Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bangalore (Agenzia Fides) – For 50 years, the priests of the Holy Cross Congregation have carried out their pastoral and educational services in South India. Information released to Agenzia Fides explains how they celebrated their Jubilee in the city of Bangalore in recent days, accompanied by a crowd of faithful in a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore.
The mission of the Holy Cross Congregation has been a far-reaching one, beginning in India with their landing in the Gulf of Bengal in 1853. A religious province was then established in South India in 1959. Today there are 74 religious present, working in parishes, schools, in social services, catechesis, spiritual direction, family counseling. The congregation also has a large group of youth from India who are discerning their vocation with the congregation.
The Jubilee celebration was attended by Superior General, Fr. Hugh Cleary, who highlighted that “the mission of the Holy Cross fathers is a mission without borders,” and that they should “share the gift they have received, namely the love of God, with others.” “May our eyes be opened to see every human being as a child of God and may our arms reach out to answer the cry of the children. This was the mission of Christ and this is also our mission,” the Superior told the assembly.
The Jubilee celebration of the Congregation of the Holy Cross in South India was an opportunity to recall the missionary task, especially now in the wake of the Indian Missionary Congress, in the 3rd Millennium, in the multiform and pluralistic reality of the Indian subcontinent.
The Holy Cross Congregation, founded in 1837 by French diocesan priest Fr. Basil Anthony Moreau, has nearly 1,500 religious present in 16 countries. In India, there are 47 communities divided into two provinces, one in South India and the other in Northeastern India. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 21/10/2009)
