Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mangalore (Fides Service) - 'Carmel and Asian Mission' was the theme of a Mission Congress for Asia and Oceania organised by the Discalced Carmelite Order at Ryshivana, the Institute of Indian Christian Spirituality at Ranipura, on the banks of the river Netravati. In its history, the Diocese of Mangalore records a lot of missionary work by the Carmelites and counts among its shepherd, three Vicars Apostolic from 1845 - 1873, making it an ideal setting for serious deliberations on the theme. In a report sent to Fides by Fr Silvestre D' Souza OCD Congress Secretary, the 35 participants included all major superiors from the two continents, besides superiors of various missions in the region and masters of theology students.
Fr. Luis Arostogui Gamboa, the Superior general presided over the sessions and in his key-note address reminded those gathered in the words of the Carmelite Fr. Juan Vincente, that action without contemplation would not be Carmelite and contemplation without action would not be Teresian. Hence the missions are an integral part of a Carmelite vocation. Fr. Damaso Zuazua, the General Secretary for the missions, spelt out the aims and objectives of the congress, and urged the assembly to gear towards some practical guidelines that could be implemented in the various circumscriptions as a fruit of the deliberations. Frs. Xavier Jayaraj and Angelo Madelo, the two Definitors General, in-charge of the two continents, were also present.
The resource persons were Carmelites Fr. Paul D’Souza of the Karnataka-Goa Province and Fr. Dominic Fernandez de Mendiola (Navarra, Spain, and former rector of Alwaye Seminary, Kerala), who presented papers on “Unforgettable Carmelite Missionaries on the Asian Soil from the sixteenth to twentieth century” and ‘Main characteristics of the missionary activity of the past in Asia’, respectively. Fr. Michael Amaladoss SJ (Institute of dialogue with cultures and religions, Chennai) spoke on inter-religious dialogue and ecumenism and Fr. Felix Wilfred (Head of Department of Christianity, Madras University) shared his reflections on the document ‘Ecclesia in Asia and the challenges of mission today’. Both are noted theologians in Asia.
The participants spent every evening in group discussions, so that the deliberations of the day could be studied and applied to concrete living and situations. Fruits of these discussions were shared in common. All the major superiors were also given opportunities to present a brief report of their life, and especially of their missionary activities. The wide experiences of members from India, S. Korea, Philippines-Vietnam, Singapore-Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, Tanzania, Kuwait and Australia were enriching, while showing the diversity in the fields and means of evangelization / mission.
On 26 September the Bishop of Mangalore presided the morning Mass. In his homily Bishop Paul D' Souza expressed his happiness to meet all the OCD delegates of the congress in Asia and Oceania. He said that it was to his knowledge the first response in India to the appeal given by the Asian Mission Congress held by the FABC last year.
On the final day the committee that was entrusted with the preparation of a message and orientation for praxis, presented a draft that was discussed and finally approved after corrections and modifications. Fr. General appealed to the participants to explain it to all the members of the region, so that it becomes really fruitful.
On the 28 and 29 September the participants visited places in Mangalore and Goa that were connected to the mission of the Carmelites: the sanctuary of Blessed Joseph Vas, the great missionary to Kanara and Sr. Lanka; St. Anne’s convent, now the provincialate of the sisters of the Apostolic Carmel. The shrine of the Child Jesus at Kulshekar (Mangalore) run by the Carmelites; the enclosed Carmel in Kankanady; the monastery of the St Francis Xavier Mission Society, the Pilar Fathers; the Basilica of Bom Jesus, where relics of St Francis Xavier are preserved; the ruins of a 17th century Carmelite monastery, sanctified by the martyrs Blessed Dionysius and Redemptus; the Shrine of Blessed Joseph Vaz, apostle of Sri Lanka. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 10/10/2007 - Righe 47; Parole 638)
