Holy Spirit, come and bring your light

A Triduum of grace in Bangalore, India, from 18-20, April 2008

El Padre Heinrich Walter estuvo presente Father Heinrich Walter was present Dazu war Pater Heinrich Walter nach Indien gekommen
Simbolo del Espiritu Santo Holy Spirit Symbol Heilig-Geist-Symbol
Misa festiva Festive Mass Festlicher Gottesdienst
Ordenación dioconal Deacons’ ordinations Diakonenweihe
Procesión al Santuario Procession to the Shrine Prozession zum Heiligtum Fotos: Locher © 2008

INDIA, Fr. Peter Locher. April 18 – 20 were days of grace and joyful surrender for the Schoenstatt Fathers and thus the entire Schoenstatt Movement in India. The Holy Spirit Symbol was attached in the Shrine, and four seminarians were ordained deacons. In the morning of Covenant Day, April 18^th, two groups of seminarians had their perpetual or timely consecrations.

The perpetual contract-consecration for the deacons, or the Living Stones, and the contract-consecration for the Creative Shepherds, took place on the morning of April 18^th just among us Fathers. In the afternoon, the Holy Spirit symbol was placed in the Shrine, and everyone was invited. The weather was pleasant being somewhat cloudy. The celebration took place in front of the Shrine, so that all the guests could participate. The symbol lay in front of the altar and was solemnly consecrated and blessed, and then presented to the people by the Superior General, Fr Heinrich Walter, who had spent the whole day with the community. The symbol was put up by the course leader of the Novices who had initiated the idea of putting up this symbol in the Shrine.

After the celebration of the Eucharist, all were invited to enter into the Shrine for prayer.

Deacons’ Ordination

On Saturday, the 19th, the deacons were ordained. The Bishop from the neighboring diocese of Mysore, a former professor at St. Peter’s who many of the Fathers knew, took the time to ordain the deacons according to the Latin liturgy, and did it very beautifully.

First of all, the candidates promised faithfulness and obedience to the bishop and through him to the superiors. Next they prostrated themselves while the litany was sung. After this the Bishop laid his hands on them, the central sign of consecration, which is valid when the prayer of consecration is prayed over the candidates. At that point, the four newly ordained put on their deacon’s vestments. One of them then assisted at the celebration of the Eucharist as the deacon.

As often happens everywhere at such celebrations, but very particularly in India, the occasion has to be recorded with a photograph–once with the Bishop and once with the community. In this instance there was also a photo with the parents who attended the ceremony.

The celebration continued

The celebrations continued on Sunday, April 20th. In India, the first contract-consecration after the Novitiate is celebrated in a very solemn way. It can be compared with the reception ceremony in other communities at the beginning of the Novitiate. All the relatives and friends of the Novices were invited to this celebration.

There were a few special features to this day. The celebration began in the house chapel of the Novitiate. From there the Novices went in procession to the Shrine. The parents or closest relations of each of the candidates accompanied them, processing with the candidate between them. The candidate carried the new garment he would receive over his arm.

The Superior General, Fr Heinrich Walter, presided over the celebration during which the candidates were presented with the white soutane, that is the clerical garb in India. The candidate put it on and appeared in this garment for the contract-consecration. In addition to the presentation of the white garment, the candidates were commissioned to serve in the liturgy (giving out Holy Communion). The Delegate, Fr Roy Venookaran, performed this act.

The celebration of the Eucharist followed. It was very solemn with a very beautiful and enthusiastic sermon by Fr. Heinrich Walter. Also here many, many photos were taken with the community, with the families, and with everyone.

The Holy Spirit symbol in the Shrine is like an anticipation of the Pentecost soon to be celebrated. Come, Holy Spirit!