INDIA, Fr. Peter Locher. A small step in view of numbers, maybe, but a huge one for Schoenstatt in India, in the Year of Priests: The first meeting of diocesan priests in Bangalore, India took place from 5-7 January 2010. These are priests who are prepared to work in the Schoenstatt Movement, and who are interested in being introduced to Schoenstatt’s spirituality.
Six diocesan priests took part. A number were prevented from coming, some of them at the last moment. It seemed that the devil was interested in preventing the whole undertaking. Apparently he saw it as important enough.
Various Schoenstatt Fathers gave talks on the shrine and its symbolism – this took place in the neighbouring shrine of the Sisters of Mary – as well as on Schoenstatt’s foundation and its history, on Father Kentenich as a priestly example, on Schoenstatt’s spirituality and the challenge for pastoral and educational work in our present times, and what Schoenstatt has to offer in this regard.
Each day, the priests concesebrated Holy Mass in the Shrine, a moment that deepened and enriched the spiritual climate that reigned from the very beginning.
Priests’ Groups to be founded
The assessment at the end of the conference brought a very grateful and positive response, and the readiness to co-operate with Schoenstatt, as well as to deepen their knowledge of Schoenstatt’s spirituality.
One group of priests formed in the Diocese of Trichy, a second is planned in the Diocese of Madurai, and in the state of Gujarat.
A further meeting with a larger number of invitations and the priests who were unable to come this time is planned for 18 May in Madurai.
We are justified in saying that with this meeting the branch of the Diocesan Priests has been founded in India.
Congratulations,
this is a wonderful beginning for the Diocen Priests.
I wish and pray, that those who were prevented to come, will persist and get to the next meeting.