Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vasai (Agenzia Fides) – This Christmas will be a Christmas of prayer, to invoke the power of the Holy Spirit upon the nation. In Vasai (in the state of Maharashtra), the local Catholic community is preparing to host the XIV National Convention of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, to be held December 27 to 30, at St. Augustine School, on the theme "Be holy as I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16).
The convention will bring together members of charismatic communities from around the country, for a meeting that is estimated could host over 20,000 people. They will be days of intense prayer and reflection, where the faithful will invoke the Holy Spirit for every person and on the entire nation, for spiritual renewal, peace, and harmony in India.
"The Catholic Charismatic Renewal in India is making great strides and is spreading rapidly across the country. The event in Vasai will give new impetus to the movement, for being a witness and for evangelizing," says a note sent to Fides from Bishop Valerian D'Souza of Poona, Delegate of the Bishops' Conference for Catholics of the Charismatic Renewal in India.
The convention was also advertised in the monthly "Charisindia," which publishes articles by Cardinals, Bishops and lay leaders close to the movement. In the Convention - it says - "we will pray for peace and reconciliation in India: the power of the Holy Spirit will be invoked to defeat all forms of violence and persecution of Christians in the nation." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 16/12/2009)
