by Nirmala Carvalho

The Pious Disciples of the Divine Master in Bandra (Mumbai) pray for their brothers and sisters in Syria, that they may enjoy lasting peace. Founded in the spirit of Saint Paul, who met Jesus on his way to Damascus, the congregation "holds Syria in a special place."

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - "We are praying for the victims of the terrible killings in Syria and for the whole country, that lasting peace may reign where Christ appeared to Saint Paul," said the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master (PDDM), as they launched a day of prayer and fasting for the victims of the Syrian war at their Prathnalaya or House of Prayer.

"We are devastated by Syria's terrible situation," Sister Valeriana told AsiaNews. For the mother superior of the congregation, "yesterday's reports have increased our sense of desperation. We pray incessantly."

"Our congregation was created by the Blessed Giacomo Alberione, in the spirit of Saint Paul who med the Divine Master on his way to Damascus. This," she insisted, "unites us intimately to this land, which today is a place of death and destruction for many innocent people."

"The Blessed Giacomo Alberione said that we must all consider Saint Paul the Apostle, as our father, master, example and founder," Sister Valeriana explained.

"Our congregation was born from him and has been nourished and risen in him. We received our spirit from him. If someone suffers in the mystic body of Christ, we suffer too. Syria and Damascus hold a special place for us."

Fr Giacomo Alberione, founder of the Pauline Family, set up the congregation in 1924.

The pope established the feast day of Jesus the Divine Master in 1958 following a request from the founder of the congregation.

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