Mangalore (Fides Service) – Celebrations in Rome and Mangalore will bridge the distance of thousands of kilometers in this month of October. Catholics in Managlore in the southern Indian state of Karnataka are planning various initiatives to mark three great church events: Pope John Paul II’s 25 years of pontificate, the beatification of Mother Teresa of Calcutta and the closing of the Year of the Rosary for which the main festivities will be held in Rome.
Mangalore diocese, where there is a community of Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity, has launched a prayer campaign during the missionary month of October, also dedicated to the Rosary. The aim is to increase prayer among local Catholics particularly the Rosary prayer in communion with the Pope.
At the academic level on 19 October Mangalore University will host a Symposium on the life and work of Mother Teresa. Speakers will be Christians and Muslims and the aim is to see how Mother Teresa can be a stimulus for better understanding among people of different religions.
Christian youth are also involved in celebrations. The Christian Youth Movement has organised street spectacles and campaigns to spread the message of Mother Teresa. At Jeppu Seminary seminarians will perform musical concerts on 19 and 22 October.
The events will culminate on 24 October with the recitation of the Rosary in Mangalore Catholic which will officially close the Year of the Rosary. PA (Fides Service 10/10/2003 EM lines 26 Words: 447)