by Nirmala Carvalho

Lino Fernandes SFX, of the parish of Blessed Mother Teresa Siadih, will visit 45 families divided into 25 villages. In each he will officiate the sacrament of Reconciliation, will make the Way of the Cross and will teach catechism. "Evangelizing - he explains - means being involved in the development of every human being.

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - A Lenten journey "to proclaim the love of God for the Mundari tribal, crossing mountains and rivers" will start tomorrow in the diocese of Jamshedpur ( Jharkhand ).  The idea is one of Fr. Lino Fernandes SFX, a missionary of Pilar who administers the parish of Blessed Mother Teresa of Siadih , attended by 45 families scattered across 25 villages. "Ten of these villages - the priest told AsiaNews - are also 15-20 km away , but everyone needs the same attention".

The priests desire to bring the Word of God to all has pushed him to undertake this journey. "Evangelizing - says Fr . Fernandes - means to be involved in the development of every human being, even those who live in difficult social realities; bring peace and reconciliation; build human communities in the context of their cultures; accompany people in their journey to God, who are wounded and in constant search as we all are. Evangelization calls us to respect the traditions and religious experiences of the people, as humble seekers, providing our guide based on faith. "

The first village to be visited will be Badani , one of the closest to the church , while the last will be Dumali and Chhatnibeda . "We will reach these two on April 8. To do so, we will reach the base of a mountain, and then cross it on foot". In all his visits he will be accompanied by a priest, a nun, a catechist from the village and some children who attend the parish hostel. To organize the trip the pastor sought the permission of all the Mundari communities, who agreed".

"In every village - says the missionary - we'll start with the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and then make the 13 Stations of the Cross . It is a powerful way to evangelize: involve the whole community, giving an immense testimony of faith to the non-baptized. After we teach a little catechism, to which everyone is invited. We proclaim God's love for people and His special concern for the poor and the marginalized. The sufferings of Christ finds space in their hearts, as well as the sacrifice of blood, which is close to the tribal traditions. 'They are struck by the fact that God sacrificed His only Son for each of us".

In the last two villages that the missionary will visit there are only four families in each nucleus. "It's tiring - he admits - but the love of Christ urges us to proclaim the Good News to the tribals. Even those who are in remote areas".

 

 

• india
• lent
• missionary
• SFX
• tribal
• evangelization