jesus Shines Through’, during Prabhu Yesu Mahotsav on Friday.
Sister Adele, of the Congregation of Sisters of Charity, revealed the stunning example of Nitesh
who was in prison for murder. He confessed that he was a former seminarian and that anger had got the better of him.
When he perceived that he was betrayed by his colleague in business, he struck him on the head with a hammer. Ever since, he became a victim of guilt and fear. In the first few weeks of his prison life he hid in a corner, unable to face fellow prisoners. But counseling sessions allowed him to free himself from the fear and guilt. Having realized his own weakness, he started working towards improving and changing. His transformation was such that he was able to continue his MCA course and was in a position to begin life anew.
“I am questioned by several persons,” said Sister Adele, who is currently serving as Coordinator of Prison Ministry India, Bangalore Unit and working for the welfare of the 5000 and more prisoners who are languishing behind bars in the Central Prison. “They ask, ‘Why do you want to serve law breakers and criminals?’. But I believe they are victims of circumstances. What if we were born with no one to love and care for us?”
“There are thousands in prison cells who have not seen the light of Christ and I waited for a chance to enter there with His light and love. My Provincial Superior too encouraged me as our Province had opted to enter into new areas of apostolate,” revealed Sister Adele.
“I strongly believe that God has a purpose and plan for each and every person,” reasoned Dr. Jeanette Pinto. “The purpose of my life was to be a teacher and I thoroughly enjoyed teaching for over four decades – until I became a victim of pollution. Strangely, God led me to meet an octogenarian gentleman who shared with me his agony and pain over the horrible plight of the unborn child.”
After being urged to attend awareness programmes, Dr. Pinto was shell-shocked to learn of how the horrific killing of the unborn child took place.
“I wondered how inhuman a mother could be to kill her mute, innocent, defenseless baby. Abortion I thought prevailed only in the West, but realized that in India, the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1971, had unleashed this silent violence on our society too, resulting in thousands of abortions,” said Dr. Pinto. “It led me to a missionary challenge, to teach people that abortion was ‘murder in the womb’ and against ‘the law of God’.
“This ministry has changed my life and me. I am happy I had the courage to answer the call and give it my all,” she said.
The other speakers were, Dr. Jyoti Sahi of Bangalore who spoke on how the light of Jesus shine through art and architecture, and Fr. George Kuttickal, who spoke on Ministry to the poor.
By Don Monteiro
How a hardcore criminal can repent and turn towards God; a roller-coaster life can change dramatically; art remarkably has a sacramental dimension and life and lifestyle can turn upside down, were some of the highlights of testimonies of elite speakers who focused on the theme, ‘How The Light of Jesus Shines Through’, during Prabhu Yesu Mahotsav on Friday.
Sister Adele, of the Congregation of Sisters of Charity, revealed the stunning example of Nitesh
who was in prison for murder. He confessed that he was a former seminarian and that anger had got the better of him.
When he perceived that he was betrayed by his colleague in business, he struck him on the head with a hammer. Ever since, he became a victim of guilt and fear. In the first few weeks of his prison life he hid in a corner, unable to face fellow prisoners. But counseling sessions allowed him to free himself from the fear and guilt. Having realized his own weakness, he started working towards improving and changing. His transformation was such that he was able to continue his MCA course and was in a position to begin life anew.
“I am questioned by several persons,” said Sister Adele, who is currently serving as Coordinator of Prison Ministry India, Bangalore Unit and working for the welfare of the 5000 and more prisoners who are languishing behind bars in the Central Prison. “They ask, ‘Why do you want to serve law breakers and criminals?’. But I believe they are victims of circumstances. What if we were born with no one to love and care for us?”
“There are thousands in prison cells who have not seen the light of Christ and I waited for a chance to enter there with His light and love. My Provincial Superior too encouraged me as our Province had opted to enter into new areas of apostolate,” revealed Sister Adele.
“I strongly believe that God has a purpose and plan for each and every person,” reasoned Dr. Jeanette Pinto. “The purpose of my life was to be a teacher and I thoroughly enjoyed teaching for over four decades – until I became a victim of pollution. Strangely, God led me to meet an octogenarian gentleman who shared with me his agony and pain over the horrible plight of the unborn child.”
After being urged to attend awareness programmes, Dr. Pinto was shell-shocked to learn of how the horrific killing of the unborn child took place.
“I wondered how inhuman a mother could be to kill her mute, innocent, defenseless baby. Abortion I thought prevailed only in the West, but realized that in India, the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1971, had unleashed this silent violence on our society too, resulting in thousands of abortions,” said Dr. Pinto. “It led me to a missionary challenge, to teach people that abortion was ‘murder in the womb’ and against ‘the law of God’.
“This ministry has changed my life and me. I am happy I had the courage to answer the call and give it my all,” she said.
The other speakers were, Dr. Jyoti Sahi of Bangalore who spoke on how the light of Jesus shine through art and architecture, and Fr. George Kuttickal, who spoke on Ministry to the poor.
The mission imperative: Bishop Alencherry
The mission imperative: Bishop Alencherry
By Fr. Anthony Charanghat
The mission imperative ‘You are the light of the World’ is made explicit again in the words of Jesus, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven”. This was emphasized by Bishop George Alencherry at the Eucharist celebrated by Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil in the Syro-Malabar rite during the Prabhu Yesu Mahotsav at the St. Pius College, Goregaon in Mumbai on Friday.
“The evangelist Mathew gives three images to explain the missionary role of those who follow Jesus. They are, to be the salt, light and a city built on a hill. As salt they have to sanctify, purify and preserve the world in its relationship to God. As light they have to illuminate the world. Like a city built on a hill the Church as a whole must be seen as a community that lives out visibly the relationships proclaimed in the beatitudes,” explained Bishop Alencherry, while speaking on the theme of the day – You Are The Light of the World.
In the New Testament, Jesus has made his followers the light of the world. It is in him, in the strength of his word and love, that we have to enlighten the world, through direct and indirect preaching, through catechesis and education services, through art, architecture, literature, through the media, through health and pro-life services, through development works, through ministries to the poor, the marginalized, and the prisoners, the bishop stressed.
He said, light makes us see things as they are. When the light of God is in us, when the light of God manifested in Jesus is in us, we see everything in the light of God, according to the values of the Gospel and give witness to them. This is our mission, our work of evangelization. The disciples of Christ as individuals or as the Church do not impose anything on others, needless to say that they do not force others to get them converted to Christian faith.
The true Christian, he said, preaches and professes what he believes namely the truth of the Gospel that has already converted him to God’s love. It is the same truth of the Gospel, to which the Christian bears witness by word and love that penetrates the hearts of people and causes the change or conversion of their vision of life. This is God’s work, not of man, and no one can hold it back. The Spirit blows where it wills, Bishop Alencherry said to the gathering of 1500 delegates from all over India, on the third day of the Indian Mission Congress.
“The more we are seized by Christ and anointed by His Spirit, the more we will be impelled to give witness to his word and love, to be committed to his mission, to be bearers of his light to others. The less we are so, the less will be our commitment to his mission. From this lack of depth in faith in Christ and love of his church comes also the lack of zeal for the mission of Christ, nay even doubts about it and questions against its relevance,” he said.
In conclusion, Bishop Alencherry said, “The true disciple of Christ radiates his light by his witness of prayer too. He is a man of God who attracts men to God. Let us pray that the traditional prayer of our great country tamasoma jyothir gamaya may get its fulfilling complementarily in the light of Christ.”
By Fr. Anthony Charanghat
The mission imperative ‘You are the light of the World’ is made explicit again in the words of Jesus, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven”. This was emphasized by Bishop George Alencherry at the Eucharist celebrated by Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil in the Syro-Malabar rite during the Prabhu Yesu Mahotsav at the St. Pius College, Goregaon in Mumbai on Friday.
“The evangelist Mathew gives three images to explain the missionary role of those who follow Jesus. They are, to be the salt, light and a city built on a hill. As salt they have to sanctify, purify and preserve the world in its relationship to God. As light they have to illuminate the world. Like a city built on a hill the Church as a whole must be seen as a community that lives out visibly the relationships proclaimed in the beatitudes,” explained Bishop Alencherry, while speaking on the theme of the day – You Are The Light of the World.
In the New Testament, Jesus has made his followers the light of the world. It is in him, in the strength of his word and love, that we have to enlighten the world, through direct and indirect preaching, through catechesis and education services, through art, architecture, literature, through the media, through health and pro-life services, through development works, through ministries to the poor, the marginalized, and the prisoners, the bishop stressed.
He said, light makes us see things as they are. When the light of God is in us, when the light of God manifested in Jesus is in us, we see everything in the light of God, according to the values of the Gospel and give witness to them. This is our mission, our work of evangelization. The disciples of Christ as individuals or as the Church do not impose anything on others, needless to say that they do not force others to get them converted to Christian faith.
The true Christian, he said, preaches and professes what he believes namely the truth of the Gospel that has already converted him to God’s love. It is the same truth of the Gospel, to which the Christian bears witness by word and love that penetrates the hearts of people and causes the change or conversion of their vision of life. This is God’s work, not of man, and no one can hold it back. The Spirit blows where it wills, Bishop Alencherry said to the gathering of 1500 delegates from all over India, on the third day of the Indian Mission Congress.
“The more we are seized by Christ and anointed by His Spirit, the more we will be impelled to give witness to his word and love, to be committed to his mission, to be bearers of his light to others. The less we are so, the less will be our commitment to his mission. From this lack of depth in faith in Christ and love of his church comes also the lack of zeal for the mission of Christ, nay even doubts about it and questions against its relevance,” he said.
In conclusion, Bishop Alencherry said, “The true disciple of Christ radiates his light by his witness of prayer too. He is a man of God who attracts men to God. Let us pray that the traditional prayer of our great country tamasoma jyothir gamaya may get its fulfilling complementarily in the light of Christ.”
A faith sharing experience
A faith sharing experience
By Br. Crescens Lemos, sdb
“What guides my happiness is my faith in Jesus. He knows my hopes, my desires, and I lean on him for all things. He is my savior, my guardian and I share a personal relationship with him. There is no one greater than Jesus and I can testify for the same.”
These were the sentiments that were expressed by Mrs. Luz Maria Engineer as part of the Faith Sharing experience that was held yesterday as part of the Indian Mission Congress, Prabhu Yesu Mahotsav.
India’s first ever Indian Mission Congress on the theme ‘Let your light shine’ has taken up the task to empower the laity and make people realize that they form an integral part of the church.
Keeping this in mind, the Indian Mission Congress has drawn up various group sharing and participative programmes for the Indian Mission Congress. One of the programmes is the faith sharing experience.
‘How Jesus has touched my life’ was a platform for the laity to share how God has continuously worked miracles in their lives. Four speakers were chosen to represent different age groups and different regions.
Mrs. Luz Maria Engineer, born and brought up in a Catholic family, says that her spiritual experience with Christ was that of the blind man at Bethsida, who could see partially. But slowly and steadily God revealed himself to her through various people and events in her life.
Mrs. Engineer joined the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, a small prayer group of which she is currently the chairperson of the Bombay Service team for the CCR.
Challenges have always been in her way but Mrs. Engineer’s deep love for Jesus Christ has helped her to look at life as God’s gift.
“My greatest desire and prayer is that many more people may experience the joy of knowing and serving the Lord Jesus. The Lord is faithful. When he calls us into a personal relationship with him and we accept the invitation then we can be sure he will be with us, to guide and teach us. Our negative experiences as well as times of struggle all work for our good (Rom 8:28). Praise the Lord,” she reasons.
Mrs. Nancy Thomas, presently working for Fedex, has had experiences which have made her love Jesus Christ more deeply.
She says, “My faith in Jesus guides my happiness. He knows my hopes, my desires, and I lean on him for all things. He is my saviour, my guardian and I share a personal relationship with him. There is no one greater than Jesus and I can testify for the same. I have sailed through different phases in my life – with him by my side.” With sickness, family problems, work pressures, she still continues to help other youngsters who find it difficult to cope with life’s pressures.
Mr. Balaraj from Bangalore and Mr. Dominic Wanghom from the North East region too shared their experiences of how Jesus has touched their lives. “Sharing one’s experience not only helps the individual but also helps us reflect and see how Jesus Christ is touching our lives,” they said. “Let us realize that God is there with us every step of our lives. All we have to do is listen.”
By Br. Crescens Lemos, sdb
“What guides my happiness is my faith in Jesus. He knows my hopes, my desires, and I lean on him for all things. He is my savior, my guardian and I share a personal relationship with him. There is no one greater than Jesus and I can testify for the same.”
These were the sentiments that were expressed by Mrs. Luz Maria Engineer as part of the Faith Sharing experience that was held yesterday as part of the Indian Mission Congress, Prabhu Yesu Mahotsav.
India’s first ever Indian Mission Congress on the theme ‘Let your light shine’ has taken up the task to empower the laity and make people realize that they form an integral part of the church.
Keeping this in mind, the Indian Mission Congress has drawn up various group sharing and participative programmes for the Indian Mission Congress. One of the programmes is the faith sharing experience.
‘How Jesus has touched my life’ was a platform for the laity to share how God has continuously worked miracles in their lives. Four speakers were chosen to represent different age groups and different regions.
Mrs. Luz Maria Engineer, born and brought up in a Catholic family, says that her spiritual experience with Christ was that of the blind man at Bethsida, who could see partially. But slowly and steadily God revealed himself to her through various people and events in her life.
Mrs. Engineer joined the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, a small prayer group of which she is currently the chairperson of the Bombay Service team for the CCR.
Challenges have always been in her way but Mrs. Engineer’s deep love for Jesus Christ has helped her to look at life as God’s gift.
“My greatest desire and prayer is that many more people may experience the joy of knowing and serving the Lord Jesus. The Lord is faithful. When he calls us into a personal relationship with him and we accept the invitation then we can be sure he will be with us, to guide and teach us. Our negative experiences as well as times of struggle all work for our good (Rom 8:28). Praise the Lord,” she reasons.
Mrs. Nancy Thomas, presently working for Fedex, has had experiences which have made her love Jesus Christ more deeply.
She says, “My faith in Jesus guides my happiness. He knows my hopes, my desires, and I lean on him for all things. He is my saviour, my guardian and I share a personal relationship with him. There is no one greater than Jesus and I can testify for the same. I have sailed through different phases in my life – with him by my side.” With sickness, family problems, work pressures, she still continues to help other youngsters who find it difficult to cope with life’s pressures.
Mr. Balaraj from Bangalore and Mr. Dominic Wanghom from the North East region too shared their experiences of how Jesus has touched their lives. “Sharing one’s experience not only helps the individual but also helps us reflect and see how Jesus Christ is touching our lives,” they said. “Let us realize that God is there with us every step of our lives. All we have to do is listen.”
Cardinal Vithayathil releases India’s ‘Book of Revelation’
Cardinal Vithayathil releases India’s ‘Book of Revelation’
Shining Faith in Kandhamal, authored by Catholic journalist Anto Akkara and published by Asian Trading Corporation (ATC), was released at the Indian Mission Congress in Mumbai yesterday.
In the presence of the entire Catholic leadership of the country including bishops and 1500 church delegates, the book, documenting the incredible Christian witness in Kandhamal, was released by Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Major Archbishop and president of Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) and head of the Syro-Malabar Church.
Describing the book as a book of revelation, Cardinal Vithayathil in his foreword said that the Christians in Kandhamal were “humiliated and tortured but they stood firm in their faith. The Christians of Orissa are living dangerously. But it is not a desperate life. Rather, it is a heroic response to the great call of their faith.”
The book, Cardinal Vithayathil pointed out, “reveals a true journalist who cannot remain a mute spectator in the face of inhuman atrocities. Love and responsibility for one’s fellowmen finds expression in concern for the truth, and Anto has borne testimony to the persecuted truth of Kandhamal in these pages.”
“Kandhamal has produced a painful and at the same time glorious moment for the Christian faith with deeply inspiring testimonies of courageous witness amid persecution. I congratulate the author for documenting this shining moment of Christianity in India,” said Archbishop of Mumbai Cardinal Oswald Gracias, chairman of the Indian Mission Congress and president, Conference of Catholic Bishops of India.
The Shining Faith in Kandhamal is a collection of spine chilling testimonies of faith in the 21st century from the jungles of Kandhamal along with graphic descriptions of sadistic killings, torture and forced reconversions of thousands of Christians narrated with journalistic flair and passion.
The award-winning author’s earlier book Kandhamal – a blot on Indian Secularism had been hailed as ‘One of the must-read books’ by Kuldip Nayyar, patriarch of Indian journalism and as ‘A charge-sheet on Kandhamal’ by K.G. Kannabiran, president of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties
Shining Faith in Kandhamal, authored by Catholic journalist Anto Akkara and published by Asian Trading Corporation (ATC), was released at the Indian Mission Congress in Mumbai yesterday.
In the presence of the entire Catholic leadership of the country including bishops and 1500 church delegates, the book, documenting the incredible Christian witness in Kandhamal, was released by Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Major Archbishop and president of Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) and head of the Syro-Malabar Church.
Describing the book as a book of revelation, Cardinal Vithayathil in his foreword said that the Christians in Kandhamal were “humiliated and tortured but they stood firm in their faith. The Christians of Orissa are living dangerously. But it is not a desperate life. Rather, it is a heroic response to the great call of their faith.”
The book, Cardinal Vithayathil pointed out, “reveals a true journalist who cannot remain a mute spectator in the face of inhuman atrocities. Love and responsibility for one’s fellowmen finds expression in concern for the truth, and Anto has borne testimony to the persecuted truth of Kandhamal in these pages.”
“Kandhamal has produced a painful and at the same time glorious moment for the Christian faith with deeply inspiring testimonies of courageous witness amid persecution. I congratulate the author for documenting this shining moment of Christianity in India,” said Archbishop of Mumbai Cardinal Oswald Gracias, chairman of the Indian Mission Congress and president, Conference of Catholic Bishops of India.
The Shining Faith in Kandhamal is a collection of spine chilling testimonies of faith in the 21st century from the jungles of Kandhamal along with graphic descriptions of sadistic killings, torture and forced reconversions of thousands of Christians narrated with journalistic flair and passion.
The award-winning author’s earlier book Kandhamal – a blot on Indian Secularism had been hailed as ‘One of the must-read books’ by Kuldip Nayyar, patriarch of Indian journalism and as ‘A charge-sheet on Kandhamal’ by K.G. Kannabiran, president of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties
Confront forces of darkness
Prabhu Yesu Mahotsav
14th to 18th October, 2009
St. Pius College, Goregaon, Mumbai
Confront forces of darkness with
the light of Christ: Nuncio
The light of Christ should enable Christians to confront the darkness that envelops society and people, said Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, Apostolic Nuncio to India. He was speaking during the homily at the Prabhu Yesu Mahotsav at the Goregaon Seminary, on Thursday. The Nuncio extended to the 1500 participants the blessings of Pope Benedict XVI.
Archbishop Quintana presided over the Eucharist with Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Major Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Church and president of CBCI, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai, Chairman of the Mission Congress, Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, Archbishop of Ranchi, and Geevarghese Mar Divannasios, Bishop of Bathery concelebrating. The delegates of the Mission Congress devotedly participated in the Eucharistic celebration.
In his homily, Archbishop Quintana elaborated the meaning of the Mission Congress theme, Let Your Light Shine. Amid growing darkness of hunger and pain, poverty and violence, drug abuse and sexual malpractices, Christians have a particular duty and responsibility to bring the light of Christ and dispel darkness, he urged. Every Christian, he said, is called to confront the challenges facing the nation, society and families by sharing the light received in baptism to dispel darkness and gloom that exist around them.
Archbishop Quintana reminded the delegates of the Mahotsav, who have come from 160 dioceses in India, that their baptism obligated them to become sources of light and powerful witnesses. We must be a source of support for our brothers and sisters, he added. He reminded them that in the early Church, baptism was also called ‘illumination’, which means receiving the gift of light. One cannot miss the significance of light in the life of every Christian who becomes a baptized person, said the Nuncio.
Christians must open the doors of their hearts to welcome the true light of Christ. In turn, each one of us must be keen to share that gift of light with others. People must fight various kinds of blindness and forsake fleeting shadows and illusions and work to build a world of peace and harmony. Christians have an indispensable role in brining the message of Christ to all.
Share Christ’s light through a Christ-like life: Fr. Kizhakkeyil
It is essential to behave like true Christians if we are to become agents of spreading Jesus’ light in this country, said Scripture Scholar and Professor at Ruhalaya Major Seminary, Ujjain, Fr. Sebastian Kizhakkeyil.
Speaking on the theme, Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, he spoke of the deep longing of the people of our land for truth, light and immortality as expressed in the ancient Upanishad prayers of the people of our land. He hoped that the participants of the Mission Congress experience a deep sense of Christian fraternity and communion, and that this event would become like a second Pentecost.
He said Christ’s disciples must respond to the deep yearning of the people and become sharers of Christ’s light by good deeds and honest and integral lives. Quoting Albert Schweizer, he said, ‘example is not the main thing – it is the only thing’.
Jesus, he reminded the participants, is not a philosophical or theological concept remaining on the abstract level, but a person who can touch the hearts of people and illumine them. The Mission Congress should urge participants to invite people of other faiths to be illumined by the light of Christ. He called on every Christian to become like lamp lighters who illumine others and then disappear from the scene.
He recalled the gruesome sufferings experienced by Christians in Orissa and other parts of the country and said the Christian community in India and elsewhere are in great solidarity with them and pay tribute to their faith and courage. He also drew the attention of the participants of the Mission Congress to the scandal of poverty, homelessness, caste discrimination, injustice and marginalization existing side by side with affluence and luxurious living, which every Christian must fight to overcome.
Fr. Kizhakkeyil reminded his audience of the example of Mother Teresa who listened to the cry of the poor drawing inspiration and strength from Christ’s own example. He cited the examples of numerous other Christian witnesses in India like Blessed Kunjachan, Saint Alphonsa, Blessed Joseph Vaz, Blessed Chavara, Blessed Euphresia who are models for Christians today to emulate.
Christians today must stay clear of those who indulge in corruption, malpractices and harmful activities that endanger life, property and health. We must instead act with integrity, honesty and a sense of concern for the poor. Heeding Christ’s call, we should be ready to abandon evil ambitions, greed and avarice, he said. He stressed the need for Christian schools and hospitals to open their doors to the poor and the marginalized sections and show a preferential love and concern for them, as Christ has taught us.
------------------------
1. Vatican Ambassador to India and representative of Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana inaugurates the first Indian Mission Congress, Prabhu Yesu Mahotsav at the St. Pius College, Goregaon, in Mumbai on Wednesday. Looking on are (from left), Major Archbishop Moran Mar Baselios Mar Cleemis, Catholicos, head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in India, Archbishop of Mumbai and president of the Congress Cardinal Oswald Gracias and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India and head of the Syro-Malabar Church, Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil.
2. Vatican Ambassador to India and representative of Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana inaugurates the first Indian Mission Congress, Prabhu Yesu Mahotsav at the St. Pius College, Goregaon, in Mumbai on Wednesday. Looking on are (from left), Bishop Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, president, National Council of Churches in India, Major Archbishop Moran Mar Baselios Mar Cleemis, Catholicos, head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in India, Archbishop of Mumbai and president of the Congress Cardinal Oswald Gracias and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India and head of the Syro-Malabar Church, Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil.
14th to 18th October, 2009
St. Pius College, Goregaon, Mumbai
Confront forces of darkness with
the light of Christ: Nuncio
The light of Christ should enable Christians to confront the darkness that envelops society and people, said Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, Apostolic Nuncio to India. He was speaking during the homily at the Prabhu Yesu Mahotsav at the Goregaon Seminary, on Thursday. The Nuncio extended to the 1500 participants the blessings of Pope Benedict XVI.
Archbishop Quintana presided over the Eucharist with Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Major Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Church and president of CBCI, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai, Chairman of the Mission Congress, Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, Archbishop of Ranchi, and Geevarghese Mar Divannasios, Bishop of Bathery concelebrating. The delegates of the Mission Congress devotedly participated in the Eucharistic celebration.
In his homily, Archbishop Quintana elaborated the meaning of the Mission Congress theme, Let Your Light Shine. Amid growing darkness of hunger and pain, poverty and violence, drug abuse and sexual malpractices, Christians have a particular duty and responsibility to bring the light of Christ and dispel darkness, he urged. Every Christian, he said, is called to confront the challenges facing the nation, society and families by sharing the light received in baptism to dispel darkness and gloom that exist around them.
Archbishop Quintana reminded the delegates of the Mahotsav, who have come from 160 dioceses in India, that their baptism obligated them to become sources of light and powerful witnesses. We must be a source of support for our brothers and sisters, he added. He reminded them that in the early Church, baptism was also called ‘illumination’, which means receiving the gift of light. One cannot miss the significance of light in the life of every Christian who becomes a baptized person, said the Nuncio.
Christians must open the doors of their hearts to welcome the true light of Christ. In turn, each one of us must be keen to share that gift of light with others. People must fight various kinds of blindness and forsake fleeting shadows and illusions and work to build a world of peace and harmony. Christians have an indispensable role in brining the message of Christ to all.
Share Christ’s light through a Christ-like life: Fr. Kizhakkeyil
It is essential to behave like true Christians if we are to become agents of spreading Jesus’ light in this country, said Scripture Scholar and Professor at Ruhalaya Major Seminary, Ujjain, Fr. Sebastian Kizhakkeyil.
Speaking on the theme, Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, he spoke of the deep longing of the people of our land for truth, light and immortality as expressed in the ancient Upanishad prayers of the people of our land. He hoped that the participants of the Mission Congress experience a deep sense of Christian fraternity and communion, and that this event would become like a second Pentecost.
He said Christ’s disciples must respond to the deep yearning of the people and become sharers of Christ’s light by good deeds and honest and integral lives. Quoting Albert Schweizer, he said, ‘example is not the main thing – it is the only thing’.
Jesus, he reminded the participants, is not a philosophical or theological concept remaining on the abstract level, but a person who can touch the hearts of people and illumine them. The Mission Congress should urge participants to invite people of other faiths to be illumined by the light of Christ. He called on every Christian to become like lamp lighters who illumine others and then disappear from the scene.
He recalled the gruesome sufferings experienced by Christians in Orissa and other parts of the country and said the Christian community in India and elsewhere are in great solidarity with them and pay tribute to their faith and courage. He also drew the attention of the participants of the Mission Congress to the scandal of poverty, homelessness, caste discrimination, injustice and marginalization existing side by side with affluence and luxurious living, which every Christian must fight to overcome.
Fr. Kizhakkeyil reminded his audience of the example of Mother Teresa who listened to the cry of the poor drawing inspiration and strength from Christ’s own example. He cited the examples of numerous other Christian witnesses in India like Blessed Kunjachan, Saint Alphonsa, Blessed Joseph Vaz, Blessed Chavara, Blessed Euphresia who are models for Christians today to emulate.
Christians today must stay clear of those who indulge in corruption, malpractices and harmful activities that endanger life, property and health. We must instead act with integrity, honesty and a sense of concern for the poor. Heeding Christ’s call, we should be ready to abandon evil ambitions, greed and avarice, he said. He stressed the need for Christian schools and hospitals to open their doors to the poor and the marginalized sections and show a preferential love and concern for them, as Christ has taught us.
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1. Vatican Ambassador to India and representative of Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana inaugurates the first Indian Mission Congress, Prabhu Yesu Mahotsav at the St. Pius College, Goregaon, in Mumbai on Wednesday. Looking on are (from left), Major Archbishop Moran Mar Baselios Mar Cleemis, Catholicos, head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in India, Archbishop of Mumbai and president of the Congress Cardinal Oswald Gracias and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India and head of the Syro-Malabar Church, Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil.
2. Vatican Ambassador to India and representative of Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana inaugurates the first Indian Mission Congress, Prabhu Yesu Mahotsav at the St. Pius College, Goregaon, in Mumbai on Wednesday. Looking on are (from left), Bishop Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, president, National Council of Churches in India, Major Archbishop Moran Mar Baselios Mar Cleemis, Catholicos, head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in India, Archbishop of Mumbai and president of the Congress Cardinal Oswald Gracias and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India and head of the Syro-Malabar Church, Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil.
Historic Mission Congress Opens in Mumbai
Historic Mission Congress Opens in Mumbai
India’s first ever Mission Congress on the theme ‘Let Your Light Shine’, christened Prabhu Yesu Mahotsav was inaugurated by Vatican Ambassador to India and representative of Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana at the St. Pius College, Goregaon, Mumbai.
About 1500 delegates, including more than 100 bishops, hundreds of priests and nuns, and lay leaders from the 160 dioceses of India are attending the Congress.
Mumbai’s 49-year old spacious St. Pius Seminary in Goregaon wore a festive look with tastefully decorated conference venue, illuminations, colorful exhibition pandals, spacious food court and several stalls.
The four-day event includes talks, sharing faith stories and experiences of new and creative ways of ministries in the church in India as well as liturgical celebrations and prayers in the three different rites in India, groups sharing, discussions, exhibitions and cultural programmes.
President of the Congress Cardinal Oswald Gracias said the event drew inspiration from the late Pope John II who called for continental Mission Congresses. The 50 delegates from India who attended the Asian Mission Congress in Thailand felt that India should organize a similar event for the whole country.
The purpose of the Congress, Cardinal Oswald said, “is to joyfully share our faith in Jesus Christ, to express the joy of believing in Him, to exchange our experiences, and to inspire others to continue to work in the spirit of the Gospel. It is hoped that as a result of this Congress, the participants and the whole Church in India will have a deeper awareness of what it means to be a Christian, a greater consciousness of our calling, and a more sincere commitment to live as Christians.”
Preparations for the event began over a year ago with Fr. Vijay Shantiraj as the national Secretary and Bishop Agnelo Gracias of Mumbai as the chairman of the local organising committee. Several volunteers from the parishes of Mumbai have been working tirelessly to host the delegates and to ensure the smooth conduct of the event.
Inaugural Event
The Mission Congress opened with the carrying of the Bible in procession by representatives of the three ritual churches, Fr. Vijay Shantiraj, Fr. JustinVettukallel and Fr. John Berchmans. The chief guest and heads of the three Churches lit the lamp amid chanting of hymns on the theme of light.
Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai as host and President of the Mission Congress welcomed the delegates to the city of Mumbai for the four-day event. The Church in India, he noted is having its first Mission Congress, and history is being made. He said each of the participants in the Congress is a very special delegate of their diocese. He hoped that the Congress would provide them very fruitful, graceful days and give to each one “a deeper understanding of our mission as disciples of Christ.”
Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil calls to bear courageous witness to Christ
President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India and head of the Syro-Malabar Church, Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil called the delegates of the first Indian Mission Congress to bear courageous witness to Christ as there is no other substitute for happiness than the Good News of Christ.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the Indian Mission Congress, Prabhu Yesu Mahotsav, Cardinal Vithayathil said the event drew inspiration from the Asian Mission Congress held in Thailand in 2006, and is the fruit of collaboration of all the three ritual churches in India. Such collaboration, he said, augurs well for the church in India.
Stressing the need to be courageous witnesses of Christ today, he said, no amount of wealth or pleasure in this world can give deep and lasting joy which Christ gives. He drew attention to ills like terrorism, fundamentalism and atheism that plague the world today. Christ and his message are the fundamental answers to the ills that afflict the world.
Calling for a courageous witness and proclamation of Christ and his message, he emphasized that the one who has discovered the treasure of Christ cannot keep it to oneself but is compelled from within to communicate it to others.
He highlighted the importance of the media in the proclamation of this message, but underlined the need for Christians to become not only messengers but the message by authentic discipleship of Christ. He said neither Jesus Christ, nor the Catholic Church, force anybody to be converted. But he emphasized the need for rejecting intolerance of other’s faith.
This is a special mission: Archbishop Quintana
“The Church’s mission is to spread hope continuously. This is a special mission. The Church works not to assert power or dominion but to seek only to place ourselves at the service of humanity, especially the poor,” reasoned Archbishop Pedro Lopez Qunitana.
“The best way of evangelization is to tell the story of Jesus. The roll of the laity is important. We are invited to be the light, to tell everybody of Jesus, especially those who are ignorant of Christ,” Archbishop Quintana added.
Christ’s Message is for the whole world: Mar Cleemis
Jesus Christ’s message is one of peace and love for the whole people and not meant for any particular ethnic, linguistic or regional group, said Major Archbishop Moran Mar Baselios Mar Cleemis, Catholicos, head of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church in India, in his message at the inaugural session of the Indian Mission Congress, Prabhu Yesu Mahotsav.
The Church in India is small in comparison with other religious groups but the service it extends to all sections of the people, particularly its commitment to the poor are a major contribution to the nation, he said.
He called on the 1500 delegates of the Mission Congress to build a culture of peace, tolerance and love and march together with members of all other Christian churches and religions in living the love of God. He paid tributes to the Christian brothers and sisters in Orissa who were brutally attacked for their Christian faith. He also lauded the efforts of Archbishop Cheenath of Cuttack, Bhubhaneshwar for his courageous witness in the face of persecution.
India’s first ever Mission Congress on the theme ‘Let Your Light Shine’, christened Prabhu Yesu Mahotsav was inaugurated by Vatican Ambassador to India and representative of Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana at the St. Pius College, Goregaon, Mumbai.
About 1500 delegates, including more than 100 bishops, hundreds of priests and nuns, and lay leaders from the 160 dioceses of India are attending the Congress.
Mumbai’s 49-year old spacious St. Pius Seminary in Goregaon wore a festive look with tastefully decorated conference venue, illuminations, colorful exhibition pandals, spacious food court and several stalls.
The four-day event includes talks, sharing faith stories and experiences of new and creative ways of ministries in the church in India as well as liturgical celebrations and prayers in the three different rites in India, groups sharing, discussions, exhibitions and cultural programmes.
President of the Congress Cardinal Oswald Gracias said the event drew inspiration from the late Pope John II who called for continental Mission Congresses. The 50 delegates from India who attended the Asian Mission Congress in Thailand felt that India should organize a similar event for the whole country.
The purpose of the Congress, Cardinal Oswald said, “is to joyfully share our faith in Jesus Christ, to express the joy of believing in Him, to exchange our experiences, and to inspire others to continue to work in the spirit of the Gospel. It is hoped that as a result of this Congress, the participants and the whole Church in India will have a deeper awareness of what it means to be a Christian, a greater consciousness of our calling, and a more sincere commitment to live as Christians.”
Preparations for the event began over a year ago with Fr. Vijay Shantiraj as the national Secretary and Bishop Agnelo Gracias of Mumbai as the chairman of the local organising committee. Several volunteers from the parishes of Mumbai have been working tirelessly to host the delegates and to ensure the smooth conduct of the event.
Inaugural Event
The Mission Congress opened with the carrying of the Bible in procession by representatives of the three ritual churches, Fr. Vijay Shantiraj, Fr. JustinVettukallel and Fr. John Berchmans. The chief guest and heads of the three Churches lit the lamp amid chanting of hymns on the theme of light.
Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai as host and President of the Mission Congress welcomed the delegates to the city of Mumbai for the four-day event. The Church in India, he noted is having its first Mission Congress, and history is being made. He said each of the participants in the Congress is a very special delegate of their diocese. He hoped that the Congress would provide them very fruitful, graceful days and give to each one “a deeper understanding of our mission as disciples of Christ.”
Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil calls to bear courageous witness to Christ
President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India and head of the Syro-Malabar Church, Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil called the delegates of the first Indian Mission Congress to bear courageous witness to Christ as there is no other substitute for happiness than the Good News of Christ.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the Indian Mission Congress, Prabhu Yesu Mahotsav, Cardinal Vithayathil said the event drew inspiration from the Asian Mission Congress held in Thailand in 2006, and is the fruit of collaboration of all the three ritual churches in India. Such collaboration, he said, augurs well for the church in India.
Stressing the need to be courageous witnesses of Christ today, he said, no amount of wealth or pleasure in this world can give deep and lasting joy which Christ gives. He drew attention to ills like terrorism, fundamentalism and atheism that plague the world today. Christ and his message are the fundamental answers to the ills that afflict the world.
Calling for a courageous witness and proclamation of Christ and his message, he emphasized that the one who has discovered the treasure of Christ cannot keep it to oneself but is compelled from within to communicate it to others.
He highlighted the importance of the media in the proclamation of this message, but underlined the need for Christians to become not only messengers but the message by authentic discipleship of Christ. He said neither Jesus Christ, nor the Catholic Church, force anybody to be converted. But he emphasized the need for rejecting intolerance of other’s faith.
This is a special mission: Archbishop Quintana
“The Church’s mission is to spread hope continuously. This is a special mission. The Church works not to assert power or dominion but to seek only to place ourselves at the service of humanity, especially the poor,” reasoned Archbishop Pedro Lopez Qunitana.
“The best way of evangelization is to tell the story of Jesus. The roll of the laity is important. We are invited to be the light, to tell everybody of Jesus, especially those who are ignorant of Christ,” Archbishop Quintana added.
Christ’s Message is for the whole world: Mar Cleemis
Jesus Christ’s message is one of peace and love for the whole people and not meant for any particular ethnic, linguistic or regional group, said Major Archbishop Moran Mar Baselios Mar Cleemis, Catholicos, head of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church in India, in his message at the inaugural session of the Indian Mission Congress, Prabhu Yesu Mahotsav.
The Church in India is small in comparison with other religious groups but the service it extends to all sections of the people, particularly its commitment to the poor are a major contribution to the nation, he said.
He called on the 1500 delegates of the Mission Congress to build a culture of peace, tolerance and love and march together with members of all other Christian churches and religions in living the love of God. He paid tributes to the Christian brothers and sisters in Orissa who were brutally attacked for their Christian faith. He also lauded the efforts of Archbishop Cheenath of Cuttack, Bhubhaneshwar for his courageous witness in the face of persecution.
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