Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Cochin (Fides Service) – Prayer and adoration mark the Day for Consecrated Life at Kurusumala, Ashram in Kottayam, Kerala (southern India). Christians have opened ashrams, places for meditation of Hindu in various parts of India. Kurusumala Ashram, an area of 80 acres, is situated on top of a mountain and it is a place of pilgrimage and the monks welcome people who want to experience contemplation and meditation. Besides cells for the monks it has a chapel and a well-furnished library with books on religion, philosophy, history and culture.
The small community of hermits live a life of mystical communion with God and nature. Their experience combines Christian faith with Indian traditions and the ideals of Gandhi. Silence reigns at the Ashram surrounded by trees, rocks and coloured flowers.
Prayer, silence, work and service to others mark daily life. Today the community – of Benedictine origin but now under the jurisdiction of the Syro-Malankar Church – ha circa 20 members, priests and novices in search of dialogue with God and nature and with neighbour. In keeping with Gandhi tradition they are vegetarians and with the labour of their hands they provide for themselves and help about 80 families living in the surrounding hills, distributing their farm products and putting their pastures at disposal.
French missionary Father Jules Monchanin, who was joined by Benedictine Fathers Henri Le Saux and Bede Griffiths, opened the Ashram in the 1950s. At the Ashram there is a visible process of inculturation of the Christian message in India. The monks recognised the profundity of Indian philosophy and strove to integrate it with the principles of the Gospel.
(PA) (Fides Service 2/2/2004 lines 26 words 299)
