ASIA/INDIA - As the Year of the Eucharist comes to a close the Church in Kerala holds special liturgies, seminars and other initiatives

Cochin (Fides Service) - As the Year of the Eucharist celebrated by Catholics the world over comes to a close, also in Kerala, south west India, the local Church is marking the special year with various initiatives including a three day conference, study seminars, special liturgies and other initiatives. The Catholic community in Kerala is vivacious and dynamic and runs many schools and centres of assistance.
Trivandrum diocese has planned a week long reflection with different themes each day focusing on various categories of people: “The Eucharist bread of knowledge”, for teachers and catechists; “bread broken through service”, for workers; “Eucharist: justice and fraternity”, for social workers; “Eucharist and Family”, for Christian families; “The Eucharist and life based on values”, for young people and students.
Other initiatives include special catechesis on John Paul II’s encylical Ecclesia de Eucharistia, hours of Adoration, processions, public witnessing to the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, all of which are drawing large crowds of Catholics and also some non Christians. This is all in response to Pope John Paul II decision to call the special Year of the Eucharist October 2004-2005. All over India Catholics are celebrating in a special way their faith and joy in the Eucharist.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 3/10/2005 rughe 23 parole 235)