The Inauguration of the Continental Mission Year - Asia and Oceania
BANGALORE,
India - The Church in Asia, seeks to
walk with all brothers and sisters in faithfulness to her Lord, united through
different cultures, traditions and spiritualties. St. John Paul speaking of his
experience of Asian Church says: ''Church in Asia needs a true missionary
spirituality of prayer and contemplation''. Indeed, the religious wins the
respect in Asia because of the integrity in prayer and mission showed through
their consecrated life. Keeping in line with the necessity for communion and
mission as reflected by St. Louis de Montfort, the General administration has
called us to strengthen the bond of Union, Communion and Communication through
the continental gathering of entities around the globe.
“Governance
is not simply a way of managing, but a way of being present, of entering into
relationships. A leader must be a contact person, actively involved in the life
around him, loving humanity.” (General Chapter 2017). So it is certainly a
joy for us in Asia-Oceania and Indian entity in particular to prepare and to
celebrate the Continental year. It has enabled us to come together, to re-live
the bond of communion in mission. It is time of grace to trace the face of the
human race with the divine space as we live in time and space.
“The
Continental Year calls us to evaluate and celebrate our Montfortian Missionary
presence in the Continent, especially to strengthen the sense of belongingness
and unity, to seek valuable means to arrive at a hopeful future. In this year,
all the members of SMM, from the General Administration, are invited to create in
themselves an atmosphere of listening, to help the Confreres who live and work
in Asia and Oceania to be faithful to the Montfortian Charism today (cf. Superior
General, Brochure after the General Council of Saint Laurent-sur-Sèvre, October
2017).”
This
is also an occasion where Asia–Oceania are open to other entities and
missionary collaboration. To meet the challenges in terms of formation in
building up the true, dynamic Montfortians through community spirit and
missionary life. It is a call to orient all the programs of the year in order to
inculcate the true spirit of Montfort. The formulation of the theme song, logo,
prayer and daily prayer book bring about the inner dynamics of Continent with
the sense of zeal, enthusiasm. We in India are in the process of organizing
various other activities for this purpose in our communities and dioceses.
Since we are in the midst of the pandemic, we are slow to begin but we move
forward with courage and good will to strengthen our communion and
communication of the Spirit of St. Louis de Montfort.
We
had our first program in the Novitiate in Chikmagalur diocese and followed by
in Gurumandir, Mysore our minor seminary. The celebration in Guru Mandir began
by hoisting the continental mission year Logo flag at the entrance to the venue
of the celebration. The Perpetual Profession and the Deaconate Ordination added
meaning to this continental year as there were 22 Montfortian priests, 45 lay
faithful, 16 seminarians, Montfort associates and religious sisters who were
part of the celebration. The celebration began at 11 am with rosary procession
during which the continental flags were carried with lighted candle symbolizing
the unity and communion of the Montfortians in Asia and Oceania. The
Continental mission year was inaugurated by lighting the Indian Lamp by five
representatives from the different age groups. After the inauguration, Fr.
Peter MASCARENHAS SMM, the Provincial Superior, gave message and the
continental prayer was recited by all. The theme song of ‘Rise and Shine’
was beautifully sung by the minor seminarians. We plan to organize the same in
other places in the days to come.
Fr. Peter MASCARENHAS SMM
Provincial Superior
0
reviews